Best Barcrest Casinos For 2024

Barcrest was established in 1968 in Ashton-under-Lyne, a market town in Greater Manchester. Initially, it was focused on building land-based machines for brick-and-mortar casinos and gaming halls, becoming a leader in the amusement industry in Europe through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

Barcrest may not be actively making new games, but its wealth of titles over the years means it is still relevant in online casinos.

It is famous for being the first software developer to introduce five-reel slots to the gaming world. It has a long-held reputation for developing exciting classic and video slots.

As a leading iGaming provider, Barcrest is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gambling Authority and takes RNG (random number generation) certification seriously, having all its games tested and approved for fairness and to ensure they are entirely random.

Our team of experts has compiled a list of the best Barcrest casinos for you, all with a vast portfolio of its games and the best casino bonuses. Plenty of online casinos offer Barcrest titles, so we want you to pick the right one.

So which are the top-rated online slots from Barcrest that slot players can sink their teeth into via an online casino? That is the million-dollar question, given that the tastes and preferences of gamers tend to differ from individual to individual. The Barcrest library of slot games happens to be one of the most diverse around: you can be stepping into the shoes of Robin Hood in Merry Money one minute before tackling the ghoulish goings on in Ooh Aah Dracula. That said, here’s a quick rundown of the biggest and best slot games currently available from Barcrest:

Barcrest reportedly sold more than 35,000 land-based slot machines in 1997, and a year later, heavyweight software brand International Game Technology acquired it for over $50 million. Over the following decade, it turned its attention to the burgeoning online casino market and launched the first of its Rainbow Riches series to widespread success.

In 2011, Barcrest was sold to Scientific Games (rebranded to Light & Wonder in 2022) for £35m, a world-renowned developer known for its innovative slot machine features such as the Big Bet system and community-style slot play.

Rainbow Riches slot has remained one of its most popular slot games online, while in 2015, Barcrest created its first branded slot game - Monopoly Big Event, released under the Hasbro license.

It must be said that since being acquired by Light & Wonder, Barcrest has more or less ceased to exist as a company, with all its operations and previous game iterations being assimilated into the Light & Wonder range. But you can still play them online at the best Barcrest Casino we recommend on this page.

Barcrest's long association with gaming began in 1968 when the brand started life as a producer of the classic analog fruit machines that would become a staple of 'leisure gaming' worldwide. Operating out of Greater Manchester, Barcrest at that time was the UK's premier supplier of fruit machines to pubs, clubs, and bingo halls. It was one of the first suppliers to blur the line between analog and digital technologies with its MPU machines, which became hugely popular across Europe.

These featured motherboard cards introduced skill elements to the game of chance; this set the tone for the wheel-style bonus rounds and Pick' Em features that dominate the industry. Slowly but in line with an ever-changing landscape, Barcrest adapted to a fully digital world in the next few decades and was at the forefront of the online slots revolution in the early 2000s after IGT purchased the brand. Soon after, Barcrest became one of the most sought-after software houses in the business.

Its flagship title, the Rainbow Riches slot, would create the blueprint for slot gaming success that many of its competitors would go on to borrow. In 2011 Barcrest was acquired by Scientific Games (now known as Light & Wonder), an innovative producer that enabled the Barcrest template to be brought into a brave new era. Even though it could not compete with many of its rivals in terms of visual appeal, it has managed to carve out a niche as an innovator of multi-layered slot bonuses and features. Today, it remains at the forefront of slot gaming worldwide – a status that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon.

The key to the Barcrest offering is that it offers slots of all shapes and sizes to cater to a diverse audience. All the standard slot types are available, including retro fruit machine-style classic slots, contemporary video slots, and a selection of 3D slots. It may lack the attention-grabbing licenses that would enable it to produce movie and superhero-related titles. Still, the Barcrest team is confident in creating original content from scratch that captures the imagination. You won't find many Barcrest slot games linked to progressive jackpot slot networks, but when the games payout at such a great rate, that's not the end of the world.

Like any good software developer, Barcrest has an exciting release schedule for 2023 and beyond. So we will keep you informed about the new casino slots that Barcrest has announced for the upcoming period. 

None of Barcrest’s games are linked to a progressive jackpot network, so players looking to win significant amounts may be disappointed.

However, it does boast some slots with its ‘Big Bet’ feature. Lucky 5 Reeler uniquely has five reels in play simultaneously, and Ooh Aah Dracula has a high-roller mode that caters to elite gamblers.

Also, the high RTPs of its slot games mean players can get decent payouts there, but if you are desperate for progressive jackpots, you can try titles from NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech.

Microgaming is a renowned developer of progressive jackpots, offering one of the longest-running networks that have delivered incredible prizes and made several players multimillionaires.

Playtech has the popular Age of the Gods series and is considered a rival to Microgaming for its highly-rewarding progressive jackpot network, with Mega Fortune well worth a go.

Barcrest has a long history of building great online casino games, initially Flash titles that could only be played when downloaded on desktop devices.

However, it has relaunched many titles to ensure a fantastic experience across all platforms, especially when it comes to casino on mobile devices. Its games fully utilize smaller high-resolution displays, touchscreen technology, and high-speed streaming internet.

Our experts are looking to see casinos with Barcrest games deliver high-quality gameplay regardless of whether that’s through an app or browser. Android and iOS players must all be treated to the same experience.

These days, players can pay by phone when gaming online on their mobiles, which utilizes your phone as a payment method instead of other deposit options like a debit card or e-wallet. This is a quick and easy way to fund your account, with the cost coming off your monthly phone bill or pay-as-you-go credit.
 

Online casinos that support Barcrest slots and other games often offer players various bonuses and free spins that can be used on their titles. 

Our experts seek out the latest and best Barcrest rewards and outline them on this page so you can take advantage. Whenever you sign up for a Barcrest casino, you should ensure that they offer regular bonuses, such as the following:

Welcome Bonus

New players should always receive a generous welcome bonus or package for signing up at an online casino. Every casino we recommend will offer a healthy welcome bonus, and we’ll examine the wagering requirements and any terms and conditions. Hence, you know what is needed to withdraw any winnings. Welcome bonuses usually come as a combination of a deposit match bonus and free spins.

No Deposit Bonus

These are particularly rare but do exist and are often provided for the best Barcrest casinos. Players love no deposit bonuses because they see you receive a prize without depositing any funds at the site. Our experts look for Barcrest casinos with no deposit bonus and will inform you when we find suitable offers.

Deposit Bonus

Far more likely than no deposit bonuses, a deposit bonus is where an online casino offers a prize that requires you to fund your account to receive. That could be a 100% deposit match bonus up to $100, so if you put $100 into your account, you’ll get $100 bonus funds from the casino totaling $200. This is usually part of a welcome bonus.

Free Spins

Another common part of a welcome bonus, free spins, can be referred to as a bonus or extra spins. Always check the wagering requirements, so you don’t risk being hit by a nasty surprise once you’ve signed up.

Reload Bonus

These are available to players who have already made at least one deposit at an online casino in return for their loyalty.

Cashback

Players can get their stake - or a percentage - returned as cash if the wager loses.

If you want to see what an existing or new casino offers in the way of bonuses, head to the promotions page on their site. This is usually easy to find, and if it isn’t or a casino doesn’t offer one, we would suggest they are not worth signing up for.

Many of the best Barcrest casinos will also run loyalty programs or VIP clubs to reward players who continue to play at their site. This can come in the form of points earned for play with tiers to move up, offering various perks such as exclusive bonuses, dedicated account managers, special events, faster payouts, and more.
 

Our team of dedicated professional casino players reasonably rates and reviews each software provider - putting a lot of work and research into their reviews - to help our readers choose the best one for their needs.

The process is extensive, considering all aspects of an online casino, such as game selection from Barcrest Gaming, bonuses/free spins of Barcrest slots, and all its safety, customer support, payment selections, and overall usability features. We are constantly updated with information to provide players with the best Barcrest online casinos.

• Licensing: Every casino we recommend will be fully licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling operator, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
• Bonuses: New players are offered welcome bonuses for signing up to a casino for the first time, so we make sure that all the sites we include an offer, not just a healthy welcome offer but regular promotions for existing players. We will also run the rule over terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements.
• Game Variety: Our recommended Barcrest casinos will naturally include a wide selection of Barcrest titles, as well as games from other leading developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Play’n Go, and more.
• Security: Because players share sensitive personal and financial information with an online casino, we insist our recommended sites use technologies such as advanced encryption and data protection policies to ensure your information remains as secure as possible.
• Payment: Online casinos must make payment as easy as possible for players, starting by accepting several payment methods. We want to see various debit cards, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies permitted.
• Customer Support: The best sites will offer 24/7 customer support via a responsible live chat feature, phone numbers for players to call, email addresses, and even social media contact.
• Overall Usability: Fully-optimised mobile casinos are now a staple for players, with some sites even offering dedicated mobile apps. Traditional desktop casinos must be easy to navigate and well designed too.

While this page is dedicated to the best Barcrest casinos, here at Casinos.com, we understand that players want to try games from other leading software providers as well. Barcrest Gaming has a great back catalog of fun, but many other major online casino software companies exist, such as the ones we’ve listed below.

NetEnt

Emerging in the late 1990s to become one of the biggest online slot developers in the game, NetEnt titles are known for their visual flair and technical innovation. In 2020, it was bought by casino market leader Evolution Gaming.

Microgaming

Another considerable game provider, Microgaming, is based in the Isle of Man and has been creating top-drawer online casino games since 1994. Their library has over 600 online slots and over 200 table, card, and live dealer games. Microgaming also collaborates with smaller game studios to make new and innovative titles.

Playtech

Claiming to be the world’s largest supplier of online gaming and sports betting software, Playtech also builds the underlying software for casino platforms and operates a sizeable progressive network.

IGT

Owners of Barcrest from 1997 to 2011, IGT evolved from vital land-based casino software operations to succeed in the online gambling world. Its games borrow heavily from traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.

Play’n GO

Play’n GO is a Swedish developer known for its exciting slots, consistent game quality, and top-notch design.
 

Completely. The reason? That’s quite simple: to secure a license from gaming authorities, Barcrest games have to pass a number of tests that confirm they are secure, fair, and meet all necessary regulations covering the safety of players’ well-being. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t get a license; it’s as simple as that. Another government body, eCOGRA, ensures that players are protected by checking for fair gaming and responsible operator conduct. The implementation of a random number generator (RNG) provides that every spin of the reels you take offers a reasonable opportunity for a win that is free of bias.