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Top 10 Games Innovators 2025

Updated: Jun 6

The overall online gambling market is worth around US$103 billion, and studios need to constantly innovate to deliver for players and operators. Our 2025 rankings of the Top 10 innovators in online games assesses studios on four criteria: mechanics, engaging gameplay, character design, and operator feedback.


Read the full GamblingIQ Games Studios magazine report here:

  1. IGT PlayDigital

    IGT PlayDigital is the online casino and sports betting division of IGT. The division offers online slots, video poker, and table games alongside a B2B sports betting platform. One of their most popular titles, Cash Eruption, led the Eilers & Krejcik On-line Game Performance Reports in the U.S. for 10 months out of the year in 2024. Key milestones include a licensing deal with Galaxy Gaming an winning “Digital Product of the Year” for the En-gagement Platform at the 2024 Global GamingAward Americas. This summer, Apollo Funds is expected to acquire IGT’s Gaming and Digital Business, along with Everi.

2. Light & Wonder

Light & Wonder, Inc. is a leading global games company operating across three complementary business segments: Gaming, iGaming, and SciPlay. Together, these divisions create entertainment experiences that connect with players across land-based casinos, real-money online platforms, and social gaming channels. The Gaming division is known for its innovative slot machines, game cabinets, and casino systems. iGaming delivers real-money digital content through its OpenGaming™ platform, trusted by top global operators. SciPlay develops mobile social casino games, including popular titles like Jackpot Party Casino. With over 6,500 employees worldwide, Light & Wonder blends creative talent with deep market expertise to deliver immersive content and cutting-edge platforms. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the company continues to innovate with cross-platform integration.

Website:   https://www.lnw.com/

  1. Octoplay

    Octoplay, founded in 2022 by Sweden's Carl Ejlertsson in Malta, is a rapidly growing iGaming studio known for innovative slots with side-bet mechanics like Jackpot Hunt and Daily Hunt. Licensed in Malta, UK, Ontario (AGCO), and Denmark (Spillemyndigheden, 2024), it partners with William Hill, Bet-MGM in Ontario, Flutter, and Danske Spil, amongst others. Achieving 11x year-on-year growth and near-doubling quarterly, Octoplay’s systematic market expansion shines. It recently struck 4-in-row with Flutter with its bespoke game 'Cod Chaos Golden Catch', launched in April 2025 across Paddy Power, Sky Vegas, and Betfair. Flagship titles Cash Link Express: Hold & Win and its latest hot game 'Break the Piggy Bank' drive engagement.

4. Aristocrat Interactive

Aristocrat Interactive is the digital real-money gaming (RMG) division of Aristocrat Leisure Limited, launched in mid-2024 through the integration of Anaxi and NeoGames. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the division is led by CEO Moti Malul, (pictured left), formerly CEO of NeoGames. The division encompasses five core business units: iLottery: Provides turnkey solutions for governments to bring lotteries online, currently serving 28 global lottery customers; Content & Aggregation: Offers a portfolio of over 440 titles, including popular games like Buffalo™ and Timberwolf™, through platforms such as Fusion™ and Ignite™. It also supplies online operators with a comprehensive suite of content and technology products for running online gaming and sports betting operations. And it offers full front-end and back-end services to independent casino and sportsbook operators, including customer support and platform management. Big Targets - Aristocrat Interactive is targeting over US$1 billion in revenue by FY2029, aiming for a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20% from its inception.

  1. SPRIBE

    SPRIBE, founded in 2018 by David Natroshvili, is an iGaming trailblazer igniting the crash game revolution. Licensed in the UK, Malta, Ontario, and 14 other jurisdictions, SPRIBE powers 5,000+ online casinos, with 50 million monthly active users and an incredible 400,000 bets per minute. Its mobile-first, stunning UX flagship game, Aviator, drove 40% engagement growth in 2024 via partnerships with Flutter’s Adjarabet, Bet365, and clever branding deals with AC Milan and UFC. SPRIBE’s innovative, social, skill-based gaming fuels rapid expansion in Europe and Latin America, redefining player engagement with provably fair mechanics and dynamic multiplayer experiences that captivate global audiences.

    Website:   https://spribe.co/games/aviator

6. Pragmatic Play

Julian Jarvis steering Pragmatic Play as CEO since 2020, has harnessed his sharp legal and regulatory expertise to cement its status as a global iGaming titan. Operating in over 20 regulated markets, with powerhouse partnerships like Bet365, Entain, and Kindred, Pragmatic delivers 250+ vibrant games across 33 languages, supporting 30+ currencies. In 2024, blockbuster titles like Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, and Big Bass Bonanza sparked massive engagement in LATAM and Europe, with Sweet Bonanza leading the pack. Jarvis, a veteran of PartyGaming’s FTSE 100 glory days as Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, later shaped Odobo and IBID Group, fueling Pragmatic’s bold expansion. His strategic foresight drives innovation and positions Pragmatic to dominate regulated markets with its dynamic portfolio and operator alliances, setting the stage for continued global growth.

  1. Evolution

    Evolution owns major studios including NetEnt, Red Tiger, and Big Time Gaming. Founded in 2006 by Richard Hadida, Jens von Bahr, and Fredrik Österberg in Sweden, it leads the B2B live casino space. Hits like 'Crazy Time', 'Monopoly Big Baller', and 'Lightning Roulette' fuel engagement with game-show flair. CEO Martin Carlesund, in charge since 2015, oversaw €2.22bn in 2024 revenue—85% from live casino. A UK licence probe in December 2024, triggered by Evolution games surfacing on unlicensed sites, caused unease. Carlesund restored compliance, though Q1 2025 profits fell 5.4% to €254.7m as it exited grey markets. With 1,700+ live tables and 110+ game launches in 2024, Evolution targets Brazil and the US for 2025 expansion.

    Website:   https://www.evolution.com/Games/

8. ReelPlay

ReelPlay, launched in 2014 in Sydney, Australia, now run under CEO David Johnson, crafts inventive slots with its Infinity Reels mechanic stealing the show. Titles like 'El Dorado Infinity Reels', 'Giza Infinity Reels', 'Buster Hammer Carnival', 'Big Bucks Bandits', 'Hypernova Radial Reels', and 'Spartacus 10K Ways' have consistently dominated Eilers & Krejcik’s slot charts for bold gameplay and innovation. Paired with Yggdrasil’s YG Masters and Light & Wonder, ReelPlay powers 500+ casinos in Europe and North America. UKGC-licensed with no regulatory issues, its mobile-first, boundary-pushing designs set ReelPlay for a massive 2025/2026, reworking slot thrills with clever spins and innovation.

  1. Playtech

    Playtech, founded in 1999 in Douglas, Isle of Man, has famous brand tie-ins. CEO Mor Weizer drives its B2B and B2C segments, generating €848M in 2024 B2B revenue, up 10%, with total group revenue at €1.79B. Top games include 'Age of the Gods' and 'Fire Blaze'. Playtech owns studios like Ash Gaming, Quickspin, and Psiclone Games, delivering 800+ titles across slots, live casino, and bingo. 2023 UK license review was resolved without penalties.

    Website:   https://www.playtech.com/products/casino/

10. Games Global

Games Global, founded in 2021, also in the Isle of Man, is led by CEO Walter Bugno. It acquired Microgaming’s distribution business and 3,000+ game portfolio in 2022, powering 980+ casino brands. Top titles include Mega Moolah and Immortal Romance. Revenue reached €306.9M in 2023, up 80% year-on-year. Filed an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2024 under the ticker "GGL" - still hasn't been completed. See the list of studios below:

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