The core of 1x2Gaming began back in 2002, as a virtual football provider. Since then it has grown to become a platform provider, with several smaller brands working under it. Together their own games, their partners, and their aggregated services, make up the 1x2Network. Based in the UK, their services are available via the local licence, in addition to presence in Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, and Italy.
Whilst the company remains one of the major providers in the area of virtual sports, they have also produced a considerable number of interested online slots. These are playable on mobile and desktop devices. Table games, arcade games, number games, and instant win scratch cards can also be found in smaller numbers.
Keep reading to find out more about individual product lines, the history of the company, and where to find these games.
A History of Growth
The company was established in 2002, with its headquarters in Brighton, where they remain to this day. Much of what has happened in these early years has disappeared into the annals of history. The early games themselves too have long since been updated to their newer, more modern versions, or been replaced by what the partners of the company have to offer.
In fact, it was not until around 2015 that we started hearing serious news about the company. This isn’t all that surprising, given that the early years of internet gambling were quite chaotic in many ways. The company had managed to make a name for itself by this time, and was already integrated into a variety of different online casinos.
During this time the company had already moved to different areas of slot gaming. For example, they started releasing modern online slots. More importantly, they started signing strategic partnerships. In 2016 they integrated Playson and Oryx Gaming titles into their own platform. During the same year their own games were released on the Quickfire platform, which at the time was part of Microgaming.
Rapid expansion followed. In the subsequent years 1x2Gaming, which by 2017 was renamed to 1x2Network, the company signed deals with such operators and online casinos as Leo Vegas, Energybet, ScommesseItalia, Betconstruct, Pariplay, Nektan, Gan, Digitain, William Hill, SoftGamings, Videoslots, iSoftBet, and many others.
At the same time, their partnership with Leap Gaming was established, further reinforcing the selection of virtual sports titles. This was followed by the launch of Iron Dog Studios, which has grown to become a major slot provider by itself. One could say that these years were something of a golden age for the company, as they constantly competed for industry awards, such as casino supplier of the year, or rising star of the year.
This industrious expansion led the company to expand into Columbia in 2018 and cement its presence in 2019. Similarly, they entered the Spanish markets in 2018, and Sweden in 2019, whilst at the same time expanding to Asia and the Americas through partnerships with different content platforms. Although the company has since then expanded its presence to cover most of the biggest platforms, online casinos, and content creators in the industry, in a way things have quieted down for them a bit. The company is still regularly releasing new games, but there is no telling as of yet what their next big move might be.
It All Begun With Virtual Sports
Virtual sports games come from two sources, the company itself and Leap Gaming, which is their strategic partner. It’s not entirely clear to which extent the company influences their partner, though they do seem to have some sort of ownership in the company. At the very least, they have invested in the different virtual technologies they use to bring virtual sports to life.
Their own range of games is heavily invested in football. In fact, that is the only line of games available, though with several different titles. These have held constant since the very first days the company started operating, though obviously, they have received plenty of upgrades over the years. This ensures compatibility across different platforms and devices.
The games are mostly set up in a similar way. They use live betting, which means that the games are simulated every few minutes. Player bets on the outcome of matches, though some games have a considerably larger array of different bets available. The major difference between games comes in the nations, leagues, and teams available.
If you are looking for an even larger selection of virtual sports, then it is worthwhile to check out everything that Leap Gaming has to offer. As their status is more of a partner rather than an in-house production team, that is a matter for a different review.
Online Slots
Whilst Iron Dog Studios seems to be the centre of experimentation, skilled production, and a considerable number of Megaways titles, 1x2Gaming likewise still maintains its own line of production. And whilst you will find tons of legacy slots, there are also plenty of new slots with completely modern setups and features. In total, the selection runs over one hundred online slots.
Let’s start by taking a look at the most popular 1x2Gaming slots:
- Leprechaun Charms
- Trawler Fishin’
- Jackpot 3×3
- Super Rainbow Megaways
- Bulldozer
- Battle Maidens Cleopatra
- Book of Loki
- Arctic Fruits
- Asgard Warriors
- Fairie Nights
- I Am the Law
Once you get to browsing this selection, you will notice that the variety is quite wide. And we’re only talking about online slots, as you step out of this category you will find plenty more casino games that offer specialised setups.
Special features use the whole range that we are used to. Start with wilds and scatters, sprinkle some extra modifiers on them like multipliers, expansion, or bonus spins, and then go even further with stuff like tumbling reels, or completely random features firing on any played round. Of course, there are both fixed and progressive jackpots to be had. Paylines are the most used mechanics for calculating wins, but you will find a fair number of Megaways titles too.
The themes aren’t surprising or unique for the most part. The graphics are pretty good, and the sound effects and music have come a long way from the early days of casino gaming. All that said, it’s definitely more of a relaxed vibe that you get from these games than one that tries to go too hard on inventing something new and entertaining. It’s easy gaming, with an easy to use interface, and with some pretty massive piles of coins as prizes. Your usual game aims for the top win to always be in the thousands, and in more than a few of these games it crosses well north of ten thousand times the bet.
Other Casino Games
Casino games tend to mostly veer towards popular products. This is not surprising, because why wouldn’t you produce the sort of games that people like to play? But it’s that kind of thinking that also ensures that no progress happens, and no new types of games become available.
Rather surprisingly, 1x2Gaming has put a lot of effort into this area. Whilst this is an old company, by the standards of the industry, they have clearly kept up with trends and are even investing in what might become the next big hits.
Have a look at these games:
- Plinko Go
- Megablox Pyramids
- Pop Drop
- Darts 180
- Crash Out Fireworks
- Tutan Keno
- Fruit Snapz
- Firefly
- Jackpot 3×3
- Maverick
There are a lot of different games here, and you’re going to find many times more in associated casinos. Besides these specialties, there are also table games from baccarat to roulette, blackjack, and even Sic bo.
Part of the selection is clearly aimed toward gamification and the sort of mini-games that are easy to play, follow and understand. These come in several forms, which tend to give the player more choice than normal casino games. For example, in a game where you pop balloons, and the more you successfully pop, the higher will be your win multiplier. Or crash games, where you similarly need to decide when and where you will cash out, rather than lose your bet by aiming for an even higher win multiplier.
Then there’s a pretty good selection of scratch cards. The gameplay here is even simpler, as the aim more often than not is to just scratch off and find three matching symbols. Variation simply comes from the bet level and possible wins players can score. There are a handful of keno games too, though no other lottery games for now. The number of balls drawn and chosen, as well as the top prizes vary, but otherwise, the games are quite simple.
The Legal Side of Things
The main licence for 1x2Gaming has always been the UK Gambling Commission one, as they operate from the UK. But this is far from the only licence, as they also hold one from Malta, which happens to be one of the main gaming hubs in Europe, and worldwide. Not to mention their licence in Ontario, and their cooperation with Loto-Québec. In short, these games are available in hundreds of online casinos, and they are licensed to operate in Canadian sites, as well as pretty much any online casino that accepts Canadian players.
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