Slot providers
Slot providers are the studios that design the games UK casinos offer. Here is who owns which studio, what each is known for, how to check a provider's Gambling Commission licence, and how studio style shapes RTP, volatility and features.
By the BonusKing editorial team. Last checked .
What slot providers do
Slot providers build the games; casinos take them on under licence and put them in their lobbies. The provider designs the maths model, including the RTP versions a casino can choose from, the volatility and the features, and supplies the software through which each spin's result is generated. That's why the same slot can appear at many casinos, sometimes at different RTP settings. Our what is a game provider answer covers the basics.
The studios on our site publish their Gambling Commission licences, and new games and random number generators must be tested before release. Many studios belong to larger groups, which explains why the same mechanics and jackpot networks turn up across several brands.
Slot providers and the groups that own them
A handful of groups own many of the best-known studios. The table shows ownership as each company publishes it.
| Group or owner | Slot studios | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Evolution | NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, Nolimit City | Starburst, Megaways, daily drop jackpots, xWays and xNudge |
| Playtech | Playtech, Quickspin (since 2016), Eyecon (since 2017) | Age of the Gods jackpots, Big Bad Wolf, Fluffy Favourites |
| Light & Wonder | Barcrest, Lightning Box | Rainbow Riches |
| Games Global | Microgaming's former portfolio and partner studios | Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance |
| Merkur Group | Blueprint Gaming | Fishin' Frenzy, Jackpot King |
| Novomatic | Greentube | Book of Ra Deluxe |
| Independent | Play'n GO, Thunderkick | Book of Dead, Esqueleto Explosivo |
Pragmatic Play is owned by a private investor group and distributes Reel Kingdom's Big Bass series. Hacksaw Gaming has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since June 2025.
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How to use slot providers to choose games
Studios have recognisable styles, so a provider you like is a useful filter. Nolimit City and Hacksaw Gaming lean towards very high volatility and huge max wins: Nolimit City's Tombstone RIP lists 300,000× stake. NetEnt is home to low-volatility classics such as Starburst. Big Time Gaming created Megaways, and Blueprint Gaming adds Jackpot King progressives to many titles.
Each provider page lists the studio's games we review with RTP, volatility and max win. For head-to-head views, see NetEnt against Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw against Nolimit City, or browse all slot reviews. A studio's usual style is no promise about any single game, so check each title's RTP, volatility and max win in its help screen before you play.
Checking a slot provider's UK licence
You can look up any studio on the Gambling Commission public register (opens in a new tab). Published account numbers include ELK Studios (40844), Quickspin (38516), Relax Gaming (37462), Booming Games (57254) and Thunderkick (40165 and 41752). Whatever the provider, UK slot rules apply to every game: a £5 stake limit (£2 for 18 to 24-year-olds), at least 2.5 seconds per spin, no autoplay or turbo, and no feature buy-ins for British players.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the biggest slot providers in the UK?
We don't rank providers by size, because reliable UK market-share figures aren't published. The best-known groups include Evolution (NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City), Playtech, Light & Wonder, Games Global and Pragmatic Play, and UK studios such as Blueprint Gaming and Barcrest have long histories here. Our slot providers section covers each one, with its games and signature features.
Does the provider affect a slot's RTP?
Yes, in that the provider designs the maths and sets the RTP versions available. Many studios offer several versions of the same game, and the casino chooses which to run, so the same slot can return different amounts at different sites. Always check the RTP in the game's help screen. Our answer to why some slots have different RTPs at different casinos explains more.
Which studios does Evolution own?
Evolution's slot brands are NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City, and its live casino brands are Evolution and Ezugi. It acquired NetEnt and Red Tiger in 2020, agreed to buy Big Time Gaming in 2021 and bought Nolimit City in 2022. Each studio still releases games under its own name. Our Nolimit City and NetEnt pages cover two of them in depth.
How do I know a slot provider is licensed?
Search for the company on the Gambling Commission's public register, which lists licence holders and their account numbers. Studios often publish their account number on their own site too. Games offered at UK-licensed casinos must meet the Commission's technical standards, including testing of the random number generator. Our guide to checking a licence walks through the register step by step.