Over the years, the gambling industry has seen a significant shift, going from mechanical devices powered by drums to digital software that can be conveniently accessed at the touch of a button. The backbone of modern gambling is software development, which plays a crucial role in linking players with casino operators.
Therefore, software suppliers are an integral part of the casino industry in:
- bringing to life a wide range of games;
- facilitating financial transactions;
- ensuring compatibility across various devices;
- supporting business promotions, and much more.
In the following section, we will delve deeper into the common types of software suppliers utilized in online casinos.
Platform Providers
Platform providers in the casino industry are companies that supply the technology that runs a casino’s website and management system. They may not be visible to the players, but their technology is crucial for the smooth functioning of the casino.
Examples of platform providers in the online casino industry include Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, and Aristocrat. These providers typically offer a combination of gaming content, back-end systems, and in some cases, front-end websites. Additionally, they offer customer support, compliance, and regulation assistance, and other services to the operators.
With the advent of online gambling, platform software development has evolved to cater to the diverse needs of players. The most common variations of casino software include:
No Download Software
Instant play software is widely sought-after by online casinos, as it enables players to play games directly from their web browser without the need for downloading any additional software. This type of internet casino software typically utilizes Adobe Flash and HTML5, making it compatible with a variety of operating systems and devices, including smartphones and tablets. As a result, players can access a wide range of games from any location and on any device they have at hand.
Download Software
In contrast to instant software, downloadable casino games provide a more engaging experience with advanced graphics and sound effects. However, this type of software requires players to download and install it on their computer, which can consume storage space and may demand more system resources.
Although some platforms continue to offer downloadable games, instant play games have become the standard for most contemporary casinos. Downloadable software is now mostly only available for PCs that run on the Microsoft Windows operating system. Once downloaded, this software grants players full access to a wide range of games at their selected casino.
Mobile Software
Mobile developers in the casino industry create mobile applications that enable players to access casino games and services on their smartphones and tablets. These casino apps can be downloaded from the player’s phone or tablet through the relevant app store or from the casino’s website.
Mobile developers use programming languages to create the apps and utilize tools such as Android Studio and Xcode for development and testing. They strive to ensure that the apps run seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, in the same way they do on PCs.
Game Providers
Game developers create the games offered at a casino, such as slot machines, table games, and live dealer games. These providers create the game software and supply it to the casino operators, who then integrate it into their platform which can be provided by a platform provider or their own system. Some examples of game providers in the online casino industry include IGT, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, and NetEnt.
Payment Providers
As their name implies, payment providers manage the financial transactions for a casino, including deposits and withdrawals. They supply the infrastructure for players to make deposits and withdrawals securely and easily, into their casino account. The most common examples of payment providers in online casinos include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, and Crypto.
Marketing Providers
Marketing suppliers provide marketing and player acquisition services for a casino. These are Income Access, BetConstruct, EveryMatrix, and Kindred Affiliates, to name but a few. They assist casinos in attracting and retaining players to their platform.
Advertising suppliers usually offer a variety of services such as affiliate programs, SEO, and SMM to the operator. They also provide analytics, tracking and reporting to help the operator to understand the performance of the campaigns and make better decisions.