Finding the Best Game Provider
What makes one game provider preferred over another? This may depend on preference, but when it comes to rating providers, here’s a list of criteria we use. Only platforms that meet this criteria list are considered for our list of top game providers.
Here are the factors we consider when rating the best game providers:
One of the first things we look for is the quality of the game design and the innovation behind it. We consider everything from the theme to the animations, including how unique and creative the design is. Does it make a good, immersive combination, or does it put the player to sleep? With providers like NetEnt or Evolution, you always know the game design doesn’t disappoint.
We also explore the sounds and see how well they fit with the theme and design. Does it contribute to the game ambience, or was it an afterthought that doesn’t really fit? We take time to check if it’s complimentary to the games or not.
It’s important that the games can load smoothly across any device you choose to play on. This is why the games get tested across various devices to ensure they are optimised for all platforms and run without issues, no matter what device you play on.
One of the most exciting things about playing games online is the ability to choose those with fun features. When rating a casino game provider, we consider the diversity of features and whether the provider is generous with its game features or skimpy.
Along with the game features the provider offers, we look at the maximum and average payout potential of the games in their portfolio. We look for providers that offer the biggest payouts.
During the review process of any provider, we check their payouts and the availability of progressive jackpots, as these can drastically increase your possible payouts.
Another important element taken into consideration is how accessible the games are. Does the platform focus only on desktop games, or are games accessible via mobile? Do the games adapt to the game screen, giving players a more immersive mobile experience? All of this is taken into consideration when reviewing any gaming software provider.
How do we rank and rate game providers?
We rate each software provider listed on this page using expertise, player feedback, and data-driven calculations. The resulting WOW StudioScore (WSS) reflects how each game studio performs across the most important aspects of player experience.
Here is the weight that each rating factor has in the final score of each provider:
- Game Quality - 30%
- Smooth Play - 15%
- Fairness & Transparency - 15%
- Licensing & Compliance - 10%
- Game Library - 10%
- Innovation - 8%
- Casino Presence - 7%
- Market Fit & RG - 5%
Below is a thorough explanation of how we assess each of these eight factors:
1. Game Quality (30%)
As you can see, the game quality factor has the most weight in our final WSS. When calculating the rating for this category, we take into consideration the sub-items (weights inside the pillar):
- Graphics (10) - Excellent / Good / Mixed / Fair / Poor
- Sound (5) - Excellent / Good / Mixed / Fair / Poor
- Feature Depth (10) - We consider the richness of mechanics, bonus rounds, and modifiers.
- Big Win Feel (5) - Perceived excitement aligned to volatility & features
2. Smooth Play (15%)
The smooth play category also includes a few sub-categories, including load time, stability, and mobile optimisation. We believe these factors are essential for the players' experience and joy. In the brackets, you see their different weights in the final smooth play rating.
- Load Time (6) - Instant (<2s) / 2–4s / 4–6s / 6–10s / >10s
- Stability (5) - Crash/soft-lock rate bands
- Mobile Optimisation (4) - Excellent / Good / Mixed / Poor
3. Fairness & Transparency (15%)
For a game studio to be fully trusted, we ensure that we review their RTP transparency, certification, and RNG disclosure.
- Certification (6) - Multiple labs/markets → no independent certification
- RTP Transparency (6) - Fixed & shown in-game → opaque
- Jackpot/RNG Disclosure (3) - Audited → none
4. Licensing & Compliance (10%)
If a provider has a broad license coverage and no past legal issues, the rating for this category could go pretty high. But this, of course, varies for each provider and their own history.
- License Breadth (6) - Tier-1 stack (MGA/UKGC/ON/SE/NL) → unclear
- Sanctions History (4) - Clean → ongoing issues
5. Game Library (10%)
Based on the game portfolio of a studio, we also rate the broadness and category coverage.
- Total Titles (6) - Auto-scored from count (threshold map: 0→40, 50→55, 100→60, 200→70, 500→80, 1000→90, 2000→100). The more games a provider has, the better this rating can be.
- Category Coverage (4) - Very wide / Wide / Moderate / Narrow / Very narrow. If a provider makes a variety of game types and has a wide portfolio, again, the rating can grow.
6. Innovation (8%)
Some providers are all about innovation and being up-to-date with the latest trends. Others, not so much. That's why we also review if a game studio is providing the latest technology solutions.
- New Mechanics (4) - Frequent impactful → none
- Distinctiveness (4) - Clear math/art identity → clone-like
7. Casino Presence (7%)
This is the only category that has no subcategories. We only consider the casino presence of a game provider. Are its games available in more global casinos or not so much? These questions we investigate.
- Presence (7) - Very high / High / Moderate / Low / Niche (global view, non-regionalised)
8. Market Fit & RG (5%)
Last, but not least, we follow the responsible gambling compliance, tools, and matters, as well as the localisation provided by the game providers.
- Localisation (3) - Languages, currencies, market adaptations
- RG Compliance (2) - In-game timers, autoplay rules, reality checks
You can learn more about the processes of CasinoWow's Review & Rating Methodology to understand how we rate not only game providers but also online casinos, casino games, and payment providers.
Software, why the big fuss?
The casino software is the very platform upon which games are engineered. Poor software quality leads to many issues in gameplay, such as:
- Jackpots are not paying out due to glitches
- Jittery gameplay
- Poor graphics quality
- Game freeze, which may not show the winnings made
It is advisable to play only at casinos with the best casino software on offer. At CasinoWow, you'll find the most beloved game studios!
Online Casino Games
With the list of game providers made available on our listings, you can be assured that you will be able to play just about every type of game out there, including:
Online Slot Games
These online slot games include Video Slots, Classic Slots, Vegas Slots, Progressive slots and more.
Video Poker
Various versions of virtual 5-card poker, where a valid poker hand gives you wins.
Table Games
Here, various virtually rendered table games are offered by these top names, including various versions of blackjack, 3-card poker, hold’em poker, baccarat, sic bo, craps, roulette, mah-jong, and other games.
Live Casino Games
Here, your favourite table games are streamed in real-time from casino studios, offering real live dealers and croupiers for immersive gambling entertainment.
Other Games
Other games like scratch card games, keno, lotto, and bingo are all offered for those who prefer other forms of escape.
Bonuses
When browsing through your favourite casino games by top software providers and at some of the best casino platforms, you'll also be looking for bonuses. That's for sure!
The different types of bonuses available depend highly on the country you play from, the games you choose, the casino you've entered, and so on.
You can look for Match Bonuses, No Deposit Bonuses, Free Spins Bonuses, Multiple Match Bonuses, Cashback Bonuses, Welcome Bonuses, Free Play Bonuses, and more.
Each will advance your gaming experience and give you a bigger chance of winning!
Latest Technology
The best casino games vendors all make use of the latest technology on the market. Because the mobile playing market has outgrown the older online desktop market, it is necessary for casino software to be mobile device friendly. In the past, mobile phones were not “high tech” enough to deal with complicated programming systems, but with new advances in the Smartphone and Tablet industry, online gaming has become more than a mere possibility.
HTML5 is the latest online tech for the mobile industry, offering “in-browser” play for your smartphone without any of the snags that a regular internet browser would throw at a mobile device. HTML5 provides several advantages over older apps and play platforms:
- Crisper graphics;
- Smoother gameplay;
- Less storage capacity required;
- High-end mobile device security.
CasinoWow Assurance
Have peace of mind. Selecting a casino operating with one of the game studios listed here will not only offer you quality entertainment from a gameplay angle but will also provide you with a host of different types of games. These will include:
- Online Slots: A variety of classic slots, Vegas slots, and video slots are offered in low, medium, and high volatility to suit any player's style.
- Table Games: Play your favourite card games, Roulette, and certain dice games from the luxury of your mobile or online device.
- Live Dealer: Evolution Gaming is the leader in live casino offerings. These will bring a live dealer and land-based casino set up right into your sitting room, as you play from your online device.
- VR Gaming: Play in the virtual reality halls of a 3D rendered casino, by immersing yourself into the game with VR goggles and headsets.
Who’s the boss?
All of our supported casino games suppliers provide top-notch entertainment, but there are five game studios that stand out among the rest, each for very different reasons. Available at some of the biggest online casinos, here they are:
Pragmatic Play
The sheer volume of games that Pragmatic Play provide has made them a world leader in game diversity, bringing out new titles every month. Their platform has revolutionised online gaming performance and is used by many small subsidiary developers to launch their titles. Pragmatic Play have established their name as a leading game provider and we are more than happy that we get to share their games and casinos where their titles are available.
Amusnet
Amusnet concentrates mainly on quality over quantity and has set the benchmark in the market for top graphical offerings, as well as unique feature innovations and gameplay. Amusnet's portfolio has grown to over 260 games of various types with emphasis on online slots. However, they also have many brick-and-mortar games to offer their fans.
Hacksaw Gaming
Founded in 2018, Hacksaw Gaming is rapidly becoming one of the biggest game studios. They pride themselves on producing online casino games that make you feel that you are playing at a fascinating casino. They have a considerable portfolio of different games for those who want a diverse gaming experience.
Novomatic
Founded in 1980, with offices in more than 50 countries, Novomatic is one of the largest gaming technology companies. Novomatic casinos offer their players a vast portfolio of diverse online games, including Slot games, Table games, Video Games, and more. Established as a trusted game provider in the industry, Novomatic is a leading software provider that powers land-based games and exciting online game solutions.
Evolution
As a world-leading live game provider, Evolution is a gambling solution worldwide. The gambling software provider offers a variety of casino game choices, but the hottest titles in Evolution's portfolio are live casino games. They specialise in creating the most exciting live dealer games for online casino gaming. Evolution is a trusted award-winning live-streaming gaming studio, and CasinoWow has rated all casinos powered by the provider.
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