When you visit an online casino, you may be playing using software that runs a dozen other online casinos; this is because many casinos license out the rights to use software created by a development company for this purpose. Cryptologic is a fine example of an outfit that provides strong software frameworks for their licensees. They typically provide a download version and a Java version for Mac and Linux users.  Microgaming is also a well known brand that does similar.

Playtech and Wagerworks, as well as Boss Media, have only one version- either download or flash- and while not as strict about their licensing process, they aren’t bad, either.  Chartwell and RTG are two others that fall into this category.

Odds are good that if you play a Microgaming site and like it, you will like another site that runs off a Microgaming platform.

What’s the Difference?

So you have one site that runs off a Microgaming network and anther that runs off of a Playtech network- what’s the difference? Besides your own faith in one or the other, what makes the platforms different? Mainly Games, Banking and Playability.

Games
Typically if you visit half a dozen sites that are all on Microgaming, you will find mostly the same games on all the sites. There will be some differences, but more similarities. Also of note- if you are interested in competing against other players rather than a computer, you should check out some poker sites, as most casino games are single-player only.

Banking
If Playtech supports x number of deposit options, than all the sites running on Playtech will do the same. If you find, whether from personal preference of because of where you live, that a certain platform does not have deposit options open to you then you can skip signing up for casinos running on that network.

Playability
This is an important element to online casinos- if you have a hard time getting to the game, understanding how it works, and are frustrated while you play, then what’s the point? Some platforms will have features that are more intuitive than others, or features that you personally feel make the experience on the casino more enjoyable- stick with those.