Gambling was once the domain of the back rooms of bars. It then shifted to land-based casinos, where glitz and glamor became its attraction. Decades later, the introduction of the Internet changed everything and brought gambling to the comfort of people’s homes.
Some game studios from the beginning are still around today, while others have been taken over by larger companies or gone the way of the dodo. The evolution of casino game providers is an interesting story, and it is not over yet. There’s more to come.
The Game Providers That Started It All
Online casinos arrived in 1994. Microgaming claims the honor of being the first game provider, and several others quickly joined the bandwagon.
Microgaming was the Forerunner
Microgaming was launched in 1994 as the first online casino software provider. Its games are powered by Gaming Club, one of the first online casinos. This collaboration marked the beginning of what became a global industry.
Microgaming also pioneered the online progressive jackpot in 1998 with Cash Splash, introducing network prize pools that could reach life-changing amounts. It also contributed to setting industry standards for game fairness, including random number generator (RNG) testing, which later became a licensing requirement.
Some Pioneer Game Providers
In the late 1990s, Microgaming had fierce competition. Cryptologic, Playtech and NetEnt entered the market, each bringing their own new technology and game portfolios.
Cryptologic was the first to launch branded games, such as Marvel and DC Comics slots. Playtech has gone above and beyond, putting slots, live dealer, poker, bingo and sportsbook all under one roof. NetEnt is unique, as it was originally a world-based slot machine company that brought that exclusive experience to the internet.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Microgaming or other providers, however. The Internet was in its infancy in the early 1990s, and issues such as bandwidth, speed, browser compatibility and server infrastructure caused many headaches and obstacles.
Slot Provider Evolution and Special
Slots were the first games of the Internet, and while many providers have slots as part of their portfolio, some providers stand head and shoulders above the rest.
The breadth of Microgaming’s portfolio
Over the past 30 years, Microgaming has built one of the most extensive libraries of online games. Microgaming Games they have been linked to almost everything imaginable, from Lucky Shot’s golf courses from the vampire drama of Immortal Romance to the Mega Moolah jackets of an African safari.
Microgaming is well known for its branded content as well, such as Game of Thrones, Jurassic Park and Marvel, before the license went to Cryptologic. The advantage of any platform hosting these games is that they already have an audience, which means faster traffic.
You can consider Microgaming as the McDonald’s of the industry. It provides consistent, reliable, relevant games that players want to play. Not known as the inventor. The next provider on the list does that.
NetEnt’s Innovation Focus
If Microgaming is McDonald’s, NetEnt is a Michelin Star restaurant offering test integration. This studio is best known for its game creator. Where other studios favor cartoon-like spaces—not that there’s anything wrong with that—NetEnt is going all out for special movie-style visuals and special effects.
Two NetEnt games are Gonzo’s Quest, with a 3D intro and an Aztec/Inca cinematic theme, and The most popular slot game in the world, Starburst.
NetEnt is also known for machine innovation. This studio makes the gameplay more powerful than traditional spins. Over the years, competitors have copied these innovations, so if you see any games that include avalanche reels or cluster pays, they must be a feature developed by NetEnt.
Live Casino Revolution
Online gamblers, once satisfied with slots and table games that mimic world-based casino play, want more. They wanted an immersive gaming experience, with live dealers and extra bells and whistles.
Playtech, Live Dealer Pioneer
In 2003, Playtech took on the challenge of giving players more of what they wanted. It has added live dealers to its blackjack and roulette games. At first, live vendors appeared only at set times; it was not a 24/7 offering.
Playtech had a broad portfolio offering slots, bingo, sportsbook and poker, so the live dealer concept became part of its stable. While the studio proved it could be done, players still felt something was missing—and then came Evolution.
Evolution Gaming revolution
Evolution is credited with introducing an engaging game to online casinos. What were once standard, dishing-out-cards-style games became full-fledged products. Professional studios, multiple camera angles, engaging hosts and inspiring background audiences take the player inside the game.
The studio even cleverly introduced show-style games like Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live, building a large audience and bringing in players who wanted something other than cards, slots or roulette.
Evolution now owns the live seller market, and many other providers use Evolution or try to copy it.
The Current Casino Game Provider Ecosystem
Acquisitions and Mergers
The late 2010s and early 2020s were a period of global acquisitions and takeovers in many industries, and the gaming industry followed suit. The most important were:
- 2019: NetEnt acquires Red Tiger for £220 million
- 2020: Evolution acquires NetEnt (including Red Tiger) for £1.5 billion
- 2021: Evolution acquires Big Time Gaming for €450 million
- 2022: Evolution acquires Nolimit City for 200 million euros
- 2022: Global Games acquires Microgaming’s game portfolio and distribution business
The result is now that Evolution is a major force in the industry. It has gone from being a live casino specialist to owning the lion’s share of both live and slot casinos through its acquisition universe.
Studio Partnership
Collaboration is the buzzword of the 2020s, and this applies to the gaming industry. There has been a big shift from ‘build everything yourself’ to ‘distribute what others create’. This allows providers to offer variety without the expense of building the entire game in-house.
Games Global is a great example of that, as it now has the largest game portfolio in the industry. With the Microgaming catalog, which it has acquired, and games under license from more than 50 partner studios, it has a very wide range—more than 3,000 on offer.
Evolution also partners with independent studios alongside its brands such as NetEnt and Red Tiger, creating a mix of exclusive content and distribution for users.
What Game Providers Will Offer in the Future
Some game providers have grown from pioneers to industry veterans in just over three decades. Technological innovation offers even more opportunities for those who remain in the game.
Technological Advances
AI and VR/AR are the next phase of the online gaming industry. AI is expected to generate dynamic content that adapts to each player; will customize things like bonus features and difficulty adjustments based on behavior and play history.
Evolution is already experimenting with virtual reality casinos, creating the ultimate live dealer experience. The original unpopular features are already appearing on some mobile sites, and are expected to improve significantly in the coming years.
Responsible gaming technology is being explored as providers take more responsibility for player safety. AI is already being taught to monitor problem gambling patterns, and sites are building on set limits and reality checks.
Cryptocurrency Casinos
Crypto casinos already exist, but the attraction of the cryptocurrency, thanks to blockchain transactions, is more attractive to players. Crypto-native games will be a new wave of inspiration, drawing more players into the blockchain ecosystem as they seek to interact with these exclusive options.
Gamification Beyond Gambling
One-stop shops are the future of online entertainment. The idea is that one platform covers all the bases. Already, the lines are blurring between video games and casino games, with concepts from both fields. Online games of the future will incorporate story-driven spaces and progression systems, encouraging the player to pick up where they left off last time.
Social casino features and sweepstakes, such as online chat, leaderboards and contests, will integrate into mainstream sites, providing a complete entertainment experience.
The industry will continue to evolve to meet player expectations while meeting regulatory requirements. With so much excitement yet to come out of this industry, it’s definitely worth a look.
