NetEnt, or as it was formerly referred to Net Entertainment is a worldwide-known online casino software provider based in Sweden with decades of history and experience. Online gaming has become increasingly popular over the years since its founding, only solidifying its position on the global gaming scene and making NetEnt more popular among players.
We at CasinoReports.ca want to give you the most comprehensive insights into the online gaming scene and major players such as NetEnt are a staple. Today we are going to look into its diverse gaming portfolio and see what Canadians could benefit from on a day-to-day basis. Stay locked for more information on NetEnt coming your way.
Back in the Days
Net Entertainment was founded back in 1996 in Sweden, seeking ways in which it could diversify the online gaming field and make it more popular in the late 90s. The software provider has always aimed to be a pioneer in the global gaming field, introducing innovation and bringing it closer to the people. Nowadays its portfolio boasts video slots, blackjack, roulette, scratch cards, all with premium quality and contemporary design.
The signature fresh green color of this software provider makes it truly stand out in the crowd, leaving a lasting impression on players around the globe. Its headquarters is based in Stockholm where it offers steady employment to upwards of 1,100 individuals on a daily basis. One of the major milestones for the company was in April 2007, when the gaming leader was officially listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Ever since May 2018, Therese Hillman is Chief Executive Officer of NetEnt, as prior to this point she was Chief Financial Officer. Over the past more than two decades, the Swedish gaming company has unveiled upwards of 350 casino games, enhancing the global gambling scene with their premium quality and variety. More than 240 of those are video slot titles individuals can engage in whenever they feel like and potentially win big.
Evolution Gaming Merger
Evolution Gaming, another leading gaming force, made the year 2020 a milestone one for NetEnt. The former announced a public offer to NetEnt shareholders aiming to see the official sale of all their shares to Evolution Gaming. Each NetEnt share was supposed to receive 0.1306 of an Evolution share. The deal itself was estimated to some US$2.1 billion.
NetEnt has offices in Malta, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Kyiv, Krakow, Sofia, Gibraltar, and New Jersey, making for a wide coverage of its gaming solutions. The ultimate goal for this merger would be to unite Evolution Gaming’s live casino offerings with the premium slot titles. What should be pointed out is that the two gaming giants combined offer online gambling products for every casino hotspot on the Old Continent. Projections are that the merger will bring up to €30 million in annual cost savings.
Canadians are among the players that could benefit from the extensive portfolio NetEnt has in store. The five provincial lottery corporations offer their fair share of diverse online gaming products, aiming to make their portfolios as competitive in the online field as possible. However, some of them still fail to live up to players’ expectations when it comes to live casino gaming. This is when many Canadian players turn towards offshore online gaming making their products available to them.
Online casinos offering NetEnt, Yggdrasil Gaming, and Evolution Gaming’s wide portfolio are among those popular gaming destinations for Canadians seeking a new thrill. This further motivates the Crown corporations to upgrade their portfolio and introduce new online opportunities for individuals seeking them.
NetEnt Slot Titles
Creating a modern gaming portfolio and remaining a trendsetter for years is an achievement NetEnt has under its belt. Online slot titles with premium design and graphics are the leader’s bread and butter, making it quite popular among individuals seeking iconic ones, keeping players coming back for more. Some of these premium titles are Vikings™, Lost Relics™, Gonzo’s Quest™, Starburst™, and many more. What makes them truly stand out is their premium graphics giving them visually pleasing value.
For an all-encompassing experience, Canadians are also treated to ambient soundtrack and in-game sounds, as well as premium mathematics at the core of every slot title. NetEnt slot titles come with up to 98-percent payout, ranking them among the most lucrative ones in the online gaming space. Mobile devices, along with desktop and brick-and-mortar casinos and gaming venues can all boast these attractive gaming products, as they are designed for multi-channel use.
NetEnt has reimagined the way the introduction of these gaming offerings happens, unveiling an optimized integration process. This makes the gamin leader a preferred partner for land-based casinos enhancing their portfolio on a regular basis. Canadians can also benefit from pooled jackpots part of the slot titles portfolio, bringing them constantly swelling jackpots. Some of the titles in question are Mega Fortune™, Hall of Gods™, Arabian Nights™, and Mega Fortune Dreams™.
Mega Fortune™ is renowned around the globe, as it is part of the Guinness World Records for a record-breaking payout on an online slot game. The payout in question amounted to some €17.86 million. These progressive jackpot games are accumulated by the contributions coming from patrons while they are playing across the entire network of locations offering NetEnt slot titles. Canadians can also benefit from branded gaming content associated with some of their favorite franchises.
The Swedish gaming leader has collaborated with some of the leading entertainment companies on a global scale – Colombia Pictures Industries Inc.™, 20th Century Fox™, and Universal™, among many more. As a result of this ongoing strive for innovation and variety, premium branded video slots have emerged. Some of those are Jumanji™, Emoji Planet™, Planet of the Apes™, Universal Monsters™ The Phantom’s Curse, Guns n’ Roses™, Dracula™, The Invisible Man™, Motörhead Video Slot™, Jimi Hendrix Online Slot™, Creature from the Black Lagoon™, Scarface™ and Frankenstein™.
Virtual Reality
Being a pioneer in the online and land-based gaming fields, NetEnt wanted to step its game up and be ahead of its rivals with the introduction of a Virtual Reality slot title. Gonzo’s Quest took the online gaming field by storm back in 2017, when its first prototype emerged triumphant at ICE Totally Gaming. Following closely trends, NetEnt concluded back then that individuals are looking into this new technology more and more and a Virtual Reality video slot could be a safe bet.
The omnichannel VR gaming offering came with a user-friendly interface, individuals quickly got used to. All they have to do is launch Gonzo’s Quest VR on their mobile device or desktop and press the VR tab visualized there. Plugging their personal VR headset is the next step and then they are ready for real-time 3D technology to enhance their gambling experience online. Players find themselves in South America, where they have to help the most famous conquistador Gonzalo Pizzaro on his quest to discover the mythical El Dorado – the city of gold.
Exploring this breathtaking world while also being able to take a look around in full 360-degree view quickly made this slot title a player favorite. This fully immersive experience took online gaming a step further and NetEnt is working on further enhancing its portfolio with more similar innovations.
Online Roulette
Boasting a diverse portfolio is important for any online gaming leader, as this guarantees that more players will find something that speaks to them. Online roulette is among the riveting products NetEnt has in store, making it possible for players to try their luck with a traditional casino game in the comfort of their home. The spin of the roulette is mesmerizing and many people use this online offering as a way to train for real-life roulette action.
NetEnt features three types of online roulettes, aiming to appeal to every player out there. There is the American Roulette, the French Roulette, and the European Roulette available. What makes the first one special is that it comes with a double zero in addition to the zero, which is considered to be beneficial to the gaming leader – it lowers the players’ chances of winning. NetEnt is renowned for its premium graphics and online roulette is no exception, giving the gaming action a rather premium atmosphere with its HD animation. Along with the aforementioned three roulette types, there is also a Roulette Advanced up for grabs.
NetEnt Online Blackjack
For the individuals interested in blackjack gaming online, NetEnt also boasts this traditional casino highlight. The beloved classic comes in two variations – blackjack single deck and traditional blackjack. One of the most popular card games on a global scale is available online powered by NetEnt. One or more decks each including 52 cards enhance this offering, making it a player-favorite.
Keeping it simple, patrons can enjoy the simplified blackjack gaming action on their smartphone or on a desktop, meaning that they can explore its volatile nature whenever they feel like it. NetEnt has worked hard on the software behind its online blackjack offerings too, ensuring that players receive fair games every single time they load the online blackjack screen. When it comes to betting, players can choose among wagers to the likes of traditional bets, re-betting, doubling up their bet, as well as adjusting the particular amount they wager.
The premium graphics also give players chips they can place on the table. As for the actions allowed during blackjack gaming, they are consistent with the rules at brick-and-mortar casino locations. Patrons can hit, stand, double up, and spit, giving them great freedom to navigate the table game with ease. NetEnt also boasts an online casino with live dealers, which we are going to review in a minute, so stay tuned for more information.
Baccarat Pro
NetEnt cherishes traditions, which is one of the reasons why it offers this beloved casino classic. Baccarat originated in Asia upwards of 500 years ago and ever since this simplified gaming opportunity captivates people ready to win big. The traditional card game is especially popular in Macau, where high rollers participating in VIP baccarat games generate some two-thirds of the gaming revenue.
Online gaming encourages players to explore this exotic card game whenever they feel like it and even become proficient at it in the comfort of their home. Baccarat Pro comes with a house edge of 1.04 percent, considered among the low end of house advantage.
Making the right prediction here is essential, as every player has three options to choose from – the Player, the Banker, or a Tie between the two of them. The latter option comes with a 9 for 1 payout. NetEnt has ensured that Baccarat Pro comes with an RTP of 98.96 percent, ranking it among the preferred gaming offerings. This online game features Low Limit and High Limit action, according to the player’s preferences.
Live Casino Gaming
Nowadays the real-life casino experience is a thing many people miss, as physical distancing makes many gaming offerings unavailable. Brick-and-mortar casinos and gambling halls are also temporarily closed, meaning that live casino gaming online is the way to go. NetEnt has ensured its live casino portfolio surpasses players’ expectations with live roulette, baccarat, as well as live blackjack up for grabs.
The live dealers make this experience more realistic and interaction with them is streamlined for everyone’s convenience. The cutting-edge technology used here is what makes this gaming offering so popular and pleasant for the players. The live dealers welcome them in a luxurious virtual setting in their gaming studio with table games. Everything happening on the tables is streamed directly on the player’s smartphone or desktop in real-time. This also makes interaction with the live dealers possible.
NetEnt works with the latest technology available, enabling patrons with numerous camera angles following closely the gaming action. In many cases, they offer players a better look at the gaming action than a land-based casino could offer a human being. The Live Roulette comes with a premium roulette wheel spun by the dealer and many camera angles following the white ball spinning. The betting interface NetEnt has devised enables wagers placing for a well-rounded experience online.
Live blackjack is also available at the NetEnt Casinos, where Canadians can participate in the entertaining gaming activity. It follows the traditional rules associated with in-person blackjack gaming. The thing that invites players to spend more time online, is the premium set of the gaming studio where live blackjack is being shot. Just like with other live offerings coming from NetEnt, multiple camera angles are being introduced for better monitoring.
While the gaming action is in progress, players can chat with the live dealer with the help of the chat. It also allows players to chat among themselves and feel part of a community of like-minded people. The high-definition live stream from the gaming studio is the added touch to this online gaming offering by NetEnt.
Live Speed Baccarat
The year 2020 was a special one for the Swedish gaming leader, as it witnessed the official announcement of a new live card game. As the gaming leader clarified, this was the first-ever live baccarat enhancing its diverse portfolio. NetEnt unveiled three speed baccarat table offerings to the delight of Canadian players and individuals around the globe seeking something intriguing online. When it comes to the three tables in question, two of them happen in its live gaming studio.
A live dealer takes care of the gaming action and players can feel as if they are in a brick-and-mortar casino location once again. For many of them, this new offering came as a much-needed gaming enhancement, as many land-based casinos in Canada and around the world had to remain closed for the better part of 2020 and they continue to be so to this day. Individuals explore the live dealer interactive gaming in the comfort of their home whenever they feel like it.
The two live tables feature two different camera angles for a more immersive experience and a better idea of the dynamic gaming action. As for the other speed baccarat table, it implements the cutting-edge technology NetEnt is renowned for. It is called chroma key and operators introducing this online speed baccarat table to their portfolio will be thrilled to find out that they can customize and tweak it to fit best their brand and general atmosphere online.
Live Physical Studio
The Live Physical Studio aims to make NetEnt an absolute leader competitive enough to keep players longer and attract new ones. There are two live online gaming rooms available, one designed in silver and the other – in gold. They come with a Live Roulette table, as well as five Live Blackjack ones. Blitz Blackjack is also among the gaming offerings available. Such a change comes at the right time for many people seeking a realistic gaming experience.
It is also a big change from the green-screen technology NetEnt has been utilizing over the past years. As for the difference between the two gaming zones, the Gold one comes with slightly higher minimum stakes, for a more premium setting. When gaming at the Physical Live Casino, players will get a realistic perspective of the studio space itself, as they can get a good look at the remaining tables over the dealer’s shoulder while they are gaming.
The conversations other players have with their respective dealers at the tables could also be heard but not interfere with the quality of the overall gaming experience. The entire gaming space is rectangular but the premium technology it employs makes it possible for a player to take in the sophisticated atmosphere and enjoy its visually pleasing aesthetic.
Back Office
NetEnt has come a long way since its official launch back in the late 90s and this great progress offered various situations teaching the gaming leader a lot about the gambling industry online. Being preferred by partners for future online endeavors is important for the online gaming force, which is why it has extensively worked on its Back Office solution. Everything an operator might need is all wrapped up with a ribbon on it, optimizing information flow.
Tracking player activity in real-time and having a good perspective on the gaming performance is what makes NetEnt’s platform so special. The simplified dashboard gives information regarding the casino’s performance with useful statistics making navigation and improvement easier to notice. It also comes with various marketing tools increasing the engagement rate – some of those are special birthday bonuses with additional rounds to celebrate.
NetEnt in Canada
Canadian players are on a constant hunt for the most riveting online gaming offerings, since the gaming field is a rather limited one. The five Crown corporations overseeing gaming offerings across the Canadian provinces bring their fair share of gaming products, but sometimes this is simply insufficient. British Columbia Lottery Corporation is the gaming leader that paved the way for NetEnt to make a stellar return to the local gaming field.
It could be recalled that the Crown corporation inked a collaboration with IGT which made it possible for a large chunk of NetEnt gaming products to also enter the local regulated market and enhance Canadians’ gaming sessions. This happened via the IGT Connect™ integration layer IGT brought to the table. Such a return to the online gaming field was a long-anticipated move for local players. It could be recalled that back in 2016, NetEnt decided to exit the local gaming field.
One of the reasons provided for the exit back then was that the vague legislation in place did not align with NetEnt’s development strategy. Online gaming fans had to bid farewell to their preferred gaming products. Regardless of that situation, British Columbians can now enjoy the premium titles available, while all Canadians can enjoy its entire portfolio with the help of online casinos offering it.
Top Online Casinos
We want this software provider review to be a well-rounded one, which is why we are going to review the best five online casinos where you can enjoy NetEnt products. Casino Lab is considered the best one for Canadian online fans. The minimum deposit amounts to some $15 and the first deposit comes with a C$300 bonus. Leo Vegas is also here to spice up your online gaming action with NetEnt offerings.
The reliable gaming space with a roaring lion for a mascot invites Canadians to get a 200-percent match bonus amounting to up to CA$100 for their first deposit. Royal Panda is another online casino that could intrigue Canadian players with its welcome bonus program. The minimum deposit equates to $10 and the casino offers a matched welcome bonus up to C$100 for its new customer, along with up to 10 additional spins, giving them more chances of winning a fortune online. Wildz Casino is the fourth-best gaming location to play NetEnt premium games.
Its welcome bonus is a rather generous one, as once the player makes it, they can get a 100-percent matching bonus up to CA$500, as well as 200 additional spins. Dreamz Casino will be the last online casino we suggest if you are interested in exploring the premium portfolio NetEnt boasts, along with many other gaming pioneers. The welcome bonus it offers amounts to a 100-percent match of the first deposit up to CA$1,000, as well as some 50 additional spins.