Rarestone Gaming Pty Limited

Company History & Founding

Rarestone Gaming Pty Limited operates as a dedicated casino software development studio within the Playtech ecosystem. The company was originally established as 88 Technologies in 2016 by a small group of industry professionals, among them Anton Tjioe, who serves as the company's content manager and senior producer. Tjioe brought over a decade of experience from IGT, where he designed and produced games after starting his career in the GLI test labs. Another senior figure is James Stewart, head of game development, who spent nearly two decades at WMS before working as a principal software engineer at Scientific Games Australia. In February 2018, Playtech acquired the young studio, attracted by its unique game features and premium playing experience. The acquisition added Rarestone to Playtech’s network of design, development and production facilities. All five of the Australian-based game makers came from the land-based casino sector, giving the studio deep expertise in creating games for Asian, US and Australian audiences. For technical production, Rarestone collaborates with a Ukrainian production centre that handles mathematics modelling, imagery, animation, sound and final polishing.

Software & Games

Rarestone’s key innovation is a proprietary Hold & Respin feature that first appeared in the UK market with Fire Blaze: Sky Queen, the studio’s first release after the Playtech acquisition. The mechanic requires the player to land at least six specific symbols to trigger a respin round where all triggering symbols are locked, and additional respins are awarded for new qualifying symbols. Four progressive jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major and Grand – are linked to the feature, with the Grand Jackpot awarded when the entire reel set is filled with the triggering symbols. All games in the Fire Blaze Jackpot series (including Blue Wizard, Sky Queen and others) share an ancient-world or otherworldly theme. The studio has also contributed to Playtech’s Age of Gods series, developing Epic Troy – the first 243-ways-to-win title in that line. As of 2025, Rarestone has released over 90 slot games, with each new title typically introducing a secondary bonus mechanic to maintain player engagement. The company’s games are certified for multiple regulated markets and distributed through Playtech’s aggregation platform. Rarestone does not charge monthly fees to operators, offering its games on a revenue-share or one-time license basis.

Acquisition & Ownership

Rarestone Gaming Pty Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Playtech plc. The acquisition closed in February 2018 for an undisclosed sum. Since then, the studio has operated as a distinct brand within Playtech’s gaming division, retaining its original Sydney headquarters and core team.

Regulation & Licensing

The company’s games hold certifications from leading regulators including the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and various European national authorities. All Rarestone games are tested and certified by independent testing laboratories such as GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) and BMM Testlabs.

Market Position

Rarestone is considered a mid-tier slot provider within the Playtech group, but its Fire Blaze series has consistently ranked among Playtech’s most successful content. The studio’s focus on high-volatility mechanics and Asian-themed designs gives it a strong foothold in markets across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. The dedicated Ukrainian production centre enables rapid content development while keeping the core Australian team lean and focused on game design and mathematics.