Best Apricot (Microgaming) Casinos

Written by Alicia Want. Last updated:

Apricot’s journey started back in 1994 under the name Microgaming, establishing itself as the first developer and provider of online casino games and software. Over the years, the company has pioneered numerous innovations, from creating the first mobile casino games to setting up some of the largest jackpots globally. Apricot offers a wide range of games, including progressive jackpots.

✓ The company’s pokies’ average RTP is 96%
✓ The company releases games monthly
✓ The progressive jackpot network has paid out $1 billion
✓ Offers virtual reality gaming experiences

The Best Casinos

  • Certified Certified
  • Safe & secure Safe & secure
  • Expertly rated Expertly rated
  • Trusted Trusted
Playzilla
4.98

up to $1,500

+500 Free Spins

  • PayID performance test passed
  • Play over 3,000 games by 45+ providers
  • Accepts crypto in addition to AUD
  • Good range of bonuses
  • Huge selection of games in the sportsbook
Legiano
4.97

100% up to $750

+200 Free Spins

  • Live dealer games
  • Multiple languages available
  • Casino and sportsbook
  • Over 10,000 pokies

The Best Apricot (Microgaming) Casinos in July 2024

  • Certified Certified
  • Safe & secure Safe & secure
  • Expertly rated Expertly rated
  • Trusted Trusted
Playzilla
4.98

up to $1,500

+500 Free Spins

Legiano
4.97

100% up to $750

+200 Free Spins

Swiper
4.96

100% up to $750

+200 Free Spins

225% up to AU$1,667

+600 Free Spins & Secret Bonus

225% up to $4,000

+150 Free Spins

KingMaker
4.93

up to $2,000

25 Free Spins to Win $3 Million

up to AU$ 30,000

Trips
4.91

175% up to $835

+225 Free Spins

21Bit
4.9

up to $4,500

+150 Free Spins

About Microgaming

Apricot Investments, formerly Microgaming until its rebranding in June 2024, began its journey back in 1994 in the Isle of Man. Within three years, the company became a member of the Interactive Gaming Council, which controls and checks the integrity of online casinos and software providers. And in 1998, Microgaming launched the first-ever pokie with a progressive jackpot.

The company’s success was proven in 2009 when a lucky gambler won around $9.6 million on the Mega Moolah. Later, this pokie brought even bigger, completely mind-blowing winnings to the risk-takers: $29.3 million in 2015, $36 million in 2013, $35.4 million in 2018, and $35.6 million in 2021. Some of the winnings on the Microgaming pokies were even listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Twenty years ago, Microgaming was the first to offer mobile-compatible casino games. In 2016, the provider created virtual reality games focused on roulette using Oculus Rift technology. Overall, the company launched over 800 titles, making it very attractive for gamblers with different preferences from all over the world.

The company was recognised by international authorities and honoured with numerous awards. In 2011, Microgaming received the EGR award for innovation in video slot software, from 2013 to 2016, for poker software, and in 2017, for the best software for mobile devices.

Our technology is cutting edge, our experience second to none, and we absolutely have the best team in the business. This provides a strong foundation from which we can continue to drive forwards and achieve even greater things for Microgaming and our customers.

Stephen Fisk, CEO of Microgaming Stephen Fisk, CEO of Microgaming

PlayItForward

Microgaming's PlayItForward initiative harnesses the power of gaming for positive change. The initiative allocates a portion of its revenues to various charitable organisations and causes.

According to Microgaming's website, since 2014, when the program was launched, they spent over $49 million on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives and supported over 258 causes and 36 students at universities.

Quickfire

In February 2015, Microgaming introduced Quickfire iQ, an online casino service that provides casino managers with all the tools to lure their players.

In 2021, Games Global Ltd acquired Microgaming's Quickfire platform, including its content library of thousands of titles and associated distribution businesses. Meanwhile, Microgaming continued providing sportsbook software and platform systems for other gambling brands, while also servicing Betway's sports betting operations. 

Microgaming's Legacy

Microgaming is a leader in the world of online casino software and has a number of impressive achievements to its credit:

  • They have the biggest progressive jackpot network in the world and have paid out over $1 billion in total jackpots.
  • A Guinness World Record was set by Microgaming.
  • The company has over 800 casino games, including progressive jackpots, and branded slots.
  • In 2003, Microgaming helped found eCOGRA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting online casino players.
  • Virtual reality pioneer who showcased innovative online casino software through its VR roulette game released in 2016.
  • PlayItForward is a Microgaming's social responsibility program, which has donated millions to various charities.
  • Over 60% of Bitcoin-accepting casinos use their games.
  • Microgaming's poker software won the Best Table Game award at EGR B2B Awards.
  • Besides creating casino games, providers also develop software solutions for Sports Betting verticals.
  • The company also uses the Provable Fair system to ensure the transparency of game outcomes.
  • Microgaming games are compatible with both brick-and-mortar casinos and online platforms.

Despite being a world-class game supplier with numerous awards and licenses, Microgaming has never obtained an Australian gambling license. Therefore, you will not find any Microgaming games at Australian-based online casinos. You can find a more detailed explanation in our news article "Why is Microgaming banned in Australia?"

Microgaming Pokies You Should Try

As you may know, pokies are the most popular casino games in Australia: around 96% of young adults at the age of 18-24 have tried gambling on them. If you are among pokie fans, BetPokies invites you to visit our online pokies page, where you can find lots of high-quality pokie recommendations as well as useful information and tips about them.

Microgaming has created over 800 titles, about 600 of which are pokies. The provider presents different types of slots, including 3D, video, classic, and progressive pokies. However, unlike its opponents like NetEnt, Microgaming rarely offers pokies with an RTP rate higher than 97%. Moreover, the company's branded pokies might have even lower RTP levels than the market's average (96%) due to the fees paid for licensing rights. For example, Lara Croft has 95.75% RTP.

However, you should not get upset about that, as the company still provides decent payout percentages and fascinating features, increasing the chances of winning.

Jungle Jim El Dorado

Jungle Jim El Dorado Pokies from Games Global (Microgaming)

Jungle Jim El Dorado is an adventure-themed game in which the main character goes in search of the legendary city of El Dorado. The game offers 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 ways to win, as well as stunning graphics and smooth gameplay. The pokie has a unique Rolling Reels feature that substitutes for winning symbols to increase your chances of winning. The base game and free spins feature use a multiplier that greatly increases your winnings, making the game's maximum winnings 3,680 times your bet.

Feature Description
📅 Release Date September 2016
🔶 Payline 25
🔁 RTP 96.31%
🟡 Volatility Medium
💰 Max.Win 3,680x
💵 Min-Max.Bet 0.25-25
🎰 Reels 5
🔥 Features Cascading Reels, Multipliers, Wilds, Scatters, Free Spins

Boat of Fortune

Boat of Fortune Pokies from Games Global (Microgaming)

The Boat of Fortune game has an Asian theme with symbols such as Asian coins, fish, and gold pouches. The pokie offers an unusual 5x4 reel set with 88 paylines. Despite a modest maximum payout of 1,875 times your bet, the game has a decent RTP of 96.02% and medium volatility. Bonus features include wild and scatter symbols, free spins activated by Dragon scatter symbols, and a cascading reel mechanism to increase winnings. In addition, the growing wild feature can bring you up to 15 wilds on the reels.

Feature Description
📅 Release Date June 2020
🔶 Payline 88
🔁 RTP 96.02%
🟡 Volatility Medium
💰 Max.Win 1,875x
💵 Min-Max.Bet 0.38-44
🎰 Reels 5
🔥 Features Wild, Scatter, Multiplier, FreeSpins, Bonus Games

Bust the Bank

Bust the Bank Pokies from Games Global (Microgaming)

Bust the Bank is a classic pokie from Microgaming with cartoon-style graphics and animated characters. The main characters are two bank robbers, Bob and Larry, who randomly appear to share their loot with you. With 5 reels, 3 rows, and 243 ways to win, the game offers medium volatility. The game boasts a generous RTP of 96.75% and a maximum winnings of 450 times your bet. The main feature is the free spins round, where you get 2 fully stacked wild reels on each spin.

Feature Description
📅 Release Date January 2013
🔶 Payline 243
🔁 RTP 96.75%
🟡 Volatility Medium
💰 Max.Win 450x
💵 Min-Max.Bet 0.30-300
🎰 Reels 5
🔥 Features Wild, Scatter, Multiplier, FreeSpins
RTP Doesn't Guarantee Profits

Even though RTP rate shows the percentage of your winnings in the long run, it doesn't impact your winning chances in each game round. Therefore, you should also pay attention to other factors, like volatility, in-game bonuses, minimum/maximum deposits, etc.

Types of Online Pokies from Microgaming

Microgaming offers a wide range of pokie games. These include progressive jackpot slots that can change lives, bonus rounds, and features such as Rolling Reels that add excitement and innovation to the mix. Their portfolio is designed to cater to every player's preference and style – read on to discover more about them!

Progressive Jackpot

The company is famous for being the biggest developer of progressive pokies. Microgaming offers over 40 games with progressive jackpots. You can embark on an adventure with titles like Mega Moolah, Wow Pot, or Major Millions, where the prize pools often exceed 2 million.

243 Ways to Win

Play 243 ways to win pokies for a more thrilling experience. This type of slots offer players to get more winning combination which increases their chances to win. For example, Immortal Romance boasts an RTP of 96.86% and has the potential to pay out a whopping 12,150x.

Bonus Rounds

Most Microgaming pokies are featured with bonus rounds. Take Wild Scarabs, for instance: scatters will trigger up to 10 free spins when activated. And in Jungle Jim El Dorado, players could land 4+ rolls, which would initiate free spins with multipliers as high as 15x.

Rolling Reels

Games featuring Rolling Reels offer unique gameplay dynamics thanks to this feature’s ability to let winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place, potentially creating consecutive wins. So get stuck in and enjoy some action-packed gaming today!

Bonuses at Microgaming Online Casino Site

Microgaming Casino offers a variety of captivating casino bonuses. For instance, participating in casino promotions grants you access to welcome bonuses for new players, as well as gifts, free spins on Microgaming pokies, cashback, and special gift points during holidays.

Free Spins

Free spins serve as a great starting point for winning real money online. With free spins, you accumulate funds in your bonus account. This bonus type enables you to enjoy pokies without depleting your bankroll. In fact, some casinos allow players to hit jackpots while using bonus spins. There are also sites with exclusive offers for 500 Free Spins, such as Lucky Dreams online casino, but you need to make a deposit. The BetPokies team prepared a list of online casinos with the best free spins bonuses.

Mirax
4.89
Free Spins

20 Free Spins

Bonus code: MX20
Spinanga
4.89
Free Spins

50 Free Spins

no code required
7Bit
4.85
Free Spins

up to 290 Free Spins

no code required

No Deposit Bonuses

Microgaming casinos provide two types of no deposit bonuses: cashable and non-cashable. A cashable no deposit bonus allows players to withdraw both the bonus money provided and any winnings. On the other hand, a non-cashable no deposit bonus cannot be withdrawn, as the casino deducts it from the overall winnings. These bonuses are awarded to players when they open an account or try out new games without making a deposit.

Microgaming's Trust Crisis

Despite being a trustworthy and reputable game provider, showing, demonstrating greater success, at the time Microgaming still had a big downfall in its history.

The Microgaming-Tusk scandal unfurled in a series of unfortunate incidents, which caused significant financial loss to many players. The corporation had earlier given a nod to Tusk Investment Corporation for managing player funds. Nonetheless, after going bankrupt in 2008, Microgaming suddenly broke its partnership with Tusk.

As a result, the closure of 28 Tusk-operated poker rooms affected thousands of players, halting all operations and balances. Despite being recommended partners, Microgaming didn't communicate with those impacted. They denied liability in response to legal actions. Liquidators could only refund 15% of players' money, resulting in a total loss of $5 million. Unlike previous incidents where Microgaming compensated players, their silence and denial in this case raised concerns about accountability and deposit security.

Betpokies Expert Pick

After finding out about this fiasco of Microgaming, I personally conducted research to find more recent scandals or downfalls of the company but discovered none. This allows me to make a conclusion that the company learned the lesson and recovered its trustworthiness.

Alicia Want Alicia Want

Pros & Cons of Microgaming

Getting closer to the end of the article, let's highlight some advantages and disadvantages of the pioneer in the game software field, Microgaming.

Pros
  • Apricot's wide range of games, including pokies, live dealer games, scratch cards, arcade games, and table games.
  • The provider is known for its enormous progressives from Apricot that have generated over 18 million in prizes.
  • Apricot is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.
  • The company makes monthly releases
Cons
  • The provider doesn't offer many high RTP slots
  • Branded pokies may have lower RTP
  • Had a history of cooperation with an unreliable company, which affected players

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling policies and tools are an integral part of any licensed casino, game provider, and gambling-focused payment method. Therefore, let's explore this part of Microgaming.

The company implements several responsible gambling tools in its products, including:

  • Deposit limits
  • Loss limits
  • Session limits
  • Session reminders
  • Self-exclusion

Microgaming also supports various charity organisations, which offer free help to gambling-addicted people.

The provider also actively participates in Safer Gaming Week, conducting mandatory staff training, compliance sessions, and expert webinars.

Even though these tools might give you the idea that you don't need to worry when gambling Microgaming games, it is not true. You still must follow some simple tips to keep yourself safe. You can find them on our responsible gambling page. There, you can also pass a test to know if you are at risk of gambling addiction and find Australian responsible gambling authorities.

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Alicia Want

Alicia Want

Content Expert

Alicia Want knows all the ins and outs of useful and valuable content. Despite no prior igaming experience, she fell in love with pokies machines. Before joining the team, Alicia was an editor at a small Melbourne newspaper but found her calling in the gambling industry.