There have been a lot of changes in the world of online casinos for US based players in the last 10 years. The big software brands like MicroGaming and PlayTech no longer license their games to casinos that accept US players. This is due to the UIGEA law, passed in 2006, which criminalizes financial transactions between banks and gambling sites (though does not make it illegal for individuals to gamble online).
Fortunately, there is still a thriving casino slots industry serving the US from offshore. The casinos themselves are based out in the Caribbean, or sometimes in Central America or the Kahnawake native lands in Canada. These casinos offer slots from some really good software houses. You’ll be able to find mobile slots, video slots with break out bonus features and the latest 3D slot creations complete with amazing animations.
Here is an overview of the 3 biggest slot software houses still serving US players.
#1 Real Time Gaming
Known as RTG, this is the single biggest casino software platform enjoyed by US players. There is a range of more than 100 slots, which include the 3 reel as well as 5 reel games. What I like about these games is the consistency. You’ll immediately recognize a slot as being from RTG after you have played just a couple. Some of them are quite plain, lacking the flash graphics and video sequences you might find with PlayTech games for example. Where RTG slots are strong is the playability, I always enjoy my sessions on these games.
The best slots are known as ‘reel series’ games. These include random jackpot payouts which are completely unconnected to anything on the reels. You can spin, win nothing at all, and suddenly find yourself with a life-changing jackpot windfall. You will often need to play max coins to be in with a change of winning the biggest prizes – I recommend you read the rules before you start playing.
Two slots to recommend if you have not enjoyed RTG games before are Jackpot Pinatas and Aztec’s Treasure.
#2 BetSoft
There is only one word to describe BetSoft slot games – stunning. The visual effects are like nothing you will have seen in the world of slots before. These could be animations from a video game or even a movie. The effect is 3D, with characters (for example a comic looking green goblin or caveman) in front of the reels reacting to the symbols which appear. Bonus features involve games and crazy on-reel behavior too. Some of the games let you take control of the main characters and go on mini-adventures.
BetSoft are licensed in the Netherlands Antilles and offer games at many US friendly casinos. What you will find is that these slots are added as an extra, often on top of another platform (RTG being common). There are also a range of mobile optimized slots from BetSoft which will work in your browser window on both iPhones and Android devices.
With so many to choose from it is hard to choose just 2 to recommend. I would start with Good Girl / Bad Girl and Greedy Goblins for an overview of what this software house is capable of.
#3 Rival Gaming
Rival gaming have slot games which encompass the whole range machine types. While most of their games are 5 reel video slots, this company has been more creative with their 3 reel slots than most. These are colorful and often have entertaining themes.
The 5 reel slots are where Rival Gaming comes into its own. The best of all are the ‘iSlots’, these combine progressive storylines with video slots. As you play you will unlock bonus rounds and animated sequences which move the story forward. One slot is a fully fledged cross between a gambling game and a soap opera. ‘As the Reels Turn’ now has 3 games which move the story (based around a nightclub) along. The other Rival games I recommend are the golf themed games which let you putt for a bonus – the Back 9 is the latest of these.
There are other software houses including Arrows Edge, which allow US players. Though the 3 covered above are the most popular by far.
