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Not all slot developers are at the same level of quality. Some may have a bigger budget, more experience, innovative developers, or a superb art team. The best providers tick all the boxes, though. The tier-1 slot makers are a cut above the rest.
Developers listed among our top 10 favourite game studios are all the cream of the crop. Picking any of them will guarantee plenty of exciting releases. We briefly discuss our chosen slot makers and highlight what earned them a spot on our list below.
Pragmatic Play is a developer located in Malta that’s been in business since 2015. The team quickly rose to prominence owing to high-quality video pokies. Leveraging that success, the company has expanded into other game types, such as table games and scratch cards. However, Pragmatic Play exceeded all expectations with its live casino segment capable of rivalling the developers in the niche. The success of these ventures did not distract the software provider from its primary focus: online pokies. Pragmatic Play has many slot games that use different themes, features and math models. In addition, the developer has also released numerous Megaways titles. However, it is best known for its excellent high-volatility releases. Notable video slots include Wolf Gold, Big Bass Bonanza, and The Dog House Megaways.
If there’s one software provider that lives up to its name, it’s Nolimit City. The studio was founded in 2008 and has pushed the boundaries of both visuals and gameplay. They’re best known for their unorthodox and creepy themes, which successfully drew the attention of many players. The developer exploded in popularity, becoming a household name overnight. They also caught the eye of iGaming giant Evolution, who snatched them up in 2022. That said, claiming the studio’s success is exclusively about graphics would be a downright lie. The talented team at Nolimit City is always finding creative ways to change how we approach slots. xWays, xNudges, and xSplits give their games a unique feel. We also like the Nolimit Winners feature, which lets you replay the biggest wins achieved in their games. Mental, Serial, and San Quentin are their most notable pokies.
Previously known as Microgaming, Games Global is synonymous with online gambling. From launching the first online casino to creating a progressive pokie that has broken a world record in payouts, the Isle of Man-based company is an industry behemoth whose games will keep you entertained for hours. Besides slots, Games Global also offers RNG table games and ventures into the live casino niche. Today, Games Global partners with many game studios to provide exciting pokies with innovative extras. However, its most played titles are still the older releases, like Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II and legendary Mega Moolah, nicknamed a million-maker.
Although it may strike you as a new name in the industry, 3 Oaks has been around for a while. Initially known as Booongo, the company rebranded in December 2022. So, today, its titles can be found under the new name across NZ online casinos. Headquartered in the Isle of Man, 3 Oaks boasts a gallery of 60+ titles and partners with casino sites to host thrilling pokie tournaments. One of the main selling points of 3 Oaks slots is the Hold and Win feature that offers fixed jackpots. Standout titles include Dragon Pearls Hold and Win, Book of Sun Multichance and Green Chilli.
Play’n GO is a well-known name among slot enthusiasts. The company is headquartered in Sweden and has been around since 1997. Its commitment to quality has ensured its games are available at almost every online casino. Play’n GO also won several awards for its video slots. A notable example is the Slot Provider of the Year award in 2019 at the International Gaming Awards. Since its formation, this software provider has made many successful video slots. Most of its releases have high volatility, though the developer also offers medium and low-variance titles. Play’n GO also has many branded games which use beloved music bands as a theme. The best Play’n GO pokies include Reactoonz 2, Book of Dead, and Cash of Command.
Relax Gaming was founded in 2010 by a pair of iGaming experts. Since then, the company has expanded, and now has several offices across the globe. The majority of available releases are pokies, though the developer also dabbles in poker and bingo games. Its casino section also features several table and dice games. If you love slots, this developer has got you covered. Branded and Megaways games have a substantial presence in Relax Gaming’s portfolio. Its most prominent video slots include Money Train 1-3, Temple Tumble, and Volatile Vikings. Furthermore, almost all pokie machines by this developer come with a high variance and impressive winning potential.
NetEnt is one of the most reputable slot providers in the NZ market. The Swedish studio was established in 1996 and was one of the first developers to offer online pokies. Alongside video slots, NetEnt has tried its hand at virtual table games, scratch cards and live casino. The developer has also won multiple awards over the years. One of its most notable achievements is winning Mobile Gaming Software Supplier at EGR B2B Awards 2021. With so many slot titles, this provider almost certainly has what you want. Its portfolio covers low, medium, and high volatility pokies with various bonus features. Among them, you can also find Megaways titles and those with progressive jackpots. NetEnt is also big on branded slots, having created titles based on TV shows, bands, and more. Standout video slots are Divine Fortune, Starburst XXXtreme, and Dead or Alive 2.
Push Gaming is a pokie developer based in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 2010 and exclusively works on video slots. The company’s initial focus was transferring land-based games to the online market. That lasted until 2013 when the software provider decided to produce online pokies independently instead of just porting old games. The developer places mobile devices first when designing slot games. As a result, all Push Gaming releases retain their premium feel while working flawlessly on desktops, smartphones, and tablets. Popular video slots include Jammin’ Jars 2, Fat Rabbit, and Razork Shark.
Big Time Gaming is an Australian software provider best known as the brains behind the popular Megaways mechanics. Since 2011, BTG has made massive strides toward becoming a world-class software provider. Its success caught the eye of iGaming giant Evolution, which resulted in the acquisition of the studio. As the company that invented Megaways, it is no surprise many of its releases use this system. However, the developer did continue to innovate and create new features. These include mechanics like Megaclusters, Megapays, and Megaquads. Big Time Gaming has launched many successful branded slots as well. Standout titles by this software provider include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Bonanza, and Danger High Voltage.
With more than 300 titles under its belt, Spinomenal is known as a provider of feature-packed pokies. They use various themes, catering to all kinds of players. Being around since 2014, the Israeli company has also produced a range of scratch cards and roulette variants. At NZ online casinos, you can take part in tournaments hosted by Spinomenal and win a share of a prize pool. Some of the most popular Spinomenal pokies include Demi Gods II, Majestic King and Wolf Fang.
This question does not have an easy answer. Senior software providers naturally have an advantage here: but some of their older releases are no longer available. Therefore, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Play’n GO are all vying for the top spot.
Unfortunately, the early era of online gambling was not well documented. It was still a proverbial Wild West as regulation had not yet caught up with playing online. Because of that, we do not know the first online slot machine or who made it. That said, we do know that the first online jackpot slot was Microgaming’s Cash Splash.
When it comes to the same releases, their virtual and physical versions typically pay the same. However, in general, online pokies tend to offer better payouts than their land-based counterparts. The most rewarding among them are progressive slots that can award life-changing jackpots.
Depending on the markets they target, pokie developers obtain license from respective authorities. Hence, the best providers contributing to New Zealand online casinos boast licences issued by bodies like the UKGC, MGA and other local authorities.