The online gaming industry has a long history. The first online casino was launched in 1994 by NetEnt. Since then, the industry has grown and evolved to become one of the most popular entertainment options for today’s online players.
While there are countless online casinos on the market, many offer very similar game selection. So who are the biggest winners in the history of online casinos? And why have they been so successful?
Let’s take a look at some of the best names in online gambling. You’ll find that it wasn’t always just about games!
Net Entertainment – 1994-1997
Net Entertainment is one of the oldest online casino software providers around. The company was founded in 1994 by brothers Peter and Jan Wilms, who were looking to provide an alternative to traditional land-based casinos.
Their first online site was launched in 1994 and featured over a dozen games like Baccarat and Roulette. This would soon be followed by other titles such as Blackjack, Craps, Video Poker, and more. These games would go on to become classics within the online world and are still played today.
In 1995, Netent released their first slot machine. This would eventually give rise to their success as well as the birth of the Microgaming brand, which currently dominates the online casino scene with their high-quality games.
Microgaming – 1997-2002
Microgaming is another name you may recognize from the modern era of online gaming. The company was founded in 1991 by Frank Cifaldi and originally focused on developing desktop games for PC users. In 1997, the company began its journey into the online arena, producing their first online slot machines.
The person can plan to be on the online platform to play the dragon vs tiger games. The player need to be alert in choosing the platform tat will provide good return. The main motive of the players should be to make good profits from the market.
With the release of this title, Microgaming became a household name in the online casino world. In 1999, the company released their first multi-player poker program. It was a hit, so much so, that it would go on to become one of the most widely used programs in the industry. Other hits included Jackpot 6000, which was released in 2000.
Microgaming also developed a few different types of table games, including European roulette, French blackjack, and Caribbean Stud Poker. All these games would go on to become staples of online casino play.
Rival Gaming – 2002-2009
After Microgaming took off, Rival Gaming stepped up to fill the void left behind. They offered a wide variety of games to suit all kinds of tastes. Their games include slots (including progressive jackpots), video poker, table games, dice, live dealer games, and even sports betting.
Rival Gaming has made the transition from land-based casinos to a fully online business model. As the largest online gaming software provider in the world, they’ve had a hand in virtually every development in the online casino space.
BetOnSoft – 2009-present
BetOnSoft is probably one of the smallest companies in our list. But don’t let that fool you — they’re one of the pioneers of online casino gaming. While BetOnSoft has only been around since 2009, they’ve already established themselves as the industry leader for quality and innovation.
Many of their games have gone on to be classics within the online casino community. But what sets them apart is their ability to create new and exciting games that keep players coming back for more. Some of their most popular titles include Bookies & Odds, Vegas Strip, and Lucky N’ Wild.
WagerWorks – 2009-present
There are plenty of companies in the world of online gaming. However, WagerWorks is definitely one of the biggest. With offices located in North America and Europe, WagerWorks is among the top three largest online gaming companies in the world.
While there is no official record of how big they are, they are known to be one of the biggest. They’ve been in the online casino scene since 2009, but have really taken off in the last few years. Their most recent releases include Blackjack Evolution, Slots Wizard, and Mega Spins.
Playtech – 2010-present
Playtech is another pioneer in the online casino world. Founded in 1998, Playtech is the third largest online gaming software developer in the world. They operate out of Switzerland and Hong Kong.
While they’ve been around for quite some time, their most recent successes have come in the past five years. Today, Playtech offers hundreds of games across multiple platforms. They recently introduced their Live Casino platform, allowing players to enjoy the action from the comfort of home.
You can choose from over 150 titles, including Live Dealer games like BlackJack, Russian Roulette, and Roulette Pro. There are also more than 100 classic games like Video Poker, Progressive Slot Machines, and Classic Blackjack.
Yggdrasil Gaming – 2011-2012
Yggdrasil Gaming is another relatively new player on the block. Founded in 2011, Yggdrasil Gaming has seen explosive growth ever since. One of the main reasons for their popularity is their focus on providing mobile gaming solutions.
Since their inception, they’ve worked hard to develop a portfolio of games that can be played on any smartphone or tablet device. Some of their most popular titles include Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, and Roulette.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered some of the biggest names in online casino gaming, it should be easier to understand why they’ve been so successful. Most of these companies have been at it for decades and have learned a lot along the way.
But while their longevity is impressive, it shouldn’t distract us from the fact that they aren’t perfect. For example, none of these companies actually manufacture the games that players download from their sites. Instead, they license the rights to use their intellectual property and develop the games themselves.
This practice allows them to develop games without having to pay royalties for each individual title. While this is a great benefit for the companies, it doesn’t do anything for the consumer.
So when choosing between online casinos, make sure that you check their licensing policies before making your decision. If you want to know if the games are completely free, check the license agreement. If they allow players to download games for both offline and online play, that’s a good sign.