Anyone who regularly uses casinos online will have come across a range of casino software, with providers such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play powering some of the most popular games in the UK industry.
Casino software is simply the technology that powers online casino games, whether that be the game engine, the random number generator (RNG), or the video-streaming platform for live games.
It is built by specialist third-party companies rather than the casino brands themselves.
We’ve produced a guide to casino software for UK players who want to understand what actually powers the online casino games they play, from complete beginners to players comparing casinos by game library.
In the guide below, readers can find out what casino software is and how it works, as well as the different types of software behind a casino online, who the biggest casino software providers are and how UK regulation keeps it fair.
What is casino software and how does it work?
Casino software is the underlying technology that runs an online casino’s games, for example the game engine, the RNG, and (for live games) the video-streaming platform.
An example could be the software behind slot games. On a simple slot spin, the player hits spin, the RNG instantly generates a result, the game engine maps that result to a combination of symbols and a payout, and the outcome displays in a fraction of a second. Every spin is independent of the last.
Reputable software is certified by independent testing labs (e.g. eCOGRA, iTech Labs or GLI) that check the RNG produces random, unbiased outcomes matching the game’s published RTP.
In addition, under UKGC licence condition LCCP 2.2.1, any gambling software used by a UK-licensed casino must come from a company that itself holds a UKGC remote gambling software operating licence.
This is why every legitimate provider has its own UKGC listing, separate from the casino brand’s licence.
The different types of casino software
There are several different types of online casino software that players are likely to come across when playing online slots and live casino games.
Most of the market is actually B2B infrastructure that players never see by name anyway, but the most common types include:
Game Content / Studio Software
This is the software behind the slots, table games and jackpots themselves, and it is built by studios like the six providers covered below. This is the part players are likely to recognise and care about, and is the focus of the rest of this page.
Live Casino / Streaming Software
This is the video and dealer-interface technology behind live blackjack, online roulette and game shows, which are broadcast from real studios. Evolution is the dominant name here (and it now owns NetEnt too, though there’s more on that below).
Casino Platform and Aggregation Software
This software is the back-office/CMS layer that operators use to run a casino website, and it covers player accounts, casino payments, bonus engines and aggregating hundreds of providers’ games into one lobby.
This is a different product to the game content itself, so readers might see these names show up when they search ‘casino software’ but they aren’t a game provider they’ll recognise.
The software providers powering casinos online
Several recognisable casino software providers operate across Europe and the UK, powering some of the most popular casino games on the market.
The comparison table below gives a brief look at different casino software providers and how they compare to each other. Readers can also find more information about each provider below:
Provider | Founded | Headquarters | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
Microgaming | 1994 | Douglas, Isle of Man | Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Immortal Romance; widely credited with launching the first true online casino software |
Relax Gaming | 2010 | Valletta/St Julian’s, Malta (started in Sweden) | Silver Bullet open distribution platform; Money Train series |
Push Gaming | 2010 | London, England | Founded by James Marshall and Winston Lee; Jammin’ Jars, Razor Shark |
Playtech | 1999 | Douglas, Isle of Man (London operating HQ); LSE-listed | Age of the Gods, Buffalo Blitz; one of the largest B2B gambling technology groups in the world |
NetEnt | 1996 | Stockholm, Sweden | Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest; acquired by Evolution in 2020 |
Pragmatic Play | 2015 (rebrand of TopGame Technology | Gibraltar | Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus; also a major live casino and Drops & Wins tournament operator |
Microgaming
Microgaming is an online casino software pioneer, having launched in 1994, and it played a key role in inventing casino software.
The company is based in the Isle of Man, and is licensed by both the UKGC and MGA. The signature progressive jackpot at Microgaming online casinos is Mega Moolah.
Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming is the flexible, fast-growing challenger, and started as an online poker supplier in 2010.
It is now a broad multi-vertical studio with its own distribution platform, and is UKGC-licensed (Relax Gaming Limited, account 037462). The brand itself is Malta-headquartered, though it has Nordic roots.
Nowadays, the providers known for its Silver Bullet platform and the Money Train slot series, both of which can be found on the best Relax Gaming online casinos.
Push Gaming
Push Gaming is a London-based studio founded in 2010 by James Marshall and Winston Lee, two former iGaming execs, and it is known for quality over quantity.
It is a smaller, more boutique option than the others on this list, though it carries a strong reputation among slot enthusiasts for titles like Jammin’ Jars and Razor Shark, which are both popular on Push Gaming online casinos.
Playtech
Playtech is an industry giant, and one of the largest listed gambling technology companies in the world, having been founded in 1999.
Playtech was incorporated on the Isle of Man, though it has a London operating base and a London Stock Exchange main market listing.
It is UKGC-licensed, and currently spans slots, live casino, online bingo and sportsbook technology for major UK operators.
As such, Playtech casinos are some of the most common on the UK market.
NetEnt
NetEnt was once the Swedish innovator, founded in 1996 in Stockholm by Pontus Lindwall.
It is now part of Evolution and is MGA-licensed, though it was acquired by Evolution Gaming in 2020.
NetEnt is the studio behind long-running player favourites Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest, which are common games on NetEnt online casinos.
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is the fastest-growing modern studio, and it has become a dominant force in UK slot lobbies.
It launched in 2015 out of the TopGame Technology acquisition, and is now Gibraltar-headquartered and UKGC-licensed via Pragmatic Play (Gibraltar) Limited.
This provider is known for Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus and its Drops & Wins network tournaments, and Pragmatic Play online casinos are some of the most popular in the UK.
Key points to know
Licensing: Every legitimate software provider used by a UK casino must itself hold a UKGC remote gambling software operating licence (LCCP condition 2.2.1). This is separate from the casino brand’s own operating licence – you can check a provider’s licence on the UKGC public register.
Fairness testing: RNGs are independently certified by labs such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs or GLI before a game can go live with a UK operator. This makes sure that casino games are random and not rigged.
RTP: This varies by provider and even by game. The same slot pays out at the same long-run RTP wherever it’s played, because the RTP is baked into the software rather than the site hosting it.
Bonus wagering cap: The UKGC capped bonus wagering requirements at a maximum of 10x, effective 19 January 2026, so any casino bonuses carrying higher wagering requirements will not be legitimate.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
There are a few common misconceptions that players can make when looking at casino software, so we’ve run through a few below.
Firstly, do not assume that a casino brand builds its own games. In reality, almost every casino online licenses its game library from third-party software providers like the ones above.
Moreover, do not confuse a game-content studio (such as Pragmatic Play or NetEnt) with a platform or aggregation vendor (like EveryMatrix or BetConstruct). The former makes the games players recognise, the latter is back-office infrastructure players never see by name.
Summary
Casino software is a common thing to come across on both established and new casino sites, with most of the biggest games in the industry powered by several of the biggest providers.
When researching the best online casino software providers, remember that all of them are independently certified by labs such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs or GLI before a game can go live with a UK operator - in order to ensure fairness for players - so they are all trustworthy.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling is only available to people aged 18+ in the UK. Remember to play within your limits, try to set a budget and never chase any of your losses.
When playing on casino apps or gambling sites it is important to remember to gamble responsibly.
In terms of software for online casino games, no software provider or game type changes the fact that outcomes are random - treat every spin as entertainment rather than a way to predict or influence results.
If you have to, you can always use responsible gambling tools to control your play too.
Self-assessment calculators, deposit limits, loss limits, max-bet limits, reality checks and time-outs are among the common tools offered by licensed casinos.
If you prefer, GamStop allows users to exclude themselves from all UKGC licensed gambling sites.
If you want to seek help for any gambling-related issues, there are charities and healthcare providers who offer free & confidential support and information:
Casino Software FAQs
What is casino software?
Casino software is the technology that runs an online casino’s games, such as the game engine, the random number generator and, for live tables, the video-streaming platform. It’s built by specialist providers such as Playtech, NetEnt and Pragmatic Play.
Is casino software the same as the casino I’m playing at?
No. The casino brand runs the website, accounts and payments, but licenses its actual games from third-party software providers. Providers make the software behind the casino’s online games, and a single provider’s games can appear at dozens of different UK casinos.
How do I know casino software is fair?
Reputable providers use random number generators independently tested by labs such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs or GLI. These must hold a UKGC remote gambling software licence in order to supply UK-facing casinos. Readers can check a provider’s licence on the UKGC public register.
Who are the biggest casino software providers?
Playtech, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Microgaming, Relax Gaming and Push Gaming are among the best-known names in UK casino lobbies. Their products span slots, live dealer casino games and jackpot slots, and they can be found on dozens of casinos online in the UK.
Where can I check if a casino software provider is UKGC-licensed?
Readers can search a provider’s name on the UK Gambling Commission’s public register. In addition to this, a legitimate provider will hold its own remote gambling software licence, though this is separate from any casino brand’s licence. Be sure to check both before using a game or casino.
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