NetEnt, or Net Entertainment, is universally recognized as one of the most innovative online slots, table games, scratch cards, live dealer games and other iGaming digital solutions manufacturers. Its diverse slots portfolio boasts over 200 releases designed to deliver the ultimate spinning experience.

What started as a middle-of-the-pack Scandinavian games supplier for brick-and-mortar casinos has turned into a global phenomenon and a major force in the fiercely competitive American gambling market.

Must-try NetEnt slot releases

Since its inception, NetEnt has unveiled many award-winning 3D slot games. Some of its creations have become timeless classics that still captivate the hearts of millions of slot enthusiasts across the globe to this day.

NetEnt?s ubiquity in the online casino scene is unrivaled. You?ll be hard-pressed to find a top-tier gambling site that hasn?t included NetEnt?s video slots into its gaming program. Moreover, the lion?s share of gambling operators regularly uses NetEnt?s blockbusters in promotional campaigns. Free spins welcome bonuses are mostly given on selected NetEnt hits, with Starburst and Gonzo?s Quest usually in the spotlight.

NetEnt releases are highly rated among slot aficionados because they carry outstanding visuals, amazing sound effects, interactive features and engaging gameplay. Additionally, NetEnt casino slots boast an average 95 to 98% payout rate. Hence, you?re sure to have solid bang for your buck.

Pinning down the best NetEnt slots was not an easy task with so many great options. Still, after careful consideration and groupthink with our slots specialists, we assembled a list of the five best NetEnt slots ever developed. Here are the best NetEnt online slots to play in no particular order:

• Starburst ? Starburst is hands down one of the most popular online slots ever. It features a basic 5×3 grid with only 10 paylines, keeping the gameplay incredibly simple. Yet many players keep coming back to it time and time again for a reason. Its cosmic theme and ethereal soundtrack, combined with numerous cool features, like the both-ways function and expanding wilds, offer endless entertainment for slot fans of all tastes. The game comes off with low variance and an RTP of 96.1 percent, making it ideal for playing on a budget.
• Gonzo?s Quest ? Yet another all-timer, Gonzo?s Quest was the first slot with the iconic Avalanche feature, which quickly went mainstream after the game?s release in 2011. The main benefit of this option is giving players the chance to win multiple times from a sin
  gle spin. Other highlights include multipliers, free spins, a Mayan theme and stunning design. Gonzo?s Quest is right up there with the most lucrative of slots from a payout standpoint, offering spinners the possibility to win monster prizes?up to 37,500x the stake, to be precise.
• Dead or Alive 2 ? Upon release, Dead or Alive 2 had some pretty big shoes to fill, with its predecessor attaining a legendary status in the gaming community. That said, NetEnt raised the bar even higher with DOA2. The game recreates the original vibe but comes with an improved appearance. Players can benefit from several bonus elements, namely scatters, sticky wilds and three different types of free spins rounds, with each having its own volatility and pay mechanics. The most appealing aspect of Dead or Alive 2 is undoubtedly its staggering payout potential of up to 100,000x the stake.
• Narcos ? Based on the TV show of the same name, Narcos is a majestic branded slot that packs a real punch with its free spins, walking wilds and other special features. The game showcases five reels, 243 paylines and a fantastic RTP of 96.23 percent. It?s suitable for players of all budget levels, as the betting range starts at $0.20 and goes all the way up to $400 per spin. Central to the game is the free spins, which trigger when three or more car symbols appear on Reels One, Three and Five at the same time. There you can snatch the grand prize of up to 1,506 times your total stake.
• Bloodsuckers 2 ? The sequel to one of the most popular slots of all time, Bloodsucker 2 will have you buzzing with suspense with its eerie music and bone-chilling visuals. Besides, the game has a couple of bonus features to keep you hooked. One of those is the scatter shot, which activates when two scatters land on the reels and can lead to great wins. Should a scatter symbol appear on the reels during the scatter shot round, you?ll set off the bonus shot feature and 10 Blood Rose free spins.

NetEnt mobile slots

NetEnt has put in work to create a fantastic assortment of mobile games. In 2011, the Swedish provider introduced the cutting-edge product known as NetEnt Touch. This application, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, basically allows players to play their favorite NetEnt slots regardless of their location.

Gonzo?s Quest Touch was the icebreaker, the first mobile slot game NetEnt ever created. The provider developed an entire suite of games to work seamlessly on mobile devices. The Touch series currently comprises more than 70 titles, with new NetEnt slot releases added to the mix every year. In 2017, the company went through a rebuilding phase, converting most of its titles into HTML5 to ensure the best possible gameplay for mobile users.

NetEnt?s Touch slots are identical to those of their desktop counterparts, featuring the same betting options, gameplay and high-quality visuals. The only real difference is seen in navigation. Menus, settings and the play screen are adjusted to fit smaller mobile screens so you can easily control the games with touches?hence the name.

NetEnt?s path to prominence

NetEnt was founded in 1996 by Pontus Lindwall, a former employee of Cherry Casino, a once-upon-a-time gambling juggernaut. Cherry Casino reigned supreme in the Scandinavian brick-and-mortar casino realm but had to change its entire business model due to a ban on slot machines in Sweden.

In 1984, Cherry acquired several Swedish gaming companies, expanding its foothold on the market. During the 1986-1991 period, the company distributed slot machines to Eastern European countries, but in 1992, the board decided to close operations there. At that time, Lindwall realized the potential of the iGaming industry, which was still in its infancy.

Through its connections with Cherry, Lindwall secured outside funding to launch NetEnt in 1996. For the first couple of years, the brand focused primarily on producing RNG-based blackjack and roulette variations. The turning point was 2002 when the enterprise?s maiden online casino went live.

A couple of years later in 2006, NetEnt opened a second office in Malta and obtained a license from the esteemed Malta Gaming Authority. Soon after, the company enhanced its footprint, opening offices in Gibraltar, Gothenburg, Krakow, Kyiv and New Jersey.

In the following years, NetEnt continued to reap successes, signing partnership deals with heavy hitters like Paddy Power and BoyleSports. Meanwhile, it obtained a Category 2 license in Alderney and signed a framework agreement with GTECH.

In 2013, NetEnt extended its offerings by entering the live dealer casino niche. With studios located across Europe, NetEnt brings authentic casino experience to players via HD streams and an advanced games engine.

The year 2014 was also a major one for NetEnt. After teaming up with the platform game supplier GameAccount Network, the brand switched entirely to HTML5. Things kept getting better in 2015 for the Swedish giant as it crossed the pond and launched several major operations in New Jersey. The same year, NetEnt gained approval from the UK Gambling Commission and secured market entry in Spain.

In 2020, NetEnt was acquired by live dealer specialist Evolution Gaming for approximately $2.1 billion. NetEnt will continue to operate under the Evolution banner and produce premium gaming content for the world?s most successful online casinos.

NetEnt slots standout features

Known as a trendsetter, NetEnt has introduced several indelible features to the iGaming industry, especially in the slots segment. Here are but a few of its creative milestones:

• Destroy feature ? Introduced in the Wild Worlds slot, this feature removes all same-colored symbols but one. The function is activated at random but only in the case of a no-win spin. The scatters will remain on the reels, giving players a chance to trigger free spins.
• Hero wilds feature ? Whenever there is a win on a premium symbol, all high-paying symbols of the same type turn into wilds. This feature was also first made known in Wild Worlds.
• Infinite betways ? The infinite betways concept debuted on the Gods of Gold INFINIREELS slot in 2020. What?s unique about this innovative mechanic is that it offers unlimited ways to win. We’re not talking 10 pay lines or 1024 ways to win; this game comes with truly infinite ways you can form a winning combination from a given spin.

NetEnt progressive jackpot slots

NetEnt shines brightly in the jackpot department, too. In fact, one of their progressives from the Mega Moolah franchise has been repeatedly inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records.

There are currently over 100 gambling sites attached to NetEnt?s network of progressive slots. Titles like Hall of Gods, Arabian Nights and Mega Fortune boast jackpots accumulating to astronomical sums. Additionally, there is a wide range of slots with local jackpots available in NetEnt casinos. These jackpots are smaller
in size because they are linked to just one game at one particular casino. Popular options from this category include Super Lucky Frog, Mega Joker?and The Wonders video slots.

NetEnt ? corporate info

NetEnt went public in 2007, listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm stock exchange. Per the 2020 Evolution deal, the purchasing company bought 90 percent of NetEnt?s corporate shareholding. The offer included both the unlisted Series A and B that are open for trading on the Nasdaq Stockholm.

Following the acquisition, NetEnt applied for delisting its B-shares in the stock market, with the last day for trading on Dec. 16, 2020.

As we?ve mentioned, NetEnt will continue to produce iGaming products under Evolution?s umbrella. In February 2021, Evolution reported a 68 percent year-over-year revenue rise, partially due to increased commission from clients. That said, its NetEnt buyout also helped.