The Best Casino Game Providers in 2022

Microgaming

Microgamingis one of the leading software provider companies in the iGaming industry. The provider was launched in the mid-1990s and has established itself as a leading software developer in the industry. The company covers a range of games including classic slots, video slots, arcade slots, table games, live dealer games and much more.

Microgaming has a wide range of games in their portfolio with a platform that also incorporates games from lesser-known studios. The developer is well regarded in the industry and its games can be found at most leading online casinos. One example of a fine Microgaming slot is Western Gold 2 Double Barrel, which we cover below.

Western Gold 2 Double Barrel

One of the most popular Microgaming video slots that was produced in collaboration with Just For The Win is Western Gold 2 Double Barrel. The action takes place on a 5x4 grid that offers 40 fixed paylines. In the slot, players can record winning combinations by matching at least 3 symbols across a payline from left to right. There are certain symbols (Wilds and Blue 7s) that only require two matches for a winner. The betting ranges from €/£0.20 to €/£20 per spin. The RTP for this game is 96.15% whilst the maximum win amount is 25,000x your stake.

Western Gold 2 Double Barrel is a Wild West themed video slot that is played in a desert/countryside – as seen in the background. You will also see a few mountains in the backdrop as well. The slot is complete with a twanging guitar and harmonica accompanied by a deep voice from a cowboy.

On the reels themselves, players can expect to come across cards, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, guns and a triplet of single, double and triple BAR symbols. There is also a Blue 7 and a wild symbol, which can pay up to 30x your stake. In addition, players will also find Free Spins symbols, Wrangler symbols, Mustang symbols and scatters.

The scatters are used to reward players with instant cash prizes. If a player manages to land at least 4 scatters anywhere on their screen, they will win 1x their stake. However, if a player manages to land up to 12 scatters on their screen from a single spin, they trigger they will trigger a prize of up to 10,000x stake.

In addition, Western Gold 2 Double Barrel also comes with Free Spins symbols, that will reward 3 free spins for 3 symbols, combined with a 1x multiplier. If you manage to land the Mustang symbol on the 5th reel, the Free Spins reset to 3. Additionally, the Mustang symbol also triggers the Feature Barrel if it lands.

The Feature Barrel unlocks several bonuses to trigger during the free spin’s bonus round. Thus, players can make the most of one of these modifiers:

• A random number of scatters add to your screen to reward cash prizes when collected in the Cash Barrel
• All prizes in the Cash Barrel are upgraded
• The multiplier increases by 1x
• An additional number of Free Spins is added (3 free spins becomes 4)
• The bonus round is upgraded with Super Free Spins

Whenever the player lands 3 scatters in the bonus round, the free spins will reset to 3. Additionally, the Cash Barrel is won. To trigger the Super Free Spins, players will need to match 3 Free Spins symbols with 2 Wrangler symbols on the same spin. During the bonus round, the Cash Barrel pays out at the end of each free spin. Moreover, the Mustang symbol can also drop on the 5th reel, resulting in the Feature Barrel activating.

Play’n Go

Another software provider that is considered as one of the best in the industry is Play’n Go. The software developer has launched over 1,000 different titles including a variety of slots and table games. They are most recognized for their production of video slots.

Play’n Go was launched in the 1990s by a group of Swedish professionals. They have flooded the online casino industry with a selection of slots, table games, scratch cards, progressive jackpots, bingo games and video poker. The software provider holds licenses to operate in the UK, Malta, Denmark, Gibraltar, Belgium and Alderney. Play’n Go is completed mobile friendly, meaning players can play their games on any smart device and do not need to download any additional content. To learn about the variety of games from Play’n Go, read up on these two popular games below.

Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead

Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is one of the most popular games from Play’n Go. The video slot is played on 5 reels and offers 10 paylines. As the name suggests, Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is an Ancient Egyptian themed video slots where the hero, Rich Wilde, explores the deep unknown of the pharaohs tomb.

In the slot, there is a single bonus feature that is the Free Spins bonus round. To trigger the bonus round, players are required to land at least 3 scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Once this has been activated, the bonus round is complete with a number of free spins and expanding symbols. During the bonus round, it is possible to win the maximum prize of 5,000x your stake.

Rise of Athena

Another popular slot from Play’n Go is Rise of Athena. The gameplay takes place on a 5-reel slot with 10 paylines. Yet again, Play’n Go have taken on a mythological theme with the slot based off of the Ancient Greek Goddess, Athena. Athena was known as the goddess of War and Wisdom. Her close hand pet and friend is Pegasus, the white winged horse. Both Athena and Pegasus feature in the slot.

In Rise of Athena, there are several bonus features. The most attractive of them are the wilds, which can drop on any of the three inner reels. Wilds substitute standard symbols to form winning combinations. However, in this Play’n Go slot, they may also have 2x and 3x multipliers attached to them. If you manage to land three wilds on the inner reels, they combine, giving you a multiplier booster of 27x.

There is also a free spins bonus round in the slot. During the bonus round, every wild that drops becomes sticky. That means it locks into place for the entirety of the round. However, with each spin, the multiplier attached to the wild decreases by 1x. This feature is where you are most likely to win the 5,000x stake maximum prize, especially with 3x multipliers attached.

NetEnt

Much like Microgaming and Play’n Go, NetEnt is considered to be one of the leading software providers in the iGaming industry. The provider is known for their innovative games, particularly video slots. Year on year, NetEnt expands their gaming portfolio with more new and creative slots. One of the most exciting games to play is Fruit Shop Megaways.

Fruit Shop Megaways

One of the most colourful and exciting games from NetEnt is Fruit Shop Megaways. The game is played with the Big Time Gaming mechanic of Megaways. That means that players can have up to 117,649 ways to win on 6 reels. Each reel can have any number between 2 and 7 symbols appear on the reel. It is the perfect slot that combines a classic theme with a modern video slot mechanic.

To form winning combinations, players must match at least three symbols from left to right. However, the Cherry symbol only requires two matches to form a winner. The betting in this NetEnt slot ranges from €/£0.20 to €/£100 per spin. Additionally, the slot is a sequel to the original Fruit Shop slot from NetEnt, released in 2011.

Fruit Shop Megaways includes a variety of lower valued royals on the reels and many higher valued fruits. The fruits include watermelons, oranges, lemons, plums and cherries. The wild of the slot is the Fruit Shop logo.

There is a single bonus feature in Fruit Shop Megaways, the Free Spins bonus round. It is triggered by landing a combination of fruit symbols. Every time you land fruits on the reels, they are collected. Once enough have been collected, they will trigger the bonus round. During the Free Spins bonus round, all low valued symbols and high valued symbols will reward you with additional free spins. In addition, the bonus round start with a 1x multiplier that constantly increases by 1 for each successful free spin. This gives players the chance to win big in the bonus round.

Closing Remarks

Arguably, the three most popular software providers among a portion of gamblers are Microgaming, Play’n Go and NetEnt. Whilst they all produce a selection of table games, scratch cards, live dealer games and more, these providers are most recognized for their production of innovative slots. If you are new to playing at online casinos, you cannot go wrong with the providers listed above.