The Best Casino Software at Top UK Gambling Sites

What to Look Out for in a Top Software Provider

The best online casinos will host games from a wide range of these developers, each bringing their own unique contribution to the online gambling industry. Here are some of the qualities to look out for in the games of a top software provider.

Graphics and Sound Design

The first interaction any casino player has with a game is an aesthetic one, so initial impressions are important. Good visual and sound design puts players at ease, knowing they’re in the capable hands of a developer that cares about the fine details. With the introduction of virtual reality (VR) and other technologies into online casino games, graphics and sound design will play an even bigger role in the games of the future.

Interface and Controls

A developer can create the most visually appealing game ever to grace an online casino, but if it’s not intuitive to use or easy to navigate, it won’t be successful. Now that online casino players are split between desktop and mobile gamers, this consideration extends to both gaming domains, requiring software providers to think about how to optimise its games to seamlessly adapt to smaller mobile screens and different touchpoints.

RTP and Volatility

RTP stands for return to player – a stat issued with every online casino game that roughly indicates the rate at which the game pays out. RTP figures are given as a percentage, and licensed developers are required to provide these figures with all of their games. Typical RTP rates hover around the 96% mark, meaning that on average, players will stand to win £96 from £100 worth of wagers. However, these numbers are an aggregation of huge data sets, so returns can significantly fluctuate in either direction.

Volatility is a measurement of the size and frequency of payouts of casino games. If a game has a high volatility rating, this means it will dish out infrequent but large prizes; low volatility games will do the opposite. Volatility can therefore be thought of as a loose measurement of risk.

Bonus Rounds and Innovation

The most exciting video slots of recent years include interesting bonus rounds and innovative features. Microgaming’s Avalon 2 and NetEnt’s South Park are two good examples of developers pooling their creative efforts into the bonus rounds of their slots. Despite being two of the biggest developers in the world, this continued commitment to innovation shows their players that they’re not willing to produce any run-of-the-mill casino game, and want to hit the highest levels of entertainment.

Third-Party Regulation

Regulators such as eCOGRA are responsible for the vetting and auditing of online casino games, ensuring that random number generators (RNG) are being utilised, and that RTP rates are as advertised. Sites found to be hosting unregulated games will be immediately removed from our list of recommendations.

The Best Software Developers at UK Online Casinos

Here are some of the top software developers in the world, all of which will have games available to play at the best online casinos in the UK.

NetEnt

Founded: by Pontus Lindwall in Sweden, 1996
CEO: Therese Hillman
Recent achievements: Slot Supplier of the Year, 2019 EGR Awards

You might notice that NetEnt’s founding date places the company close to the advent of online gambling. No surprise then that NetEnt is one of the biggest and most successful developers in the industry, known and respected all over the world. Its biggest export is video slots, and its games are famed for their exceptional sound and visual graphics and entertaining character arcs. The beloved Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst and Dead or Alive all came from the NetEnt studio.

Microgaming

Founded: by Martin Moshal on the Isle of Man, 1994
CEO: John Coleman
Recent achievements: Innovation in Slot Provision, 2019 EGR Awards

If NetEnt is a big player in the industry, then Microgaming is practically synonymous with online gambling. The company makes claim to both the first online casino software in 1994, and the first mobile casino software ten years later. Equally known for its slot and table game products, its most popular titles include Immortal Romance, Game of Thrones, and the progressive jackpot slot, Mega Moolah.

Playtech

Founded: by Teddy Sagi in Estonia, 1999
CEO: Mor Weizer
Recent achievements: Best Digital Industry Supplier, 2016 Global Gaming Awards

A developer of all kinds of casino games from video slots to live casino, Playtech makes up the third component of the industry’s so-called Big 3 alongside NetEnt and Microgaming. Playtech’s unique partnership deals – first with Marvel and then with Warner Bros – has seen the company develop a string of hugely successful superhero-themed slots, including Superman, The Dark Knight series, and The Green Lantern.

Evolution Gaming

Founded: by Jens von Bahr in Latvia, 2006
CEO: Jens von Bahr
Recent achievements: Online Casino Supplier of the Year, 2021 Global Gaming Awards

It isn’t really fair to limit the industry’s biggest developers to just three positions, given that NetEnt is now owned by Evolution Gaming. This is testament to Evolution’s stratospheric rise since its founding in 2006, and this momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Its games are almost entirely based within the live dealer market – a concept first developed by Evolution and now the biggest current trend in online gambling. Almost every casino site in the UK will feature an Evolution title, the biggest of which include Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, Dream Catcher, and Lightning Roulette.

Pragmatic Play

Founded: by Julian Jarvis in Malta, 2015
CEO: Julian Jarvis
Recent achievements: RNG Casino Supplier of the Year, 2021 International Gaming Awards

Pragmatic’s successes as a developer belies its young age, with the company now a popular creator of all manner of casino games. The titles are available to play in 31 languages and in an endless list of global currencies. From a video slot perspective, its best games include Wolf Gold and the John Hunter series. For table games, players will want to check out Mega Wheel and Dragon Tiger.

Yggdrasil

Founded: by Fredrik Elmqvist in Sweden, 2012
CEO: Fredrik Elmqvist
Recent achievements: Innovator of the Year, 2020 International Gaming Awards

Yggdrasil’s Innovator of the Year award in 2020 only tells half the story. 2020’s ceremony was the third year in a row the company won the award, with recognitions of innovation also coming from the EGR awards in the same period. Yggdrasil is best known for its bold and colourful video slots, many of which take inspiration from themes of ancient gods, religion, and war. Vikings Go Berzerk and Valley of the Gods are two excellent slot games that fall into those categories.

Play’n GO

Founded: by Johan Törnqvist in Sweden, 1997
CEO: Johan Törnqvist
Recent achievements: Best Casino Supplier of the Year, 2019 iGaming Excellence Awards

This prolific developer produced 52 games in 2020 alone and, like Yggdrasil, Play’n Go’s titles are known for their strong themes and bright colour schemes. As the name suggests, Play’n Go’s games are primarily intended for mobile players, though they can of course still be played on desktop. Among its many hits are Book of Dead, Riddle Reels, and Diamond Vortex.

Novomatic

Founded: by Johann Graf in Austria, 1980
CEO: Ryszard Presch and Johannes Gratzl
Recent achievements: Casino Supplier of the Year, 2020 Global Gaming Awards

Novomatic has its roots in the 70s, where it began as a joint venture between Graf and his business partner to start importing pinball machines. Graf then started developing his own gaming machines, engendering the rise of one of the biggest iGaming brands in the world. Today, Novomatic develops a diverse range of online casino games, including popular slot titles such as the Book of Ra series and Big Five.

Betsoft

Founded: England, 2006
CEO: Mark McKeown
Recent achievements: Innovation in RNG Casino Software, 2019 EGR Awards

Betsoft’s Vault technology enables players with poor internet access to download the developer’s games and play them offline, showcasing its desire to make outstanding casino games available for all. Betsoft’s exceptional graphics and design are on full display in video slots like Mr Macau, Safari Sam, and Take Olympus.

IGT

Founded: by William Redd in the US, 1975
CEO: Marco Sala
Recent achievements: Casino Supplier of the Year, 2021 Global Gaming Awards

As an original manufacturer of mechanical slot machines, International Gaming Technology (IGT) has legendary status in the gambling industry. It is now owned by the American gambling company Gtech, which purchased IGT in 2015 and adopted the name for itself. IGT is known for being a developer of all kinds of casino games, and its expertise in video poker particularly stands out. As well as this, its Cleopatra, Arabian Riches, and Da Vinci Diamonds slots – as well as many others – have proven to be hugely popular over the years.

Thunderkick

Founded: Sweden, 2012
CEO: Jan Lunde
Recent achievements: Best Slot Game of the Year, 2019 Videoslots Awards

Thunderkick exclusively develops slot games, so fans of table and live dealer action might not have much to see here. But what Thunderkick lacks in range it makes up for in quality, with its slots packed full of detailed storylines and elaborate bonus features. Among its many popular games are Pink Elephants, Toki Time and Babushkas.

Sign Up to a Top Online Casino and Experience the Best Software in the Industry

If you’re ready to celebrate the amazing range in themes, style, and bonus rounds from the finest studios in the industry, then you’re in the right place. Simply browse our list of the best UK online casinos, compare welcome bonus offers, and experience titles from an outstanding network of iGaming developers.