In this article we'll take a quick look at what some of the more popular software companies have to offer.

Microgaming are without a doubt one of the giants of the gaming software world. They have been in the industry since the very beginning of online casinos, having started in 1994 and now provide software to over 400 online gaming brands in 24 languages.

They provide well over 600 uniquely branded games and around 2,000 when you take into account the various Flash and download versions of these. Covering online gaming, land-based companies such as casinos and, increasingly, mobile platforms, Microgaming are effectively a one-stop-shop for any aspiring casino, poker room, bingo site or live dealer provider.

Their size is their strength and allows them to offer a huge range of progressive jackpot games, with the network’s total jackpots hovering around the £6m at the time of writing and individual game prizes often reaching the £3m mark. Their size, reputation and the fact they only work in regulated markets means they are a highly trustworthy company we wholly recommend.

Net Entertainment are another of the top boys in the gambling software world and are right up there with the very biggest and best. NetEnt was founded in 1996 in Scandinavia and is listed on the Swedish NASDAQ, which, along with the fact they are fully transparent and don’t operate casinos directly, helps assure customers they can be trusted. They have offices in Sweden, Malta (where they are certified) and a number of other locations and provide solutions to companies such as BetVictor and Sky Vegas.

Their games generally return 95% to players, considerably higher than many other providers, with the focus on player retention rather than short-term profit. The quality of their games helps in this respect, as does the selection and range. With a good range of huge progressive jackpots and superb graphics and sound, as well as big brand slots and games, NetEnt are a true force to be reckoned with. 

Playtech are right up there in size and quality with the best gambling software companies in the world. Established in 1999 by Teddy Sagi they have offices in nine countries, including “E”-stonia (as it’s known to some tech geeks!) and the Isle of Man, where the bulk of its 2,600 staff are based. They provide hosting, customer service, transaction management and software that spans online casinos, bingo, scratchcards, social gaming, binary options, lotteries, poker, mobile platforms and even sports betting. So that’s everything then! If you’ve ever gambled online there is a strong chance you have used their software… and liked it!

They put an emphasis on responsible gambling and operating in regulated markets and these factors, along with their size, reputation and independent fairness accreditation – as well as enviable client list – makes them a thoroughly trustworthy company. 

International Game Technology (IGT) is a Nevada-based (handy for Las Vegas!) company that started life in the 1950s providing slot machines to real life casinos and currently manufactures around half of all the slots in the USA. If you’ve been to Vegas you’ll know that’s a lot of slots! With offices in various countries around the world, including tech-capital Estonia and also the UK, Argentina and Russia among others, they employ over 5,000 people. Turnover is almost $2bn and the sheer size and industry experience of the company makes them a force to be reckoned with.

In 2005 they acquired WagerWorks and expanded into the world of online gaming and with a great range of big name slots such as Sex and the City and Star Wars, as well as some huge progressive Mega Jackpots, casinos powered by their software are invariably a joy to behold.