Microgaming Marks 30 Years: From Online Casino Pioneer to Obscurity
Today marks the 30th anniversary of Microgaming, the once-renowned iGaming giant that changed the landscape of online gambling when it launched the world's first genuine online casino software in 1994. However, over the past three decades, the company's position has shifted dramatically from being a top-tier leader to relative obscurity.
Despite foundational successes like Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck, Microgaming's presence in the gaming world has waned. Few now recognise its recent releases, and its visibility has diminished significantly. A major turning point came in 2018 when the company rebranded as Apricot Investments, moving away from game development to focus on broader technology services. In 2022, Apricot sold Microgaming's intellectual property to Games Global Limited, further distancing itself from the game provider legacy it once championed.
While Microgaming—under its original name—still makes appearances through classic titles, its innovation and influence in new game development have all but faded. What was once a pioneering force has struggled to maintain its former glory, leaving many to wonder where the next chapter will take this historic name.
Mark Patterson is the news writer at CasinosInCanada who covers the latest developments in the iGaming industry, including casino launches, regulations, and market updates.
I’m hoping Games Global can breathe new life into the old Microgaming titles. There’s still a lot of love for their classics; they just need a modern twist.
They had a 30-year legacy that few could rival, but they didn’t adapt enough to stay competitive. It’s a classic story of resting on past successes.
It's strange how a company that was once so innovative in its time now seems forgotten. Selling their IP to Games Global was probably the final nail in the coffin.
Microgaming was a pioneer, no doubt, but their shift to platform services over actual game development has made them irrelevant to most players.
Rebranding as Apricot Investments seemed like the beginning of the end for Microgaming as a game provider. They’ve really lost touch with their roots.