Skip to content

Reference last reviewed 27 October 2026

Game studios

NetEnt

The studio that defined the modern online slot, and whose catalogue remains a fixture in every lobby.

Founded 1996Based in StockholmLast reviewed 27 October 2026

What the company does

NetEnt was founded in 1996 and was for a long period the reference point for online casino content. Starburst and Gonzo's Quest are the titles most often named, and their influence is visible in the design conventions the whole industry now shares: the way a free spin round is announced, how a win is animated, how a paytable is presented.

The company's other contribution was being early to browser-based games built in HTML5 rather than Flash, which made its catalogue usable on mobile before much of the competition had rebuilt.

NetEnt was acquired by Evolution in 2020, together with Red Tiger, which it had itself bought the year before. The combination moved a large share of European slot content under one owner.

Where this sits in the supply chain

The companies that design and build the games themselves, principally slots. They are paid a share of the revenue their games generate rather than a licence fee, which is why a studio's commercial fortunes depend on a small number of titles performing across many operators.

All companies filed under game studios

Questions about NetEnt

What does NetEnt do?

The studio that defined the modern online slot, and whose catalogue remains a fixture in every lobby. It is filed under Game studios in this directory, and its main lines of business are: Online slots, Table games.

Where is NetEnt based, and when was it founded?

Stockholm, founded 1996. Ownership status: Part of Evolution.

Which brands belong to NetEnt?

The brands recorded here are NetEnt, Starburst, Gonzo's Quest. Brand portfolios in this industry change through acquisition, so the list records what the company is known for rather than a complete legal inventory.

Also in game studios

Sydney

Big Time Gaming

The Australian studio that invented Megaways and licensed it to much of the industry.

Isle of Man

Games Global

The business that took over Microgaming's content operation, combining a studio network with aggregation.

Malta

Hacksaw Gaming

A studio that moved from instant-win scratch games into some of the most played high-volatility slots.

Las Vegas

Light & Wonder

The former Scientific Games, now a cross-channel supplier of land-based machines, online slots and social casino.

Stockholm and Malta

Nolimit City

A studio defined by extreme volatility and deliberately uncomfortable themes.

Växjö, Sweden

Play'n GO

A Swedish studio that stayed independent and slot-only, with Book of Dead as its signature title.