The UK iGaming market is firmly established as one of the largest across the globe. With an estimated 17.5 million iGamers in the UK, the market has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the 2020 pandemic contributing to a huge increase in participation in online gambling.
During this time, the British iGaming landscape has also witnessed the emergence of several new companies that are driving innovation in the industry and in turn, helping to maintain excitement and interest in online gaming. While some companies focus on enhancing the gameplay and graphics of their games, others are utilizing developing technologies to improve security and enjoyment when playing their games.
Here’s a list of the newest and most exciting iGaming companies to land in the UK in the last few years.Â
BetDEX Exchange
Launched in 2021 by BetDEX, the BetDEX Exchange has caused a stir in the online sports betting world, disrupting the status quo of traditional online bookmakers. BetDEX Exchange utilises novel blockchain technology to create a decentralized betting exchange network, negating the requirement for an intermediary middleman between the bettor and the event they are betting on.
The intermediary will charge commission fees to use their exchange while also limiting the amount that players can place on a single bet, especially if the player is winning frequently. The removal of this middleman therefore puts the power back in the hands of the player, shifting control away from the bookmaker. The result is a fairer more transparent betting exchange putting players at the forefront.
In addition, the blockchain technology used to create the exchange provides greater security when betting, ensuring that all transactions are recorded on a public account, as well as faster payouts to your account when you win. BetDEX Exchange is providing a glimpse of the future of online betting platforms.Â
Playzido UK
Playzido UK was launched by the global Playzido brand in 2023 to produce high-quality online casino games specifically for the British market. The company specializes in the development of meticulously made branded and original slot games, often collaborating with popular entertainment franchises to offer players unique and exciting gaming experiences.
Slot games based on well-known brands from across popular culture such as Monopoly, Deal or No Deal and Star Trek: The Next Generation have been developed by Playzido, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The company not only offers aesthetic changes to slot games for interested brands but also the ability to alter game mechanics to better suit the desires of the commissioning brand. Ultimately, it is this customisation that helps to separate Playzido apart and attracts swathes of partners and players alike.Â
Pub Casino
It is easy to get bored of clicking on the same old games when playing online, especially when often it’s hard to tell the difference between them. If that’s the case, look no further than Pub Casino.
One of the highest-rated new UK-focused online casinos, Pub Casino offers players the true pub experience when playing online. The historic link between going to the pub and gambling provides players with a nostalgic feeling when playing on the platform, while they also get the benefit of a choice of over 1600 games. So for those wondering where are the new casino sites, Pub may be the place for you.
Pub Casino also offers excellent multi-channel customer support ensuring players are looked after. Additionally, players don’t have to wait long to receive their winnings, with a payout time of 1-3 days. Next time you want to try out something new, give Pub Casino a try.Â
FunFair Ventures
Another games development company to emerge during the 2020 iGaming boom, FunFair Ventures came onto the scene with a clear aim to reinvent the online games scene. By using novel digital technologies, the company creates non-traditional multiplayer games with a focus on top-tier graphics and player interaction.
They have completed multiple R&D projects using blockchain platforms such as xDai and Polygon in order to develop new games that tackle the scaling and environmental issues surrounding blockchain technology. Experimental productions such as Payloads and Lab Rats have been released offering players multiplayer-style games with live chat capabilities.
While the company is very much at the start of its journey, early indications show that it could be at the forefront of game development in years to come, helping to attract the next generation of online players.Â
BeyondPlay UK
BeyondPlay UK puts the term multiplayer at the heart of their company. Founded in 2020, games platform company, BeyondPlay, aims to transform traditionally solo games into engaging multiplayer experiences. Taking inspiration from the key features of social media websites, the company aims to create online games with an improved community aspect using enhanced social features such as live chats, avatars, videos and reactions.
While they do not develop their own games, the company strives to collaborate with market-leading partners in order to strengthen the social aspect of their systems. Social gaming is a growing trend in the iGaming market with many companies recently becoming aware of the benefits of improved social features on their platforms. Similarly, the social side is also becoming more important to new members of the community. It is clear that BeyondPlay are helping to lead the way in the evolution of the andscape, expect to see them continue to make waves in the way we play online.Â
It feels as though the sector is at somewhat of a turning point at the moment with the companies here, as well as many others not mentioned, utilizing new technologies to redefine what it means to say iGaming. Industry leaders, from online bookmakers to traditional game platforms, are being rivalled by new companies aiming to decentralise the system, improving security and transparency all the while maximising gameplay quality.
Things are moving fast in this digital space; it is likely that many of the innovative features offered by these companies will become commonplace sooner rather than later.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
