Online gambling, commonly known as iGaming, has seen substantial growth in recent years.
Due to the massive closure of many land-based gambling establishments worldwide, iGaming platforms have attracted many new customers, generating revenue of more than $60 billion in 2020.
Given the regulation of online gambling in several states across the country (the US), the iGaming market is going through a complete transformation, with a revenue forecast exceeding $70 billion in 2021.
With this increased demand for online gambling and ease of availability for US players, online sportsbooks and casino websites are reaching incredible heights with impressive stats. Therefore, slot games, one of the most popular activities on these websites, have become the main focus of the many software developers within the industry.
The following companies are regarded as the leading providers in the market today. And in recent years, they have been praised due to their constant push for innovations, enhanced gaming experiences, and mobile responsiveness. With new releases almost on a monthly basis, these developers have created comprehensive game catalogues and are currently featured in several iGaming platforms.
Old Guards
Many companies that supply the iGaming industry with gaming solutions have been on the market for quite a long time. Some of them date back to the beginning of online gambling when the industry was taking its first steps into the mainstream.
“Microgaming is one of these pioneers and currently one of the largest iGaming software providers in the world. The company was founded in 1994 and is credited with creating the world’s first online casino. With the largest jackpot network in the industry -the company’s slots have paid out over $1 billion -Microgaming has received several awards in recent years. Its portfolio comprises more than 800 titles, with games like Mega Moolah and Game of Thrones being some of the most popular Microgaming releases.
Founded in 1996 in Sweden, NetEnt quickly spread its operation through Europe and is regarded as one of the most awarded developers in iGaming – recently, several of its games received awards and nominations at important events like the EGR Awards. NetEnt is also known for releasing various branded games, including popular franchises like Jumanji and even rock n’ roll acts like Ozzy Osbourne. However, Starburst remains NetEnt’s most popular slot.
With more than 20 years in the market, Playtech is another pioneer of the iGaming industry. Holding over 140 licenses globally and operating in more than 19 countries, Playtech is one of the largest casino suppliers in the industry. Its portfolio includes more than 700 games, including popular branded titles like The Matrix and Robocop. Apart from slots and other casino games, the company also provides several online gambling solutions.
Newcomers
Even though the industry is brimming with experienced companies, several developers were established in the 2010s and have been on the rise in recent years for providing innovative and more authentic gameplay.
Established in 2013, Yggdrasil is one of the providers that recently emerged in the market and has already made a name for itself. Founded by a former NetEnt CEO and currently headquartered in Malta, the company also provides keno and lottery solutions. Even though its catalogue is not the largest in the industry, several of its titles have been ranked among the most popular slots in the past months.
Although it was created in the 2010s, iSoftBet is one of the industry’s top developers, having managed to create a large game library in a far shorter time than giants like Microgaming and NetEnt. With several acclaimed games in its catalogue, iSoftBet’s most popular titles include Chilli Chilli Bang Bang and branded games like Rambo and Paranormal Activity.
ELK Studios is a Swedish provider that focuses on mobile gaming. Using innovative math models, the company has developed a comprehensive catalogue of mobile-first games since its foundation in 2012. Additionally, ELK has earned several awards, including the Game of the Year Award at the 2017 eGaming Review Awards for its Wild Toro slot. Some of their most popular titles include “Platooners,” “Poltava,” and the “Electric Sam” series.
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