Online Casino Spotlight

Formed in 2006, Wizard Gaming is one of the newest online software providers. Despite their lack of experience in the industry, they have developed some of the best looking casino slot game software currently available online. Although their software is only available for download, the features are easy to use, convenient and the program is fast. Their current software features over 20 slot games with different themes, luring prizes and bonus rounds.

Advantages

There are a few advantages to using Wizard Gaming’s online casino software. First are the numerous features available within the software. Also Wizard Gaming offers excellent payout percentages on many games. Additionally they continue to develop brand new, innovative games to give the player an alternative to the regular gaming establishments.

The Best Attributes of the Software

Wizard Gaming software offers a few unique features not found in other online casinos. First, the ability to change download settings. This allows you to download only the games you want to play as opposed to the whole library of games thus speeding up downloading and installation times. Also the graphics and sound quality rank well. The games provide high impact animation, bonus rounds, spin features and an excellent design. The sound effects and music are second to none.

Another area where the software excels is the updating category. They plan to update their software on a regular basis to continue to provide fresh games to their patrons. They also plan to add video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and other popular games.

Disadvantages

There are two specific disadvantages to the software. First, there is no instant play version like those offered at other casinos. The only way to play any of the games is through the downloadable application, not through a web-based version. Second, the casino lacks a full suite of games. Although unique and innovative games are offered, it doesn’t have the common types found at mainstream casinos. This can discourage new players from trying out the casino.

The Top Five Games

The top five games offered by Wizard Gaming include Divin’ for Pearls, Cashasarus, Knockout, Lizard Lounge, Main Course, 80’s Night and Classic Blackjack. The majority of these are unknown slot video games.

Wizard Gaming software is a whole new player to the online gaming community. By offering top-notch sound and graphics, different-types of games and constant updates they’re right on track to become an industry leader.

Viaden Media is a Belarus-based information technology company focused on developing online gaming software. They specialize in turnkey online gambling business solutions. This is accomplished through business domain experience, a business model focused on high quality and profound technical expertise. Viaden Media is one of the most reputable information technology companies in Belarus.

They offer a plethora of products including full casino software, poker room software, mobile gaming applications and turnkey solutions. Their primary services include design, hosting, maintenance, promotion, security audit services and Google analytics consultation.

Viaden Media relies on four primary principles to ensure the best online casino software. These include:

• Extensive experience and technical expertise
• High technology competence
• A large devotion to quality
• A customer-driven approach

With more than 10 years of casino software development for clients across the globe, Viaden has a proven track record consisting of rich game design and implementation. These include simple programs that run slots to multifunctional poker programs supporting tournaments, top-notch design features and a management system.

Similarly their technical competence has brought them to the forefront of online gaming innovation. With vast working experience accompanied by unique, individual skills, they are always ahead of the competition.   Their gaming software is robust, scalable and highly integrated, designed to operate at maximum capacity without interruption.

One of their main areas of success is their devotion to quality. They offer economical software solutions without compromising the quality of the product. This is accomplished by following a specific development and design process resulting in security, reliability and high quality standards. Their development process uses agile methods that promote the evolutionary change through the project life-cycle.

Furthermore, they’ve developed MediaWiki Software which acts as a centralized knowledge database for specialists to utilize during development which saves a significant amount of time. Additionally, Jira Studio was created manage and track projects as well as create client extranets.

Finally, by taking a customer-driven approach and working toward 100% customer satisfaction, Viaden Media has accumulated hundreds of positive feedback and testimonials. One of their primary selling points is the involvement of business analysts into the online gaming development process.

Viaden Media offers excellent products that leave their clients satisfied. By continuing to rely on their principles of extensive experience, high technology competence, devotion to quality and a customer-driven approach, they will remain ahead of the competition for years to come.

“We are the game” is the slogan Microgaming uses to describe their company. They are the second largest and most popular software developers for the online casino industry. The company boasts a long list of online gambling sites.

Established in 1994, Microgaming is a consistent industry-leader by creating innovating products and conducting inventive thinking. The primary ideas that have produced success for Microgaming include:

• Product quality
• Powerful management tools
• Uncompromised security characteristics

The Microgaming sites have become synonymous with enormous jackpots. By offering over 20 progressive jackpots across all sites, customers have more of an opportunity to hit it big. This has become their trademark and thousands of internet gamblers have flocked to their sites. Since Microgaming’s conception, the company has paid out over $225 million.

In addition to the massive jackpots, Microgaming also controls one of the world’s largest online poker networks. This connects numerous players at different levels from various locations around the globe as the poker platform supports many different languages. A consistent theme is their big payouts. Poker tournaments offered on the Microgaming network tend to be some of the most aggressive and have the largest payouts.

Additionally, Microgaming provides a large bingo network for the traditional player, mobile gaming solutions for those on the go, live dealer games for those players that want to replicate reality and software packages for land based casino operators. Overall, the company offers over 120 casinos and 40 poker rooms that are available on the web. Within this network, there are 400 games to play.

A few of the most popular online casinos include:

• Prime Casino
• Spin Palace Casino
• Casino Splendido
• Roxy Palace Casino

There are many advantages to hiring Microgaming to develop casino software. First, Micrograming provides some of the most durable and robust casino software around. Next, a training academy is available for casino operators to ascertain new information about leading-edge practices and software and participate in ongoing training. Additionally, new game releases, ongoing system maintenance and upgrades add to the effectiveness of the software.

Microgaming views both their players and customers as top priority. With new games, large jackpots and huge networks, players are consistently satisfied. Casino customers are granted ongoing upgrades and maintenance, new games, training and excellent software. These aspects keep all their customers happy, resulting in an increased retention rate each year and consistent growth.

Technology in general is advancing rapidly, and casino software providers are scrambling to take advantage of the increasingly interactive experience offered by innovative mobile devices like the iPhone and, more recently, the iPad. Even as some countries threaten to ban mobile casino applications, the citizens of others are embracing them eagerly, pumping the demand for newer and better specialized gaming applications.

Flash versions of the largest online casinos are becoming increasingly common to accommodate the expanding mobile market, so the pressure for full software platforms to perform at an outstanding level has also increased. When online casinos first appeared in the 1990s, most early players were just impressed that they could play their favorite games online. These days, once groundbreaking software options like play automation features, customizable avatars, live dealers and hand histories are now standard and software designers are feeling the crunch to come up with something new.

The services of application modernization companies like the American-based Micro Focus company are in high demand as smaller software companies struggle to keep all aspects of their operations up to speed. Speaking of speed, real-time gaming has gone from impressive to expected, and many seasoned players actually expect their online games to outpace their live counterparts. When it comes to software wants, the demand list is longer than ever before, and players are increasingly less forgiving of once-common bugs like game screen glitches, hand lag or connection issues.

So what new things can savvy online players expect from their favorite casino’s software in the near future? Designers are scrambling to make their signature software packages more mobile-friendly; that means smaller, faster, cleaner downloads and alternately bigger, brighter, more detailed flash versions. Out are the download packages that take an hour to load, and in are packages that are accessible to a wide variety of operating systems.

The popularity of face-to-face social networking services like ChatRoulette is likely to spill over into online gambling, so before long online players may actually get a chance to see their virtual opponents’ real poker faces as social trends are integrated with real-time gaming. Casino players can also expect their game graphics to get almost tangibly real as today’s popular CGI technology replaces the outdated, cartoonish casino animations of the past. Apart from these overtly techie additions, expect more form-to-function features as casinos aim to please and keep an increasingly hard-to-impress audience.

The next time you’re perusing online casinos and you find one you like, take a look at who provides the site’s software. Time and time again you’ll see the same names – Cryptologic, Microgaming, Playtech, RTG – at all the top sites. While a handful of large casino and poker room networks have developed their own proprietary software, most gambling sites turn to these top developers when they want the very best. Good software is important to them, and it should be to you too. If a software package is flawed in any way, then the whole casino (and its members) suffer.  Here’s why:

Look and Feel

Your entire online casino experience relies on the quality of the software that supports your chosen site. Site layout is about the only important design feature that doesn’t directly rely on the software. A lesser package simply can’t support the sleek graphics and eye-popping animations that today’s discerning online players have come to expect. When you sit at a fantastically realized online game table, thank the software!

Speed

When you play at a live casino, the dice never stop mid-air and the slot reels never stop mid-spin. In order for an online casino to truly recreate the excitement of live gambling they must have the speed necessary to offer a real-time gaming experience. This is yet another feature that demands a fast, bug-free software platform.

Security

Good software is about more than flashy graphics and high-speed gameplay. Good software not only entertains players – it protects them. While the most respectable online casinos go the extra mile for their guests by paying for additional security measures, the base layer of a site’s safety level is the built-in encryption and protection offered by their primary software.

Fairness

It’s easy to get distracted by all the bells and whistles that online casinos offer, but at the end of the day the only thing a serious player is looking at is their bottom line. Though most casino games are chance-based, in an online casino even chance must be programmed. This is done via randomization software which is designed to mimic real odds. That said, a casino can alter those odds as they see fit to give themselves a more appealing profit margin. What makes casino software truly great is what goes on behind the curtain; in other words, a fancy casino may bring the players in, but a generous casino will keep them.

To summarize, good software not only helps online casinos to look great and play well, but it also helps them to create and maintain a high standard of security and fairness.

CryptoLogic has now been a major competitor in the casino software market for more than 15 years. That means that some of the very first online casinos were powered by a CryptoLogic platform. While many of the original software companies have since fallen behind the times and technology, CryptoLogic continues to lead in its field with innovative new features and some of the best and most impressive licensing agreements in the industry.

The History of CryptoLogic

CryptoLogic was originally created by two brothers working from their parents’ basement. The Rivkin brothers only designed their first casino software as a compliment to an online payment system they had also designed. In 1996, InterCasino officially became the first online casino operating on a CryptoLogic platform. Many game historians claim that InterCasino was the first real-money online casino, thanks largely to its CryptoLogic software and payment applications. While the payment system is now long gone, the software has become a staple in the online gaming industry.

You can experience CryptoLogic software firsthand at some of your favorite online casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms and – most recently – bingo sites. The software has long lent itself to the wild success of Europe’s most popular sportsbook, William Hill. InterCasino also remains a big draw for online players thanks to the fresh look and fast gameplay its longtime partnership with CryptoLogic has created. And the internationally renowned World Poker Tour brand now conducts its online operations on a CryptoLogic platform.

Award Winning Games

Though CryptoLogic software scores high across the board for speed, quality of graphics and in-play features and options, the company’s biggest claim to fame is its award-winning game titles. Whereas many other software brands offer a long list of generic game titles, CryptoLogic has secured a number of licensing agreements that allow the company to create games centered around more recognizable characters and brands.

The Future of CryptoLogic

In the last couple years CryptoLogic has expanded its fanbase and driven significant traffic to its licensees via its extremely popular line of superhero slots. In previous years these slots featured the most recognizable Marvel Comics characters – from Spider-Man to the X-Men to the Fantastic Four. In the fall of 2009, the company announced a new agreement that will give it access to the significant staple of characters represented by DC Entertainment (Marvel’s biggest competitor). Industry insiders believe this move will allow CryptoLogic to continue its famous game branding should Disney – who purchased the comic giant late last year – pull the plug on their Marvel slots licensing agreement when it expires in 2013.

Today’s casino software is loaded with features that benefit the gambling operator and player alike.  One feature that can definitely work to the player’s advantage is the “Help” function.   Let’s have a closer look at this feature to see out it operates in some of the most popular software platforms.

Microgaming

When playing on Microgaming online casino software, you can usually access the Help feature by clicking on the “?” in the top left corner of the screen.  Once inside, you will find that the Help section is complimented by variety of menus on different topics.  The main menu gives you details about the game you are playing, symbols, bonus rounds, and payouts.  It also provides complete game rules, which makes it a valuable feature to new players.  Other information provided are general details regarding slots and the Expert mode functions found in Microgaming casino games.  You can also find contact information should you need to speak with the casino staff for any reason.  The Microgaming Help feature provides a wealth of comprehensive information that adds a nice touch of user-friendliness to game play.

Playtech

When playing at a casino powered by Playtech software, you can find the Help tab under the menu button at the bottom of the screen.  When clicking on the Help tab, you will be redirected to a different interface that acts as a Help Center.  Here you will find detailed sections that show you how to set paylines and place wagers, explanations on shortcut keys and the various functions they perform, information about special symbols on the reels, bonus games and much more.  Players who are uncertain of how the bonus games work tend to find the Help feature in Playtech software very useful.

Vegas Technology

When playing on Vegas Technology casino software, the Help function can be accessed by clicking the “Help” button on the game screen.  The Help section has a number of menus, providing information on how to play the game, in addition to details on coins, paylines and spins.  Under the rules section, you can find out how the software determines winning combinations as well as information about special symbols on the reels.  There are also individual sections that explain the bonus games and payouts, which make understanding them easy by reproducing the graphical table from the actual game.  The unique aspect of the Help feature in Vegas Technology software is that it allows players to print out the sections so they do not have to interrupt their game looking back and forth.

Conclusion

User-friendliness and simplicity are important factors when it comes to online gambling software.  Without these two elements, playing your favorite games wouldn’t be very fun.  The Help feature represents the effort of software makers to cater to players by creating a straightforward, user-friendly environment.  If you are completely new to a certain game, or just a need a refresher, the Help section comes through in the clutch with the answers you need.  Because it is so useful, almost all online casino software providers incorporate a Help feature in their gaming platform.

Due to their fast growing popularity, just about all casino software makers create gaming platforms with slots games.  One of the most unique variations is I-Slots, a collection of slots games developed by respected software provider Rival Gaming.  If you like to play slots online, you will definitely want to know more about what makes these games stand out from all the rest.

What Make I-Slots Different?

Rival Gaming’s I-Slots differ from other slots games in a variety of ways.  For example, each time a bonus game is triggered, you must play an entirely new game until the cycle is complete.  Other unique aspects are more subtle yet differences nonetheless.  When playing the bonus games, stories unfold and the outcomes ultimately determine how these stories proceed.  This is a factor that adds a higher degree of interaction to the game, hence the “I” for interactive in I-slots.  In addition to being more interactive than other slots, some of the bonus games are based on skill, which makes them more attractive to players who love a good challenge.

I-Slots Favorites

Based around a golf theme, Hole in Won has quickly become one of the most popular games in the I-Slots franchise.  It is also one of the easiest games to play.  The bonus games in Hole in Won take you through a nine-hole mini golf course.  Bonus points are accumulated depending on various factors, including the wager, number of scatters that triggered the bonus, and the number of strokes needed to put the golf ball in the hole.  Skill is also a factor because the ball must be aimed correctly in order to for you to sink it.  This is not as difficult as it may sound as you simply move the mouse to set the direction in which the ball will travel.  When the bonus is triggered again, you are taken to the next hole, and this process continues until playing all holes on the course.  Once all nine holes are complete, you return back the first one and start all over again.

Reel Crime Heist is one of the more exciting, yet complex I-slots games.  This game is based around an art heist masterminded by Remy and Rauol Mourchard.  Your role is to help them get away with it.  Reel Crime Art Heist offers five bonus rounds in a single cycle.  Each round consists of choosing the piece of art to steal, selecting the tools to pull off the heist, actually conducting the robbery and eluding the law, finding a shady collector to purchase the stolen merchandise, and selling the art without getting busted.  If the band of thieves are caught, they are arrested and you must start over from the beginning.  However, if you complete the heist in its entirety, you are rewarded generously with bonus credits and a virtual trip to Jamaica.

Where to Find I-Slots

You can find these popular I-Slots games and more at casinos powered by Rival Gaming software.  Some that come to mind are Superior, Club Vegas USA, and Cocoa Casino.  The good news is that each casino accepts U.S. players.  Have fun!

Grand Virtual Online Gaming Technology is a leading software provider in the online gambling industry.  In the business since 1997, the company has been an innovator from day one and never stopped making enhancements to its products.  What sets Grand Virtual apart from the competition is its commitment to flexible, highly scalable solutions that can be easily extended for future growth.  In simple terms, its software is able to accommodate a wide variety of casino operators and their ever changing requirements.  The company’s large number of international clients serves as a prime example being that each operator enjoys feature rich gaming systems that support multiple languages and currencies.   Considering the distinct advantage it has over the competition, it is no surprise that Grand Virtual casino games are used by millions of players in more than 200 countries around the globe.

Notable Qualities

Boasting an extremely high level of modularity, Grand Virtual gaming platforms are capable of supporting traditional and emerging models.  This includes innovative features such as skilled-based, chance-based, multi-hand, lotteries, progressive games, real-time and many others.  The software also supports a variety of client platforms, most notably personal computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and interactive TV systems.  Furthermore, Grand Virtual software is compatible with an array of multimedia and web development technologies for enhanced graphics and user interfaces.  These technologies include Flash, Active X, Shockwave, AJAX, Java, DHTML, and various streaming formats.

Key Components

Grand Virtual software is compromised of various components.  One is the Universal Gaming Platform, which consists of the back-end of the gaming infrastructure.   Based on the powerful Unix operating system, the platform enables the functioning of several related components.  These components include gaming servers, a game points manager, e-commerce engine, financial stored value manager, and central database.   It also includes a robust toolset that facilitates data mining, fraud screening, player support, and affiliate and partner programs.  Due to its flexibility and extensibility, the Universal Gaming Platform enables Grand Virtual software to support virtually all forms of online gambling.

Another important component is the Casino Client Software.  This platform is essentially a customizable gaming module that runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems and features a visually impressive 3-D casino floor.  The software allows operators to gives players the power of choice when it comes to selecting the types of games they play and how funds are transferred.  Players also have access to their transaction records and the ability to customize the audio and video effects of game play to their liking.   The Casino Client Software offers a variety of casino games including multi-player poker with 3D tables, selectable avatars, step-by-step tutorials, automated training rooms, and a wealth of promotional features.

Conclusion

The online gambling market is changing rapidly and the Grand Virtual software platform is perfectly suited for the evolution.  It has been strategically designed to support new modules for emerging applications and can be easily integrated into existing platforms.  Therefore, it is clear to see that Grand Virtual technology will not only power the industry today, but into the future as well.

Founded in 1996, Net Entertainment is a leading gaming software provider and one of the pioneers in the online casino business.  Based in Scandinavia, the company made the decision to create its own internet casinos and games after determining that nothing else on the market would do.  The first Net Entertainment casino went live in 2000 and another four were quickly launched that same year.  As the online casino industry continued to soar into popularity, its software platform continued to evolve. In 2005, the firm decided to sell all of its casinos and focus on building state of the art software.  Today, Net Entertainment has more than 50 licenses, many of which are renown brands in Europe. It has also established a successful niche market  targeting non-US sportsbooks.

Features and Games

Net Entertainment offers casino games that are user-friendly and very realistic from a graphical aspect.  The company specializes in slots and traditional casino games, offering options such as blackjack, craps, roulette, keno and a wide range of poker.  It also has some more unique options such as a variety of scratch and lottery type games.  Net Entertainment casinos are known for regularly hosting slots tournaments where huge purses are often up for grabs.

Notable Qualities

Net Entertainment is the proud vendor of award-winning, browser-based casino software.  CasinoModule, its premiere product, is a fully loaded gaming platform that offers a large number of games that can be played right from your browser.  The company has what is one of the most robust and extensive management systems in the industry, enabling true real-time management and operational control.  Casino operators are provided with online gaming solutions that are not only tailored to their specific needs, but also easily integrate with their existing websites.  Even more impressing is that Net Entertainment offers a complete portfolio of services, including system hosting and operations monitoring, system administration, and dedicated technical support in 21 languages.  The company also provides its clients with access to new complementary software releases on a regular basis.  NetEntertainment hosting is available in Costa Rica and Malta.

The CasinoModule gaming platform has been tested and verified for its randomness by two independent third-party firms, which has garnered the software a seal of credibility that speaks highly to the quality of Net Entertainment licenses.  CasinoModule is also accredited by eCOGRA and G4.  The platform offers built-in security for added player protection and is already the gaming software of choice for some of the top operators in the online gambling space.  Bet-at-home, BetClick, Betsson, Goldbet, PokerRoom and Unibet are just a few of the operators licensed by Net Entertainment, benefitting from its royalty-revenue system.

Conclusion

Net Entertainment has an excellent history in the online gambling industry and its software is therefore, highly recommended.  The games are visually appealing, easy to use, and incredibly fun to play.  Its sophisticated gaming platform acts a multi-language system capable of incorporating supporting players from a range of locations.  It also doesn’t hurt that company has G4 accreditation and established a reputation for responsible gaming.