Microgaming: Slots, Mega Moolah and the Games Global Transition 2026

Microgaming was founded in 1994 on the Isle of Man and built the world's first online casino software. That founding fact underpins everything on this page: before NetEnt, before Playtech, before Pragmatic Play, Microgaming was producing online casino games in a year when most of the internet did not yet have a commercial application. The full provider landscape that exists today grew out of the infrastructure this company built and the standards it helped establish. 

Over its active development lifetime, Microgaming produced more than 3,000 games and operated a network of over 800 licensed operator partners. The catalog includes Mega Moolah (2006), Immortal Romance (2011), Thunderstruck II (2010), Book of Oz, and the Avalon series, a library that remains the most widely recognized in online casino history. In 2003, the company co-founded eCOGRA, the independent testing and certification body that now audits hundreds of casinos globally. Microgaming did not simply comply with industry standards; it helped write them. 

The corporate picture changed in 2022, and again in 2024. In May 2022, Microgaming completed the sale of its entire games portfolio and Quickfire distribution business to Games Global Limited. In 2024, the original Microgaming company rebranded to Apricot Investments, formally separating from the games brand and pivoting to platform software and technology services. The game brand named "Microgaming" continues under Games Global. Section 2 covers that transition in full.

In November 2021, Microgaming agreed to sell its Quickfire distribution platform and entire games portfolio to Games Global Limited, a newly formed private capital-backed company. The transaction completed in May 2022. Games Global took on ownership of more than 3,000 games, the progressive jackpot network covering Mega Moolah and WowPot, and the relationships with 800+ licensed operator clients.

Games Global is a games aggregator and publisher. It is not a development studio in the traditional sense. The company distributes games from more than 25 independent studios under the Microgaming banner alongside its own content. This means the Microgaming game catalog continues to grow, but the titles are now developed by a network of studios rather than a single in-house team. From a player perspective, the branded experience is unchanged: the same provider name appears in casino lobbies, the same jackpot network operates, and the same titles remain in distribution.

For players, the practical impact is minimal. The only issue worth noting is the provider filter in casino lobbies: some platforms have updated to "Games Global" while others still list titles under "Microgaming." If a player cannot find a specific title, searching both names in the provider filter will return the correct result. The broader context of how company transitions affect game availability is covered in more detail for NetEnt, which underwent a similar acquisition by Evolution in 2020.

The progressive jackpot network is the single most important reason Microgaming games remain widely played more than three decades after the company's founding. Players who want to understand how progressive jackpot networks work across providers will find the figures specific to the Microgaming and Games Global network covered in detail below.

Mega Moolah launched in 2006 as an African safari-themed slot with a four-tier jackpot wheel: Mega, Major, Minor, and Mini. The Mega jackpot triggers randomly via a wheel bonus activated at the end of any spin, regardless of bet size. Since launch, it has produced more millionaires than any other online slot in history. 

Three wins in particular established the record-setting reputation:

WowPot is a second progressive jackpot network developed by Alchemy Gaming for Games Global, launched in 2020 alongside the Mega Moolah network. It operates at a higher seed level: the minimum Mega jackpot value is set at €2 million before any wins occur. Key titles include Wheel of Wishes, Book of Atem WowPot, and Wolf Blaze WowPot Megaways. 

In December 2023, WowPot paid out €38.4 million on Wheel of Wishes. This is the largest single online slot jackpot ever paid in the history of the industry, surpassing all previous Mega Moolah records. The win confirmed WowPot's position as the highest-ceiling progressive network currently operating.

The combined network paid out more than €140 million across all progressive tiers in 2023. A jackpot win across all tiers (including Mini and Minor prizes) registers on average every 10 seconds globally. The scale reflects how many players are simultaneously active across the thousands of casinos connected to the Games Global distribution platform.

Games Global distributes over 3,000 titles under the Microgaming brand. This section covers the titles players search for most, across the full range of slot formats and volatility bands. RTP figures reflect standard published versions; operators may run lower configurations at their discretion -- always verify in the in-game information panel.

The table below covers the eight landmark titles that define the Microgaming catalog, selected by player search volume, historical significance, and ongoing availability.

Microgaming and Games Global hold a Big Time Gaming license to use the Megaways mechanic, which changes the number of symbols displayed per reel on every spin to produce up to 117,649 ways to win. A full explanation of how Megaways works across all providers covers the mechanic in detail. Within the Microgaming catalog, Break da Bank Again Megaways is the flagship Megaways title; several WowPot progressive slots also use the Megaways format, including Wolf Blaze WowPot Megaways.

Microgaming built one of the largest portfolios of officially licensed branded slots in the industry, covering film, television, and entertainment properties. Active licensed titles include Jurassic World, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs. Some titles from the branded catalog are no longer available due to license expiry: Game of Thrones is the most frequently searched example and should be treated as unavailable unless confirmed otherwise at a specific casino. Players searching for a branded title should check availability at their chosen casino before expecting to find it.

The Microgaming and Games Global catalog extends well beyond slots, covering table games, video poker, and scratch cards. The table games library covers all major formats with multiple variants, and the video poker range is among the strongest available from any provider.

Table game variants include American, European, and French Roulette, along with Multi-Wheel Roulette for players who prefer to bet on multiple wheels simultaneously. Blackjack options span Classic, Atlantic City, Vegas Single Deck, and Multi-Hand formats. Baccarat and Craps complete the core table range. 

Video poker is a particular strength of the catalog. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and All Aces are among the best-returning video poker variants in online gaming, with some configurations running at RTP above 99% for players using optimal strategy. Players who take video poker seriously will find more options in the Microgaming catalog than with most comparable providers.

Games Global operates a live casino product through studio partnerships. For players specifically looking for live blackjack, live roulette, and live baccarat, the full range of live dealer casino options across all providers covers current availability and what to expect from each format. Microgaming's live product is smaller in scope than standalone live specialists; players with a primary interest in live casino may find more choice through a dedicated live provider.

Microgaming historically held one of the most comprehensive licensing portfolios in the industry. Post-acquisition, those regulatory approvals are now the responsibility of Games Global. Players who want to understand what casino licenses require of operators and how they protect players can find a detailed breakdown at casino.com/responsible-gambling.

The licenses historically associated with Microgaming, now held by Games Global, include the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), which was Microgaming's home jurisdiction as the original Isle of Man company. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) provides the primary European regulated market coverage. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) covers the UK market. Several Canadian provincial regulators cover the Canadian regulated market, including Ontario. Games Global operates under the same major regulatory frameworks that Microgaming held. Players should confirm local availability in their specific jurisdiction, as post-acquisition licensing transitions can affect regional coverage.

In 2003, Microgaming co-founded eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), the independent body that now audits RNGs and certifies fair play standards at hundreds of online casinos globally. The significance of this is often underreported: Microgaming did not simply submit its games to an external auditor. It helped create the auditing institution that the entire online casino industry now relies on. eCOGRA operates independently of Microgaming and Games Global; its certifications are not automatically extended to Games Global titles, and players should confirm eCOGRA certification status for specific games when it is a deciding factor. 

RNG certification across the Microgaming and Games Global catalog is provided by eCOGRA, BMM Testlabs, and other accredited independent laboratories. All titles are tested before distribution.

Games Global distributes Microgaming-branded titles at hundreds of licensed casinos globally. The steps below cover the most common issues players encounter when searching for specific titles.

• Search for both "Microgaming" and "Games Global" in the casino provider filter. The transition has not been applied uniformly: some platforms updated the provider label to Games Global in 2022 or 2023, while others still display Microgaming. Both labels lead to the same titles.
• For progressive jackpot titles (Mega Moolah, WowPot), demo mode is generally not available. The jackpot contribution mechanic requires real-money staking to function. A demo version of the base game may exist at some casinos, but it will not display a live jackpot value or contribute to the pool.
• All other non-jackpot titles should be available in demo mode at most licensed casinos. This includes Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II, Avalon II, and the full branded catalog.
• Check the in-game information panel for the current RTP before real-money play. Operators may run lower-RTP versions of the same title; the figure displayed in-game reflects the version running at that specific casino.
• For specific casino recommendations in your market, the regional guides at the bottom of this page cover vetted operators carrying Microgaming and Games Global titles.

The questions below address the most common searches about Microgaming, with a focus on the corporate transition and the progressive jackpot network.

Microgaming and Games Global titles are available at hundreds of licensed casinos worldwide. The regional guides below cover vetted operators in key markets with current licensing information and availability details. Note that provider filter labels may differ by casino: search for both "Microgaming" and "Games Global" if a specific title does not appear immediately. 

Select your region for market-specific recommendations:

• United Kingdom: Microgaming casinos in the UK
• Canada: Microgaming casinos in Canada
• New Zealand: Microgaming casinos in New Zealand
• Ireland: Microgaming casinos in Ireland
• South Africa: Microgaming casinos in South Africa