DLV

About The Company

DLV (SIA DLV) is a Latvian gaming machine manufacturer based in Riga. The company started out in their local market in 1994 and moved to supply online content in 2018 in a deal with the game aggregator, Slotegrator.

As Latvia gained independence from the former USSR, in the early 1990s a few pioneering companies took advantage of new commercial opportunities. The first legitimate casino was registered with the government in 1991.

With the establishment of the Latvian Republic's Izložu un Azartspelu Uzraudzibas Inspekcija (gambling regulator) DLV obtained licenses #A-63, and eventually, #TI-05 covering the entire spectrum of slot machines, bingo, roulette, card and dice games, betting, and online gambling.

Prior to expanding its digital footprint, the company already had machines on casino floors on several continents with their most well-known placements through Zilais Dimants, one of the biggest slot casino chains in their home country.

In addition to the more than 40 separate locations in their home country, the Rigan developer has games deployed in other parts of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Their games can be found at City of Dreams Manila under a PAGCOR license as well as in Ireland, Northern Cyprus, and Moldova.

DLVPeru represents the company's products in Peru, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Their games can also be found in Belize, Suriname, Uruguay, and Guatemala.

The company operates a sports betting site and a casino that carries Microgaming content as well as Gameburger and other Microgaming partner studio titles.

Their online content is certified by bmm Test Labs and they state compliance with GLI 19.

DLV is not a new face to delegates attending such industry events as ICE Totally Gaming in London or the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, with annual participation in Las Vegas dating back to 2011.

Developing software for both the land-based and online casino industries, DLV has over 100 titles available for online play, according to a press release from Slotegrator.

We find their content listed on more than two dozen websites including BetWinner and BetMaster.

Software and Games

The games are deployed in HTML5 format for perfect display and gameplay on any screen resolution or device and most of the newer games are available in full HD format.

It's unclear if online operators have a choice in how the games are enhanced, but several titles have the ability to include one of several types of jackpots - Zooshenk or Diamond Games Exclusive seems to be the most likely for inclusion in an online game. We see progressive jackpot enhancements on many of the titles such as Alchemy's Mystery.

The user interface is CIS/Eastern European with a fixed number of bet lines on most games (10). However, the range of bet per line value is wide, giving players the ability to bet from one coin to 1,000 coins per line.

A gamble feature is included in most games.

The graphics are passable and decent, and may even appeal as a form of higher art to some players. The animations are on par with games from Endorphena.

Burning Fruits

Games like Burning Fruits are very basic with five reels and five paylines awarding wins from leftmost to right only. The excitement level on these games is roughly equal to what you find in run-of-the-mill NOVOMATIC titles with similar names.

We were unable to get data sheets prior to review so PAR is unknown as is volatility. However, looking at the paytables of several games and anecdotally balancing limited tests of hit frequency with the amounts symbols pay, we would venture a guess on the low end of a little over 91% at the bottom with a top RTP estimate of 96-97%, but those are not scientifically derived numbers.

Cai Shen 888 is one of their "newer" games but may have been deployed for several years on land. The graphics are flat but colorful and the gameplay is steady with decent, if not unique, bonus mechanics. The game is variously attributed online to other makers.

The game features an extra reel (6) with three reel positions each. Stakes are restricted to an even number of coins from 2 to 1000 per line.

The wild symbol (Dragon) is also a scatter with three or more in the same spin triggering a free games bonus.

During 10 free spins, which can be retriggered, special random symbols expand to fill the reel they appear on. The wild dragon does not act as a special symbol during free games.

As with their other games, this one has a gamble feature.

Lucky Witch 777 offers players bigger potential wins thanks to the bonus features. While the artwork is colorful like most of the titles, it too is flat and slightly primitive compared to many modern slots. This seems to be a style and form of art common to many eastern European studios rather than a weakness in quality. It is consistent, not unpleasant, and it sets a mood for game time.

Another 6-reel slot, this one also requires even coin bets from 2-1,00 per line on all 10 pay lines.

The wild Witch symbol doubles all wins it is part of.

Three or more scattered Hat symbols trigger 15 free games with a 6x multiplier. This applies to wild wins as well, generating 12x payouts when a Witch helps form a winning combination during free gameplay.

The free games can be retriggered indefinitely and there is a gamble game available.

With the company's lengthy and deep experience in serving localized international markets in the past, they are able to create slots featuring themes that resonate with players. Sometimes they hit the nail on the head and sometimes it seems like more of a glancing blow.

Several titles were developed for the LATAM market, and now online casinos can promote those games to specific players in targeted regions.

Some games, such as Fast Colt, have wider appeal thanks to niche fans of the Old West in America. It's unclear whether the title is an intentional double entendre, a reference to a fleet young horse, or if it alludes to the quick draw of a Colt .45, the preferred sidearm of outlaws and lawmen alike.

Look for a sheriff, a bar floosie, cowboys, and Native Americans. Continuing with the rote configuration, the game has 5 reels, 10 paylines, and accepts bets from 1 to 1000 credits.

The Bandido is a wild symbol and the Sheriff's Star is a scatter. Landing a scatter on each reel 1, 3, and 5 triggers 10 free games. Payouts during the bonus round are doubled. The bonus can be retriggered.

The top-paying symbol awards 100,000x line bet for five on a line and the Fast Colt Bonus (spin the revolver's chamber like in Russian Roulette for a prize.

Games Conclusion

We've looked at games from some of their first to the most recent releases and don't find a lot of innovation. A cursory statistical analysis of the paytables indicates that many of the games use the same engine and maths. We didn't do simulations based on reel strip maths, and without PAR or data sheets we simply can't know the actual hit frequency, the balance of RTP between the base game and features, or the volatility. Nor do the games seem to warrant such an in-depth analysis.

The Final Analysis

While the company started out about the same time internet casinos came on the scene, and the games have an established presence in land-based slot casinos and Asian border town parlors, their greatest appeal is most likely local in a provincial or parochial sense.

Yes, the games are as good as most and better than many that were produced at the dawn of online gambling, but the basic and features play simply don't compare to today's innovative bonus mechanics and complicated game maths.

We would certainly dabble a bit at one of the online gaming sites that offer the brand, as we do enjoy traditional reel slots. We would suggest them to players who specifically enjoy retro slots such as the "time-one" Microgaming titles or older RTG slots. Those who enjoy NOVO and Amatic slots will find viable alternatives in the five-reel, five-line titles. Those who enjoy Endorphina's artwork and payline configurations may enjoy these games as well.

It is always good to see land-based developers bring their titles online, there simply cannot be too many slots to choose from, but we prefer to see a sea-change in innovation and unique features when that occurs.

While many players may gravitate toward the offering, we would not seek the games out, but would certainly play them if we ran across them.

You can try them for free at most if not all of the casinos listed on this page. If your experience is different from ours, please feel free to leave your own review or comments!