NetEnt as part of Evolution Gaming - what it means

Introduction

In 2020, an event took place that significantly changed the balance of power in the online gambling industry: Evolution Gaming acquired NetEnt. This step caused a wide resonance, because it was about the merger of two giants - the leader in live games and the developer of premium video slots. For Australian players, this decision was a determining factor in the availability of content, the quality of integrations and the variety of gameplay.

1. Key changes after merge

After joining Evolution, NetEnt retained its own brand and portfolio, but the strategic vector has changed:
  • Priority on efficiency - some of the old and less popular slots were closed, the emphasis is on flagships and new products.
  • Joint development of technologies - integration with Evolution infrastructure made it possible to improve graphics, animation and mobile formats.
  • Business optimization - the development of new games now takes into account the overall strategy of the group, which increases competitiveness.

2. What it means for Australian players

For Australian players, combining NetEnt with Evolution brought several tangible advantages:
  • A wide selection: in one casino you can now find both NetEnt slots and Evolution live games.
  • AUD stability and support: a large holding is easier to adapt to the requirements of regional markets, including Australia.
  • Accelerated releases: new games appear in sync with global platforms thanks to the global distribution of Evolution.
  • Focused projects: NetEnt releases fewer minor games, but each novelty receives a high level of elaboration.

3. Impact on slot assortment

Although some of the legacy automata have been removed from libraries, NetEnt's most popular hits remain. Among them:
  • Starburst is a timeless classic with expanding Wild;
  • Gonzo's Quest is the first slot with Avalanche mechanics;
  • Dead or Alive II is a premium high roller game.

In addition, NetEnt was able to implement cross-content elements - for example, general jackpot grids and bonus campaigns through the Evolution infrastructure.

4. Strategic benefits for Evolution

For Evolution, the purchase of NetEnt had its own reasons:
  • expansion of the offer beyond live casinos,
  • access to a known portfolio of slots,
  • strengthening positions in Europe, Asia and Australia,
  • cross-selling and joint marketing campaigns.

Thus, Evolution has become a universal company that closes several market segments at once.

5. Development prospects

In 2025, several areas of further development of NetEnt as part of Evolution can be distinguished:
  • Promotion of Megaways slots under the Big Time Gaming license;
  • Innovation in mobile formats via NetEnt Touch ™;
  • Merging experience - using Evolution live mechanics in slots and implementing gamified features.

Australian casinos operating through the platforms of SoftSwiss, EveryMatrix and other aggregators are already actively using the combined portfolio.

Result

The merger of NetEnt and Evolution Gaming has become one of the key events in the history of online gambling. For Australian players, that means more consistent access to top-end slots, expanded entertainment choices and new technology options. NetEnt retained its premium status, and Evolution's support allowed it to reach a new level of quality and global reach.