NetEnt Online Casinos For Ireland
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Welcome to this fans’ site dedicated to NetEnt casino sites. This is not an ‘official’ site. We are not linked to NetEnt or its current owner, Evolution, in any way. We are not sponsored or supported by them, nor do we receive any financial payments from them. This is a fans’ site, pure and simple! NetEnt is responsible for creating hundreds of slots available on NetEnt casinos today. With its superb graphics and innovative designs, Net Ent (also known as Net Entertainment) is the name behind many of the most popular slots and casino games. If you aren’t sure if a NetEnt casino is trustworthy, we have a list of casinos that accept a €5 deposit here that are all fully licenced. These 5 euro casinos still allow you to claim the welcome bonus.
Top NetEnt Casino Sites In Ireland
List of the best NetEnt online casino sites: most of the casinos below have free spins on NetEnt slots as part of their welcome bonus or have many of the suites of NetEnt slots available.
Casino list updated: December 2025
Goldspin |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €1,500 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 100% up to €1,500 + 100 Free Spins on Bonanza Billion on 1st deposit. New players only. Minimum deposit €10. The wagering requirement at GoldSpin is 35 times the initial amount of the deposit and bonus received. The wagering requirement of winnings from free spins is 40 times. The wagering requirement of any bonus must be completed within 14 days of the bonus activation. Deposits made via Neteller, Volt or Skrill do not qualify for this promotion. Full terms apply |
LegendPlay |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €500 + 200 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 100% up to €500 and 200 Free Spins on 1st deposit. New customers only. Minimum deposit €20. Free spins added as 20 per day for 10 days. Wagering requirement for Bonus 35x sum of deposit + bonus. Wagering requirement for winnings from free spins is 40x. WR to be completed within 10 days. Full terms apply. |
| Betiton Casino |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €500 + 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Betiton Casino provides a comprehensive online gaming and sports betting platform for casino players and sports bettors worldwide. Operated by Sharp Connection Ltd, a company based in Malta, this casino runs on the Aspire Global software, a well-established name in the iGaming sector. For those exploring options within the same network, Betiton sister sites offer similar experiences under the same operational umbrella, ensuring consistency in quality and security across multiple brands. Key Takeaways Licensing: Holds licences from the Malta Gaming...More Information for Betiton Casino Terms & Conditions: NEW IMPROVED Welcome package up to €500 and 150 Free Spins for Big Bass Bonanza over 3 deposits, starting with 50 spins and 100% bonus on your first deposit up to € 500. Minimum deposit € 10. Offer applies to the first deposit. Offer only applies to new players. Winnings from games that require a deposit must be wagered 35 times. A bonus that requires a deposit must be wagered 35 times. 18+, Play Responsibly, Terms Apply. www.gamblingtherapy.org |
Betmaze |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €100Please gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 100% up to €100. 18+. New first depositing players only. Minimum deposit €10. Wagering requirements 35x. Maximum Bonus €100. Bonus to be used in specific games. Bonus expires after 24 hours. Promotion available for 24 hours. Maximum winnings from bonus €100. T&Cs apply. Play responsibly. GambleAware.org. |
Rolletto |
Welcome Bonus 150% Bonus Up To €500 + 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Exclusive offer 150% Welcome Bonus on deposits up to 500 € + 50 Freespins. Bonus will be granted to deposits ranging from 20 € to 500 €. Deposits between 500 € and 1000 € will be awarded a 100% bonus. The bonus is only applicable to Casino Slots games. To qualify for the bonus, a minimum deposit of 20 € is required. Freespins will be active for 72 hours. Both the deposit and the casino bonus are subject to wagering requirements of thirty (30) times the combined deposit and bonus amount. After activating the bonus, you must meet the wagering requirement within a maximum of 30 days General Terms and Conditions are apply. |
Spin Samurai |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €650 + 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: NEW OFFER Welcome Bonus Pack €3,300 and 150 Free Spins, starting with 100% up to €650 and 50 Free Spins on Elvis Frog Trueways on 1st deposit. New players only. Minimum deposit €10. To wager the bonus, you need to make bets for an amount 40x the bonus amount. Free spin activation duration is 3 days, free spin duration and free spin result duration are 7 days. Full terms apply. |
Spinoloco |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €500Please gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome package up to €2,000 and 250 Free Spins over 4 deposits, starting with 100% up to €500 on 1st deposit. This bonus can be claimed within 7 days of registration and be activated only once. Minimum deposit €20. A withdrawal request will cancel any active bonus and/or upcoming free spins batches. To convert the bonus into real money, a player must meet the wagering requirements of 30x the deposit plus the bonus amount within 7 days. No maximum win on the First Deposit Bonus. Full terms apply. |
Evospin |
Welcome Bonus 125% Bonus Up To €2,500 + 125 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 285% up to €7.500 and 285 Free Spins over 3 deposits, starting with 125% up to €2,500 + 125 Free Spins in Wolf Gold on 1st deposit. Bonus code EVOFRST required. Minimum deposit €20. To withdraw funds, the bonus amount must be rolled over 40x and the bonus amount from Free Spins must be rolled over 30x. Maximum withdrawal from Bonus and Free Spins 2,650 EUR. Full terms apply. |
Winner Casino |
Welcome Bonus 400% Bonus Up To €4,000 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: €10,000 and 500 Free Spins Welcome Package over 5 deposits, starting with 400% up to €4000 + 100 Free spins on Starburst on 1st deposit. Minimum deposit €20. Coupon code WINN1 required. Wager 50x Bonus. Valid until 31.12.29. Full terms apply. |
Yoju |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €250 + 75 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome bonus up to 2000 EUR and 225 Free Spins are available over 1st 3 deposits, starting with 100% bonus up to €250 and 75 Free Spins on 1st deposit. New players only. Minimum deposit €20. Free Spins are available in Journey Flirt. Wager x40. Maximum win unlimited. Full terms apply |
Casino Infinity |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €500 + 200 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome Bonus 100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins. This offer is only available to new customers who have registered on the website and made their first real money deposit. The minimum deposit is €20. Bonus spins are added in blocks of 20 per day for 10 days. The wagering requirements are 35x the original deposit amount and the bonus received. The wagering requirements for winnings from bonus spins are x40. Terms and conditions apply. |
| Griffon Casino |
Welcome Bonus Deposit €20 and get 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Griffon Casino is an online casino site managed by White Hat Gaming Limited, a company holding licences from both the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. This platform operates under the White Hat Gaming system, having transitioned from Aspire Global to join the network of White Hat Gaming casino sites in 2025. For those exploring options within this network, Griffon Casino shares similarities with other platforms, often referred to as Griffon Casino sister sites, which feature comparable game...More Information for Griffon Casino Terms & Conditions: Welcome package giving 200 Spins over 3 deposits, starting with 50 Spins on Big Bass Bonanza on 1st deposit. New players only. 18+ Min Deposit €20. Wagering Requirement 35x. Offer valid for 72hr. T&C’s apply. |
| SpinYoo |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €350 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | SpinYoo Casino is operated by White Hat Gaming Limited, this platform holds licences from both the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring adherence to stringent regulatory standards. For those exploring similar platforms, SpinYoo sister sites share comparable features and security measures, providing a consistent experience across related networks. Key Takeaways Licensing: Regulated by Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission. Platform Provider: Powered by White Hat Gaming with games from over 35 developers. Game Variety: Over 2,000...More Information for SpinYoo Terms & Conditions: Up to €1000 Welcome Bonus and 100 Spins on first 3 deposits, starting with 100% Deposit Bonus up to €350 Slots Bonus + 100 Spins on 1st deposit. 18+. New players only. Minimum Deposit €20. Maximum Bonus Bet €5. Bonus offer is 100% of first deposit up to €350 on Slots only and 100 Yoo Spins valid on Starburst, Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Fire Joker, Gonzo's Quest and Super Flip respectively (first 20 credited immediately upon first deposit; rest credited at 07:00 CET at 20/day). Spins must be used by 23:59 CET of the day on which they are credited, any unused shall be removed. Winnings from each 20 spins set capped at €50 and credited as bonus funds. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering of bonus funds and deposit amount. Full Terms Apply. Play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. |
Casinoluck |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €200 + 20 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome package 100% up to €200 and 100 Spins on Book of Dead over 3 deposits, starting with 100% welcome bonus up to €200 and 20 spins on 1st deposit. 18+. New players only. 1st deposit minimum deposit €10. 35x wagering requirement. Spins expire after 24 hours. Promotion available for 72 hours. Maximum winnings from spins €100. Play responsibly. Full terms apply. |
Casiku |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €300 + 25 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome package up to €1,000 Bonus and 100 Free Spins over 4 deposits, starting with 100% up to €300 + 25 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash on 1st deposit. The Welcome Package is only available to New Players on their first, second, third, and fourth deposit only. Customers residing in Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom are excluded from this offer. Minimum deposit €10. Each batch of 25 spins credited as part of this Offer will have a cap on potential winnings of €50. Wagering requirement 40x the value of the bonus funds and your cash deposit. Deposits made via Skrill or Neteller are not eligible for the welcome bonus. Terms and conditions apply. 18+ Play responsibly. GamblingTherapy.org |
Snatch Casino |
Welcome Bonus 200% Bonus Up To €500 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome Bonus Pack 450% up to €2500 + 325 Free Spins on four deposits, or 450% up to €3000 + 325 Free Spins on four deposits if you chose the Highroller Welcome Bonus and start with a deposit of at least €500. Standard 1st deposit offer 200% bonus up to €500 + 100 Free Spins on the slot Dog House slot on 1st deposit. Minimum deposit €20. To be able to withdraw bonus funds, you need to wager 35x the amount of the bonus and the deposit. To be able to withdraw bonus funds received from Free Spins, you need to wager the bonus amount 40x. The bonus is valid for 10 days after activation. The maximum allowed amount for withdrawal which has been won from casino bonus free spins is €100. All winnings received while wagering Bonus are limited to a maximum cashout amount of 5x bonus granted. Full terms apply. |
7Bit Casino |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €400 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: NEW OFFER - Welcome Pack 325% up to 5400 EUR or 5.25 BTC + 250 Free Spins over 4 deposits, starting with 100% up to 400 EUR and 100 Free Spins on Elvis Frog in Vegas on 1st deposit. Minimum deposit 20 EUR. Maximum win from Free Spins 100 EUR. Wager x35. Maximum Bet 1 EUR. Full terms apply. |
Bluefox Casino |
Welcome Bonus Deposit €20 and get 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome package up to €1000 and 100 Free Spins over 5 deposits, starting with 50 Free Spins on Book of Dead on 1st deposit. Minimum deposit €20. Wager from real balance first. 50X wager the bonus money within 30 days / 50x Wager any winnings from the free spins within 7 days. Contribution varies per game. Available on selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus offer and any winnings from the offer are valid for 30 days / Free spins and any winnings from the free spins are valid for 7 days from receipt. Maximum conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: €20. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms Apply. |
| Neptune Play |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €200 + 25 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Neptune Play, operated by AG Communications and utilising the Aspire Global platform, offers a comprehensive online casino experience designed to cater to a wide range of players. The site features a diverse selection of games from numerous providers, ensuring variety and quality for its users. Games Available at Neptune Play Neptune Play boasts an extensive library of games, sourced from renowned providers such as Aspire Global, Games Global, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming. Players can enjoy a mix of slots,...More Information for Neptune Play Terms & Conditions: Exclusive Welcome offer package 100% up to €200 and 25 spins on Book of Dead. 18+. New Players Only. Minimum Deposit €10. Bonus Wagering Requirement: 40x. Spins are given as follows: 25 Spins upon a first deposit of a minimum €10. Spins may only be used in specific games. The game allowed: Book Of Dead. No Wagering is required on the spins. In order to withdraw your winnings, you must first use up all of your bonus spins or wait for them to expire (whichever comes first). Spins Expire After 24 Hours. Bonus Policy and Terms of Service apply. |
| SpinShake |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €500 + 200 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | SpinShake is operated by Aspire Global International LTD, this casino site runs on the well-known Aspire Global platform, a system shared by numerous other Aspire Global casinos. For those searching for a reliable gaming hub or comparing sites like Neptune Play Casino, SpinShake delivers a structured experience with a focus on security and game variety, backed by licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Key Takeaways Licence Holder: Aspire Global International LTD Platform: Aspire Global...More Information for SpinShake Terms & Conditions: €1,500 Welcome package and 200 Free Spins over 3 deposits, starting with 100% up to €500 and 200 Free Spins on 1st deposit. New depositing players only. Minimum deposit € 20. 50 spins will be issued upon login, at 12.00 PM every day for 4 days from your first deposit. Unused Free spins expires 24hrs after being issued. Free Spins are available on Day 1: Book Of Dead, Day 2: Starburst, Day 3: Fire Joker & Day 4: Gonzo’s Quest. All bonus money will expire 21 days after being awarded to you. Winnings won with spins that require deposit, have to be wagered 35x. Bonuses that require deposit, have to be wagered 35x. Full terms and conditions apply. |
Plaza Royal |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €259 + 100 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 100% up to €259 plus 100 spins on 9 Masks of Fire on 1st deposit. New players only. 18+. Minimum deposit €10. Wagering requirement applies 35x. Offer valid for 72 hours. Spins expire after 24 hours. Full terms apply. |
The Online Casino |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €100 + 21 Free Spins No DepositPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Exclusive welcome offer 21 Free Spins on Sweet Alchemy, no deposit required, using promo code SWEET. Plus 100% up to €100 and 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead on 1st deposit. New players only. Minimum deposit €10. Opt-in required Wagering occurs from real balance first. 50x wagering the bonus or any winnings generated from free spins, contribution may vary per game. Available on selected games only. The wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus is valid for 30 Days/ free spins valid for 7 days from issue. Maximum conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: €20. Excluded Skrill deposits Full Terms apply. |
Win Windsor |
Welcome Bonus Win Up To 1000% BonusPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer spin the Bonus Wheel to win up to 1000% Matchup Bonus. New players only. €10 minimum fund. €2,000 maximum bonus. Maximum bonus conversion equal to lifetime deposits (up to €250). 65x wagering requirements and full T&Cs apply. |
| Queenplay |
Welcome Bonus 100% Bonus Up To €250 + 50 Free SpinsPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | With offers that are fit for a queen, Queen Play wants to make a claim for the throne of best gaming site out there. As soon as you load the main page you're greeted with the most popular games you can quickly scroll through them to see that most are fairly new and definitely big names like Rise of Merlin and Pyramid King. Navigation menus at the top of the page allow very quick switching between Casino and Live Casino....More Information for Queenplay Terms & Conditions: 100% Bonus up to €250 + 50 spins on Starburst on 1st deposit. New depositing players only. Minimum deposit €10. 18+ Unused free spins expires 24hrs after being issued. Spins are on several of our best paying games. Winnings won with spins have to be wagered 35x. Bonus has to be wagered 35x. Maximum conversion from free spins €100. Full terms apply. |
| Jazzy Spins |
Welcome Bonus 200% Bonus Up To €500 + 50 Free Spins No DepositPlease gamble responsibly. 18+ Only. GambleAware.org. |
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Go To Casino | If you love the sound of sweet saxophone and trumpets, then you'll be familiar with jazz music. If you are also into gambling online then you will have found your heaven in Jazzy Spins. A UK-based site with 300 titles, all of which are provided by Dragonfish who are one of the leading Casino software companies around. Within this roster of titles, you'll see names like Dream Diver, Rainbow Riches and Invaders Megaways. Navigation on this site seems set up...More Information for Jazzy Spins Terms & Conditions: Welcome offer 50 Spins on The Paying Piano Club on Registration plus 200% up to €500 and another 50 Spins on 1st deposit. New Players Only. Minimum Deposit €10. Wager from real balance first. 50X wager the bonus. Contribution varies per game. Selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 days / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt. Maximum conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: €20. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply |
A bit of background info on NetEnt
When this site was launched, NetEnt was by far the leading provider of online slots for the European market and was also beginning to improve its coverage in the broader global market. No self-respecting online casino could afford to be without a large selection of the company’s games being included in its portfolio. The company already had several acclaimed classics to its name, such as the ever-popular Gonzo’s Quest and Spinata Grande, plus the stone wall classic Starburst. These were supplemented by dozens of other innovative titles, such as the colourful cartoon fables Hook’s Heroes, Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood. At the same time, Finn and the Swirly Spin took a more modern approach to the traditional fairy tale.
Meanwhile, fans of the darker side could choose from titles such as Blood Suckers II, the officially licenced Aliens slot, or my personal favourite, the spooky Universal Monsters version of Dracula. Talking of officially licenced, the company had also carved an impressive selection of music-themed games, with authorised releases of slots by classic rock artists, including Guns ‘n’ Roses, Motorhead and the iconic Jimi Hendrix.
The hits kept coming, too, with further innovative designs like Asgardian Stones, Halloween Jack, Vikings and Wild Bazaar following in 2018. There was a semi-successful attempt to follow up earlier classics, too, with Berryburst adding a tangy citrus flavour to its super-successful predecessor, Starburst.
The following year saw several further superb releases to keep the company at the forefront of the industry. Finn returned once again with his Golden Tavern, and there were also sequels for previous hit releases Dead or Alive and Reel Rush. It wasn’t all about reboots, though, with some impressive new designs hitting the online virtual reels. Amongst an impressive total of more than twenty entirely new releases was the particularly successful horse racing themed Scudamore’s Super Stakes, and the zany yuletide caper Santa Vs Rudolf: a heart-warming tale of traditional Christmas spirit, it was not. The reputedly bat-eating Ozzy Osborne was added to the ever-growing roster of officially licenced classic rock-themed games.
This consistent record of market-leading releases led NetEnt to a position firmly at the pinnacle of the online casino software industry. Its position as the foremost gaming software provider was unassailable, and the company produced financial figures to match.
NetEnt's Corporate Performance
NetEnt’s success in widespread and critical acclaim meant it could boast stunning financial performance figures far exceeding its rivals. Founded in 1998 in Sweden’s capital city, the company had developed from a tiny start-up to an industry-leading international organisation in barely two decades.
While the company headquarters remained in Stockholm, it opened satellite offices throughout Europe, including the United Kingdom, Poland, and Ukraine, plus two more in two of the foremost territories of the gaming industry: Gibraltar and Malta. Further afield, there were additional outposts in New Jersey, the United States, and Hyderabad in India. The company was responsible for the employment of well over a thousand employees located all across the world.
By 2019, the company had already developed over two hundred different games. Most of these were online slots, but there was also a good selection of more traditional table games, plus the company’s impressive live gaming operation.
This creative success meant the company was positioned to post impressive financial performance figures. The financial report for the year ending December 2019 showed total revenues exceeding SEK 1800 million (over €160 million) with total earnings before tax of around SEK 600 million (just under €55 million).
Although revenue growth over the previous year was unspectacular at 0.6%, this was broadly in line with sluggish growth in the gaming industry generally at the time. Indeed, NetEnt CEO Therese Hillman was very upbeat, pointing to the more buoyant 10% revenue increase over the year's final three months. She was particularly confident about the company’s new live gaming operation, which showed firm growth signs, having broken records for player numbers that year.
2020 – The Turning Point For NetEnt
2020 was a turning point for all of us. The unprecedented pandemic completely transformed the world and was utterly unexpected, taking the whole planet by surprise. For NetEnt, the New Year brought a different kind of upheaval - one that, perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, was more predictable.
Growth was impressive during the first three quarters of 2020, aided by the gaming industry's general solid performance while much of the European population was under lockdown. Being primarily confined to the home and with real-world casinos and other venues temporarily closed, the only natural alternative for gamblers was to move online.
As a result, NetEnt revenues were up more than 25% in the corresponding nine months of 2019, with earnings before tax up more than 40%. Income derived from the previous year’s acquisition of up-and-coming gaming software rival Red Tiger was now also coming on stream. Live casinos were also doing exceptionally well, perhaps buoyed by customers sitting at home craving the excitement of a real casino experience.
Arguably, this aspect of the company’s performance drew it to the attention of its previously unchallenged live-streaming rival, Evolution Gaming. Evolution was the dominant force in the live gaming market - their position in live casinos was even more pre-eminent than that of NetEnt in online slot design.
NetEnt’s live gaming operation’s spectacular performance was on a far smaller scale than Evolution’s, a massive worldwide operation. Nevertheless, its rapid increase in revenue represented a vast increase in market share, albeit from a very low base. This clear potential for NetEnt to become an emerging competitor to Evolution’s dominant market position was perhaps a primary motivating factor in Evolution’s decision to mount a takeover bid for the Swedish company in June 2020.
Although NetEnt’s board and shareholders swiftly accepted the well-judged offer, the takeover was not straightforward. The size and market share of the two companies within the online gaming industry triggered a merger enquiry by the UK Government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This was launched in September, with a provisional judgement in favour announced two months later. Only when the final decision to approve the takeover was published on December 8th was the acquisition finally able to be completed.
As a result, NetEnt became a wholly owned subsidiary of its new owners, with Evolution paying an initial SEK 19.6 billion (equivalent to around £1.6 billion, €2 billion or $2.3 billion). By December 12th, Evolution announced that it had acquired almost 97% of the company’s shares and had begun a compulsory buy-out process to purchase the remainder. NetEnt shares were, therefore, removed from the Stockholm stock exchange on December 16th. The company’s shares’ final trading price was SEK 86 (around £7, €8 or $10).
NetEnt under Evolution Ownership
Founded in 2006, Evolution is a far larger organisation than its new acquisition. Although it is headquartered in Sweden and listed on the Stockholm stock exchange, it is even more of an international operation, with around 8,000 employees based around live studios across Europe and North America. Its main studio is based in Riga in the Baltic state of Latvia. Still, it has many others in locations such as Belgium, Spain, Tbilisi in Georgia and on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is also keen to exploit North America's increasingly liberalised gaming market, with studios in New Jersey in the United States and British Columbia in Canada.
This wide distribution of locations enables the company to provide live-streamed casino games in over twenty languages. It also promises to offer native speakers in whatever language any potential online casino operator requires.
Evolution is a far larger operator in the live-streamed casino gaming market than relative newcomer NetEnt, and it is not difficult to see its takeover move as an attempt to snuff out a possible future competitor. Indeed, the acquisition quickly became controversial, making even mainstream national news headlines, as it immediately closed down NetEnt’s live gaming operations in Qormi in Malta and began a swingeing round of redundancy announcements.
Job losses were spread far and wide. In addition to Malta, NetEnt locations in Gibraltar and elsewhere were affected, with the entire operation in Krakow in Poland closed down. Even the company’s headquarters in Stockholm were affected, with hundreds of staff advised to stay at home and subsequently released. CEO Therese Hillman was among them – her departure was pre-announced, taking place at the end of the transition period in the spring of 2021.
Hundreds of NetEnt employees lost their jobs, some within minutes of the takeover becoming official. This resulted in considerable unwelcome media coverage and some firm union retaliation. The General Workers’ Union (GWU) in Malta took immediate legal action to stop the process on the island. This was partially successful, with around forty threatened jobs being saved when the matter was settled out of court.
It was particularly unfortunate timing for hundreds of employees to lose their jobs, particularly during a pandemic with fewer alternative opportunities. The financial world showed no such sympathy. On the contrary, these massive mergers tend to increase share value, with market sentiment usually supporting such moves.
So it was that Evolution was proud to announce starkly optimistic first-quarter financial results for 2021. Revenues more than doubled from the equivalent period in 2019 to more than €235 million, primarily due to the acquisition of NetEnt. Profits also more than doubled to €132 million.
Evolution CEO Jens von Bahr was particularly impressed by his company’s performance, commenting, “...we can already see good results from this work in the first quarter, and I believe that we are well set to continue to capitalise on the growing interest in online casino worldwide.” He was also impressed by the increase in Live Gaming revenues, which improved 60% on the same quarter in 2019.
The Future Of NetEnt Online Casinos
The demise of NetEnt’s live gaming operation is terrible news for more than just the hundreds of loyal employees who worked there. It’s not great for the millions of regular players of live-streamed casino games, either. Although most live casino gamers have always played games streamed from Evolution’s extensive network of studios, losing a quality competitor leaves Evolution with even more of a market monopoly than before. The competitive incentive to improve its service is no longer there. It’s little wonder that the company’s income and profitability are already rising.
The truth is that NetEnt’s reputation is built upon its online slot designs rather than its live gaming. Its millions of fans are more interested in the successive incarnations of Gonzo, Finn and NetEnt’s world-class game design operation than the fate of a redundant studio in Malta. So the real question is, what effect will the advent of new owners Evolution’s stewardship have on the company’s slot output?
As ever with corporate takeovers, there are advantages and disadvantages for the acquired company, its customers, and players. On the plus side, the new owner's increased financial power and market muscle offer potentially more extensive and diverse markets to move into. It can also lead to an injection of investment into the newly acquired company, the additional resources sometimes leading to an expansion and improvement in the quality and quantity of output.
This is good for a company’s customers, players and fans. It can also work in their favour when the acquired company is ‘left to do what it does best’, with little interference from its new owners. When companies retain autonomy and continue functioning independently, things can work well for customers and owners. The talents of the acquired company are, after all, what attracted the takeover bid from its new owners in the first place.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages too. It is too easy for a previously successful outfit to disappear into the black hole of its new owners’ corporate machine, micro-managed into submission. As a result, the acquired company can frequently become another forgotten brand within the newly merged organisation’s web of bureaucracy. The skills and originality which led to the success of a start-up brand or company can get lost when it becomes a mere division of a massive conglomerate.
This is a real risk in this particular case. Initial indications are not a good sign when a whole NetEnt division is summarily closed virtually overnight to suit its new Evolution overlords. The evidence could lead a neutral observer to suggest a worrying question - was Evolution’s intention with this takeover merely to close down a competitor threatening its core market?
NetEnt – The Way Forward
Given the events of December 2020, the omens don’t look too promising. Evolution’s controversial closure of NetEnt’s Maltese live-streaming studio and the announcement of further extensive redundancies caused a storm within the online gaming industry. These actions demonstrated an apparent commercial ruthlessness from its new owners.
However, the longer-term prospects for NetEnt’s core business – slots – look better. There are certainly grounds for optimism. While Evolution’s destruction of NetEnt’s live gaming operation seems based on protecting its business interests and market share, the amount of money involved in the acquisition suggests other motives are also in play.
€2 billion is a massive sum to pay to liquidate a troublesome competitor with a tiny market share. It would undoubtedly be a very expensive takeover if Evolution were to let its new acquisition’s talents wither on the vine. It is undoubtedly in the company’s interests to nurture NetEnt’s undisputed and unrivalled talent for producing great games.
Instead, it can be seen that the two company’s respective strengths are a good fit. The business-speak term is ‘synergy’: Evolution will continue to concentrate on its live gaming operation, while NetEnt will be able to focus on its core strength – its incomparable slot output.
This way, both companies can appreciate the takeover as a win/win situation. Evolution now has a strong foothold in a related gaming market in which they previously had no influence. At the same time, NetEnt can continue to do what they do best while enjoying additional financial security under the corporate umbrella of its new owners. Indeed, early indications suggest that NetEnt’s production schedule has been unaffected, with the usual prolific rate of releases continuing through the early months and years of their new corporate partnership.
The spring and summer of 2021 saw a consistent average rate of release of around two to three games per month, with some top titles such as Parthenon: Quest for Immortality and a new MegawaysTM version of the old NetEnt classic "Dazzle Me" hitting Netent Online casinos worldwide.
The Dazzle Me re-boot is particularly interesting because it is a fine example of the advantages of the merger with Evolution already bearing fruit. April 2021 saw Evolution splash the cash again, this time on the innovative Aussie gaming software outfit Big Time Gaming (BTG). This time, the value of the takeover was an initial €220 million, with the total outlay likely to amount to around €450 million.
The deal leaves Evolution as the ultimate owner of three of the most prestigious brands in slot software design: NetEnt, Red Tiger and now BTG. The specific advantage for NetEnt in this new deal is that BTG’s spectacularly successful Megaways TM mechanic is now effectively ‘in-house’. It is therefore available for all new releases and for upgrading the company’s legacy titles without the need to pay an additional licencing fee.
Another example of the benefits NetEnt’s new owners can bring to the table is the spectacular new version of the Gonzo franchise: Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt. This unique and innovative mash-up brings the familiar story of the fictional Spanish conquistador to life in a thrilling live gaming format.
Once again, the game is set in the Inca jungle, but with real live action, live game show hosts, random prize drops, and multipliers added to the action. The game takes place in a kind of ‘augmented reality’, with live presenters mingling with the animated "Gonzo", much like you may have seen in blockbuster movies like "Avatar" and "Iron Man".
NetEnt Online Casinos Summary
The good news is that despite the corporate turbulence of recent times, the future for NetEnt remains bright. Many fans of the company’s unique style will be disappointed if its distinctive Scandinavian flavour is diluted. Still, early indications suggest that the company is set to thrive under the stewardship of its new owners and market muscle.
At netent.net, we will keep a close eye on developments, but NetEnt’s position at the forefront of innovative slot design seems assured for the foreseeable future. Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt does take online gaming into another dimension and seems to signal the way forward for the new commercial partnership.
Along with the acquisition of MegawaysTM inventors BTG, it is a clear demonstration of the ‘synergies’ the new partnership with Evolution is already bringing to the NetEnt locker. Casino operators, fans and online casino players alike: all are surely looking forward to seeing what spectacular new games and formats the future will bring.
























