Silicon Valley in the United States is home to the headquarters of some of the biggest technology companies in the world. iPhone conglomerate Apple is based there, as is Google as are the social media sites Twitter and Facebook.
There have been talks of creating a UK Silicon Valley for some time, with some saying that Newbury in Berkshire is one potential location. While others speculate about where the UK tech valley should be, others, like the powerful tech industry that is developing in the North West, are just getting on with it.
Northern Lights
At Northern Lights’ UK offices in Manchester, things look more like an architecture firm than they do a scrappy tech startup that was only created in 2017. In its sleek open-plan workspace, with exposed brick walls, the small team sits down every day and gets to creating popular video slot games.
The team behind Northern Lights has more than 50 years of experience in the iGaming industry and it also has William Goodale, an experienced slot developer who once oversaw the Monopoly brand, as its CEO. In time, the developer could grow to compete with leading casino game developers such as Microgaming and Playtech which provide many of the games at the online casino with Betfair. Many of the slots here have already targeted well-received industry niches such as popular film and television franchises, and the adaptation and digitalisation of classic beloved tabletop games. With all this in mind, it’s definitely exciting to speculate about the direction in which Northern Lights is heading.
IGT
Casino game developer IGT is one of the largest casino game creators in the world. The company employs more than 12,000 people who develop iGaming titles at its offices in New York, Rome, Las Vegas, and Rhode Island, as well as at its headquarters in the UK.
While the developer employs many people at its London offices, IGT is also looking to continue to grow into the North West. At its offices in Manchester, IGT is recruiting for roles such as quality assurance engineer, a role which will help to ensure that popular slot games like Jurassic World and Double Double Gold continue to provide a smooth and entertaining experience for players.
The Stars Group
Most iGaming players probably won’t have heard of The Stars Group, but there is a good chance that they have heard of one or more of the brands that it manages. The Stars Group is in charge of casinos like those under the Sky brand, as well as PokerStars and other live poker and live event brands.
The Stars Group has a Leeds service office, where it is hiring for several positions such as a social media analyst. Its offices in the North don’t seem to be as large as its other UK workspaces, but it does show that major iGaming companies are progressively seeing the North as an important powerhouse location for business.
These companies are definitely blazing a trail for other tech startups and business. Others, who are also looking for talented workers and more affordable real estate outside of the capital, will hopefully move to the North West too and continue to expand on this lucrative and exciting industry.
