NetEnt is a name even casual players recognise. The Swedish studio, founded in 1996, helped set the standard for how online slots look, sound and play, and since 2020 it has been part of Evolution, the live casino group.
This article looks at what NetEnt brought to the industry, then reviews ten of its best-known games with the maths and features operators check before giving a title prime space in the lobby.
What NetEnt brought to online casino
NetEnt has kept refining its products since its launch. It was among the first studios to offer demo play, it moved its slots to instant play in the browser instead of downloadable software, and it invested steadily in security. It also ran one of the larger online poker networks and has supplied land-based casinos as well as online operators.
Its jackpots made headlines too. In 2013 Mega Fortune paid out €17.86 million, at the time a world record for an online slot win. Our article on NetEnt's pooled jackpots covers the progressive side of the catalogue in more detail.
Ten NetEnt games every lobby should consider
The list combines all-time favourites with titles that show how NetEnt has developed its mechanics over the years. Each entry includes the details that matter for lobby planning.
Starburst
Starburst has spent years as one of the most played slots in the world and is a fixture of welcome offers and free spins promotions. Its strength is simplicity: ten paylines that pay both ways on a 5x3 grid, a handful of gem symbols and a single wild that expands over its reel and awards a re-spin. The RTP is 96.09%.
Gonzo's Quest
Gonzo's Quest is widely regarded as one of the best slots ever made, and it was the first NetEnt video slot with the Avalanche feature. Instead of spinning, symbols fall into place, and every consecutive avalanche win raises the multiplier. The game plays on a 5x3 grid with 20 paylines, has an RTP of 95.97% and adds a Free Fall free spins round with higher multipliers.
Dead or Alive 2 Feature Buy
The sequel to Dead or Alive returns to the Wild West with high variance, nine paylines on a 5x3 grid and an RTP of 96.82%. Wild symbols and three different free spins modes give players a choice of how to chase the biggest wins, and the Feature Buy edition lets them go straight to the bonus.
Divine Fortune
Divine Fortune is set in ancient Greece, where players must avoid Medusa's gaze and the Minotaur's labyrinth. It has 20 paylines on a 5x3 grid and an RTP of 96.59%. Expanding wilds and free spins support the base game, but the main attraction is its trio of progressive jackpots.
Divine Fortune Megaways
Divine Fortune Megaways brings the same myth-inspired theme to the Megaways engine. After every spin, each reel shows between two and seven rows at random, and with the maximum on every reel the game reaches 117,649 ways to win.
Rome: The Golden Age
Rome: The Golden Age celebrates the Roman Empire on a diamond-shaped grid: three rows on the first and fifth reels, four on the second and fourth, and five in the middle. A broad set of special features keeps the bonus rounds varied.
Reel Rush
Reel Rush borrows the colourful look of classic 16-bit console games, with fruit and gem symbols on five reels. Its key feature is the re-spin: each consecutive win unlocks extra symbol positions and more ways to win, and five re-spins in a row open the maximum number of ways. A catchy soundtrack completes the retro feel.
Dazzle Me
Dazzle Me is a low-volatility slot with an RTP of 96.9% and 76 fixed paylines. Its reels grow in a 3-3-4-4-5 row pattern, which makes free spins and Dazzling Wild Reels, where a wild covers an entire reel, especially rewarding.
Hotline
Hotline channels 1980s action films, with car chases, characters in white suits and femmes fatales. It plays on a 5x3 grid with several bonus symbols, and the optional Hotline bet raises the chance of landing an expanding wild or a re-spin.
European Roulette
NetEnt's European Roulette is an RNG table that follows European rules, with one zero pocket instead of the two on an American wheel. Smooth animation, calm music and a clear view of the wheel and betting layout make it suitable for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Quick reference
| Game | Layout | Lines or ways | RTP | Signature feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starburst | 5x3 | 10 lines, both ways | 96.09% | Expanding wild with re-spin |
| Gonzo's Quest | 5x3 | 20 lines | 95.97% | Avalanche multipliers |
| Dead or Alive 2 Feature Buy | 5x3 | 9 lines | 96.82% | Three free spins modes |
| Divine Fortune | 5x3 | 20 lines | 96.59% | Three progressive jackpots |
| Divine Fortune Megaways | 2–7 rows per reel | Up to 117,649 ways | – | Megaways engine |
| Rome: The Golden Age | 3-4-5-4-3 | – | – | Diamond-shaped grid |
| Reel Rush | 5 reels | Grows with re-spins | – | Re-spins unlock positions |
| Dazzle Me | 3-3-4-4-5 | 76 lines | 96.9% | Dazzling Wild Reels |
| Hotline | 5x3 | – | – | Hotline bet |
| European Roulette | Single-zero wheel | – | – | European rules |
Why players stay with NetEnt games
- Variety of themes, from mythology and history to retro gaming and 1980s cinema.
- Intuitive controls that new players pick up in seconds.
- High-end graphics and sound that make a lobby look premium.
- Security and reliability built on long experience in regulated markets.
- Bonus symbols and features that add winning chances beyond the base-game lines.
- Progressive jackpots on selected titles.
- Player control over bet size and, on many games, the number of active lines.
Building a NetEnt shelf in your lobby
- Acquisition titles: Starburst is the classic game for welcome free spins, because almost every player has heard of it and its simple rules keep a first session easy.
- Feature seekers: Gonzo's Quest, Reel Rush and Rome: The Golden Age reward players who enjoy mechanics that build over a sequence of wins.
- High-variance fans: Dead or Alive 2 Feature Buy suits players who accept long gaps between big wins. Check whether feature buys are permitted in each of your markets.
- Jackpot hunters: Divine Fortune gives them three progressive prizes to chase.
- Cautious players: the low-volatility Dazzle Me and the single-zero European Roulette offer gentler options for players who prefer smaller, steadier outcomes.
Adding NetEnt to your casino
NetEnt is included in our Slots Bundle, so its catalogue can go live through the same casino games integration as the rest of your content. Browse the full list of NetEnt games, read our guide to NetEnt on mobile or contact our team for integration details.
Written and reviewed by the iGaming Software Solutions Editorial Team.
