A-Z of Online Casino Software in the US: 2023 Guide
The online casino software providers are the backbone of the iGaming industry. They’re responsible for all the spectacular games you play. All the game mechanics and payouts are ultimately handled by these developers. Many of them also develop full-fledged casino software.
The thing is, the providers often remain in the shadows. They don’t make much noise other than acquiring new creator studios and/or releasing new games. The goal of our guide today is to give you the ammunition you need to choose the right brands for your game needs.
What is Casino Software?
The iGaming industry has 2 major distinctions. The online casinos and the online sportsbooks. In the sportsbooks, the primary software is designed to handle all the operations.
But when it comes to online casinos, the website interface is just the surface of the technicalities. All of the games you see displayed are actually supplied by the software providers. The operator of the casino has license agreements with the providers that allow them to offer the games to players directly.
- The Software Provider – Online Casino Symbiosis
The nature of the iGaming industry doesn’t allow casino operators to go solo. They are dependent on the software providers for a game library. The providers, on the other hand, need the operators to showcase and deliver their creations to the end-users.
Of course, there are exceptions to this where a software provider develops its own casino interface and vice versa. But it’s not the norm.
- The Casinos Offering Games from A Variety of Providers
The biggest advantage of the operators and the software providers being different is the variety. You can play all kinds of games at a casino online, offered by a multitude of providers. On the contrary, most providers specialize in 1 or 2 types of games. So, if they open their own casinos, the game library is often very limited.
- The Providers are in Control of the Mechanics
The RTP of the game, the RNG, the payouts, and all other technical aspects are controlled by the software providers. Some providers offer a variable RTP range to allow casino operators to comply with regulations.
10 Casino Software Providers You Should Know About
To make the most inclusive guide for our readers, we’ve tested who knows how many software providers. Some of them specialize in slots, some of them in table games, and some of them in live dealer games.
Casino Software Comparison Table
| Casino Software Ranking | Casino Software Provider | Game Range and specialization | The Gaming Software is playable here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Playtech | All games types | Bet365 Casino |
| 2 | Play’n Go | 3D Video slots | |
| 3 | Microgaming | Online slots | |
| 4 | Reel Time Gaming | Slots | |
| 5 | NetEnt | Slots, Table Games, Live Casino | Bet365 Casino |
| 6 | Evolution Gaming | Live Casino | Borgata Casino |
| 7 | Amaya Games | Poker | |
| 8 | IGT | Slots for land-based casinos as well as online casinos | BetMGM Casino |
| 9 | Novoline (Greentube/Novomatic) | Online slots and branded slots | |
| 10 | Williams Interactive | US-Based branded slot providers |
In-Depth Analysis of the 10 Most Important Casino Software Providers
In this section of our guide, we’re going to explore the features and unique characteristics of the 10 software providers listed above. We’re taking a holistic approach rather than going into too many details about the brands.
In terms of volume, Playtech is the largest software provider of our time. It not only develops games but also offers full-fledged software support for casino operators. From slots to live games to sports betting software to bingo to poker to virtual sports, anything and everything is Playtech’s area of expertise.
Playtech Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 700+ Year of Foundation: 1999 Headquarters: Douglas, Isle of Man Number of Employees: 6400 Game Types: Slots, Live Games, Bingo, Poker, Sports Betting, Specializes in: Game Development, Cross-Product Suites, Retail, Financials Popular Titles: Age of the Gods, Buffalo Blitz, Wings of Gold, Goblin’s Cave, etc. Branded Slots: The Matrix, King Kong, Gladiator, Green Lantern, etc. A famous Playtech Game, you should know about:
Walk down the memory lane of the forgotten passion of the Gladiators in Playtech’s all-time hit, Gladiator.
Gladiator is a video slot with an in-game jackpot from Playtech. It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular offerings from the developer. Thankfully, the game is available pretty much all over the world, including the USA.
Play’n Go has quickly ascended in the iGaming industry thanks to its state of the art game design. The provider offers some most eye-catching titles of our time in the US online casinos.
Play’n Go Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 100+ Year of Foundation: 1997 Headquarters: Vaxjo, Kronoberg, Sweden Number of Employees: 37 Game Types: Video Slots Specializes in: Server-based gaming solutions Popular Titles: Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, Hooligan Hustle, Reactoonz, etc. Branded Slots: Hugo A famous Play’n Go Game, you should know about:
Whenever we think of Play’n Go, the first name that comes to mind is Book of Dead. Arguably, the most popular game in the history of the provider.
Book of Dead is a famous Egyptian-themed video slot that mesmerized casino players for years. The vibrant graphics with the mysterious audio design creates an immersion unparalleled to any other experience.
Currently known as Stars Group, Amaya Games is the uncrowned king of the online poker scene. The Stars Group is also very prominent in the sports betting arena with brands like Betfair, Sky Betting, Fox Bet, Fanduel, Sports Bet, Full Tilt, etc. under its belt.
Amaya Games Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: Unlisted Year of Foundation: 2014 Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario Number of Employees: 2400+ Game Types: Poker Specializes in: Live casino environment design Popular Titles: Popular titles from NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and so on. Branded Slots: none A famous Amaya Games Game, you should know about:
No Limit Hold’em is undoubtedly the crown jewel from Amaya Games, now Stars Group.
The game is very much like the Casino Hold’em you already know, but you get to bet as much as you want and for as long as you want.
Starting its operations way back in 1998, Real Time Gaming has gathered quite the industry experience in 20+ years. It started its journey from Atlanta, Georgia and later moved its headquarters to Heredia, Costa Rica.
Real Time Gaming Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 100+ Year of Foundation: 1998 Headquarters: Heredia, Costa Rica Number of Employees: 144 Game Types: Slots, Live Games, Video Poker, etc. Specializes in: Complete casino solutions, B2C Turnkey Popular Titles: Coyote Cash, Enchanted Garden 2, Zhanshi, Keno, etc. Branded Slots: Spartacus Gladiator of Rome, Aladdin’s Wishes, etc. A famous Real Time Gaming Game, you should know about:
Whenever Real Time Gaming is concerned, the game Spirit of the Inca comes up. The provider has pulled off this ancient civilization theme better than all other providers.
Spirit of the Inca is a classic video slot in 5×3 formation. It’s a progressive jackpot slot with hundreds of secrets from the Inca civilization.
In the iGaming world, NetEnt needs no introduction. It’s one of the largest providers of all time, not in terms of volume, but in terms of quality and acceptance. It may have only 200 something games but all of them are phenomenal.
NetEnt Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 200+ Year of Foundation: 1996 Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden Number of Employees: 86 Game Types: Video slots, live casino games, table games Specializes in: Game development, complete casino solutions, account management, technical services, etc. Popular Titles: Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Dead or Alive, Jack Hammer 2, etc. Branded Slots: Knight Rider, Narcos, Jumanji, Hell’s Kitchen, Guns n’ Roses, Vikings, etc. A famous NetEnt Game, you should know about:
No discussion about NetEnt can go without mentioning Gonzo’s Quest. One of the most popular video slots of all time, Gonzo’s Quest is still going stronger than ever.
The adventures of the Spanish explorer Gonzo have been represented by NetEnt in meticulous detail. The premise of the game is finding the riches of El Dorado by landing the right mask symbols.
Evolution Gaming has practically changed the iGaming industry forever. It’s been leading the paradigm and shaping the trends for the betterment of the players. Did you know that brands like NetEnt, Red Tiger, DigiWheel, Big Time Gaming, and Ezugi are all owned by Evolution?
Evolution Gaming Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 700+ table games with 3000+ dealers Year of Foundation: 2007 Headquarters: Sweden Number of Employees: 7000+ Game Types: Live casino, slots, game shows, table games, physical casino games. Specializes in: Live casino environment design Popular Titles: Popular titles from NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and so on. Branded Slots: none A famous Evolution Gaming Game, you should know about:
Whenever you see a “Lightning” game title, you know it’s from Evolution Gaming. The Lightning Blackjack game has completely redefined how we play traditional blackjack.
Lightning Blackjack is your regular blackjack to an extent, but with supercharged RNG card multipliers. Every time you win, there’s a guaranteed multiplier of up to 5x!
When it comes to online casino software providers, there’s no one older than Microgaming. It practically invented online gambling back in the mid-1990s and blessed the world with hundreds of titles over the years.
Microgaming Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 850+ Year of Foundation: 1994 Headquarters: Isle of Man Number of Employees: 246 Game Types: Video Slots, Live Games Specializes in: Casino software and game development Popular Titles: Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck 2, Immortal Romance, Break Da Bank, etc. Branded Slots: Jurassic World, Game of Thrones, Terminator 2, etc. A famous Microgaming Game, you should know about:
Mega Moolah is undoubtedly the title that put Microgaming on the map. It’s the largest progressive jackpot network in the world, running since 2006!
Mega Moolah the game may look naïve at first glance, but this very game has paid over $1 billion to players all over the world. The title is so popular that there are multiple variations such as Mega Moolah Summertime, Mega Moolah 5 Reel Driver, Mega Moolah Isis, and a few others.
International Game Technology or shortly known as IGT is probably the olden company in our online casino software list. It’s been operating since 1990 to empower online gambling. As of now, it has offices in London, Las Vegas, and Rome!
IGT Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: Unlisted Year of Foundation: 1990 Headquarters: London, United Kingdom Number of Employees: 10,500 Game Types: Slots, Live Games, Bingo, Poker, Sports Betting. Specializes in: Cabinets, Electronic Table Games, Online slots Popular Titles: Wheel of Fortune on Tour, Golden Goddess, Cleopatra, Siberian Storm, etc. Branded Slots: Harley-Davidson Freedom Tour, Baywatch, etc. A famous IGT Game, you should know about:
Siberian Storm is a famous offering from IGT with a whopping 720 ways to win. It also happens to be one of the highest RTP titles in IGT’s library.
If you didn’t know, the online game Siberian Storm is also available at land-based casinos as cabinets. It’s a video slot featuring a menacing Siberian white tiger as your main protagonist.
If you’re confused about the name of the provider, don’t be. It’s the combined name for Novomatic and Greentube titles. Essentially, Novomatic is the parent company while Greentube is the interaction division for the same brand.
Novoline Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: 700+ (300 from Novomatic, 400 from Greentube) Year of Foundation: 1980 Headquarters: Austria Number of Employees: 21,000+ Game Types: Slots, electronic table games, jackpots, cabinets, sports betting solutions Specializes in: Full service provider in the iGaming industry Popular Titles: Book of Ra Magic, Arctic Race, Genie Jackpots, Cops & Robbers, Sizzling Hot, etc. Branded Slots: None A famous Novoline Game, you should know about:
Lucky Lady’s Charm Cubes is a very unique approach in the mainstream casino games space. As the provider claims, this game adds another dimension of entertainment to the already popular Lucky Lady’s Charm slot.
Instead of symbols, there are only cubes. It’s the value of the cubes that’ll determine what you’ll win from the game.
If you’re confused about this casino software provider because you’ve never heard of it before, it’s more popularly known as WMS. It operates hand-in-hand with SG Gaming in the US to empower both land-based and online casinos.
Williams Interactive Casino Software at a Glance
Number of Games: Unlisted Year of Foundation: 1974 Headquarters: Waukegan, Illinois Number of Employees: Unlisted Game Types: Slots, land-based slot machines Specializes in: Land-based casino cabinets, online game development Popular Titles: Aftershock, Bier Haus, Bruce Lee, Cluedo Spinning Detectives, Brazilian Beauty, Desert Cats, etc. Branded Slots: James Bond, The Lord of the Rings, Flintstones, Monopoly, Star Trek, etc. A famous Williams Interactive Game, you should know about:
Bier Haus is arguably the most iconic game from Williams Interactive library featuring the evergreen German pubs.
If you want a unique taste of what a German pub may feel like, Bier Haus would be the perfect title for you.
Types of Online Casino Software
You might be most familiar with online casinos that you directly opt into from the website. But did you know there are lots of different types?
Here’s a quick look at different types of software.
- Downloadable Casino Software: This is pretty much the common offering when it comes to downloadable software. This is surely convenient, but not nearly updated as the remaining.
- Online Casino Software: The most common type. You get access to the games and other features directly through the website. Also known as instant-play casinos.
- Mobile Casino Software: Similar to the previous one, these are mobile websites with top-notch compatibility.
- Proprietary Software: Some operators may offer proprietary software for download, usually better than the 1st type.
- Live Casino Software: You may get live casino software from the game studios to get easier access.
- Casino Apps: The modern version of downloadable casino software. These are only available for mobile devices with industry-standard features.
Are the Chances of Winnings Determined by Casino Software?
Not necessarily. The casino software providers may be developing the games, but all games except for the live dealers are RNG based. RNG stands for Random Number Generator.
- RNG: Random Number Generator (RNG) is an algorithm that creates a string of random numbers and translates it into game data.
- Live Games: The odds to win at live dealer games are the same as in land-based casinos.
- Reputation: You can determine whether you can trust a casino software based on its reputation and licenses.
What Does a Good Gambling Software Have to Provide?
The first thing a provider must ensure is fair play. Then, aspects like optimized gaming, load speed, payment methods, faster withdrawal time, etc. factors come into play. Your goal is to find the software providers who offer the most value for your money.