Proprietary Software Review
It is pretty common in the world of online gaming operators to establish a partnership with a pre-existing software company like Playtech, Cryptologic or Migrogaming that specialise in developing online games and casinos.
Sometimes, however, some companies choose to go it alone and develop, use and maintain their own software. This is known in the industry as 'proprietary software' and it has a number of advantages and disadvantages for the player.
The main disadvantages that come from playing at an online casino or operator that chooses to use proprietary software are a potential lack of reliability, security, transparency and fair play.
The major players in the online gaming software world such as the three aforementioned companies are all publicly traded and well-established, reputable companies.
Companies such as Sweden's Boss Media has its random number generator audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers - one of the world's 'Big 4' financial institutions - and all of its games are tested by Technical Systems Testing, an independent, world renowned testing and consultancy company that ensures games are fair and secure.
The big hitters also have substantial client bases that they can ill afford to lose to their rivals should any hint of foul play be uncovered and also have numerous investors to answer to.
The smaller companies using proprietary software aren't subjected to the same strict regulations and have been known to be problematic in the past.
Absolute Poker is an online poker operator that uses proprietary software and in the past admitting that cheating had taken place when one of its employees or executives had misused the software.
Reassuringly, however, is the fact that, while this is possible, it is unlikely to happen as the operators have much more to lose than the patrons.
Another disadvantage for gamers choosing operators who use proprietary software struggle is a low volume of players. Casinos driven by the big software suppliers are likely to have vast numbers of players logged in at any one time, whereas those with proprietary software might struggle to offer constant action in communal games like online poker where multi-player participation is vital.
But it's not all doom and gloom. There are positives to using proprietary software driven operations.
One of the biggest advantages is that players can often experience games they wouldn't find anywhere else.
The big online gaming companies might supply hundreds of sites with the same games, which may become tedious whereas operators using proprietary software can offer gamers something new with a definite individual feel and atmosphere to them.
Despite there being some slight concern about the security of online gaming sites that use proprietary software, the risks are very small. Many of those that use the software are large, reputable online casinos that use the latest technology innovations and security encryptions, and have high player volumes.
888 Casino is one such online casino that uses proprietary software and is one of the biggest casino on the internet to date.
