Evolution Gaming vs. Pragmatic Play: Casino Titans
The online gambling industry has grown bigger, better, and even stronger in the last few years. In the last 10 years, changes have occurred, and most of them have been great. Of all the changes, live gaming by a mile has been one of the best.
But it’s all thanks to software providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play, who excel at making high-quality games. Mind you, they’ve been long-time fierce rivals in this space, too. And yes, they offer the same services, but who is better? That’s what you’ll find out soon enough in this article between Evolution Gaming vs Pragmatic Play.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming was launched in 2006 and completely changed the gambling landscape. They’re widely regarded as the biggest gaming software company in the world, with live studios in multiple countries. Evolution pioneered live dealer games for online casinos and even partnered with land-based casinos to bring that immersive casino floor experience straight to players’ screens.
Whenever you enter a casino’s live section and see Evolution Live, you already know you’re in for a top-tier experience that feels just like being there in person. Their reputation is backed by countless awards and industry recognition, proving their dominance year after year.
Their portfolio speaks for itself, from innovative game shows like Monopoly Live to classic table games such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and poker, plus an expanding selection of slots. And if a casino is missing Evolution in its lineup, let’s be honest, that’s a red flag.
To cement their dominance, Evolution has strategically acquired other big names in the industry, including NetEnt, Red Tiger, NoLimit City, Big Time Gaming, DigiWheel, Livespins, and Ezugi. These moves haven’t just expanded their portfolio, they’ve made Evolution a true powerhouse across every corner of iGaming.
Pragmatic Play
If there’s any provider that can challenge Evolution Gaming at the top, it’s Pragmatic Play. The company was founded in 2007 as Topgame Technology and was originally focused on the Indian market. In 2015, they rebranded to Pragmatic Play and set their sights on the global stage.
Fast forward to today, and Pragmatic Play has offices in Malta, Gibraltar, Romania, Great Britain, India, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Their games are available in over 18 languages and 78 countries, making them a truly international brand.
They’ve become famous for player favorites like Gate of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza, which cemented their reputation as one of the most recognizable providers in the industry. Beyond slots, their portfolio is well-rounded, covering jackpot titles, bingo, arcade-style games, live dealer options, and of course, the hugely popular Drops & Wins promotion.
Game Selection and Variety: Who Has More To Offer?
Evolution vs pragmatic, which game provider has more to offer?
Evolution’s biggest strength is, without question, their live dealer games. Sure, they’ve got some noteworthy slot titles, but it’s live tables and game shows where they truly shine. From multiple variants of blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, Sic Bo, and Dragon Tiger, to partnerships with land-based casinos, Evolution brings the real casino floor straight to your screen. Add in their acquisitions of top studios, and even their slot catalog has grown impressively.
Pragmatic Play, on the other hand, does a great job with live dealer titles too but they’re not in the same league as Evolution. Where they really dominate is in variety. Their library is stacked with slots, arcades, progressive jackpots, virtual sports, a sportsbook, and even crash games. Players often praise Pragmatic Play slots for knowing exactly what they want and delivering games that feel tailor-made.
Evolution Gaming Highlights
Evolution Gaming has accomplished so much if we look at the last five years. One of them is the bold move to buy Ezugi in 2019. And then in 2020, they bought NetEnt and got access to high-quality RNG games. Next, they moved in and purchased Red Tiger Gaming and then finally acquired Big Time Gaming in 2021.
Pragmatic Play Highlights
Pragmatic Play isn’t just sitting back, they’ve been actively expanding through strategic partnerships with leading studios and casinos worldwide.
These include live casino offerings with Bet99 in Canada, a fully customisable technology in EcuBet’s live casino rooms, and a partnership with Brazilian TQJ.
These moves have helped them break into fast-growing markets like Brazil, LatAm, and Paraguay, strengthening their global footprint.
But that’s not all. Pragmatic keeps adding more games to their portfolio, including an arcade game, Plinko+, Big Bass Boxing Bonus Round, Penalty Shoutout Live, live poker games, and more.
RTP and Fairness
If you are wondering between Pragmatic Play vs Evolution, whose games have higher RTP and are actually fair?
Evolution Gaming slots have a good return-to-player ratio, which is around 95%. And it’s the same for Pragmatic gaming games too. And as for fairness, they work together with independent organisations to test their games and ensure players aren’t cheated.
Bonus Features and Mechanics
When it comes to bonus features, Pragmatic Play games and slots stand out here. Their lucrative bonus features are the best in the iGaming industry.
The slots have free spins and special symbols, such as wild and scatter symbols, that increase your chances of winning in a Pragmatic Play casino.
As for mechanics, without doubt, Evolution Gaming games are undisputed in this area. Remember when they acquired Big Time Gaming? Big Time Gaming are the pioneer of the Megaways slot mechanic, which offers a progressive jackpot prize system with over 117,649 ways to win.
Streaming Popularity and Influencer Picks
Most players prefer live streaming Evolution Gaming to Pragmatic Play. Why? Because when it comes to quality of live game streams, innovation, and diversity, Evolution Gaming is the clear leader.
Mobile Gameplay
There’s no clear winner in this category. Why? Because games from Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play are both powered by HTML5 technology. This makes their games compatible with mobile devices.
Final Verdict: Which Casino Provider Wins?
The best provider really depends on what you’re looking for. Evolution Gaming leads in immersive live play and sheer volume thanks to acquiring other providers.
But if you’d rather have a provider with a well-rounded portfolio that offers a bit of everything and does it well, Pragmatic Play has you covered.
