Without the Best Online Casino Software There Wouldn't Be Any Top Online Casinos

Are you one of the many millions who enjoys playing online casino games? Do you ever stop to think about all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes?

For example, the backbone of every online casino is the software that powers the games. A whole industry has grown up around the development of new and exciting games and there are hundreds of companies involved. There are, of course, a handful that are better known than others and happen to power the lion's share of casino games. But there are hundreds of other much smaller concerns that help to provide the experience you enjoy at an online casino.

The games provided by the different developers tend to be pretty much the same. However, the difference comes in the interesting spins, graphics and themes that are given to the games. We should point out that it's not just the games that these software developers provide. The operators of the casinos rely on them in many different ways. Nearly everything that's offered to players such as making payments, security, promotions and entertainment is provided by one or more different software programs. What makes a casino unique is the branding that's used.

We've already mentioned that a handful of software developers enjoy the biggest slice of the pie. So, who are they and what do they provide?

Online Casino Software – the Top 5 Providers

There are actually more than a handful of software developers providing games and other services for the online casino industry. We don't have enough room to go into great detail about each and every one of them. Which is unfortunate because they all have something to offer and work hard to provide you with the best casino experience possible. Instead, we've decided to concentrate on the top five for now. And maybe we'll find some more room to introduce a few more in the future. What follows are the five most common providers of software used by a top online casinos. It's good to know who's providing the games at a casino you're planning to register with and who will be providing the online casino software download.

Microgaming

Number one on the list of online casino software providers, wherever you're looking, tends to be Microgaming. It's a casino online software developer that's been around since the beginning. It's also considered by many to be the creator of the world's first true online casino, in 1994. Microgaming has managed to stay at the top of its game ever since. Its base of operations is in the Isle of Man and it is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.

A wealth of different products are available including multi-player, bingo, poker, mobile, land-based, business solutions, casino, sportsbook and Quickfire. It's been really busy since its creation and has developed more than 850 casino online software games, with more than 1,200 variants. Microgaming has proved itself to be one of the most prolific online casino software developers and is still able to release at least two new titles every month.

One of Microgaming's games that has received the most attention is its progressive slot machine. And was actually one of the first to be created. Called Mega Moolah, it found its way into the history books in 2009 when a winner walked away with the biggest ever online casino win. The bet made was just 25p and the winner walked away with $6,374,434. More recent jackpot wins have, of course, eclipsed this monumental jackpot. But Mega Moolah achieved a new world record in October 2015. A staggering £13,209,300 was paid out to one very lucky UK winner.Read Full Review

Microgaming has won itself some prestigious awards over the years. But its most recent accolades have been:

• Mobile product of the year 2017 winner at The International Gaming Awards
• Microgaming software was a 2017 winner at the EGR Awards
• 2016 Digital Product winner at the Global Gaming Awards
• BEGEXPO Awards 2016 it was recognized for having the biggest online games portfolio

Playtech

Playtech arrived on the scene a little later than Microgaming but it didn't take long for this popular online casino software provider to catch up. It has become a rival for Microgaming's title and many consider it to be bigger and better than its main rival. Playtech certainly offers a wider range of products, including share and binary options trading. Over the years it has acquired a number of other gaming companies and been able to benefit from their experience and reputations. Recently it achieved a name for itself when it created some very popular online slots games, centered around the popular Marvel series. Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four are just a few examples. However, its license expired earlier this year and the games are no longer on the menu.

Playtech has also gained notoriety for its live dealer software and table games. A personal touch is added with the use of webcams. Playing one of the games it's very easy to imagine yourself sitting at the table with your fellow players and chat with the dealer in real-time. Playtech is traded on the London Stock Exchange and offers a one-stop shop for online gaming operators. The applications it's able to provide include poker, bingo, online casino, sports betting, live gaming, casual and fixed odds games and a whole lot more besides.Read Full Review

Playtech has also been lucky enough to win some top awards. More recently including:

• Best Digital Industry Supplier 2016 winner at the Global Gaming Awards
• Mobile Gaming Software 2016 winner at the eGR B2B Awards
• Poker Network 2016 winner at the same awards
• Multi-Channel Supplier of the Year 2016 also at the eGR B2B Awards

Net Entertainment

More commonly known as NetEnt, this is a casino online software provider with a reputation for creating exceptional games. Many consider it to be the best online casino developer in the industry. The gameplay is groundbreaking and the graphics outstanding. Not as big as the two we've mentioned so far, but in the three decades, it has been operating it has made a name for itself for providing the ultimate gaming experience.

The company was founded by a Scandinavian land-based casino operator and provides some of the best and most exciting casino games. Rather than running its own casino, it concentrates on providing the best possible solutions to its clients. A number of the most popular games have been developed by NetEnt. These include Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, Jimi Hendrix, Guns n'Roses and Mega Fortune. It's able to provide operators with a menu that includes more than 100 games, including many of the classic casino games.Read Full Review

NetEnt has been the recipient of some top prizes at recent industry events, including:

• Innovation in Mobile and Mobile Supplier of the Year at the EGR Awards
• Slot Provider of the Year 2015 also at the EGR Awards
• Digital Gaming Innovations of the Year 2014 at the Global Gaming Awards
• Hidden Talent of the Year 2015 at the Women in Gaming Award ceremony

International Game Technology (IGT)

This is an American software developer that is based in Las Vegas. It originally made its name providing a land-based slot machine and has a history that goes back several decades. In 1981, it became a public company, on the back of its success with video poker games. It also achieved a name for being the first software developer to introduce wide-area progressive jackpot slots machines. The Wheel of Fortune progressive slot machine was launched in the 90s. It launched an interactive gaming division in 2005, after acquiring WagerWorks, an online tech company. Since then it has merged with three other companies and is now able to offer a wide range of mobile-based and online games. Some of its most popular games are Cleopatra, Monopoly, Da Vinci Diamonds, Siberian Storm, Wheel of Fortune and Kitty Glitter.Read Full Review

BetSoft

BetSoft features in our list of top developers because it has decided to do things just a little differently. Instead of creating a long list of games it has concentrated on developing a smaller selection of slots and table games. It's only been working in the industry since 2005, so can also be considered a bit of a newcomer. It has quickly gained popularity for the quality of its games, including eye-catching graphics and futuristic slots. Its catalog includes a little over 150 games and includes popular titles such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Good Girl Bad Girl and Tipsy Tourist. The biggest portion of the BetSoft menu is made up of slots. Although it does have a selection of some more traditional table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps and poker.

Most of the software developers working in the industry are currently developing a number of new games, and seem to be concentrating on the mobile market. This is good news for you as a player because it's now possible to take the latest games with you wherever you go and enjoy your favorites using a mobile device.Read Full Review

These were just some of the big names that have created and shaped best online casino games as we know them. Some of the names that we feel should be mentioned and you need to read more about too are: RealTime Gaming, Aristocrat and Novomatic.