Slots are the most played form of online gambling. Rounds are quick, stakes are flexible, jackpots are tempting and players’ faith in luck never seems to run out. The machines themselves are much older than the internet: the first slot machines appeared in New York in 1891, when players fed in coins and collected small prizes from the bartender for a lucky combination. Today slots make up a large part of the iGaming industry. Technavio analysts valued the global slot equipment market at $54 billion in 2017 and expected it to keep growing as more countries liberalise gambling. Every slot we offer, with features, videos and demos, is listed in our games catalogue.
How slots are classified
Studios and operators usually group slots by three criteria:
- Denomination: the coin values a player can stake.
- Reels and paylines: most slots have 3 or 5 reels, though other layouts exist. More reels generally make a win harder to land but support a bigger jackpot, while more paylines, the winning symbol combinations, make hits easier; some games offer well over a hundred.
- Game type: among interactive video slots, two families stand out.
- Classic slots use 3 reels and a single payline and echo the machines from the early days of the industry, often with fruit symbols.
- 3D slots add reels and paylines plus detailed graphics, music and sound effects that feel close to a live experience. Many feature famous characters to attract their fans. The first online video slots were created by Microgaming in 1994, and video slots now dominate the market.
Why the studio behind a slot matters
The provider decides the quality of the graphics, the speed of play and the reliability players experience, so the studios you choose directly shape your casino’s reputation and its ability to attract players. We picked the seven studios below for the financial return they can bring an operator and for the trust they have earned with players and casinos.
Seven slot studios worth a place in your lobby
NetEnt
Often called the world’s leading online slot provider, NetEnt has licensed blockbuster brands such as Scarface, Aliens, Wild Wild West and South Park. Its focus on quality has brought many awards, including EGR awards in 2016, and worldwide recognition. The company was founded in 1996 and became profitable in 2003. Its 2016 annual report cited 68,000 gaming transactions per minute and revenue growth of 28%, to EUR 149.1 million. For an operator, NetEnt titles in the lobby are a strong selling point.
NetEnt games in our catalogue include Gonzo’s Quest, Wild Wild West: The Great Train Heist and Magic Portals.
Microgaming
Microgaming started out in 1994 as an online casino and went on to produce the first online slots. Based on the Isle of Man, it has released more than 850 products, the largest catalogue built by a single provider, and keeps adding to it. It is a multiple award winner too, with EGR awards for mobile gaming software (2017), poker software (2013 to 2016) and innovation in slot provision (2011). Its progressive jackpots have set several world records; one of the most recent came in October 2015, when a UK player won EUR 17,879,645.
Well-known Microgaming slots include Terminator 2, Thunderstruck, Tomb Raider and Beautiful Bones.
Betsoft
Betsoft pioneered cinematic 3D slots, combining intuitive gameplay with a strong sense of atmosphere. Established in 1999, the company began expanding rapidly in 2008 with high-end 3D slots for the iGaming market; Good Girl Bad Girl, True Sheriff and Slotfather are among its best known.
Try The Angler, Birds, Magic Shoppe or Alkemor’s Tower in our catalogue.
Amatic
Amatic is an Austrian manufacturer founded in 1993. The company aims to combine high-end production and technology with strict adherence to international standards, and it offers a large selection of quality slots with innovative features and a 10% cashback option. Typical examples in our catalogue are Admiral Nelson, Bells on Fire, Hot 27 and Hot Scatter.
World Match
Active since 2000, World Match keeps refining its development technology and aims to release up to four new games a month. In 2012 it was the first studio to bring HD games to market and to integrate them with social networks. Golazo HD is one of its titles you can try in our catalogue.
Booming Games
Booming Games positions its content as a way to grow an operator’s business. Its developers build both traditional and innovative slots with an emphasis on special features and customisation, including promotional options that can be tailored completely to each client. Look out for Booming Seven, Chicago Nights and Devil’s Heat.
PariPlay
Founded in 2010, PariPlay is a younger but promising studio whose specialists develop gaming content and responsible gaming services. It supplies high-quality real-money games to both lottery and casino operators.
Watch the PariPlay video on YouTube
Building your slot mix
Whether you are opening a new casino or improving an existing one, content from proven studios pays off. Get in touch to discuss the slots bundle, and try the games in demo mode before you decide.
