DWG
DWG — provider review
Design Works Gaming (DWG) is an American casino game developer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company was founded by Troy Zurawski in 2005. The studio makes classic Las Vegas-style slots, video slots and its signature LuckyTap games.
The studio started out making games for land-based casinos, and today its games are live at online casinos in the UK, the US and Canada. DWG's main distinguishing feature is its own LuckyTap format, covered below.
💡 DWG by the numbers
- 2005 — year founded
- More than 800 games over the company's history, including land-based casino games
- More than 30 online operators running the studio's games
- All games and technology developed in-house, never outsourced
All figures except the year are provided by the company.
History
Before moving online, DWG spent many years as an independent studio for land-based casinos. According to the company profile, it made games for IGT, Aristocrat, Novomatic, Scientific Games and other manufacturers, and its projects include Panda Queen, Wonders of Africa and Komodo Dragon. This refers to past collaboration, not current contracts.
Judging by the classic slots in its catalogue, the studio has carried this experience over to online games. This is our observation, not a statement from the company.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Troy Zurawski founds Design Works Gaming |
| 1 November 2019 | The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence takes effect |
| 21 July 2021 | Agreement with Kindred and launch of games on Unibet and 32Red |
| 27 January 2022 | Approval from the Connecticut regulator — the fourth US state after New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania |
| July–August 2022 | Launch on 888casino in the UK and a multi-state agreement with BetMGM in the US |
| August 2023 | Partnership with Sky Vegas and Sky Bingo, including LuckyTap games |
| February 2024 | According to industry sources, the company receives a licence in Ontario |
| February–March 2024 | Launch with BetMGM and Caesars in Pennsylvania, including the exclusive Caesars Palace Riches LuckyTap |
| 2024 | Silver at the SBC Awards North America in the Casino Supplier of the Year category |
| 8 May 2025 | Partnership with Bluberi: LuckyTap games based on its brands, starting with Devil’s Lock |
| 10 September 2026 | Vikings Big Kick LuckyTap launches exclusively with BetMGM in Ontario and Alberta |
Licences and certificates
DWG's British company, Design Works Gaming (UK) Limited, holds a UKGC licence covering gambling software development (Gambling Software) and game hosting (Game Host). In the US and Canada, the studio holds approvals from several regulators.
| Regulator | Document |
|---|---|
| UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) | Licence 054622-R-331622-006 |
| Regulators of New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Connecticut | Approvals to supply online casino games (according to the company; numbers not provided) |
| AGCO (Ontario) | iGaming licence (according to industry sources; number not provided) |
For Malta, the studio has a Notice of Recognition: the regulator recognises the UK certificates for its games. This is not a separate MGA licence.
According to the company, an independent laboratory tests every game before release, checking that the maths matches the rules and payouts, and separately testing the random number generator. After launch, the studio monitors the actual RTP.
LuckyTap — DWG's signature mechanic
LuckyTap is DWG's own format, which the studio treats separately from regular slots. Instead of spinning reels, the player triggers a short themed scene: for example, a kick in Vikings Big Kick LuckyTap, where a win is shown as an accurate kick between the goalposts. Rounds in these games are short, and the result is visible straight away.
The sports animation does not make LuckyTap a game of skill. According to the company, the result is determined by a tested random number generator, just as in regular slots.
The studio often uses LuckyTap for branded games made for specific casinos and sports teams. For example, Caesars Palace Riches LuckyTap was made for Caesars, Pittsburgh Steelers Big Kick LuckyTap and Pittsburgh Steelers QB Blast LuckyTap for BetMGM in Pennsylvania, and Vikings Big Kick LuckyTap for BetMGM in Canada. These games are only available at their own operators.
DWG slots and games
The core of the catalogue is classic Las Vegas-style slots. Some of them are stepper slots that recreate mechanical machines with physical reels. These games include Double Fancy 7s, 10x Fortune, Diamonds, Sapphires & Rubies, Tiger Palace and Armadillo Artie Gone Wild. Among the unbranded LuckyTap games, you can try Flippin Rich LuckyTap, Break the Bounty LuckyTap and Test Your Strength LuckyTap.
Who DWG suits
Why players love it
- LuckyTap — an unusual format with short animated rounds instead of reels
- Classic slots in the spirit of Las Vegas machines
- An active UKGC licence and approvals in several US states
- Industry recognition: silver at the SBC Awards North America 2024
What to keep in mind
- The company does not publish summary RTP data for its games
- Branded LuckyTap games are exclusive to individual operators in the US and Canada
⚡ Verdict
DWG will suit players who miss classic Las Vegas machines and those who want to try something new instead of the usual reels. For Vegas nostalgia, start with Double Fancy 7s, and for an unusual format, try Flippin Rich LuckyTap.
Where to play DWG slots
You can explore the provider's games and choose a casino to play at in the slots and casinos sections on GamblingShot.
FAQ
1
When was DWG founded?
Design Works Gaming was founded in 2005 by Troy Zurawski. The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
2
Does DWG have a licence?
Yes. The studio's British company holds an active UKGC licence, and in the US and Canada it has approvals from several regulators.
3
How many games does DWG have?
According to the company, it has created more than 800 games over its history, including land-based casino games. The company does not specify how many of them are available at online casinos.
4
What is LuckyTap?
It is DWG's signature format with short animated rounds instead of reels. Unbranded LuckyTap games such as Flippin Rich LuckyTap are available at various casinos, while branded ones are only offered by their own operators.
5
Does skill affect the outcome in LuckyTap games?
No. According to the company, the outcome is determined by a random number generator, and the animation simply shows it.