Light and Wonder Software Review and What It Has To Offer
Light and Wonder is the name most of the slot games will be under, although the company does own a number of other big developers that now come under its umbrella – these include NYX Gaming, Barcrest, Bally Technologies, WMS Industries, and more recently came the acquisition of Elk, Lightning Box and Authentic Gaming.
Best Light and Wonder Casino Sites
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SG Digital is now the home of the firms lottery games. This huge game software family develops slot games under the Light and Wonder banner while also distributing the games of a number of other leading studios via its Open Gaming System (OGS). These partnerships mean there are more 2,000 games available on the Light and Wonder platform, including slots by over 15 different studios.
Known for developing new, cutting edge gameplay features and exciting mechanics in its slots, Light and Wonder is also a leading provider of sports betting and lottery software, and operates in most regulated electronic gaming jurisdictions worldwide.
This demonstrates not only the company’s reach, but also that you can count on the safety and security of Light and Wonder slot games, and it is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
Light and Wonder slots and casino games can be played in some of the best-known online casinos around the globe, including at our recommended UK slot sites.
Who is Light and Wonder?
With its headquarters in Las Vegas and offices in London, Stockholm and Sydney, Light and Wonder is a genuine global player in the industry and one of the most influential names in eGaming.
The way the firm operates is different to many other game studios, in that it is both a slot game developer in its own right while also providing a platform through which smaller, independent producers are able to get their games into the biggest online casinos.
The studios whose games you can find on the Light and Wonder Open Gaming System include: WMS, NextGen Gaming, Bally, Barcrest, Red 7, BTG, ELK Studios, Evolution Gaming, 4ThePlayer, Instant Win Gaming, Lightning Box, Thunderkick, 1×2 Gaming, IronDog and Realistic Games. This means there is a huge range of variety in the games under the Light and Wonder banner, and with more than 2,000 slots on offer, you will always find a game to suit your playing tastes and style.
Light and Wonder is well-known for introducing many new and innovative mechanics designed to enhance the gaming experience. One of the best new features it has introduced in recent years is the Mega Drop multi-level jackpot system, which can be found in games like China River, Jewel of the Dragon, Dr Reactive and Tetris Extreme. Mega Drop gives all players a chance to win one of 3 progressive jackpots, regardless of the stake level you’re playing at, and these jackpots are hit much more frequently than the big wins in most other progressive networks.
Light and wonder Gaming Sites
Light and Wonder has become one of the biggest names in online gaming both through its own games and the slots of other studios that it distributes via its Open Gaming System. This means that you can find slots by the developer and its subsidiaries at virtually all of the best known online casinos, including all of our recommended UK slot sites.
Speaking to Light and Wonder about the Rainbow Riches Phenomenon
15 Years and going strong
The Rainbow Riches series is almost fifteen years old and stretches across multiple games that appear in land-based casinos, betting shops, pubs, bars, and of course online, why has this series been so successful?
Brand recognition is of huge importance in our industry and Rainbow Riches is a brand that even most non gamblers would know of. Love him or hate him, the Leprechaun is iconic within our industry. So, if you’re a first time slot player and you’re about to play online, in the bingo hall or in your local betting shop you’ll pick the first game you recognise.
In your opinion, what has been the most popular Rainbow Riches game in the series, and what is it that makes that title so special?
While the original Rainbow Riches and Rainbow Riches Pick N Mix reign supreme, the most recent customer favourite was Rainbow Riches: Race Day. Released in time for Cheltenham 2021 the game was based on the much loved seaside Donkey Derby machines.
We added a race track above the reels with fixed prizes located on the finish line. The player moved each horse down the track by collecting the associated symbol from the reels. The added excitement of the race mechanic coupled with a 30,000x max win went down a storm with customers.
How popular is Rainbow Riches?
Can you give us a figure on how many times a day the original Rainbow Riches slot is spun on average?
On average you’ll see around 2 million spins per day on the orignial Rainbow Riches from around the world. In the UK it’s still our most popular game and shows no signs of slowing down.
How do you plan on breathing new life into the Rainbow Riches series, especially considering we’ve seen multiple variations of this game including Megaways and Slingo?
This is always the biggest challenge with Rainbow Riches, we want to move the series forward but not by so much that you turn off the exisiting customer base. My teams first attempt at a Rainbow Riches was a cluster pays game with a complete graphical overhaul of the brand. While it was a great game, it wasn’t a “Rainbow Riches” game and didn’t see anywhere near the numbers we expected.
We have a whole host of mechanics which are loved by UK audiences that have yet to be used in a Rainbow Riches title but still allow us to remain faithful to what makes a Rainbow Riches game great.
What’s next for Rainbow Riches?
We’ve seen Rainbow Riches stretch into other verticals such as bingo, now Light & Wonder has accquired Authentic Gaming, could we ever see a Rainbow Riches themed live casino game?
Never say never, I’m sure we could do something fun with the team over at Authentic
What does the future hold for Rainbow Riches? Can you can give us an insight into what we can expect from your future roadmap in terms of this legendary series?
Rainbow Riches: Crops of Cash will be our final Rainbow Riches game for 2022. It’s a mix of a hold and win game with the classic Cash Crop bonus round.
2023 is going to be a monster year for Rainbow Riches with some huge plans but it’s all still under wraps. Watch this space.
Light and Wonder Slot Games
Although it acts as a platform provider for other studios, Light and Wonder also produces games under the names of a number of existing producers who it has acquired in recent years, including WMS, Lightning Box, Elk and Bally Technologies. There is plenty of variety in the gameplay and bonus features of the slots in its portfolio, including progressive jackpot slots, and it continues to add new games to its catalogue all the time
Reel Clash
A medium volatility 5 reel, 50 payline game with a 96.04% RTP, Reel Clash is a light hearted medieval themed slot with wild and scatter symbols, a free spins bonus round and a symbol upgrade feature. The game’s most unique feature is that the red and blue sets of reels (2 rows each) battle against each other for the reward of extra prizes and free spins. If you like complex and engaging gameplay combined with high production values, then Reel Clash is undoubtedly a game you will want to take on.
Spartacus
Set in ancient Rome and with exceptional production values, Spartacus is a 100 payline slot with a 96.76% RTP, and it includes the Super Colossal Reels feature, consisting of two sets of reels (5 x 4 and 5 x 12). The game is jam packed with special features, including wild transfers, re-spins, mega wilds and a free spins bonus round with multipliers. Spartacus is the ideal game for players who like next level gameplay, as this is one of the most engaging and action-packed slots we’ve seen.
Blazin Hot 7s Stack ‘em up
Another highly innovative game, Blazin Hot 7s Stack Em Up combines classic slot game features along with some new, highly imaginative gameplay. A 3 reel 5 payline high volatility slot where an additional three sets of reels can come into play, the game offers wild symbols, free spins, cascading symbols and a 96.06% RTP, as well as classic slot game symbols like fruit, Lucky 7 and Bar. This gives it great appeal for those who favour old school slots, as well as players who want more than just straightforward gaming action.
Rise of Mountain King Buy Pass
With the Buy Pass feature that enables you to buy access to the free spins bonus round. Rise of Mountain King is a medium volatility 5 reel, 3 row 30 payline slot offering a wide range of coin and bet sizes, along with a 96.84% RTP. There is a variety of innovative gameplay features, including re-spins with sticky wilds and free spins with multipliers, and the action is always fast paced and engaging. The production values are outstanding too, with high quality artwork and a haunting soundtrack throughout.
Pilars of Asgard
Offering up to 1,000,000 ways to win, Pilars of Asgard is a stunning looking game in a mythical setting. The game has 6 reels and 4 rows (4,096 ways to win), but the Reel Raise feature can increase the number of rows in play, giving you more ways to win. There is also a free spins bonus round, multipliers, expanding wilds and the Buy Pass feature, meaning this is a fast moving game where the reels and gameplay are changing all the time, and which offers a 96.1% RTP.
Light and Wonder slot games are some of the most imaginative and innovative around, and it is always seeking to introduce new mechanics into its games, along with additional gamification features. This means you always get exceptional gaming choice and variety, as well as a range of coin sizes and volatility levels, and these are always backed with production values of the highest quality.
The hots and nots of Light and Wonder
Pros:
- More choice and variety — Under the Light and Wonder banner, you can play slots by some of the most creative and innovative studios around, giving you exceptional choice in gameplay style and themes. Some the fastest growing producers whose games are released via the provider include NextGen Gaming, ELK Studios, Lightning Box, Thunderkick, Iron Dog and more.
- Play on any platform or device — As an eGaming specialist, Light and Wonder slots and casino games can be played on any sort of device at all of our leading UK slots sites, and with a focus on mobile technology, its slots always look and play at their best, no matter what size screen you are on.
- Take advantage of gamification features — Missions and other gamification features are a popular aspect of Light and Wonder slots, as they offer an immersive playing experience that gives you more opportunities to win. They also help to create a playing community and are a great way to pick up additional rewards for your commitment and loyalty.
Cons:
- Limited number of classic slots — If your preference is for old school, 3 reel slots then this is probably the one area where the Light and Wonder portfolio of games doesn’t match those of some of its rivals. There are some classic, Vegas-style slot games in the catalogue, but the range isn’t huge. We don’t see that as a major problem however with how fast the slots world is progressing.
Our final thoughts
Because of the way that it works, Light and Wonder might not yet be as familiar a name as the quality and range of its slots merits. Under its own name and those of its subsidiary brands, like Bally and WMS, it produces an excellent selection of games that can be found in the best online casinos in regulated gaming jurisdictions around the world. Over the years, Light and Wonder as Scientific Games righty earned a reputation as one of the most innovative developers around, and seeks to push the boundaries of slot gameplay wherever it can. It’s now a game company laser-focused on creating great games and leveraging technology to provide a seamless player experience across all platforms.
Light & Wonder is taking a total cross-platform approach to bring great game franchises to players everywhere, including games in land-based casinos, online and mobile sites and in both real money and free-to-play social gaming markets.
If you want to check out slots released under the Light and Wonder label, as well as games by the studios whose slots it distributes, you can try them for yourself at one of our featured UK slots sites.
Author
Mark Angus is a professional writer and editor currently based in Adelaide and London. Mark writes on a variety of sports betting and gaming topics, most notably football and cricket (he has been a season ticket holder at Fulham for far too many years), as well as horse racing, in particular jumps racing. In addition, Mark produces website content, blogs and articles for a variety of publications, organisations and businesses, and has extensive experience in writing for all forms of online, print and broadcast media.
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