The importance of online casino software
To ensure that their guests have an enjoyable experience, online casinos rely on gaming software to power their game selection. This software is developed by third party software companies such as Playtech, Rival Gaming, Cryptologic, Vegas Technology and Realtime Gaming, which are the “big five” in web casino software.
Software developers have to create online casino games that look and sound as close to real casino games as possible. Games must also work reliably and must be fair and honest. Internet gambling sites typically sign multi-year licenses with software developers, and the developer must maintain and update the games and generally introduce new games on a regular basis.
Right now, there are three basic types of software used by online casinos: Flash-based instant games, downloadable games, and handheld mobile apps.
Flash based games allow you to play directly from your internet browser. The big advantage of these games is that you don’t have to download anything, and you can basically play immediately once you have an account at the online casino.
Downloadable games require you to download them to your own computer. While there is a time factor involved in downloading depending on the type of Internet connection you have, downloadable software generally has better quality graphics and is more stable. There are a large number of downloadable games to choose from.
Gaming apps for mobile devices such as smartphones are the newest type of gambling that online casinos are getting into. These allow people to bet from virtually anywhere, freeing them from having to have a fixed internet connection in order to play.
The online gaming and software industries are currently in a period of consolidation, with many mergers and acquisitions. The casinos say this will improve the player experience and lead to bigger jackpots. In one case, one of the casino software giants, Playtech, is getting into the casino business by buying Intelligent Gaming Solutions Ltd., a UK based casino management systems company.
Playtech is an extremely successful online casino software company, experiencing 26% revenue gains in 2010 compared to 2009. They recently introduced a number of very popular slot games including Ironman 2 Slots which looks set to become an icon in the world of online slots. . They have also started developing online sports betting software.
When choosing online casinos to play with, be sure to check that they use one of the most respected sources for the software that powers the site. This information should be displayed fairly prominently on the home page of the website.
Software is the engine that powers the games on betting websites, and it is what determines how well you enjoy your experience. Always make sure that the casino you visit uses reputable software providers and that the software is regularly audited by well-regarded third-party auditing firms. This will give you the peace of mind you need to have a good time, confident that the games are fair and the payouts advertised on the site are accurate.
