Best Game Providers in Canada 2024
A Closer Look at the Best Casino Game Providers
Let’s break down each of the best casino game providers Canada has to offer, with some pros and cons.
NetEnt
NetEnt is probably one of the best-known slot game providers on the planet. The company has set itself apart from the pack with sharp graphics and unique game design – and it has been around since 1996! You’re likely to see plenty of movie and TV tie-in games from NetEnt, and it’s best-known for games such as Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst.
Pros:
- Huge range of games.
- A high-quality benchmark for the industry.
- Big TV and movie tie-ins.
Cons
- Mostly slots and tables.
- Few non-Vegas games.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is the world leader in live casino gaming right now – but more on that later. If you check out a casino’s range of live games, you’ll likely find Dream Catcher and Lightning Roulette, among others. The studio has carved out a name for itself as a game show provider and an innovator of Vegas classics for live streaming.
Pros:
- Global leader in live games.
- Intuitive design.
- Progressive jackpot tables.
Cons:
- No video slots.
- Not ideal for people who don’t like live games.
Games Global
Games Global (previously known as Microgaming) is probably the longest-running games studio on the planet. It has been part of the online scene since 1994, and in that time, it produced Mega Moolah, which is widely regarded as the forerunner of modern progressive jackpot games. Games Global is also famous for helping smaller studios find their feet in the industry.
Pros:
- Huge game variety.
- Progressive jackpot leader.
- Experienced developer.
Cons:
- No live streaming.
- Lack of diversity outside slots and tables.
Quickspin
Quickspin is a Swedish games developer with teams based across Europe but with a reach as far as Canada! The studio now helps to make up the larger Playtech Group of game developers and has won several awards over the years. Its most popular games include Big Bad Wolf.
Pros:
- High-quality games.
- Strong payouts.
- Innovative gameplay.
Cons:
- Smaller catalogue than most.
- Can get lost among other Playtech games.
Pragmatic Play
Since starting up in 2015, Pragmatic Play has produced over 580 different games, such as Big Bass Bonanza and Gates of Olympus, both of which are household names for slot players! This is a studio that’s well-known for high-quality games and for refreshing classic titles.
Pros:
- Huge games library.
- Regular new releases.
- Award winner.
Cons:
- Some proprietary software restrictions for casinos.
- Relatively young provider.
Nolimit City
Nolimit City is a Swedish slots developer that has been around since 2013. This games provider offers more than 180 different games such as San Quentin and Road Rage. The studio has since been acquired by the mighty Evolution Gaming.
Pros:
- Highly creative games.
- Partnered with Evolution.
- Available across Canada.
Cons:
- Smaller catalogue than others on our list.
- Less name recognition than some providers.
Hacksaw Gaming
Hacksaw Gaming’s catalogue might not be the biggest on our list, but it still has a firm following. This is a studio that genuinely cares about developing unique and memorable slot titles, with Twisted Lab and Dragon’s Domain being standout titles. It’s an award-winning studio that focuses on mobile-first gaming.
Pros:
- Disruptive slot game designs.
- Steadily growing catalogue.
- Award winner.
Cons:
- Not as prominent as others on our list.
- Relatively small catalogue.
Light & Wonder
Light & Wonder traded for years as Scientific Games and is best known for developing traditional video slots with familiar branding – such as the all-time classic Rainbow Riches. It’s one of the biggest game developers on our list, and it has a huge array of different titles.
Pros:
- Lots of familiar games.
- Well-loved and experienced developer.
- Immersive slot twists.
Cons:
- No longer the biggest ‘traditional’ slot provider.
- Some games can seem a little dated.
ELK Studios
ELK Studios is probably one of the biggest innovators in the online casino space. Its games are often packed full of character and offer players unique ways to win – you’ll find more than just traditional slots in its catalogue. Metropolis, Book of Toro and Hong Kong Tower are just three of the developer’s most eye-catching games.
Pros:
- Strong RTP and payouts compared to others.
- Focus on high quality.
- Memorable characters and themes.
Cons:
- Only produces slot games.
- Some games are very complex!
Push Gaming
Push Gaming has been part of the online gaming industry since 2010, and while it might not have the largest games catalogue, this studio genuinely cares about quality. Big games that you might recognize from the brand include Shamrock Saints, Fat Rabbit and Jammin’ Jars.
Pros:
- Extremely varied games catalogue.
- A mix of high and low volatility.
- Focuses on quality over quantity.
Cons:
- Fewer games than most.
- Not a big, recognizable name.
IGT
IGT, or International Game Technology, is older than most other slot developers, having started developing games for land casinos as far back as 1975! This US-based games studio is well-known for producing video twists on classic table games such as Fortune X Poker.
Pros:
- Possibly the most experienced provider.
- Socially responsible.
- High-quality games.
Cons:
- Other developers have more table games.
- No dedicated IGT casinos.
NextGen
Finally, NextGen Gaming has been around since 1999 and was originally formed in Australia before merging with NYX Interactive in Sweden in 2011. Both studios were then swallowed up by SG Digital! Some of its popular titles include 300 Shields, Medusa II and Foxin’ Wins.
Pros:
- Regularly upgrades and refreshes games.
- Lots of gameplay innovation.
- Widely available.
Cons:
- Some older games have lost their shine.
- Other studios focus more on newer games.
Which Are the Best Slot Game Providers?
Let’s quickly break down some of the above providers purely based on their slots. Here are the studios to look for.
NetEnt – Some of NetEnt’s slot games are the most recognizable and popular online. These include the pay-both-ways game Starburst, the adventurous Gonzo’s Quest and the dramatic Divine Fortune.
Quickspin – Quickspin’s bright and breezy catalogue serves up Big Bad Wolf, Cabin Crashers, Reno 7’s, Eastern Emeralds and more.
Pragmatic Play – Pragmatic Play’s innovative range of games include Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, Big Bass Bonanza and Starlight Princess.
Nolimit City – Nolimit City’s slot game range runs from cute to chaotic, with choices such as Dead Canary, Coins of Fortune, Folsom Prison and Bonus Bunnies.
Which Casino Software Developers Make Progressive Jackpot Slots?
Some of the most prolific progressive jackpot slot developers include Games Global (formerly Microgaming), Playtech and NetEnt. Games Global, in fact, is well known for developing Mega Moolah, one of the first progressive jackpot slots of its kind.
Which Is the Best Live Casino Game Provider?
Plenty of casino developers are getting into live dealer games. However, Evolution Gaming is the market leader at the time of writing, with great live games such as Lightning Blackjack, Crazy Coin Flip and Dream Catcher.
Which Is the Best Provider for Crash Gambling Games?
Crash gambling – where you have to ‘tap out’ of a game when you think an element is about to crash or stop – is growing ever more popular. Here are two of the best providers.
Spribe Studios – Spribe is a games studio responsible for Aviator, a game where you have to decide when you think a plane will stop. It’s a highly social game with a huge following!
SmartSoft Gaming – SmartSoft is another leader in the crash games space, with JetX following a similar setup to Aviator. This time, however, you need to collect a multiplier before a space jet stops ascending!
How to Choose a Casino Game Provider
Here’s how to narrow down your choices:
- Look carefully at developers with a reputation for fair gameplay. All of the developers we list in this guide offer fair and random games and are fully regulated.
- Look at the number of games a developer has available. Consider quality over quantity in some cases, but variety is always important!
- Where possible, try to play a free or demo version of a developer’s games so that you can get a feel for how they work.
Mobile Casino Game Providers
Thanks to millions of people now playing slot and casino games on mobile devices, most studios now produce games that are prioritized for smartphones and tablets. Mobile casino game providers, in fact, produce games solely with these devices in mind!
What Are the Most Popular Games to Play at Casinos in Canada?
Some of the most popular games you can play at Canadian casinos online include keno, a traditional arcade game; video slots (as you can see from the above details); and roulette – a classic game that’s easy to get into.
Learn More About Casino Games and Casino Game Providers
Be sure to explore all of the developers and studios we’ve listed above, as well as their varied game catalogues. However, do also look for certain details in games, such as slot volatility, which tells you how often games are likely to pay out; RTP or Return to Player, which tells you how much money games are likely to pay over their lifetime, and – as always – check out casino bonuses that let you try games for free.
FAQs About Casino Game Providers
Let’s close with a few common queries about casino game providers.
Do casino game providers create any free games?
Yes! In most cases, you can play slot and casino games online in demo mode, or for free at sweeps and social sites.
Are there any Canadian casino game providers?
There are no major casino providers based in Canada right now, but several, such as Evolution and Games Global, have big audiences across the country.
Do casino game providers need to be licensed in Canada?
Yes – to legally produce and provide games in Canada, casino studios must be fully licensed.
Are all casino software developers fair and safe?
No – unfortunately, there are some developers that use illegal practices. However, all of the studios we list here are fully regulated and operate within the law!
Which is the biggest casino game provider?
Some of the biggest online casino game providers include NetEnt, Games Global (formerly Microgaming) and Light & Wonder.