In an industry flooded with choice, some game developers just stand out. They balance innovation with the nostalgia of classic casino symbolism, offering games that just capture our imagination. Sometimes it’s consistently great options that make a developer successful, or it could be one incredible game that just sparks something with players.
Regardless, we’ll explore the top developers in the iGaming world, from the NetEnts to the Pragmatic Plays of the world. So, let’s see which developers are topping the tree when it comes to iGaming, where they could go in the future, and just why they’re so beloved.
Pragmatic Play
Easily one of the most popular developers in the industry is Pragmatic Play, which is especially renowned for its slot games. They’re behind some of the biggest names in the industry, including the likes of the Big Bass series, which has more spin-offs than you can shake a stick at! There’s the classic, Big Bass Bonanza, holiday-themed options like Big Bass Halloween and Big Bass Christmas Bash, and different formats like Big Bass Megaways and Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe.
In the EGR ranking for the top slots in July 2025, Pragmatic Play held six of the top ten spots.¹ Big Bass Splash secured the number one spot, Big Bass Bonanza came in second, and Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe went up to eighth place. The fishing-themed slots have dominated this year and remain in the top spots as we close out October.²
Their popularity isn’t limited to Europe either, as the developer also dominates across the pond. At the start of the year, Pragmatic Play was responsible for 17 of the 20 most-played slot games in Canada.³ Although Big Bass is popular around the world, it was actually Buffalo King Megaways, another immersive slot game themed around buffaloes, that topped the rankings. A great example of their popularity was that two of their brand new releases, 5 Lions Megaways 2 and Big Bass – Return to the Races, went straight into the top 20!
What Makes Pragmatic Play Pop?
Pragmatic Play is one of the most active and innovative developers on the market. Thanks to the success of their Big Bass slots, they know exactly what players want and produce tens of games a year to cater to that. They’re also one of the most trusted developers on the market, having been licensed in over 40 jurisdictions, and they have all their games tested for fairness by the likes of Gaming Laboratories International.
If you couldn’t already tell, Pragmatic Play is also pretty well known for their different versions of one slot! Spin-offs are a great way to get to play one of your favourite games with a slight difference to keep things interesting. They’re also known for their exclusive features, with another of their popular games, Sweet Bonanza, offering cascading wins, unique scatter symbols, free spins, and multiplier bombs.
The Future Looks Bright for Pragmatic Play
Despite being best known for their aforementioned slots, Pragmatic Play has also expanded into other casino games, with live casino games like Dice City and bingo options like Diamond Drizzle. They’ve also been launching some more niche gaming options, like Plinko+, which they announced in July of this year. All these games draw on the nostalgia of classic casino games but have the signature Pragmatic Play glossy graphics and immersive themes.
The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Irina Cornides, also announced they would be launching new Spire+ and Mines+ games within the same world as their Plinko+ offering. As to when we can expect these games, Cornides only said they’re “coming soon. “⁴
NetEnt
Our next big player in the iGaming world is NetEnt, the developer behind some of the most popular titles in iGaming. They’re also well known for their slots, especially the likes of Gonzo’s Quest and the iconic Starburst. Gonzo’s Quest is an adventure slot where the player tries to help Spanish conquistador, Gonzo, in his search for lost gold. It’s consistently ranked as one of the most popular slots and has inspired a number of spin-offs, including live and virtual reality versions. In October 2025, they also launched Gonzo’s Quest II Return to El Dorado, a sequel to the original slot, with improved graphics and new bonuses.
Since being founded back in 2007, they’ve been one of the most awarded developers. In 2021, they took home the EGR B2B awards for Best Mobile Gaming Software Supplier and Innovation in the GGA London award for Best Product Launch. Their success is also reflected in player numbers, with their systems being responsible for 58.3 billion gambling transactions in 2019 alone!⁵
What’s Behind NetEnt’s Success?
Another of NetEnt’s most popular titles, Starburst, is the perfect example of why the developer is so popular. It includes a number of unique features, like the Starburst Wild feature, and has over 20 different ways to win. The developer is also the creator of the trademarked Avalanche feature, where winning symbols disappear to be replaced by new ones, giving players the chance to win multiple times in one spin.
NetEnt also excels when it comes to themed games, especially those that incorporate pop culture. They’ve partnered with brands across industries to produce games like their Narcos, Motörhead, Twister, and the Vikings slots. These are a combination of players’ favourite casino games with their other pop culture interests and are always popular options.
Evolution
Evolution are pretty much the undisputed leaders when it comes to live iGaming offerings. Live games have become especially popular in the market in recent years, as they bring players closer to the experience of a land-based casino. They allow players to interact in real-time with dealers and croupiers using livestream. Evolution also specialises in creating immersive set designs for their live games. For example, their popular gameshow, Ice Fishing, where players are placed in an icy terrain and set the task of catching different fish by spinning a roulette wheel.
They offer plenty of live roulette games to choose from, capitalising on their growing popularity with players. A 2024 survey by the UK Gambling Commission found that live roulette is the second most popular casino game behind slots. They found that 22% of respondents had spent money on live roulette within the last month, and 29% in the last year.⁶ On top of roulette, they offer live versions of classic casino games like blackjack and poker, as well as themed options like Monopoly live and niche games like Pachinko live.
How Has Evolution Captured Players?
Evolution really is the go-to provider for live casino games and has earned that title by being responsible for the very first live game, Dream Catcher, launched back in 2017. Compared to some of their current options, it’s relatively simple, featuring only a large money wheel. Dream Catcher is hosted by a live dealer who spins the wheel and encourages players to place their bets for that realistic game show feel. The game is still going strong today and has given rise to thousands of live casino game options.
They capitalised on this early success by setting themselves up as the premier option for live games. Their themed options, like Deal or No Deal and Mr Monopoly, are especially popular for their nostalgia, combining gambling with much beloved games. You can always trust Evolution to go all-in for the theme, with their Monopoly featuring Mr Monopoly as the live dealer and a wheel with the iconic names and two chance segments straight from the game.
Who is Most Successful in the iGaming Industry?
It can be a little overwhelming choosing the right game option in the iGaming industry, with so many to choose from. Looking towards the top providers of Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Evolution is a good way to ensure you have a good time regardless of which game you choose.
All specialise in different areas, with Pragmatic Play known for their themed slot offerings, NetEnt for their unique features, and Evolution for their live game offerings. All are leaders in the industry, thanks to their consistent innovation, appeals to nostalgia, and understanding of their players. So, look to the three most successful iGaming developers the next time you’re after a great casino game!
³ Pragmatic Play Dominates Canadian Slots Rankings, Written by David Gravel, Published by SiGMA.
