NetEnt games
NetEnt is one of the oldest online slot studios, founded in Sweden in 1996 and owned by Evolution since 2020. It is known for classics like Starburst and Mega Joker, and South African licensed casinos such as YesPlay and Gbets carry its games.
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Who NetEnt is
NetEnt (Net Entertainment) was founded in Stockholm in 1996 and became one of the companies that shaped online slots. It made Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest and Dead or Alive, games that still appear in casino lobbies more than a decade after release. In 2020 the live casino giant Evolution bought NetEnt. It now runs NetEnt alongside Red Tiger, and the games are licensed in Malta, the UK and many other regulated markets.
What its games are known for
- Polished, balanced slots. NetEnt games tend to have clean design, medium volatility and RTPs around 96%.
- Long-lived classics. Many of its best-known slots are years old, and casinos keep them because players keep asking for them.
- Avalanche and expanding wilds. NetEnt popularised several mechanics that other studios copied, from Gonzo’s falling blocks to Starburst’s expanding wilds.
- Jackpots. Its Mega Fortune and Divine Fortune progressive jackpots are among the best known online.
Best NetEnt games in our library
- Mega Joker: a retro fruit machine with a supermeter mode. Its RTP is listed at 99%, among the highest of any slot, but only if you play the supermeter correctly. The top win is a modest 200x.
- Sweety Honey Fruity: a bright fruit slot with an RTP of 96.71% and medium volatility. Our data shows it at 1Win, Gbets and YesPlay.
Both demos play free on their pages.
Where South Africans can play NetEnt
NetEnt is one of the few international studios that South African licensed casinos carry. Our data lists NetEnt games at YesPlay and Gbets, both licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, and at 1Win, which is licensed offshore in Curaçao. With a provincially licensed casino you have a local board to complain to if a payout goes wrong; with an offshore one you don’t.
NetEnt slots are a sensible choice for clearing bonus wagering because most are medium volatility. Check that the slot counts 100% towards wagering. Some casinos exclude high-RTP games like Mega Joker for exactly that reason.
NetEnt’s live and jackpot side
Under Evolution, NetEnt’s live casino products were folded into Evolution’s own live studios, so NetEnt today is a slots and jackpots brand. Its progressive jackpots, such as Mega Fortune and Divine Fortune, are pooled across many casinos, so the prize can grow large. The chance of hitting one is tiny, so play them for the base game, not the jackpot.
Similar studios
For the same polish with more volatility, see sister studio Red Tiger. Play'n GO and ELK Studios also come from Sweden’s strong slot scene. Our slots and jackpots pages list more free demos.
Play within a budget; help is free on the NRGP helpline, 0800 006 008.
Frequently asked questions
Which South African casinos have NetEnt games?
Our data lists NetEnt games at YesPlay, Gbets and 1Win. YesPlay and Gbets are licensed by the Western Cape board; 1Win is licensed offshore in Curaçao.
What is the highest RTP NetEnt slot?
Mega Joker is NetEnt's best-known high-RTP slot, with one of the highest RTPs of any slot when you play its supermeter mode. Most NetEnt slots sit around 96%.
Who owns NetEnt?
NetEnt has been part of Evolution, the live casino company, since 2020. It still releases games under the NetEnt name, alongside sister studio Red Tiger.
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Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.