The top games for Irish players.

Quality does not necessarily equate to popularity. However, when a slot or another game manages to make it onto a casino's list of most played slots, then that game is doing something right. With so many options available, there must be a special reason why so many players choose to play this particular slot and not others. This also applies to casinos themselves: the providers that attract the most players typically offer higher quality compared to many of the smaller ones.

Irish players are currently in a rather peculiar situation. The absolute favorites, that is, the slots by Merkur and Novoline, are not allowed to be played online at the moment. Legal online casinos will definitely not offer these popular games to their customers. If you come across a provider that still offers them, you should steer clear. Offering illegal games, just like the absence of a license to conduct online gambling, is an absolute disqualification criterion for online casinos.

Even though both brands cannot be played online, this does not diminish their popularity. That is why we include Novoline and Merkur here, even though we must consider their absence in the world of online casinos.

Game developer

As our readers may have noticed on the main page, three names top the list of the most popular game developers in Ireland. However, two out of the three cannot be played online. Nevertheless, we cannot overlook Merkur and Novoline. Although there is currently no online casino where one can play these games, the significance of these two developers in the Irish gambling market is tremendous. So let's now turn our attention to the key slot machine developers in a brief profile.

Novoline

Novoline is celebrated not only by players in Ireland but worldwide. Despite fierce American competition, such as IGT, Novoline remains the leading provider of casino slot machines. The reason for this is straightforward. No other manufacturer has created as many iconic slots with a cult following.

An undeniable example of this is undoubtedly Book of Ra. We have already mentioned elsewhere that this masterpiece could be the most played slot machine of all time, even if we consider the bets placed in arcades and casinos. And when we also take into account the various versions and sequels, there is no slot machine that comes close to the success of Book of Ra. With each new slot revolving around Book of Ra or its associated gameplay mechanics, Novoline continues to ride the wave of success. The most well-known version is undoubtedly Book of Ra Deluxe, featuring improved graphics and additional paylines. Book of Ra 6, with an extra reel (and the added chance of free spins), also has a multitude of fans. But even the many other variations bring new game elements and mechanics in their own way. If you happen to be one of the few casino players who have never played Book of Ra, then go ahead and do it. This slot sets the standards!

However, Novoline offers more than just Book of Ra. For players who prefer classic slot machines, they will find hundreds of fantastic traditional and modern slots alike. Sizzling Hot is undeniably one of the top fruit-themed slots in the world. And the list of remarkable games goes on: Dolphin's Pearl, Lucky Lady's Charm, and Lord of the Ocean deserve special mention here. These games have profoundly transformed gambling and gaming habits, setting new standards of quality. In the realm of brick-and-mortar casinos and online gaming platforms, these games are an absolute must-try.

Mercury

While Merkur may not quite rival Novoline on an international scale, it enjoys just as much popularity in Ireland. Similar to its major competitor, Merkur primarily focuses on its slot machines for arcades and casinos. However, their online slots are also a great source of entertainment. The range of games spans from blockbuster titles to hidden gems that are worth discovering.

Eye of Horus holds the same significance for Merkur as Book of Ra does for Novoline. While there are numerous other slots worth playing, Eye of Horus captivated the hearts of Irish players with its charm. If the name Merkur doesn't ring a bell, it's worth spending a few rounds with Eye of Horus. This slot epitomizes the unparalleled quality and class that defines Merkur.

Comparing Novoline and Merkur will reveal numerous similarities. The style, subject matter, gameplay mechanics, and quality standards are all remarkably alike. Additionally, both offer an extensive selection of diverse slots and fruit machines. With over 100 games available in the casinos that feature these titles, Irish players are in for a treat! The prospects are undoubtedly promising for all those who choose to indulge in these gaming experiences.

Play’n Go

Listing Play'n Go as the third particularly popular game developer here may come as a surprise to some. As renowned as the company is, when it comes to size and revenue, there is really no way around online slot manufacturers like Microgaming or NetEnt.

We believe that besides the raw statistics, there are other crucial factors to consider. In this case, we are talking about a truly special game - Book of Dead. We have been playing this slot ourselves for years and are genuine fans. The strong influence of Book of Ra on this machine, however, is hard to miss. Some might say that they simply copied the original. But that's not entirely true because Book of Dead offers superior graphics, better animations, and a higher payout rate. Moreover, since Irish players currently can't play Book of Ra online, Book of Dead is our top choice. No other game provides an experience that comes so close to that of the original Novoline slots.

For many Irish players, Book of Dead is like hitting the jackpot. However, Play'n Go's other games are worth a try too. With over 100 amazing games available in Ireland's top online casinos, there's plenty of choice. While Book of Dead may be the perfect start to an entertaining casino adventure, our personal favorites like Hugo or Grim Muerto also beckon players to join in the fun. Those looking to spice up their casino visit will be spoiled for choice.

Other Irish favorites

The precise requirements of Irish players for their slot games are reflected in the similarities in form and style found in many games by Merkur and Novoline. Surprisingly, it doesn't necessarily have to be a Irish or Austrian game developer. What truly matters are the game mechanics and style. With numerous legal online casinos holding licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority, there is a plethora of choices available. The renowned international names such as Microgaming and NetEnt can be found almost everywhere. The majority of casinos we recommend on our website feature games from both developers. The selection is so extensive that even players who have always gravitated towards Book of Ra will likely discover a few new rewarding slots.

games

To avoid unpleasant surprises, we constantly emphasize the importance of choosing the right online casino. Especially if you plan on more than just a single visit, selecting the right provider is crucial. Players from Ireland, however, have the advantage of covering everything with just one casino account. The top Irish casinos bring together a wide range of smaller niche providers in their game offerings, each offering a unique and exceptional gaming experience. Our recommendations like Wunderino and Lapalingo are at the forefront. Here, you can practically find a game for every occasion. We want to highlight some of these amazing games because they offer too many incentives to be ignored.

Alternative options to Novoline and Merkur

We are definitely not supporters of the decision to block Merkur and Novoline slot machines for Irish players from online gaming. However, this does give us the opportunity to explore suitable alternatives. The resulting void will be filled not only by Book of Dead but also by other great games. While Merkur and Novoline could theoretically be available again soon, we still want to play and have fun until then.

Lapalingo has established itself as one of the top choices for Irish players for a good reason. Instead of simply removing the games from Merkur and Novoline, they actively sought out replacements. And this approach definitely paid off. Games like Magic Book and Ramses Book are now among the most played on the website. There's no doubt that Irish players adore slots of a certain kind. Not only do the games from Bally Wulff and Gamomat bear a resemblance to Merkur and Novoline, but they also play similarly. The success of Play'n Go with Book of Dead undoubtedly served as an inspiration. Nowadays, these once lesser-known games have suddenly become extremely popular, filling the void left by the withdrawal of Novoline and Merkur.

Classic Slots

While it would be an exaggeration to equate the importance of companies such as Novoline, it can be observed that Irish players still harbor a great passion for fruit machines, commonly referred to as Fruit machines. There is no shortage of these in the leading online casinos in Ireland. However, the influence of these two major names is unmistakable. Games like Hot Star and Bells on Fire already hint at their origins through their names. Yet, the selection of fruit slots has more to offer than hundreds of classic one-armed bandits without any bonus or free spin features. Modern fruit slots are up to date with the times. For those seeking a bit of action, we recommend Jackpot Jester 50,000 and Super Nudge 6,000. Let it be revealed in advance: These slots possess tremendous potential!

Jackpot Slots

Although not exclusive to Ireland, progressive jackpots have an immense appeal to players. As much fun as we have in online casinos, spinning the reels on slot machines or placing bets on table games, ultimately, we play to win. And with a progressive jackpot slot, you can indeed hit it big.

Progressive jackpot games form a category where the game developer is just as crucial as the game itself. Take, for instance, Book of Ra, which would still be an absolute classic even if Novoline had never released another cult-status slot. However, when it comes to jackpot slots, the game's manufacturer is immensely important. A portion of the player's wager is always directly transferred from the casino to the game developer. The prize money is collected centrally by the developer. So, if a player plays Mega Fortune at Lapalingo and another player plays the same slot at Wunderino, they are still competing for the same jackpot!

This implies that major game developers, who are present in most online casinos in Ireland, boast larger jackpots. And when it comes to size, there is no way around mentioning Microgaming and NetEnt. The world's two biggest jackpot slots are Mega Fortune by NetEnt and Mega Moolah by Microgaming. There isn't a machine that theoretically offers more winnings than these two. For those seeking more variety, both game developers have additional titles to offer. Arabian Nights and Hall of Gods also have the potential to make someone a "millionaire." Since almost all Irish online casinos offer jackpot slots by NetEnt and Microgaming, the only question left is which one to play.