Best Online Casino Game Developers

Online casinos are booming, and one of the main reasons for their success is the software that powers them. The online casino providers are the ones who create the games and the features that make online gambling so exciting and diverse.

Each provider has a certain personality and something different to offer. Some are known for their innovations, others for their reliability, and others for their variety.
So, let’s explore the most renowned gaming companies with huge game catalogs, multiple licenses, and worldwide game distribution.

New Zealand’s Most Popular Casino Game Providers

In the casino world, game providers play a crucial role in shaping the gaming experience. There are many casino software companies on the market, but some stand out more than others. Below is a list of some of the best providers in the industry and what makes them unique.

ELK Studios

Founded in 2013, ELK Studio is an innovative European games developer that has passionately pushed boundaries in the online casino industry. The gaming studio has focused on groundbreaking mathematics and astonishing artwork. ELK Studio has also adopted a mobile-first approach in developing their games.

Some of their most popular games include the Gold, Cygnus and Nitropolis franchises as well as Pirots 1 and 2. ELK Studios stands out with some unique characteristics, including X-iter™, which allows NZ players to jump straight into the action by paying for the feature activation.

Reel Kingdom

Reel Kingdom, a Pragmatic Play content partner, stands at the forefront of the iGaming industry, offering an impressive array of casino games. Their combined design expertise spans more than 150 years. There are a lot of decent online pokies it delivered, but it’s the most famous for its Big Bass franchise that earned the studio worldwide recognition among both players and experts.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is one of the top software providers in New Zealand. The studio boasts an impressive catalog that includes various types of slots, each with its own unique themes, features, and jackpots. Unlike many other providers, Pragmatic Play also offers live dealer casino games. Some of their live game selections include titles like Vegas Ball Bonanza, PowerUp Roulette, and Sweet Bonanza Candy Land.

Pragmatic Play extends its offerings beyond traditional casino games and offer a variety of other solutions, including sportsbook and engaging bingo games available to Kiwi players. The software provider holds certifications and licenses in over 20 jurisdictions, including approvals from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission.

Microgaming

Microgaming has been shaping online gaming since 1994. As a true pioneer, Microgaming stands at the forefront of technology within the industry. Their amazing works have left a major impact on the landscape of the industry. The software developer had an unwavering dedication to fair play and security.

Best Slot Providers

After building an unmatched legacy, Microgaming sold its distribution business and online content portfolio to Games Global in 2022. So, even though the company moved away from the game creation and aggregation, players can still enjoy their games. 

NoLimit City

Nolimit City stands out for its innovative and eye-catching approach to game development. The studio is now part of the Evolution Gaming family. Their biggest hits include titles like Serial, Fire in the Hole, San Quentin, Tombstone RIP and Mental take players on some extremely and in some cases insanely volatile adventures. And the team’s story telling talent is on the next level.

To elevate gameplay, the software developer incorporates its cutting-edge signature features, including xSplit, xBets, xNudge, xWays, Infectious xWays and God Mode. As time progresses, Nolimit City adds more and more to this already impressive selection of unique tools.

3 Oaks Gaming (Booongo)

While 3 Oaks Gaming was founded in 2021, the studio has swiftly emerged as a dynamic iGaming creator with a focus on player-centered entertainment. Their titles are carefully curated to offer excitement and variety. Some of their standout games include Coin Volcano, Hit More Gold and 3 Hot Chillies. With its suite of advanced back office and casino management software, 3 Oaks Gaming continues to support online casinos, ensuring steady, secure, and hassle-free 24/7 operations.

Wazdan

Founded in 2010, Wazdan has emerged as a trailblazer in the online casino industry by engineering some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences. Their portfolio boasts 180+ cross-platform casino games, each meticulously crafted for player enjoyment.

Among their top titles are Sizzling Eggs and 9 Coins. On average, the software developer releases 40 unique slots annually and they reach 25+ regulated markets, including Malta, the UK, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario.

Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming is an established UK-based game studio that’s part of Germany’s Gauselmann Group. The company was founded in 2001. It created slots thousands of players around the world love. In addition to a wide variety of original games, it rolls out plenty of licensed online pokies such as Rick and Morty, Sausage Party, Ted Megaways, The Goonies and many more.

The studio was quick to recognize the value of the Megaways engine and was one of the first companies to acquire Megaways license. This turned out to be an amazing investment as Blueprint has released loads of slot machines featuring this iconic mechanic.

Playtech

Founded in 1999, Playtech has long been a powerhouse in the gambling industry. With 7,300 employees across 19 countries, Playtech operates on a global scale. The portfolio of this software developer includes some of the most beloved slots in the industry.

Age of the Gods is one of its most iconic franchises. It’s a slot series that shares a massively popular four-tier jackpot with the biggest prize pot dropping hundreds of thousand Euros. Gladiator is another mega popular Playtech pokie machine that would often award 1+ million Euro prizes. And just like Blueprint Gaming, this developer is known for its licensed games, including Walking Dead, Rocky, Superman, Man of Steel and Green Lantern.

Play’n Go

Play’n GO has been a quality casino software provider since the company was established in 2005. Their impressive portfolio boasts over 300 premium titles, including some of the world’s most played online casino games like Book of Dead, Rise of Olympus, Reactoonz, and Moon Princess. The company releases up to three new slots every month.

Best NZ Casino Game Providers

One thing that you won’t find in Play’n GO slots is the bonus buy option. In 2021 the CEO and Co-founder of the company made a commitment to never produce bonus buy slots because they are harmful to players. The decision costs them a lot of potential profit, but they stand by it. The content is distributed across the world and there should be plenty of NZ casinos that have integrated their collection of game.

In Which Casino to Play?

When choosing real money casinos in NZ, several factors come into play. First and foremost thing to consider is safety. License and preferably one that is issued by reputable gaming authorities is a must. Good reputation and the availability of alternative dispute resolution services is another layer of protection. You can also check player reviews and complaints to learn about any issues. 

Once you make sure a gaming site is trustworthy, see if it offers games you enjoy and bonuses that you like. Payment methods and withdrawal rules also must be considered. Any extra engagement features such as tournaments, challenges and missions add value. 

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Criteria for Evaluating a Casino Software Provider

When selecting a casino software provider in New Zealand, the task can seem daunting given the plethora of free pokies onlineBut players shouldn’t overthink things as they have the luxury of testing almost any online game risk free.

Those who come with zero experience, can dive right into playing slots or other games in demo mode. As they spend time doing that, they learn about their preferences and can make better choices. 

Picking any random game may sound easy, but when you have thousands of them, it can be hard. That’s when slot ratings come in extremely handy. Explore our Most Played Slots Ratings to find your favorite games or your favorite developers. 

Available Game Types

When selecting a casino software provider, the available game types play a crucial role. Having access to a wide range of game types, and a constant flow of new pokies is always great. Even if you find games to you liking, there will always be room to explore more games.

Different players have different preferences. Some love spinning slot reels, while others prefer strategic games like poker or blackjack. A provider with multiple categories caters to these varied tastes.

Some of the top developers specialize in one game type and do amazingly well. Nolimit City, for instance, is focused on slot development and it’s a master of extreme and insane volatility games that sometimes tell disturbing stories and feature dramatic visuals.

Quality and Graphics

The quality of graphics and visuals plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall gaming experience. Amazing artwork can transport Kiwi players to the exciting new worlds and anywhere on the planet.

Online games also need quality music and sound effects to complement the high-quality graphics. That is what the best software developers can offer. The right soundtrack enhances the game’s mood, whether it’s suspenseful music during a bonus round or celebratory tunes after a win.

Mobile Compatibility

Once content creators transitioned to HTML5 format years ago, the mobile casino world transformed. Games today are cross-platform, meaning the same pokie machine can be played across all mobile and desktop devices. So, you shouldn’t worry about compatibility with your handheld devices. As long as you can access a browser, you are good to go. 

Sometimes game studios would introduce special features to make mobile gaming more enjoyable. It can be, for instance, a battery saving mode or a special portrait mode that they offer or developers introduce a design that is easy to use with one hand. 

Betting Limits and In-Game Bonuses

Some of the leading casino gaming software providers have flexible betting limits and a wide range of bonus buy pokies. Players don’t need much money to enjoy some gambling. Usually, the min bet is around NZ$0.10 and online casinos also make it affordable as the minimum deposit is often NZ$10. 

But this type of entertainment can turn out to be very expensive. For some players it’s tempting to spend more than they can afford. And with top wager limits somewhere around NZ$100 per round and bonus buys costing up to x2,000, it’s important you always stay in control and use all available responsible gaming tools if needed. 

Security and Fairness

Security and fairness are paramount when selecting a casino gaming software provider in NZ. You should first consider if the provider has a valid license from an established regulator.

Online content creators should also use advanced technology to protect data from hackers. So far they all do a great job security wise, as there have been no known cases of casino game suppliers being successfully hacked.

Game fairness is one of the things many players must have been thinking about at some point. Some find it hard to trust developers, but if they are licensed in reputable jurisdictions, there are numerous regulations and rigorous certification processes in place to prevent any manipulation and rogue activity. 

At the heart of any online casino game, except for live casino, there’s a thing called Random Number Generator (RNG). Its role is to generate random outcomes. And this RNG is tested and certified before it can be used in games. Then every game is also checked and certified to make sure everything is fair. 

Innovations

Game providers that push the boundaries are the reason an online casino remains a fun place. Most studios reuse what’s already available as coming up with new and creative ideas takes time and money. But there is a selection of developers that just always want to take it one step further. And they are very much appreciated. 

Creating better artwork and audio is great, but the real change happens when new mechanics and features are introduced. Only the most talented studios are capable of doing that. Evolution is known for its contribution to live casino game development, and studios such as Nolimit City, Relax Gaming, Push Gaming, ELK Studios and a few others reshape the online slots vertical.

FAQs
Make sure a provider is licensed and just give its games a try. All studios offer free practice mode unless it’s live casino content.
Gaming sites try to diversify their game collections and integrate all types of games from both major studios as well as smaller and less recognized providers. But the biggest suppliers such as Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, NetEnt, Nolimit City are available in most casinos.
There were a few bad casino game providers. GameArt, for instance, had a couple of suspicious incidents, Ganapati is another name that comes to mind. But mostly studios are all good, especially when it comes to famous companies that are licensed in multiple jurisdictions.
Gambling software providers use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure random outcomes. These algorithms get tested and certified by specialized laboratories and only then are used in games.