Online casinos in the UK use software from distinguished developers to provide the ultimate gambling experience for their visitors. Today’s online casino software is advanced, with top-notch graphics and a wide variety of games. And unlike in the past, online casinos now offer software from different developers that cater to the individual taste of every player.
When you play at an online casino with excellent software, you’ll have a unique experience that can bring the atmosphere of a land based casino straight to your home. You’ll enjoy the best game play enabled by advanced technology when you play at online UK casinos.
We’ve tried and tested all online casino software providers to deliver you comprehensive reviews and help you pick a software provider you’ll fully enjoy. Our reviews will give you the knowledge you need to navigate your way around this exciting and engaging world, and to do so safely!
Best Online Casino Software Providers & Game Developers in the UK
We’ve picked and reviewed the major online casino software available at online UK casinos. Each casino software provider brings something unique to the table, and we’re sure you’ll easily spot your favorite.
Below you’ll find brief descriptions of online casino software providers and click through to our comprehensive reviews to learn more about each one of them.
#1. NetEnt
NetEnt is one of the leading online casino software providers. Most online UK casinos work with NetEnt to provide the best gambling experience in the casino world.
If you’ve played at an online UK casino before, you’ve definitely played one of NetEnt’s popular games. They are most known for their Starburst slots, and they offer progressive jackpot slots too.
Founded in Sweden, NetEnt develops a large variety of games, with slots being their leading game. Besides casino games, their platform used for operating online casinos is a leader in the market, which is why they are preferred by many online casinos.
#2. Microgaming
Microgaming is a major business, and one of the standout successes of the online casino software world. They provide casino software as well as develop many casino games. Microgaming takes the crown for their best progressive jackpot slots – Mega Moolah.
Microgaming has been dominating the casino industry for a long time, and they manage to keep up with up-and-coming software developers by constantly expanding their game offerings. And they are devoted to keeping the casino industry fair and safe. Their commitment shows in the fact thet they helped found eCOGRA, the e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance body.
#3. NextGen Gaming
NextGen stands for Next Generation, and they are the biggest casino slots developer. They’ve been serving the casino industry for more than 21 years, making them an established player in the gambling world. They have produces well over 200 video slots.
With such a wide variety of games, it’s hard to pick out the best. You will have a great experience playing any of them, but we can recommend you start with the staples such as Irish Eyes, Pillars of Asgard, or Foxin’ Twins. You can find their games at most online UK casinos. We promise you’re in for a fun time!
#4. IGT
IGT is shor for Internation Gaming Technology. Their mission is to “define the future of gaming”. IGT is well known in the online gambling world, and their most popular titles include Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds, Scarab Slot, and Wild Fury Jackpots.
IGT’s headquarters are based in the UK, where they employ over 12,000 people. Besides developing online games, IGT also build physical, traditional gaming machines. They also make lottery and betting products.
#5. Yggdrasil Gaming
Yggdrasil is a popular Swedish casino game developer. If you were wondering, the name Yggdrasil comes from Norse mythology. Yggdrasil is a large mythical tree where the gods meet every day, dragons and eagles live in its branches, and they connect all the mythical worlds.
But the fun part you should care about is the games the company produces, which are hugely popular. Some of the slots they’ve developed are Fruitoids, Joker Millions, and Vikings Go Wild. They’ve also made some casino cames, including Golden Chip Roulette, Lucky Blackjack, and Sonya Blackjack Side Bets.
#6. Barcrest
Barcrest is an old but well known company in the casino world. Barcrest is not only well established in the UK, but also worldwide. It started out in UK, but expanded into a global company. They started out making call cabinet games in the UK, while now they focus on games.
Today, they are well known for their slots Rainbow Riches, which has expanded into a family of titles: Rainbow Riches Pick’n’Mix, Rainbow Riches Free Spins, Rainbow Riches Reels of Gold, and Rainbow Riches Megaways to name just a few.
Their other popular titles include 7s to Burn, Action Bank, Winfall, Jewel in the Crown, and a bunch more. You’ll definitely run into their slots at most online UK casinos. Regardless of your taste in slots, you will find a Barcrest game you enjoy.
#7. Merkur Gaming
Merkur gaming is yet another game development company, and it’s part of Gauselmann Group, a German company. They have well over 200 slots, with a particular style and focus on certain features. They still cover every style and genre, with a great range of classic fruits and more sophisticated video slots.
They are a very large corporation operating around the world. Merkur Games are available in about half of online UK casinos, but they are not yet in the top 100 UK market suppliers. Their top slot machines in the UK are Fruitinator, Multi Wild, Tribe of the Sun, Salmon Catch, and Dreaming Island to name a few.
#8. Quickspin
Quckspin, which was acquired by Playtech, is another Swedish name in the online casino software industry. Their motto is “We love slots”, and we’re sure you’ll love their slots too. They have a plethora of slots you’ll enjoy, such as Ghost Glyph, Mayana, Nero’s Fortune, and more.
Their games are a big part of online UK casino’s portfolios, and they have over 50 casino games including Eastern Emeralds, Divine Dreams, Durian Dynamite, Ticket to the Stars, and The Grand.
Quickspin casinos also offer online tournaments in collaboration with a company called Competition Labs. Tournaments are popular amongst online casino sites, allowing you to play against other players for prizes.
#9. Playtech
Coming in next is Playtech, a giant company in the casino software industry. It was founded back in 1999. Playtech is based in the UK, offering cutting edge solutions for online casinos. They not only develop games, but also platforms for casinos to run on.
The company is massive, and owns many brands like Virtue Fusion, iPoker, and they have a subsidiary called Playtech BGT Sports. With all these names, Playtech is everywhere around the gambling industry.
Some of Playtech’s most popular titles include Age of the Gods, Casino Charms, Epic Ape, and Minted Money.
#10. Big Time Gaming
BigTimeGaming is one of the biggest online slots companies in the UK. They are all over the casino scene in the UK, and you’ll definitely find their slots in most online UK casinos. Their titles Bonanza, Danger High Voltage, and Star Clusters are just a few of their slots we highly recommend you check out.
BTG started out making games for other companies. Its first games, for example, were made for Microgaming. Big Time Gaming now makes games independetly, but they still also make innovative systems that may be used by other companies in their games.
Other Online Casino Software Providers
Didn’t spot your favorite online casino software provider in our top 10 list? Don’t worry, we have reviewed many more software developers providing online UK casinos with the latest and greatest games.
Here are our favorite software developers featured in the best online UK Casinos:
- Evolution Gaming
- Eyecon
- Blueprint Gaming
- Reel Time Gaming
- Red Tiger Gaming
- Play n Go
- iSoftBet
- Pragmatic Play
- Scientific Games
- High 5 Games
- WMS
- RabCat
- Triple Edge Studios
- Rarestone Gaming
- Gameburger Studios
- Elk Studios
Types of Casino Software
There’s different types of online casino software depending on how the player interacts with it. Casino software can be divided into the following five categories:
#1. Online Slots Software
Online slots software providers feature the best online casino slots games, as well as up-and-coming slots that are emerging in the casino world. Some popular slots games developed by online casino software providers include Starburst, Fishin Frenzy, Rainbow Riches, Wish Upon a Jackpot, and other popular titles.
Playing online slots developed by reliable software providers will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable gaming experience every time you log on an online UK casino. And if you find a slots game you enjoy from one software provider, you can always turn to them for more fun titles!
#2. Live Casino Software
Live casino software allows you to participate in live casino game play. It brings the face-to-face gambling experience you get at land based casinos to your computer.
Live casino software doesn’t just replicate spinning wheels and slots, but it has the entire live aspect added to the game play. Live casino game play features cameras and live chats that make you feel like you’re playing at a land based casino.
If you enjoy the thrill of playing real-time casino games with other players, you should definitely look for online UK casinos that offer live casino games.
#3. Instant Play Software
Instant play software is the most common software type. It is used by online casinos that facilitate game play directly on their website.
You can create an account on the casino’s website, or log back in if you’re a returning player. And you’re all set to start gambling! There’s no download or installation required, which means you can instantly start playing your favorite online casino game. It’s the most convenient way to play online casino games, whether you’re on the go, or playing from home.
#4. Downloadable Casino Software
On the contrary of instant play software, there’s casino software that you can download on your computer. Although it was more popular in the past when online casinos didn’t feature gamy play on their website, some online casinos still offer it.
To play their casino games, you’ll have to download the casino’s software on your computer. Then, you have to install it on your computer to start gambling.
There are pluses and minuses to downloads, and you must consider carefully what works for you. Factor in the convenience of a single-tap gambling experience against the potential inertia of always going to the same site. And don’t forget to only ever download official, approved, licensed and certified safe products.
#5. Mobile Casino Software
Last but not least, there is online casino software that allows you to play your favorite casino games straight from your phone or tablet. With the rise of mobile apps, and the portability of phones and tables, you can play casino games virtually anywhere!
Many online UK casinos have developed their own mobile app which you can download from your device’s app store. Mobile users often prefer using a dedicated casino app on their device, because not all casino sites are optimized for mobile browsers.
Mobile apps fall into the downloadable casino software, however they are far more popular than casino apps for desktop or laptop computers.
How Does Online Casino Software Work
Casino software providers develop games and platforms where casino players can participate in gambling. Casino software usually uses random number generators (RNG) to ensure all games are fair. That means that every time you place a bet, the casino, or the software provider, cannot tamper with the outcome of your game play. Instead, it’s always randomly generated by the casino software for transparent and fair play.
Online UK casinos use software from popular casino software providers to enable safe and enjoyable gambling for their visitors. Casino software comes with the casino games, as well as aids casinos in processing deposits and payouts.
What to Look For in Online Casino Software Developers
When playing at a new online UK casino, you might first want to research the software developers they work with. You’ll get familiar with the games the software developers offers, and you might even find an exciting new feature of that software provider.
Here’s what you should be looking for in an online casino software developer:
- User Experience: casino software has been advancing rapidly along with technology, providing top-notch graphics and audio for the best gambling experience. You shouldn’t settle for any subpar user experience, knowing there’s games with high quality visuals out there.
- Game Variety: always seek game developers that constantly update their game portfolio with new and innovative games, as well as classic slots every player enjoys.
- Security & Safety: make sure the software developer you choose has safety protocols in place, including safe payment and payout methods, and has a gambling license.
- Bonuses & Promotions: everyone loves a great sign up bonus and extra spins, but make sure you read the terms and conditions before you dive in!
- Mobile Compatibility: when you pick a new casino software developer to try out, check if they have a mobile app, or if their website is compatible with mobile browsers. You’d be disappointed if you want to gamble on the go, but your favorite new game developer is desktop-only.
- Fast Payouts: you’ve hit a jackpot and it’s time to cash out! But before you even start playing, check how long it takes for a casino to pay out your winnings. It’d be a bummer if it takes too long for your payout to process.
- Payment Options: finally, make sure the casino software developer supports your preferred payment method.
Why Do People Have Favorite Casino Software Providers
Often times, experienced casino players stick with the same casino game developers. That’s because each online casino software developer has their own unique style and design.
When players find an online casino game that gives them thrill, they are likely to look for similar games when they get bored of one. And what better place to look for similar gambling games than the game developer that created their favorite one! Online game developers often have similar themes across their games, including audio and visual elements.
Some casino players also look for high payout slots, or high roller games. When they stick with their favorite casino provider, they can easily find more games of the type they enjoy playing.
Online Casino Software Providers FAQ
#1. Are all casino software developers fair and safe?
You can feel safe playing at an online UK casino that’s using licensed software. As long as you check that the casino has a UK gambling license, you can be sure that playing at that casino is fair and safe.
#2. Which is the best online UK casinos software?
All established online casino providers used by online UK casinos provide excellent game play for British players. It comes down to your personal preference which casino software developer will be the best fit for you.
#3. What software is used in online UK casinos?
Online UK casinos use software from many different developers, including:
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- NextGen Gaming
- IGT
- Yggdrasil Gaming
- Barcrest
- Merkur Gaming
- Quickspin
- Playtech
- Big Time Gaming
#4. How do online casinos choose software providers?
Online UK casinos partner with casino software developers that offer classic games, as well as new and rising titles. They choose software providers that offer a variety of games, slots, and live casino gameplay to give their players the best gambling experience.
#5. What is an online casino software provider?
Online casino software developers provide online casinos with games as well as platforms to run their casino on. In fact, online casinos rarely develop their own games. It’s the online casino software providers that develop all casino games, slots, and live casino software you’ve seen in online casinos.
#6. Are online casino software developers licensed in the UK?
All online casino software providers should have a gambling license. By playing games from a licensed software developer, as well as at a licensed UK casino, you ensure you are playing safely and abiding by the law.
If you come across a software provider that is not licensed, or if you cannot easily verify their license, you are better off switching to another software developer that has a license. It is highly recommended to only play casino games by licensed developers.
#7. Do I have to download online casino software?
Most online UK casino sites have instant play software, which means you can play games directly on their website without having to download any software.
There still might be some casinos that offer downloadable software. It is also common for online casinos to offer mobile apps for gambling from your phone or tablet, instead of playing on their website.
#8. What is a random number generator (RNG)?
A random number generator or RNG is software that outputs randomized numbers. It is used in casino games to ensure fair play. With an RNG, the outcome of your game play doesn’t depend on the casino or the casino software provider. Instead, it is always random and unpredictable.
#9. Is all online casino software the same?
There is a variety of online casino software that online casinos in the UK use. All software providers develop unique games and platforms that differ from each other. They essentially do the same job – provide a platform for casino players to play on – but they all bring something unique to the table.
#10. Where can I play slots from my favourite online casino software developer?
Online UK casinos usually have filters to help you find all games developed by your favorite casino software provider. If your favorite game from one software developer is offered at an online UK casino, you can surely find even more games by the same software developer.