There are a couple of big name developers out there producing online casino software, and new ones popping up from time to time that have a big impact on the direction games are taking. Rival, Real Time Gaming, Microgaming, and Playtech are some of the larger companies that have been around awhile, but there’s also Wagerworks, Betsoft, NetEntertainment, and Cryptologic that are worthy of note as well. Some of these companies you may be very familiar with. Others, you may not be, especially if you are a resident in the U.S. This is because one of the biggest differences between these companies is that only some of them will license their software to casino operators that accept U.S. players.
Ever since the UIGEA ruling of 2006, the legality of online gambling in the U.S. has been a subject of hot debate and online casinos were not allowed to operate from within the country. The transferring of funds then became more difficult for banks, as gambling online necessarily meant processing, sometimes large, financial transactions with all off-shore corporations. Because of the difficulties involved in payment processing and perhaps also due to wanting to stay on the better side of U.S. law for the time being, many developers decided it was not in their best interest to let online casinos that allow U.S. players utilize their software. This severely limits the number of online casinos U.S. players can visit.
Real Time Gaming is one of the developers that will license their software to most operators, including those that accept U.S. players. Most RTG casinos are great places to play, with a large number of games available, excellent video poker, and several progressive jackpots that are hit regularly. Their Real Series slot games are fast becoming one of the most popular series of slots available. However, because RTG will license all or a portion of their code to most applicants, do not have the same security measures in place for all of the casinos running their software. RTG is only liable for a few of the operators running their software. It’s important to make this distinction because some casinos utilizing RTG software have gone rogue in the past (for more info on rogue casinos, look at my our post).
All of the RTG casinos we advertise on this site are vetted, fair, and secure places to play online. They also happen to be some of the best when it comes to quality, variety of games, site design, and customer service. But if you should choose to play at another online casino running RTG software, be aware that the type of software they are using does not necessarily prove that they are a safe place to play online and invest your money. Do your research first, ask questions, and verify that the casino you’ve chosen is one of the ‘tried and true’ RTG casinos. And remember, it’s never too late to try another casino if it turns out that yours isn’t one of the better known RTGs. Get the games you already love, but in an online environment you can be sure of.
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Thanks for making the effort to describe the terminlogy for the novices!