Slot providers on mobile
Slot providers are the studios behind the games in every casino app. BestApps profiles each one: who owns it, where it's based, its signature mechanics and best-known slots, with RTP, volatility and maximum win tables and notes on playing its games on mobile.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
What slot providers do
Slot providers design the games, and casinos license them to run in their apps. The provider sets the maths: the RTP versions on offer, the volatility and the maximum win. The casino chooses which games and which RTP version to run, which is why the same slot can appear in two apps with a different RTP.
Games offered to British players must meet the Gambling Commission's technical standards, including its rules on the generation of random outcomes (opens in a new tab), and are tested by approved test houses before release.
Knowing the provider helps you predict what a game will feel like. A studio's catalogue tends to share a style of maths and presentation, so if you like one game, its sister titles are a sensible next look. It also tells you who to thank, or blame, for a feature you meet across several apps.
Who owns the big slot providers
Many well-known studios now sit inside a few large groups, which explains why mechanics and styles sometimes cross between brands.
| Provider | Based | Owner or parent | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NetEnt | Stockholm, Sweden | Evolution (since December 2020) | Starburst, Gonzo's Quest |
| Big Time Gaming | Sydney, Australia | Evolution (deal announced April 2021) | Megaways, Bonanza |
| Nolimit City | St Julian's, Malta | Evolution (deal announced June 2022) | xWays, xNudge, xBomb |
| Pragmatic Play | Gibraltar | Private investor group | Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza |
| Play'n GO | Växjö, Sweden | Independent, privately held | Book of Dead, Reactoonz |
| Blueprint Gaming | Newark, UK | Merkur Group | Fishin' Frenzy, Eye of Horus |
| Barcrest | Manchester area, UK | Light & Wonder | Rainbow Riches |
| Games Global | Douglas, Isle of Man | Established 2022 | Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance |
Read the profiles of NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO and Big Time Gaming.
All pages in this section
Signature mechanics from slot providers
Most studios are known for one or two mechanics. Big Time Gaming created Megaways, where the number of symbols per reel changes each spin; many other providers license it. Nolimit City built its catalogue around xWays, xNudge, xSplit and xBomb. Relax Gaming is best known for the Money Train series and runs the Dream Drop jackpot network, while Reel Kingdom's Big Bass games use a fisherman wild that collects fish cash values.
Our Megaways glossary entry and hold and win entry explain the most common mechanics. See the Relax Gaming and Reel Kingdom profiles for their games.
British slot providers and fruit machine roots
Several studios have deep roots in the UK. Barcrest began in the Manchester area in 1968 with two staff and launched the Rainbow Riches series in 2006; it's now part of Light & Wonder. Blueprint Gaming was founded in 2001 in Newark and is owned by Merkur Group. Push Gaming is based in London. Their games often borrow from pub fruit machines, with trails, wheels and pick-me bonuses.
See Barcrest, Blueprint Gaming and Push Gaming.
Barcrest's games often link RTP to stake, with typical figures around 94% to 96%, so the help screen is worth a look before you choose a stake.
Playing slot providers' games on mobile
Modern slots are built in HTML5, so the same game runs in an app and a mobile browser. UK rules apply to every provider's games equally: at least 2.5 seconds per spin, no autoplay or turbo, and stake limits of £5 for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24. Check each casino app's lobby to see which providers it carries, and the game's help screen for the RTP version. Our mobile slot reviews cover individual games.
Provider pages list only the games we've verified, with RTP, volatility and maximum win from the developer's own information.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes the most popular slots in UK casino apps?
A handful of studios make many of the best-known games. Pragmatic Play is behind Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza, NetEnt made Starburst and Gonzo's Quest, Play'n GO made Book of Dead, and Blueprint Gaming made Fishin' Frenzy. Which ones you'll find depends on the casino's lobby. Read our profiles of Pragmatic Play and Blueprint Gaming.
Does the slot provider or the casino set the RTP?
Both play a part. The provider designs the game and may offer several RTP versions, and the casino chooses which version to run. That's why the same slot can show a different RTP in two apps. The game's help or information screen shows the figure that applies. See how to find a game's RTP in an app and the RTP glossary entry for more.
Which company owns NetEnt?
NetEnt has been part of Evolution since December 2020. Evolution, founded in 2006 and based in Stockholm, is best known for live casino and also owns Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City. The studios keep their own brands and styles. Read our profiles of NetEnt and Red Tiger to see how the studios differ.
What is a Megaways slot?
Megaways is a mechanic created by Big Time Gaming in which the number of symbols on each reel changes every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too. Bonanza Megaways, for example, offers up to 117,649 ways. Many other studios license the mechanic for their own games. Our Megaways glossary entry explains it, and Megaways slots on mobile covers how the games play on a phone.
Are slot providers licensed in the UK?
Studios that supply games to British players need a Gambling Commission licence. ELK Studios, Quickspin, Relax Gaming and Thunderkick all list Gambling Commission account numbers, for example, and their games are tested against the Commission's technical standards. Each provider profile gives the licence details we could confirm. Read ELK Studios or Quickspin as examples.