Top 5 Casino Software Developers

When it comes to choosing a casino to play at, it is common for would-be players to consider factors like bonuses and banking options. Only after this, will the process of finding a game to play begin. Whilst most online operators offer hundreds of games, of which a few will no doubt be good enough, it can be time-consuming sifting through these.

To save yourself time and effort, it can pay to check which casino software developer provides the games. The purpose of this article is to add some context to these checks, by highlighting the top 5 casino software developers who supply Canadian players. By the end, you should be fully armed to make informed decisions about where to play.

Microgaming

Kicking off our list is the current king of casino software developers. Dating back 25 years, Microgaming has managed to maintain a position of market leader ever since. It is currently the most widely used casino software developer, being used by over 120 online operators.

Perhaps most recognised for its variety of branded slots, the company has the rights to titles including Game of Thrones, The Dark Knight and Tomb Raider. These sit among 500 other games, giving it one of the biggest game catalogues in the industry.

It is the combination of this huge catalogue and the widespread use of Microgaming, among operators, that gives them their true USP - Mega progressive jackpots. This is because many of their games utilise linked progressive jackpots, meaning all operators with these games are paying into the same jackpots. To date, operators using Microgaming software have paid out over $400,000,000 in winnings. Among these winnings is the highest pay-out in industry history - just shy of $10,000,000!

Playtech

Founded in 1999, PlayTech expanded rapidly using a strategy of acquiring smaller game producers. Now able to offer an incredibly broad product range, spanning Slots, Live Table Dealers, Bingo, Lottery, and Scratchcards, they supply over 600 games to players worldwide. Some of their most popular titles include Great Blue, Gladiator and Age of Gods.

While lacking some of Hollywood branding Microgaming is able to offer, their sheer volume of products make PlayTech a safe pick among the top casino software developers.

NetEnt

Whilst they are another long-established operator, with over 20 years of experience, NetEnt bring something a bit different to the table. This is because they are famed for the graphical beauty of their games. Among the games to benefit from this attention to fine detail are The Invisible Man, Planet of The Apes, Gonzo's Quest and Starburst.

If you're someone who appreciates design and a highly polished finish, an operator using NetEnt technology could be the one for you.

Yggdrasil Gaming

Now to a much newer operator. Founded in 2013, Yggdrasil Gaming is an industry disruptor taking on the established order of game providers with impressive success.

One way they have achieved this is through enhanced gamification. This allows operators using their software to easily set up missions and tournaments, to keep players engaged. What's more, it is possible for tournaments to be set up incorporating all operators within the network. This can lead to some super competitions and lucrative prizes.

Certainly one to watch, Yggdrasil Gaming could feature much higher on our list of top casino software developers in the years to come.

Elk Studios

Last but not least is another young upstart making its mark. Taking inspiration from the likes of NetEnt, Elk Studios have taken their time to carefully craft some of the most visually impressive games on the market.

As well as focusing on the beauty of each game, they have also aimed to innovate player loyalty. They have done this through a function called 'Game on', which allows operators to automatically reward players (with things such as free cash and free spins) after they have spun 25 times. A good first step towards improving playability and engagement, we will look on with interest at what they do to extend this concept.