There’s an incredible array of choices when it comes to gaming developers in the iGaming industry, but some of them just stand out! Whether that’s for consistently great games or for that one that just captures the imagination, the top gaming developers speak for themselves.
In the fight for the pole positions, there are always new providers looking to forge a name for themselves. We’ll be looking at the best developers in the iGaming industry right now, and at who you should keep an eye out for in the future!
Top of the Tree—NetEnt
NetEnt are responsible for some of the biggest games in the industry, including one of the biggest slot games of all time,Gonzo’s Quest, and all of its many varieties. There’s also the iconic Starburst, which has been consistently at the top of the slot ratings thanks to its 20 different ways to win and its unique Starburst Wild feature.
The developers announced at the end of 2024 that another Starburst spinoff would be joining the family—Starburst Galaxy.¹ This game incorporates the company’s trademarked Avalanche feature, where winning symbols vanish to be refreshed by new ones—giving the opportunity for multiple wins in one spin. It was also the launch of the company’s Elevate Feature, which allows players to customise their experience by adding additional symbols and features, like wilds.
What Makes NetEnt One of the Top Providers?
NetEnt is one of the main drivers behind why we’re able to play slots online on our phones. They were pioneers of the online casino industry—having been involved since the early days of 2007. Today, they’re one of the most prolific and well-loved developers in the industry; they were responsible for 58.3 billion transactions in 2019 alone!²
NetEnt’s trophy cabinet speaks for itself; they’ve been scooping up awards since 2010! They won twice at the EGR B2B awards for Mobile Gaming Software Supplier and Innovation in Slot in 2021. In the same year, they also took home the award for best product launch at the GGA London.
NetEnt are also popular for their collaboration games, like their Narcos, Streetfighter 2, and Motörhead slots. Another popular feature is that you can give all their slots a test spin on their site for free. The combination of consistent innovation and immensely popular games is what makes them one of the industry’s most interesting developers.
Live Game Leader—Evolution
Another of the big players in the iGaming industry is Evolution; they’re especially famed for their diverse live gaming options. In a UK Gambling Commission survey, it was found that live roulette was the second most popular casino game choice (excluding slots and behind virtual roulette). Of those surveyed,29% had spent money on live roulette within the last year.³
Live gaming is an increasingly popular option—allowing players to get as close to the hustle and bustle of a land-based casino without having to leave the comfort of their own home. Players interact in real time with a dealer or croupier while getting to experience vibrant set designs. Evolution are the industry experts—leading the way with games like Lightning Roulette and Double Ball Roulette.
Pioneering Live Gameshows
Evolution are the pioneers of live gameshows at online casinos; they launched their, and the industry’s, very first live game in 2017 with Dreamcatcher. The popular game is still going strong today and features a large money wheel spun by a live dealer.
Today, they’ve continued as the premier live gameshow provider,with nostalgic launches like Monopoly Live. This popular game features the iconic Mr Monopoly as a live dealer dealer, and a money wheel split into 54 segments—including two chance segments straight from the original board game! The game is so popular that Evolution even released a spin off in Monopoly Big Baller. Their games remain popular because they capture the nostalgia of games like Monopoly and Deal or No Deal.
One to Watch—Posh Monkey Studios
Posh Monkey Studios are a new gaming developer that players are already going bananas for, without them even releasing a game! They’re backed by RNG Foundry—a gaming accelerator—which helps start-ups in the industry find their way. Their support is a big deal for Posh Monkey—granting them immediate access to their online casinos for any games they develop.
According to one of the studio’s founders—Deepak Bhinder—they aim to “combine state-of-the–art mathematical models” with “immersive storytelling”.⁴’ It certainly sounds promising, with strongly themed narrative casino games—like Gonzo’s Quest and Big Bass Bonanza—being some of the most popular out there!
Posh Monkey’s Potential
Although Posh Monkey Studios haven’t announced any games yet, they’ll certainly be one to watch out for in the future! They’re not only backed by RNG Foundry and investment firm Velo Partners—who also invested in Evolution—having also done business with one of the industry’s biggest names—Games Global. The two reached an agreement for exclusive distribution—meaning that Posh Monkey will be popping up across the over 350 casinos Games Global owns in the future.
The company’s two founders also have impressive industry experience—including working for top developers like Play’n Go, Print Studios, and Gaming Corps.⁵ Keen industry interest and investment is a massively positive sign for Posh Monkey, with important industry names spotting their potential. We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on them to see where they go in the future!
Popular—Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play are the brains behind the other immensely popular slot game we mentioned earlier—Big Bass Bonanza. They’re relative newcomers to the industry, having won the EGR B2B Software Rising Star back in 2017. However, age is just a number, and Pragmatic Play has proved that by producing some of the industry’s best games. Outside of their biggest hitter—the slot game Big Bass Bonanza—they’re also behind Gates of Olympus, John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen, and Sweet Bonanza.
Although they’re probably best known for their aforementioned slots, Pragmatic Play have been expanding their offering to other options. That includes live casinos like Dice City and bingo games like Diamond Dazzle. In July 2025, they launched Plinko+, their first in a new collection of arcade games. The game is intended to have wide appeal, thanks to its familiar gameplay mechanics and classic casino theme. It’s also customisable—with players able to choose their number of lines and risk settings. They announced that Spire+ and Mines+ were their next arcade games to follow up the launch, with Irina Cornides—COO of Pragmatic Play—saying they’re “coming soon”.⁵
Why do Players Pick Pragmatic?
Players come back for more thanks to Pragmatic’s focus on fair and safe play. They are licensed in over 40 jurisdictions, and all their games are certified by testing facilities like Gaming Laboratories International, Quinel, and Gaming Associates.⁶ They’re also popular at award shows—having won both Best Casino Software Supplier and Best Slot Supplier at EGR B2B 2025.
Pragmatic Play is still on the rise in the industry, and they’re making their way into new markets—like the arcade games they’re focusing on at the moment. Not only are they currently one of the top providers, but they’re an exciting one to keep a close eye on in the future.
Which iGaming Developers are the Ones to Watch?
The competition to be a top software developer in the iGaming industry is certainly a stiff one, but names like NetEnt and Evolution are enduringly popular options. Pragmatic Play is one of the rising stars, with Big Bass Bonanza fast becoming one of the most popular slots, and now, their foray into the arcade game world is an interesting move.
We’ll also be keeping an eye out for Posh Monkey Studios—backed by some of the biggest names in the business and run by highly experienced founders—our expectations are growing by the minute! In such a fast–moving industry, we’re fortunate to be constantly excited by the innovation and creativity that goes into making a top gaming developer.
¹ Starburst Galaxy Ushers in NetEnt’s New Era, Written by George Miller, Published by European Gaming.
² About Us, Written by NetEnt, Published by NetEnt.
⁶ Gaming Laboratories International Wins “Compliance Solution of the Year” at the SBC Americas Awards, Written by Christie Eickelman, Published by Gaming Labs International.
