Casino software is the steam that powers every online casino’s virtual engine. Without a good casino software platform, online casino would just be useless web site, overloaded with promises of excitement, but no weight to back up those statements. The software is the games, the lobby, the interface, the navigation, the cashier – it is everything!

There are numerous casino software brands powering more than 750 online casinos around the world. In this section, we will be discussing the top six competitors in the casino software industry.

Microgaming Casino Software

Microgaming is the number one leader in casino software development. The company has been producing and upgrading its brand since 1994. What makes Microgaming so appealing to so many online casino operators and players alike is the integration of so many games.

Microgaming has introduced well over 450 online casino games onto its downloadable casino platform over the years, way more than any other competitor. Players will find the most variations of Blackjack, Roulette, Video Poker and other common favorites, as well as the highest availability of online slots in the business.

Microgaming is also the leading online casino software brand in terms of availability. The casino software developer powers nearly 15% of the entire online casino industry, with more than 100 Microgaming casinos to date.

On the negative side of the coin, Microgaming completely eliminated the acceptance of US players from all of its licensed casinos. No Microgaming casino has been able to accept US players since late 2008, a result of the ridiculous “Commonwealth of Kentucky versus 141 Online Gambling Domains” case that fell apart before it ever ended.

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Playtech Casino Software

PlayTech is the second largest casino software brand, providing its stellar platform to about 95 online casinos. PlayTech was introduced in 2000, and now offers a collection of little more than 100 games to choose from.

PlayTech has a lot of exceptional features, like the ability to open multiple windows and play more than one game at a time. The graphic quality and user-friendly interface are impeccable. In fact, PlayTech was once the leading casino software brand. But new game releases don’t come very often, a likely contributor to the brand’s loss of the number one spot.

PlayTech also provides an integrated live chat support option into its casino software, meaning that every PlayTech casino will provide live support service within the casino lobby.

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RealTime Gaming Casino Software

Another major competitor in the online casino software development industry is RealTime Gaming (RTG). Established in 1998, RTG focuses on a combination of game variety, graphics and speed. RTG is the third largest casino software brand in terms of operator popularity, powering just over 80 online casinos.

RealTime Gaming is incredibly popular among players, especially online slots fans who appreciate unique selections. The online slots variety includes RTG’s exclusive Real Series Slots, along with standard classic reels and video slots. But unlike most casino software developers, most of the slots are not just mirrors of one another with new themes. Then, of course, there are all of the traditional casino games. The overall selection is around 120.

US online casinos fans will be happy to hear that 90% of all RealTime Gaming casinos accept deposits and real-money play from residents of the USA.

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Rival Gaming Casino Software

Rival Gaming is actually very famous among online casino software brands. Every veteran online casino gamer has likely heard of, if not played at least one Rival powered casino. Rival Gaming casino software is only licensed to about 4% of the online casino industry; that’s about 30 casinos in all.

What sets Rival Gaming aside from other operators, even its leading competitors, is the Rival approach to casino software development. Launched in 2006, the company has always put the #1 focus on the quality of each and every game it introduces to the casino platform. I believe “quality over quantity” is the appropriate catch phrase here. This is an absolute contrast to the focal point of some of Rivals leading competitors, though we don’t have to toss any names about (*cough*microgaming*cough*)

Rival is also known for its unique series of online slots, exclusive to Rival powered casinos. Of course we’re talking about the “I-Slots”, interactive slot machines that are unlike any ordinary slot machine because of the way they play out. Traditional slots have a preset design, with preset combinations, preset prizes and a repetitive theme. I-Slots have progressive plots and interactive storylines. They play more like a video game/soap opera, where the player makes all of the decisions that directly affect the never-ending drama of the story. Players become hooked on these I-slots, not just for their munificent payouts, free spins, bonus rounds and other features, but because no two sessions are every the same!

Rival has currently developed around 70 game on the casino software platform, including traditional classic and video slots, popular table and card games, video poker, a few specialty games and about 10 I-Slots thus far.

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Vegas Technology Casino Software

Vegas Technology is another often overlooked casino software brand with splendid graphics, good playability and a nice collection of casino games to choose form. Vegas technology has quite a history, in fact. At first glance, VT appeared on the scene back in 2005, winner of the Top New Casino Software Award from Online gambling Magazine in ’05. However, a little more research unveils a much deeper past.

Vegas Technology is the rebirth of Odds On, a casino software platform established in 1998. The company did well for a long time, but decided it needed a complete facelift, and a more modern casino client. Thus Vegas Technology was born.

VT now presents over 130 games on its download client, with a Flash version available for global OS compatibility. Vegas technology casinos are also known to offer the best casino tournaments, thanks to the VT casino network and software. These range from the usual slots tournaments, to blackjack and video poker tournaments.

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WagerWorks Casino Software

Last but not least, we have to talk a bit about WagerWorks, an online casino software brand that was originally developed by Silicon Gaming, a leading designer of land-based casino slot machines. That kind of quality was built into each and every game on the WagerWorks platform. In 2005, Silicon Gaming was bought out, and WagerWorks became an independent company. Luckily, the developers stuck to the original focus and have maintained that same crisp, realistic quality ever since.

One unique factor about WagerWorks casino software is that it is not meant for download. All WagerWorks casinos are presented in 100% Flash, meaning no download is ever required, and all operating systems – Windows, Mac and Linux – are fully compatible.

WagerWorks offers a full suite of online casino games on its Flash client, just over 100 in all. WagerWorks is especially known for its branded games, like Cluedo, Monopoly, Jeopardy, Elvis, Wheel of Fortune and others. There are two dozen Mega Jackpots, over 30 Premium Slots and about 25 Table Games. The Video Poker variety is sorely lacking, with only 3 variants on the menu. There’s alos a few Bingo and Keno games to choose from.

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