The British iGaming industry continues to experience significant growth. According to Statista, the gross gaming yield (GGY) across the sector – both on and offline – amounted to £14.08 billion in 2022-23. Furthermore, IBISWorld, said the total UK market had generated revenues of £14.7 billion from gaming activities in 2023.
The continued expansion of the UK market is powered in no small part by the innovative and creative development studios across the country. These iGaming studios understand and embrace the best practices of software development. They play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of iGaming by designing and building entertaining and immersive experiences for players, not just in the UK but elsewhere around the world.
In this article, we’ll conduct a deep-dive into Britain’s fastest-growing iGaming development studios, exploring the factors contributing their success, including their most popular releases.
Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint Gaming has cemented itself as a highly respected iGaming development studio. Based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, its innovative approach to slot game design has resonated with iGaming operators and players alike. Founded in 2001, Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio spans a diverse range of slots, from retro-style fruit machines to licensed branded titles based on popular movies, TV shows and characters.
It’s a measure of the company that some of its unbranded games have also gone on to become household names in the UK iGaming scene. The angling-themed Fishin’ Frenzy slot series has stood the test of time and remains one of the most popular titles listed at PokerStars Casino, thanks to its immersive gameplay and links to a progressive jackpot.
The studio’s team of talented developers and designers continually push the boundaries of slot concepts, with unique themes, captivating visuals and clever bonus features. Having cultivated such a strong reputation, it was no surprise to find Blueprint became the subject of a takeover bid from German gaming firm, Gauselmann Group. The acquisition was completed in 2008 but they have remained in the modest market town of Newark ever since.
Red Tiger Gaming
Founded on the Isle of Man in 2014 by a collection of iGaming industry professionals, Red Tiger Gaming quickly became one of the most talked about iGaming studios in the UK market. They began to supply immersive video slot titles to some of the biggest names in the UK space. Within just a few years, they were winning awards at the EGR B2B Awards for their innovation and in 2018 they were recognised by the same awards for their calibre of their mobile slots.
Today, Red Tiger Gaming’s portfolio includes a diverse range of slot games, including a host of progressive jackpot slots, as well as classic table games too. Their games are renowned for their games console-style visuals and audio, which attracted the attention of the Evolution Gaming Group. Like Blueprint, Red Tiger Gaming was also acquired by a major iGaming behemoth, with Evolution closing the buyout in 2019.
Playtech
Playtech has firmly established itself as a global leader in the iGaming software space. Founded in Tallinn, Estonia, back in 1999, Playtech is now a listed company on the London Stock Exchange and a major part of the FTSE 250. The company’s success is attributed to its pioneering approach to game development, focusing on cutting-edge gameplay, graphics and audio. Its extensive library of games includes a wide variety of slots, table games, as well as live dealer casino games, operating its own live casino studios for partnered sites.
Through the years, Playtech has expanded its reach through strategic acquisitions and partnerships of its own, solidifying its position as an iGaming powerhouse in the UK market. Today, it has offices in over 20 countries and is licensed by a host of reputable and stringent iGaming jurisdictions, including the UK Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.
The rise of Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming and Playtech is a testament to their technological innovation and commitment to quality. It also reinforces the power of strategic partnerships and acquisitions which can help to turbocharge growth. The future looks increasingly bright for this trio, with Playtech now pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the live casino niche with a suite of live dealer gameshows.