Online slots form a highly competitive market, one that is in a constant state of expansion. The massive choice when it comes to selecting an online slot has drawn many players to this part of the casino industry, but that poses a significant challenge to newer iGaming companies trying to claim their share of the market.

NetEnt is one of the established names that dominate the online slot market, and the Swedish company recently accepted a €1.8bn offer for acquisition by Evolution Gaming. That reflects the size of the companies that dominate the online slot industry, but there are a few up-and-coming companies that could one day attract the same sort of bids as NetEnt.

Starring alongside the big names

One thing that works in favour of newer slot developers is that their titles often sit side-by-side by those from the heavyweight studios. The Pokies page at the SkyCity Online Casino is a fitting example of how a variety of developers enjoy the same exposure on one platform. SkyCity Online Casino features releases from the likes of Microgaming and NetEnt, two acclaimed developers that have been in business since the mid-1990s.

Their titles sit alongside slots from Quickspin, Yggdrasil, and ELK Studios, three companies seeking to emulate Microgaming and NetEnt in their longevity and popularity. Players choose their slot based on the appeal of its name and its theme, without necessarily knowing its studio of origin until they load the game. If the player enjoys their gaming experience, then they won't be quick to forget the studio name and may even specifically seek out their releases in future.

The ones to watch

Here is a quick overview of why anyone who clicks on a slot from Quickspin, Yggdrasil, and ELK Studios should have an enjoyable gaming experience ahead of them.

Quickspin

Reason to watch: Great selection of video slots

Quickspin claims to be the creator of the world's most awesome video slots, which is a claim that they can back up with their gaming portfolio. Founded in Stockholm in 2011, Quickspin has tailored its output to produce innovative releases that fill gaps in the market.

Given the crowded nature of the market, that isn't easy. That task is made easier by the engaging titles of Quickspin's releases, with the likes of Mighty Arthur and Sticky Bandits boasting bright colours that stand out in an online slot library. Once the game begins, Quickspin's distinctive graphics ensure that the action feels fresh and exciting.

Yggdrasil

Reason to watch: Fantastical slot themes

Yggdrasil Gaming was born in 2013, the brainchild of former NetEnt CEO Fredrik Elmqvist. This means that Yggdrasil has plenty of experience in its ranks, and it shows despite the relative youth of the company. Yggdrasil's use of iSENSE technology ensures that their slots always run smoothly and look great, no matter what device you use to access the games.

The slots themselves have themes that verge on the cinematic, with Yggdrasil introducing fascinating casts of characters and bold settings. Vikings Go To Hell is one of Yggdrasil's most well-known releases, which probably has something to do with its memorable title, while the sinister design of Baron Samedi shows that this is an award-winning studio that is not afraid to take risks.

We won the IGA Innovator of the Year award in the Supplier category for the third year in a row! Thanks to IGA for the award and all of Team Yggdrasil for the hard work that brought us here.#yggdrasilgaming #gaming #casino #awards #ICE #IGA #innovation pic.twitter.com/4EsLzVpeEg

— Yggdrasil Gaming (@YggdrasilGaming) February 4, 2020

ELK Studios

Reason to watch: Specialist mobile skills

ELK Studios started life in 2013 and, like the other two in this list, has a Swedish heritage. However, ELK Studios stands out from its Swedish counterparts by gearing its work towards mobile gaming. ELK Studios also deploy complex mathematical skills in the development process.

This mathematical emphasis behind the scenes has the aim of providing a more intuitive gameplay experience. Notable slots include Kaiju, which builds a detailed world for an online slot in tribute to the Japanese film industry, and Poltava, a slot with gripping graphics that immerse players in an 18th-century battle.

It might take time for a newer iGaming company to be positioned at the forefront of the online slot industry, but this trio of studios are making all the right moves to get there. One thing is for sure: with so many companies producing quality slots, players aren't going to run out of new titles anytime soon.

In today's day and age most of us enjoy sports betting and casinos online. With the advancements of online live casinos, we no longer even have to leave our homes in order to get a thrilling, social and lifelike experience together with real human players and dealers. Things are moving forward quickly. Perhaps a bit too quickly.

In this article we would like to slow down and take a moment to appreciate some of the good old brick & mortar casinos, racetracks and gambling locations around the world. These amazing locations and casinos have inspired generations of gambling fans and led to the immersive online gambling world we have today. Many of the places hold an extra special place in the hearts of gamblers from countries with very strict gambling laws, such as Poland and Norway (you can read more about Norwegian gambling at Casinoer.org/), who before online gambling had to leave the country in order to play. If you are looking for an exciting gambling getaway, look no further! We invite you now to have a closer look at some of our favourite gambling destinations!

Las Vegas - The undisputed king of casinos

Okay okay, a cliché, we know! But the list wouldn’t be complete without the mentioning of Vegas, so let’s just get this one over with and start having a look at some of the more unexpected picks.

Las Vegas, the city of sin, is located in the middle of the Nevada desert on the United States west coast. It is probably one of the most known locations in the entire world, and players from near and far come here to try their luck on the games. The main street, known as The Strip, hosts some of the worlds finest casinos and hotels. A walk through this area is sure to make you feel small, as you pass by establishments and locations seen and mentioned in everything from books and TV-series to hollywood blockbuster movies. But remember to be cautious, because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Gávea Hippodrome - Rio de Janeiro

When it comes to horse racing, there is no place like the impressive hippodrome in Rio. With a capacity of over 80,000 people this racecourse, built almost 100 years ago, has featured some of Brazil’s most nail biting races. The surrounding neighbourhood of Gávea is absolutely stunning, and combined with the fact that the track is located a short taxi ride from the world famous Copacabana beach and the mountain that hosts Christ the Redeemer, this location promises a getaway you will never forget. For some information about casino and betting in Brazil, visit Onlineapostas.com.br/.

Macau - The Chinese version of Vegas

Macau is located a short boat ride from Hong Kong, both of which are special administrative regions of China. What makes Macau so special is that it is the world's most lucrative casino city. That’s right, Macau has a gambling revenue 5 times higher than that of Las Vegas. This makes the former Portugise colony of Macau the number one gambling port in the far east. The surprisingly safe city is filled to the brim with luxurious hotels, restaurants and casinos and the prices are very reasonable compared to European and American locations.

Casino de Monte Carlo - The European pearl

Located near the border between Italy and France lays Monaco, one of the smallest nations in the world. The capital, Monte Carlo, is known for its indescribable beauty and outrageous prices. Located in the middle of it all is Casino de Monte Carlo, said to be one of the world's most beautiful casinos. This casino can be seen in the James Bond movie Casino Royale, and James Bond author Ian Flemming is said to have been inspired to write the novel after visiting the magnificent casino. Keep in mind that the prices in Monte Carlo are out of this world, and that a pint of beer may cost you everything between 15 and 25 USD!

Blackjack has been around for years and is a very popular game for those looking for level odds and reasonable payouts. But for those that are new to the game, learning the language and maintaining your composure can be difficult. Here, we have compiled a guide of everything you need to know before beginning to play Blackjack

Buzz Bingo have consolidated their rebrand earlier in the year by announcing a collaboration with Playtech, with the supplier of online gaming software giving Buzz Bingo the platform to expand and diversify their content.

Now we’re past the mid-way point of the year, we can confidently say that slot developers such as Yggdrasil, Playtech, Microgaming, and NetEnt have remained true to their word and offered some of the best online slots of 2018.

The United Kingdom is one of the easiest places in the world to place a bet. In contrast to many other countries, most popular forms of wagering including casinos, sports betting, lotteries and slot machines are fully legal and accepted as part of society.

Baccarat is one of the top three table games based on luck which are regularly played at both brick and mortar and Internet casinos. In particular, the game is very popular among casino gamblers in Asia at Macau casinos. One of the reasons for its popularity is because it is very fast, simple and easy to play. You place a bet on the banker winning, the player winning or on a tie and wait to see the outcome.

Modern gaming has developed to a level where the skills need to complete them are not dissimilar to those needed to thrive in the professional world.

One of the best things about online casinos is that there’s always an online casino which you haven’t heard about. Not only there are new games on a weekly basis, but new online casinos pop up like mushrooms after a pouring rain.

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