Yggdrasil arrived later than most of the big slot studios, and made its name by looking different. Its games lean on detailed artwork, unusual mechanics and long-running series such as the Vikings games. It is smaller than Pragmatic Play or Play’n GO, and less universal, but it is a familiar name in the lobbies of many Canadian casinos and a favourite with players who like something a little out of the ordinary.
This page covers who Yggdrasil is, how its games play, its partner studio programme and where to find its slots in Canada.
Quick answer: Yggdrasil is a slot studio founded in 2013 by a former NetEnt chief executive, with offices in Malta and Sweden. It is known for highly polished, mechanic-led slots such as Vikings Go Wild and Valley of the Gods, and for its YG Masters programme, which publishes games from smaller partner studios. LeoVegas and 888 Casino carry it in Ontario, and several offshore casinos do elsewhere. Check each game’s RTP in the info screen.
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About this list. These are our general picks for players outside Ontario and Alberta, ranked by our overall review score. Yggdrasil is not carried everywhere, so check the lobby’s provider filter before you deposit. If you live in Ontario or Alberta, play at a provincially licensed site instead (see the section on provincial sites further down).
Who Is Yggdrasil?
Yggdrasil was founded in 2013 by a former chief executive of NetEnt, and set out to compete on design quality rather than release volume. The name comes from the world tree of Norse mythology, a theme that runs through some of its best-known games. It lists offices in Malta and Sweden, and its games are live in more than 28 regulated markets.
Like several studios of its generation, it has also become a publisher. Through its YG Masters programme, smaller independent studios release games on Yggdrasil’s technology and distribution, so a game in the Yggdrasil section of a lobby may have been built by a partner. Our overview of online casino software providers covers how these publishing arrangements fit into the wider market.
What Yggdrasil Games Are Like
- Design-first. Detailed art, animation and sound are the studio’s calling card.
- Mechanic-led. Many games build a feature over time, such as collecting symbols across spins to unlock better free spins, so long sessions feel different from short ones.
- Series. The Vikings games (Vikings Go Wild, Vikings Go Berzerk and later titles) are the best known, alongside Valley of the Gods and Holmes and the Stolen Stones.
- Mostly medium to high volatility. Check each game’s rating and RTP in the info screen, because the catalogue varies more than some studios’.
If you are new to judging a game’s risk, our pages on high volatility slots and low volatility slots explain what the ratings mean in practice.
Checking RTP on Yggdrasil Games
Like many studios, Yggdrasil games can be supplied at more than one RTP setting, and returns differ from title to title. We do not quote a single figure for its catalogue. Open the info screen before you play and look for the RTP line; if a casino shows a figure noticeably below the game’s usual return, play the game elsewhere. Our page on high RTP slots and how to check them walks through it, and our explainer on return to player covers what the number means.
Yggdrasil vs Other Scandinavian-Style Studios
| Yggdrasil | NetEnt | Play’n GO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Design-led, feature-rich | Polished classics, moderate volatility | Story series, “Book of” mechanics |
| Availability in Canada | Selective | Very wide | Very wide |
| Publishing partners | Yes, through YG Masters | Within the Evolution group | Mostly in-house |
Our profiles of NetEnt’s slots and Play’n GO and Book of Dead cover the other two.
Choosing a Yggdrasil Game
- Read the feature rules first. Many Yggdrasil games build something over many spins, such as collected symbols or charged meters. Knowing what you are building toward makes the game easier to judge.
- Check whether progress carries over. In some games, progress toward a feature is saved between sessions or at certain stakes only. The help screen explains it.
- Confirm the RTP and volatility on the info screen, as each game differs.
- Use the demo. Yggdrasil games often look busy at first, and a few free rounds make the mechanics clear.
- Size your bets for the long build. Features that take many spins to charge need a budget that lasts.
If your casino does not carry Yggdrasil, studios with a similar design-led approach include Thunderkick, Quickspin and ELK Studios.
Where to Play Yggdrasil in Canada
In Ontario, our LeoVegas review lists Yggdrasil among a broad spread of studios, and 888 Casino carries it too. Our list of licensed Ontario online casinos covers the rest. Alberta’s regulated market opened on July 13, 2026; see our page on regulated Alberta casinos.
For the rest of Canada, Winawin and SpinsBro both list Yggdrasil. Because coverage is selective, search for the specific game you want before depositing.
Yggdrasil Games and Casino Bonuses
Yggdrasil slots usually count fully toward wagering, but games with features that build over many spins can be awkward with a bonus, because the maximum bet rule and wagering deadlines limit how long you can play them. Check the excluded games list and the bet cap first. Our explainer on welcome bonus terms shows where to look.
Is Yggdrasil Safe?
Yes. Yggdrasil is licensed in many regulated markets, and its games are independently certified. As always, check that the casino itself is properly licensed. Our explainer on whether online slots are rigged covers how testing works.
How We Assess Yggdrasil Casinos
We check whether a casino carries Yggdrasil and its partner titles, whether RTP is shown before you play, how bonus terms treat its games, and how quickly wins are paid. Our full criteria are in our casino review methodology.
Enjoy the Artwork, Keep the Budget
Games that build features over time can stretch a session longer than planned. Set a time limit as well as a budget. Our page on responsible gambling in Canada lists support services in every province.
Written by Ethan Walsh, OCCG casino reviewer. Company details are from public reporting. Casino details come from our individual reviews. If something has changed, let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yggdrasil known for?
Design-led slots with detailed artwork and unusual mechanics, including the Vikings series and Valley of the Gods, and the YG Masters partner programme.
Who founded Yggdrasil?
It was founded in 2013 by a former chief executive of NetEnt.
What is YG Masters?
Yggdrasil’s partner programme, through which smaller studios release games on its technology and distribution network.
What is the RTP of Yggdrasil slots?
It varies by game and can vary by casino. Check the RTP in each game’s info screen before you play.
Is Yggdrasil available in Ontario?
Yes. LeoVegas and 888 Casino list Yggdrasil among their studios.
Is Yggdrasil safe?
Yes. It is licensed in many regulated markets and its games are independently certified.
Why is it called Yggdrasil?
Yggdrasil is the world tree of Norse mythology, a theme that runs through some of the studio’s best-known games.
Why doesn’t my casino have Yggdrasil games?
Each casino chooses its own studios, and Yggdrasil is carried more selectively than the largest providers. Our reviews list the main studios at each casino.
