| Updated: Slots occupy roughly one-third of the floor space in most land-based casinos, and hundreds are available at online gambling sites. Game manufacturers have been producing slot machines for more than a century. Some of these companies, such as IGT and Aristocrat, are long-established names in the gambling industry that began as land-based slot machine vendors. They have successfully adapted to the constantly evolving gaming industry by creating newer, better, and more original slots.
These manufacturers have built a bridge between the land-based and online sectors, catering to both markets. Other companies, such as Yggdrasil and Pragmatic Play, are younger and focus exclusively on developing innovative online slots. Most online casinos prefer to work with third-party slot suppliers, while a select few gambling operators develop some of their slots in-house using proprietary software.
This page features a roundup of what we consider the best slot suppliers in the industry, along with a brief overview of each listed company. We also recommend some of the best slot games each company has released.
We have done our best to make our selection of slot suppliers as comprehensive as possible. The challenge is that thousands of slots have been launched over the years, so listing every title and company in one place is hardly feasible. However, if you feel we have missed a supplier that deserves to be on this list, feel free to get in touch with us.
Major Manufacturers of Landbased Slot Machines
We should not forget that slots started out as simple mechanical machines with three rotating drums and a limited number of symbols. A coin was inserted, a lever was pulled, and the machine paid out when the three reels produced a winning combination on the payline.
Over the past decade, however, things have changed for the better. Major manufacturers like IGT, Bally, and Aristocrat have helped shape the way land-based slots are played by introducing numerous improvements over the years.
Some of these include motor-driven coin hoppers, wide-area progressive jackpots, multi-tiered progressive jackpots, bar-coded payment slips, and banknote validators. The arrival of the virtual reel has allowed for bigger payouts, more symbol combinations, and different variance levels.
The companies listed below supply slots for both the brick-and-mortar and the online sectors. We have placed them in a separate category because they started out as land-based machine manufacturers.
IGT
Bally Technologies Aristocrat WMS Barcrest Novomatic GamingIGT
IGT (International Game Technology) leads the industry in sheer numbers and is widely regarded as the largest manufacturer of land-based slot machines in the world. The Las Vegas-based company has offices in more than 300 locations across 100 countries throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa.
IGT revolutionized slot manufacturing with the 1986 launch of the first-ever wide-area progressive game, Megabucks.
The next decade brought another legendary jackpot slot, the Wheel of Fortune game, based on the television game show of the same name.
Since its debut in 1996, the game has become one of the most successful branded slots in history, awarding more than 1,000 jackpot prizes worth over $1 million each.
The company did not stop there. IGT entered the online gambling market through its 2005 acquisition of WagerWorks. In 2014, IGT was purchased by GTECH for $6.4 billion. The acquiring company chose to retain the popular and familiar IGT name.
- Popular land-based slots by IGT: Wheel of Fortune, Megabucks, Ghostbusters, Da Vinci Diamonds, Treasures of Troy
- Popular online slots by IGT: Cleopatra, Siberian Storm, Cats, Golden Goddess, Pixies of the Forest, Kitty Glitter, Wolf Run
Bally Technologies
Bally Technologies is a leading manufacturer of slot machines and other land-based gaming equipment. Established in 1968 as Advanced Patent Technology, the company initially focused on patents in fields such as electronics, medicine, and optics. It secured rights to inventions such as ultrasonic meat tenderizers and dry-cleaning machines.
The company’s entry into the gambling market began eleven years later with the 1979 acquisition of major Nevada slot route operator the United Coin Machine Company.
In the years that followed, Bally introduced several innovative improvements, including a new multi-game machine format that enabled players to choose from different types of games. The machine, called the Game Maker, offered video poker, slots, and video blackjack.
Another notable achievement was the introduction of the so-called iReels, a feature that creates realistic three-dimensional effects on an LCD screen.
In November 2014, Bally was acquired by Scientific Games for $5.1 billion. Today, Bally remains a major supplier of innovative slot machines to land-based casinos.
Many of its most popular land-based creations have been adapted for online play, including branded slots themed around popular musicians, movies, and television shows.
- Popular land-based slots by Bally Technologies: Cash Spin, Quick Hit, Blazing 7s, Hot Shot, Money Wheel, Titanic
- Popular online slots by Bally Technologies: Wonder Woman, Anchorman The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Michael Jackson King of Pop, Monopoly Millionaire, Wacky Races
Aristocrat
Based in Australia, Aristocrat has been “bringing joy to life through the power of play” since it was founded by Len Ainsworth in 1953. If the name sounds familiar, it is because Len Ainsworth is also the chairman of Ainsworth Game Technology, another major company in the gambling industry.
Aristocrat revolutionized the industry with the launch of the Club Master, a game featuring a free-play lock. The 1960s marked a period of major expansion for Aristocrat, whose operations entered the European and North American markets.
The company’s global growth continued well into the next decade, when Aristocrat launched game-changing machines such as Wild West, an all-electronic slot. Aristocrat is also responsible for releasing the first slot machine to use five reels. Its Cash Express slot was among the first games to offer multi-tier progressive jackpots.
The company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1996. It is presently licensed to operate in over 200 jurisdictions. An agreement with Amaya enabled Aristocrat to enter the online gambling market and release online versions of its most iconic land-based slots.
- Popular land-based slots by Aristocrat: Cash Express, Sons of Anarchy, Buffalo Stampede, 5 Dragons Legends, Big Red, Wolf Moon, Queen of the Nile, Britney Spears
- Popular online slots by Aristocrat: Big Ben, 5 Dragons, Dolphin Treasure, Lucky 88, Miss Kitty, Moon Festival, Firelight
WMS
You might be surprised to learn that WMS (Williams Gaming) began as a manufacturer of pinball and fortune-teller machines in 1943. Founded by Harry Williams, the company branched out into slot manufacturing in 1994, shifting its entire focus to gaming several years later.
The year 1997 was a turning point in WMS’s history, as the company launched its first highly successful slot with multiple paylines, Reel ‘Em In. The game paid on five paylines: three horizontal lines, one V-shaped line, and one chevron-shaped line. It also included an original bonus game in which players pick an angler to reel in extra credits.
WMS is particularly well known for branded slots themed around music icons, franchises, and blockbusters, with games featuring Bruce Lee, Elton John, Clint Eastwood, Star Trek, and Men in Black among the prime examples.
The Nevada-based company derived most of its revenue from the North American market, which accounted for 70% in 2010. It also had a strong worldwide presence, especially in countries such as Australia, the UK, Spain, and South Africa.
In 2013, WMS was purchased for $1.5 billion by Scientific Games, though the transaction was not officially completed until 2016.
- Popular land-based slots by WMS: The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Reel ‘Em In, Bier Haus, Montezuma
- Popular online slots by WMS: KISS, Elvis, Raging Rhino, Zeus, Enchanted Fairy, Leprechaun’s Fortune, OMG! Kittens
Barcrest
Barcrest is a UK-based company that has been supplying land-based casinos with slot machines since 1968. Over the following decades, Barcrest expanded its operations and became one of the most recognizable suppliers of land-based slot machines in the UK.
US gambling giant IGT purchased the company in 1998 as part of its expansion into Europe. Roughly a decade later, another acquisition followed when Barcrest became a member of the Scientific Games family of brands.
- Popular land-based slots by Barcrest: Rainbow Riches, Monty’s Millions, Jewel in the Crown, Ooh Aah Dracula
- Popular online slots by Barcrest: Mermaid Queen, Moon Shadow, Excalibur’s Choice, Mighty Black Knight
Novomatic Gaming
Novomatic debuted on the gaming scene in 1980 and has since expanded its operations to more than 80 countries worldwide. Its portfolio includes over 300 premium online and land-based slots.
The company is headquartered in Austria but has offices in more than 40 other locations, including Italy, Spain, the USA, the Philippines, South Africa, and Hungary. Novomatic is considered one of Europe’s top slot suppliers, generating revenue of €5 billion in 2018 alone.
The Austrian company has made several important contributions to the gaming industry. It was among the first slot manufacturers to incorporate touchscreens into its machines. Novomatic entered the online gambling sector in 2010 after acquiring Greentube.
Many of Novomatic’s most iconic land-based games have been adapted for online play. Unlike younger software studios that focus on sophisticated, lifelike graphics and animations, Novomatic maintains its emphasis on playability and classic design.
- Popular land-based slots by Novomatic: Rumpel Wildspins, Book of Ra, Captain Venture, Gorilla
- Popular online slots by Novomatic: Lucky Lady’s Charm, Hoffmania, Sizzling Hot, Sparta, Tales of Darkness, Columbus
Meet the Best Online Slot Software Developers
The online gambling industry has thrived over the past two decades. Part of this success can be credited to major software development companies like Microgaming, Playtech, and NetEnt, which focus exclusively on providing online casino games.
These companies have earned recognition for the innovative features of their slots. They operate the three largest wide-area progressive jackpot networks in the world and have been active since the dawn of online gambling.
In recent years, several younger slot developers, including Yggdrasil and Pragmatic Play, have entered the market, bringing fresh concepts, unconventional features, and modern designs.
NetEnt Pragmatic Play Yggdrasil Playtech Microgaming Play'n GONetEnt
NetEnt is a Sweden-based supplier of casino gaming solutions, including top-quality slots, progressive games, table games, and live dealer games. When the company launched in 1996, NetEnt used Java technology for its games but has since transitioned to HTML5, which has rapidly become an industry standard.
The company has established a global presence in regulated markets across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia. It is publicly traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has more than a thousand employees.
NetEnt’s slots are available exclusively through an instant-play platform and have earned the company multiple accolades over the years. The Swedish developer won an EGR Award for Innovation in Slot Provision in 2016.
The previous year, it was named Slot Provider of 2015. Among its later achievements was receiving a 2019 Global Gaming Award for its slot Jumanji, which won in the GGA Casino Product of the Year category.
- Popular online slots by NetEnt: Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Jack and the Beanstalk, Narcos, Jumanji, Hotline, Dead or Alive, Vikings, Twin Spin, Jack Hammer, Aloha! Cluster Pays, Asgardian Stones
Pragmatic Play
Established in 2015, Pragmatic Play is one of the newer members of the growing family of online slot suppliers. Its varied portfolio reflects the company’s focus on diversity.
Despite its relatively recent arrival, the studio has expanded its portfolio to over 100 unique slots and casino games, making it one of the fastest-growing gambling companies in the world.
Pragmatic Play has earned several prestigious accolades, including an EGR Award for Innovation in Slot Provision in 2018.
The number of online casinos offering Pragmatic Play slots continues to grow, with some of its largest clients including Mr Green, LeoVegas, the Kindred Group, and William Hill. Pragmatic Play holds licenses in more than 20 regulated markets, including the UK, Romania, and the Philippines, as well as markets in Latin America.
- Popular online slots by Pragmatic Play: Great Rhino, Wolf Gold, Mustang Gold, Safari King, Ancient Egypt, Sweet Bonanza, Madame Destiny, Hot Safari
Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil, a newer software studio established in 2013, claims to offer a “superior” gaming experience. Its high-end slot portfolio supports this claim, with creations that are well received by players for their intricate gameplay, advanced graphics, and excellent playability.
The secret behind Yggdrasil’s lifelike games is its iSense technology. All its slots are built in HTML5, making them compatible with a wide range of desktop and mobile devices.
Yggdrasil’s slots include features such as sticky and expanding wilds, multilevel free spins, cluster symbols, cascading reels, and selectable risk levels. The studio is also responsible for branded slots such as Nitro Circus and progressive titles such as Ozwin’s Jackpots.
- Popular online slots by Yggdrasil: Orient Express, Vikings Go Berserk, Wolf Hunters, Baron Samedi, Dwarf Mine, Jackpot Raiders, Gem Rocks, Eastern Island, Nirvana, Dr. Fortuno
Playtech
Playtech, established in 1999, is one of the most experienced providers of online slot software, alongside Microgaming and NetEnt. The company has offices in 17 countries and holds licenses in more than 20 regulated jurisdictions.
Playtech does much more than develop slot content. It offers turnkey solutions, meaning its software platform provides everything an online gambling operator might need, from casino games, lotteries, and sports betting to promotional and personalization tools.
Playtech is widely recognized for its suite of progressive jackpot games. Its Marvel-themed progressive slots were highly popular several years ago. However, the company removed them in April 2017 after its license expired.
Playtech subsequently launched The Age of the Gods, a series of progressive mythology-themed slots with enormous random jackpots. The Isle of Man-based company is also known for its broad range of branded games, including titles such as Top Gun, Rocky, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, and Gladiator.
- Popular online slots by Playtech: Epic Ape, Buffalo Blitz, Beach Life, Cat in Vegas, Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven, Irish Luck, Jackpot Giant, White King
Microgaming
Microgaming boasts one of the industry’s most extensive slot portfolios, comprising hundreds of titles. The company was also behind the launch of the Gaming Club, the world’s first online casino.
Microgaming is well known for operating one of the most lucrative progressive jackpot networks in the industry. Launched in 1998, Microgaming’s Cash Splash became the first online slot to feature a progressive jackpot.
Its Mega Moolah network awarded more than $68 million in cash prizes between January and September 2019 alone.
The company is also known for its range of branded slot games, which includes blockbuster titles such as Playboy, Game of Thrones, Bridesmaids, and Jurassic World.
The year 2008 marked another milestone in Microgaming’s history with the release of the first online slot that pays on 100 paylines.
Microgaming’s slot products are available through a downloadable platform and via instant play on mobile and desktop. The company exited the US gaming market in 2008 due to changes in local regulations but maintains a strong global presence with licenses in more than 20 other jurisdictions.
- Popular online slots by Microgaming: Immortal Romance, Avalon, Thunderstruck, Agent Jane Blonde, Game of Thrones, Tomb Raider, Battlestar Galactica, Bar Bar Black Sheep, King Cashalot, Break Da Bank
Play'n GO
Play’n GO is a Scandinavian software supplier known for its mobile slots built in HTML5. The company is based in Sweden but has offices in several other countries, including Hungary, Malta, and the UK.
The supplier continues to expand its global presence. In September 2019, it extended its international reach through an agreement with Spanish gambling provider Codere.
The slots created by Play’n GO are visually appealing, feature-rich, and diverse in theme. The games are available in around 30 languages for instant play on mobile and desktop. Its progressive titles include Gunslinger and Fruit Bonanza.
- Popular online slots by Play’n GO: Demon, Hugo’s Adventures, Rise of Olympus, Legacy of Egypt, Imperial Opera, Moon Princess, Mermaid’s Diamonds, Viking Runecraft, Gemix
New vs. Established Slot Software Studios
Let's discuss how younger software suppliers measure against the old dogs of the industry.
Keen reel spinners often prefer casinos powered by experienced suppliers like Microgaming and Playtech because the latter boast an immaculate reputation for reliability and quality.
Newer companies need time to build slot portfolios as comprehensive as those of their older rivals. Their catalogs feature a significantly smaller number of slot titles.
Additionally, established software studios offer greater diversity in terms of games. Their catalogs comprise hundreds of slot titles, available across a wider range of online casinos.
Additionally, new arrivals to the industry have yet to expand and consolidate their presence on the global gaming market.
The games are adequately audited, which ensures high levels of protection for the players.
The positive here is that such young companies are bent on beating the competition. For the purpose, they incorporate original themes and newer, better features into their slot creations that you are unlikely to see in the games of industry dinosaurs like Microgaming.
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What Makes a High-End Slot Software Supplier?
The number of slot suppliers has grown significantly in recent years, making it difficult for casino newcomers to sift out the best providers. While gaming diversity is extremely important, it is not the only criterion you should consider. Below, we list several other qualities that define a high-end software supplier.
Multiple Languages Cross-compatibility Innovative Features and Payout Structures Multiple CurrenciesMultiple Languages
The availability of multiple languages is crucial for players who are not fluent enough in English to understand the paytable or use the gaming controls. Leading premium slot providers, including Microgaming, Play’n GO, and NetEnt, incorporate multiple language options into their slots’ gameplay to help overcome language barriers.
Cross-compatibility
Most slot fans expect cross-platform compatibility, an essential feature now that mobile gaming is so widespread. The best slot suppliers have already transitioned to using HTML5 technology, ensuring their games are accessible on modern handheld and desktop devices.
Innovative Features and Payout Structures
Innovative features and payout structures are equally important. Smaller software studios such as Australian developer Big Time Gaming offer fewer games, but each slot may still be worth trying. Its payout structure is so distinctive that the company has even begun licensing the concept to other software providers.
Multiple Currencies
The availability of multiple currencies is another factor to consider before choosing a supplier. If a software platform supports only standard options such as USD or EUR, international players who wager in other currencies may have to pay conversion fees.