Today, the American online gambling industry has blossomed into a multi-billion industry. With Rhode Island now accepting real money online casinos and possibly Maryland and Alabama following in its footsteps, the glory and online gambling fever will only continue to skyrocket. But no matter what your favorite casino game is, whether it be blackjack, baccarat, or a good old-fashioned slot game, there is a gaming developer behind it. Discover the magic behind the magical casino games with the premier American iGaming developers and what separates them from the pack.
1) Microgaming
Microgaming dates back to the beginning of online casinos. Having launched in 1994, many claim that the gaming platform behind unforgettable wonders like Agent Jane Blonde and Thunderstruck might go down as the first bonafide casino developer. However, at that time, Wager Gaming Software, formerly known as Vegas Technology, and Real-Time Gaming were also present.
But there’s no question that Microgaming continues to be a main clog in the meteoric rise of American slot games, especially progressive titles found in the gaming libraries of Borgata and more. Microgaming continues to rack up the awards too. It is one of the first game developers to popularize mobile casino games into the powerhouse that it is today.
2) NetEnt
If you joined and continue to frequent an American online casino playing megaway slots like Gonzo’s Quest, chances are that NetEnt is behind it. NetEnt’s roots date back to 1996 in Sweden. Starting as a small company, NetEnt, if you can believe it, didn’t start crafting and developing its own games but rather assisting casinos with their operations.
In the early 2000s, however, NetEnt shifted gears, and thank goodness they did, into developing original five-reel titles like Divine Fortune and the Hotline Series. But NetEnt really came into its own in the 2010s, the decade when states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania started the great American online gambling boom.
Crafting razor-sharp, five-reel titles, NetEnt was also one of the first companies to really pack in multiple bonuses and the expanding wild symbols in their games. Like Microgaming, NetEnt helped to pioneer the mobile app game boom.
3) IGT
IGT has been a part of the casino industry since the mid-1970s. Originally called A-1 Distributing Company and serving as a slot machine supplier, in 1981, IGT received credit for originating video poker. The 1980s also saw the Atlantic City Casino boom. Together with Las Vegas and Reno, IGT forever etched its name into casino game lore as video poker took off.
IGT further made history in 1986 by going live with the first progressive network slot game, Megabucks. So, if you’re enjoying propriety progressive network slots like BetMGM’s Mega Magma, you can thank IGT for the inspiration and the chance to experience a life-altering spin worth millions of dollars. Today, like Evolution Gaming, table game fans looking for additional competition can compete with IGT live dealers. IGT also has table games that don’t involve a live dealer, including everything from blackjack to American and European roulette.
4) Evolution Gaming
In 2019, something big happened in online gambling: live dealer play became organized. Pennsylvania’s online casinos led the way by trying out live poker and table games. Now, this trend has spread across the US, giving players a more immersive experience. Today, you can join live games streamed from fancy gambling studios using casino apps or online sweepstakes casinos, making your gaming experience feel more real and exciting.
Evolution, as its name so eloquently names, continues to evolve the live dealer experience with live game shows and new spins to classic table games, including Lightning and Auto Zoom roulette. But Evolution continues to evolve through acquisitions of other notable game developers like NetEnt and Nolimit City.
5) Konami Gaming
If you grew up in the 1980s and the name Konami rings a bell, that’s because they were behind many of Nintendo’s epic hits, like Contra and Super Contra. As the online casino revolution began, Konami shifted its efforts in 2000 by founding Konami Gaming to work exclusively for casino games. Konami takes pride in developing impacting slot games like Lotus Land and Fortune Stacks. Konami also has its brand of video poker staples like Joker Poker.
Conclusion
With states like New Jersey and Michigan breaking online gambling records, the future of casino games remains undoubtedly with online platforms. As technology improves and demands to play at home continue, casino game developers will continue to prove that they are up to the task by developing new games that take our breaths away and re-imagining traditional games so they feel brand new.