Barcrest Games

Barcrest Review

Barcrest Games is a game developer based in Manchester, UK. It produces slots for land-based and online casinos. This developer mainly focuses on the land-based casino market. However, it also features a solid lineup of online games.

Scientific Games (SG) acquired Barcrest Games in 2011. The latter now serves as a subsidiary to SG. SG’s executives include Barry Cottle (CEO), Ronald Perelman (Executive Chairman), Peter A. Cohen (Vice-Chairman), and Richard Haddrill (Vice-Chairman).

Barcrest holds licenses with many jurisdictions for its land-based and online operations. For example, it maintains licensing with the prestigious UK Gambling Commission.

Casinos with Barcrest games

This developer supplies online slots to nearly 200 global online casinos. Some of the casinos with Barcrest games are Betsafe, Cashmio, Casumo, Dreamz, Guts, PlayGrand, and Yako.

This provider only operates in regulated markets. Therefore, the typical Barcrest casino is reputable and holds licensing in one or more jurisdictions.

Barcrest games

Barcrest made its mark in the brick-and-mortar gambling industry. It remains a highly regarded land-based slot developer. However, Barcrest games don’t draw as much attention in internet gaming. Its online library consists of many games that were ported from land-based terminals to internet formats.

Jackpot Jewels, Wild Knights, and Wild Knight’s Ransom are three of Barcrest’s biggest online hits. However, they all look dated and don’t translate well to mobile devices and PC screens. Some of Barcrest’s top slots do possess timeless qualities, though. Thanks to its solid graphics and features, Rainbow Riches is arguably the most popular leprechaun-themed slot of all time. Barcrest wisely capitalized on its biggest hit by producing a Rainbow Riches series with over ten games. Rainbow Riches Megaways modernizes the series with strong graphics and up to 117,649 ways to win.

Unfortunately, Barcrest’s selection is riddled with too many games that don’t fare well in the modern gaming world. Even many of its newer efforts vastly underperform when compared to top-tier studios. For example, 7s on Fire, Pyramids of Giza, and Viking’s Ransom each offer below-average graphics, low RTP (94%), and minimal features.

Barcrest will survive on its game selection, land-based partnerships, and Scientific Games relationship. However, it’s definitely not making any waves in online gaming.

Noteworthy Products

Beetlejuice Megaways

Beetlejuice Megaways is one of the few successful modern Barcrest games. It offers up to 248,832 ways to win, high-quality graphics, and multiple features.

Monopoly: Bring Down the House

This five-reel, 40-line slot revolves around the famed Monopoly board game. It offers authentic game-piece symbols and countless features.

Monty’s Millions

Another five-reel, 40-line game, Monty’s Millions is a popular land-based slot that’s been ported to an online format. This wealth-themed game offers free spins, stacked wilds, and win multipliers.

Ooh Aah Dracula

This five-reel, ten-line slot presents a playful take on the famed vampire. It contains a fun pick’em bonus that involves selecting tombstones to reveal prizes. 

Rainbow Riches

This five-reel, ten-line slot centers on leprechauns and rainbows. It offers a top payout worth 25,000 credits and multiple second-screen bonuses.

Rainbow Riches Megaways

This slot features up to 117,649 ways and a maximum payout worth 10,000x the stake. Players who want a modern variation of Rainbow Riches will appreciate this game.

Important Features

Fruit games galore

Barcrest started out by producing fruit machines for British pubs. Unsurprisingly, its online selection offers plenty of games with fruits, 7s, and BARs.

Licensed slots

This developer uses its longtime success to license prominent brands. These deals have paid off in the form of Beetlejuice Megaways and the Monopoly slot series.

Megaways

Barcrest has produced multiple Megaways games through a licensing deal with Big Time Gaming. Rainbow Riches Megaways is the company’s biggest online hit in years.

Rainbow Riches series

Rainbow Riches features more sequels than any other slot in history. Drops of Gold, Fortune Favours, and Pick & Mix are among the most popular games in the series. 

Barcrest History

Barcrest Games launched in Manchester, England, in 1968. After opening, it began producing fruit machines, amusement with prizes (AWP) terminals, and skill with prizes (SWP) machines.

Barcrest experienced immediate success. It became Britain’s biggest supplier of fruities, AWPs, and SWPs throughout the 1970s. The company maintained a steady level of success throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. International Game Technology (IGT) acquired Barcrest for £42 million in 1998. Barcrest relied on its parent company’s vast distribution network to increase its reach. Its slot machines began appearing in land-based casinos throughout Europe and North America.

In 2011, Scientific Games acquired Barcrest from IGT for £33 million. This acquisition gave SG rights to the entire Barcrest games library. Today, Barcrest produces online and land-based slots as a subsidiary for SG. Its most recent online hits are Beetlejuice Megaways, Lady of Avalon, Mermaid Queen, and Rainbow Riches Megaways.