If you’re even slightly familiar with online slots, you must know at least a few software developers. You might have already noticed the distinctive features of each one, but if you’re new to the industry and you want to learn more about various slot developers, read this article.
We will focus on the top slot operators by telling you more about them and giving you recommendations on which one of their slots to try out for yourself.
How We Chose Them
Let us tell you how we chose the software developers we are featuring today. First, we look at the popularity of each operator. This can be easily determined by checking online mentions and different lists. Then, we count how many slot games each developer has released, and finally, we check their annual profits.
Since our criteria is a bit subjective, we won’t give you a numbered list showing where each software developer stands according to us.
The Operators
Without further due, here are the best slot developers.
Playtech
Playtech was founded in 1999 by Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi. Sagi established the company in Estonia and introduced the first casino game two years later. Right now, Playtech is one of the largest providers of casino software, casino games and sports betting. Their 2020 revenue equated to € 1,078.5 million.
The company boasts of 593 slots, which have different themes and mechanics that have evolved over time. Perhaps some of their most famous slots are the Marvel-themed ones. The Iron Man slot, for example, came out right after the movie did and Playtech happily rode on the success of this new cinematic universe.
However, that’s no longer the case. When Disney bought Marvel, the company banned slot operators from making Marvel-themed slots, and later Star Wars-themed slots. Playtech is notorious for making games based on famous films, so that was certainly a big blow.
Here are some Playtech slots to try out:
- The Dark Knight
- King Kong
- Age of the Gods (the whole series)
NetEnt
NetEnt was created by Pontus Lindwall in 1996 in Stockholm, Sweden. NetEnt was the first company to develop casino software based on Java, which made it famous. Apart from casino software, the Swedish provider has made hundreds of casino games. The company has an impressive 30% market share in Europe and a revenue of $197 million.
NetEnt has given us some of the most popular slots ever. So far, the company has made over 200 slots. Their slots are mostly famous for their original themes, as well as their beautiful graphics. They have also made some music-themed slots, which are very fun to play. The ingenuity of NetEnt slots has inspired other developers in creating their own slots.
Here are some NetEnt slots to play:
- Gonzo’s Quest
- Blood Suckers
- Guns N’ Roses
IGT
IGT is one of the oldest slot developers. It was created in 1975 by William Redd and became the hottest thing in town when it introduced the video poker machine. IGT began producing slots in the 1980’s, starting with the Nevada Megabucks slot machine, which had the first wide area progressive slot machine system. IGT was acquired by Gtech in 2015, but it continues to do what it knows best – casino games that attract millions of players. Its 2020 revenue is $3,115 billion dollars.
IGT slots first debuted in land-based casinos and they are perhaps the most easily recognisable slots in the industry. IGT paved the ways for many other companies by providing the basic structure of slot machines. If you want to thank someone for your favourite online slot, thank IGT!
Here are some classic IGT slots:
- Cleopatra
- Jeopardy
- Wheel of Fortune
Microgaming
Microgaming was founded in 1994 on the Isle of Man by Martin Moshal. The company states that it created the first true online casino software in 1994 and it has since been at the foreground of the newest developments in the gambling industry.
It developed the first VR casino games in 2016, which further increased its popularity. Microgaming also boast of having the largest progressive jackpot network. Its 2020 revenue is $600 million.
Microgaming has so far launched over 530 slot games, with new ones coming out every month! The signature feature of Microgaming is definitely the progressive jackpot, after all the company has paid over $1.25 billion in progressive jackpots for the past 20 years. Apart from jackpot slots, Microgaming has also released some branded slots based on famous films and TV shows.
Here are some signature Microgaming slots:
- Mega Moolah
- King Cashalot
- Game of Thrones
Conclusion
Each software provider in this article has contributed a lot to the industry and has made a good name for itself. It’s impossible to say which one is better than the other, especially considering the variety of slots they offer. In the end, it’s you, the player, who will make that choice.