Through a collaboration with IGT and Sony Pictures Television, the brand-led online casino was first introduced by BetMGM in New Jersey in March last year, bringing Wheel of Fortune branded slot titles, games and features to the operator’s Garden State customers.

Now available in Ontario, Wheel of Fortune Online Casino will provide over 1,600 games for customers to play in the Canadian province, including slots, progressive jackpots and table games with more titles to be added regularly.

Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM, stated: “Bringing Wheel of Fortune Casino to Ontario is a part of our strategy to give players the games they love and create an engaging experience with an iconic game show. 

“In collaboration with Sony Pictures Television and IGT, we’ve created something that is unlike anything else in the online gaming sector. 

“Wheel of Fortune slots have been top-performing games for decades and through a successful launch in New Jersey, we’ve found that the brand-led Wheel of Fortune Casino product is a winning formula that resonates with players.”

Available titles on Wheel of Fortune Online Casino include BetMGM Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin, Wheel of Fortune Elegant Emeralds, Wheel of Fortune Gold Spin Triple Red Hot 7’s, Wheel of Fortune Megaways, Wheel of Fortune Power Wedges, Wheel of Fortune Ruby Riches, Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin and Wheel of Fortune Triple Gold Gold Spin.

“Ontario is a dynamic igaming market that readily embraces omnichannel IGT PlayDigital games such as Wheel of Fortune slots,” commented Gil Rotem, President of IGT PlayDigital.

“BetMGM’s brand-led Wheel of Fortune Casino packages many of IGT PlayDigital’s highest performing games in a great-looking, player-friendly manner that is unique for the Ontario iGaming market.”

Wheel of Fortune Online Casino is available for download in Ontario on both iOS and Android and is accessible via desktop.

Suzanne Prete, President of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, added: “It’s exciting to see BetMGM extend the success of the Wheel of Fortune Casino to Ontario. 

“BetMGM’s Wheel of Fortune Casino creates an inviting space for players to enjoy all of their favourite IGT Wheel of Fortune games in one place and in a way that resonates with slot players and game show fans alike.”

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In collaboration with IGT, the Wheel of Fortune Online Casino is now live with BetMGM in New Jersey, bringing branded slot titles, games and features to the operator’s Garden State customers, available on iOS, Android and desktop.

“We are thrilled to bring Wheel of Fortune Online Casino to players in New Jersey where they can now play for real money and experience the excitement of the beloved game show on their phones,” commented Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer at BetMGM.

“We have a great alliance with Wheel of Fortune and IGT and look forward to offering our players innovative and diverse selections of gaming options.”

Wheel of Fortune Online Casino is the game show’s latest gaming expansion, as the brand has been present on casino floors for over 25 years.

“Over the last 40 years, the Wheel of Fortune brand has been brought to life in a diverse range of products, including IGT’s extremely successful Wheel of Fortune slots,” noted Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television.

“Now we’re excited to see BetMGM build on that success and take an innovative approach to bring the game to more players by launching the brand’s first online casino in the US.”

Enrico Drago, CEO of Digital & Betting at IGT, added: “IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slots have been entertaining players for decades as the most successful slot theme of all time.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with BetMGM on the evolution of this celebrated theme and witness it break new ground to become the first US brand-led online casino where players can enjoy their favourite IGT Wheel of Fortune slots games.”

Earlier this month, BetMGM extended its partnership with GameSense and agreed to become the official sports betting partner of the Boston Red Sox.

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The company, which says that it will be “signing agreements with individual operators”, will see its Wheel of Fortune Double 3X4X5X Pay Bingo and Wheel of Fortune Five Times Pay Bingo become available to the 37 charitable gaming centres in Ontario that are approved for electronic bingo.

David Fraser, Senior Director, Charitable Gaming, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, explained: “The introduction of IGT’s premium-branded Wheel of Fortune titles as electronic cabinet bingo games has the opportunity to engage new and existing players in Ontario’s charitable gaming market.

“These exciting additions will elevate game play and create additional product choice for our service providers which all contribute to strengthening Charitable Gaming and raising money for local charities.”

A partner to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation in all facets of gaming for over two decades, IGT has been supplying electronic bingo games in the Canadian market since 2018. 

Moreover, IGT licences the Wheel of Fortune brand from Sony Pictures Television, the creators of the TV show of the same namesake, and has created over 250 versions of the branded game since 1996.

“IGT is committed to enhancing the player experience for Ontario’s charitable gaming market, through the addition of Wheel of Fortune-branded electronic bingo games,” added David Flinn, IGT Regional Vice President, Canada, South and Central America. 

“IGT will continue developing new products with innovative technology, and contemporary play styles to support the important work of charitable bingo halls throughout Ontario.”

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Taking place on November 30 to December 2 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, IGT will showcase its “industry-first” technology which will link its digital Wheel of Fortune Gold Spin Triple Gold game with all land-based Wheel of Fortune $1 wide area progressives.

This will result in sharing the entire wide area progressive jackpot liquidity between land and online casinos across New Jersey, whilst providing players “additional choice and convenience” for when and where they want to play. 

“IGT is once again breaking barriers in the digital gaming space with the soon-to-launch US omnichannel Wheel of Fortune linked progressive,” said Enrico Drago, IGT CEO digital & betting. 

“We are combining proven technology with the most successful slot brand of all time to create a powerful jackpot liquidity pool that engages players and delivers life-changing wins for New Jersey residents playing across channels. SBC Summit attendees will be among the first in the US to see how the technology works.”

IGT notes that its technology will also give players in New Jersey the opportunity to vie for the same Wheel of Fortune jackpots that are typically only found in land-based casinos, across all three gaming channels: land-based, mobile and online.

In addition to the debut of the US omnichannel game at the SBC Summit, IGT will also be showing Fortune Coin Boost!, a sequel to the company’s digital game in 2020, Fortune Coin. Other PlayCasino games on display will include Great Bear and MegaJackpots Elephant King.

Moreover, IGT PlaySports will showcase its new CrystalFlex and PeakBarTop Flex cabinets and multigame software offer. These new products include the Game King X content and enable players to watch their favourite sports, place sports wagers, enjoy slots, and play video poker and keno all on the same gaming machine, using the same on-machine funds. 

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He’s talking about a meeting with Enrico Drago, SVP at IGT PlayDigital, at G2E Las Vegas, when the pair discussed the possibility of adding the Megaways magic to the cherished IGT Wheel of Fortune game brand.

On the other side of the globe, in San Francisco, sits Drago. “I just let him talk and share his ideas,” he says of that meeting with Robinson. 

And so a key strategic collaboration was born. On one hand, perhaps the most meaningful innovation in online slots in a decade – Big Time’s all-conquering Megaways mechanic – and on the other, a giant of the land-based and online casino domains, IGT’s Wheel of Fortune. The game, a Vegas legend, represented one of Megaways greatest tests to date.

Both Drago and Robinson were talking to CasinoBeats managing director Stewart Darkin this week, to discuss the collaboration. 

The chat is a fitting curtain-raiser for CasinoBeats’ Innovation in Slots series of webinars, interviews and presentations. Register and watch the whole discussion here.

Wheel of Fortune Megaways has already launched in the US and hits European casino lobbies at the end of this month. It is undeniably a big moment for IGT. “Wheel of Fortune is one of the biggest slot titles of all time and, in 2021, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune property,” says Drago. “In those 25 years, we have made around 250 iterations of the game, making 1,100 people millionaires in the process. 

“The game has paid out $3.3bn in jackpots in that time, with the biggest single payout being a $14m win,” continues Drago. 

So how did IGT end up handing this prized property to Big Time Gaming for the Megaways treatment? “When you are talking about different game mechanics you need to figure out a way to stay at the top of the rankings,” Drago explains.

“I wanted a way to leverage one of our biggest assets, our distribution network in the US. After all, Wheel of Fortune has appeared in 30 states to date. So, taking the 25th birthday celebration and combining it with what Nik and Big Time have to offer, was the best kind of collaboration.”

For Robinson, it was a challenge to relish and one that highlights just what an excellent reputation Big Time Gaming has for innovation. “Wheel of Fortune is the ‘crown jewels’ of slot machines brands and we feel extremely fortunate,” he says.

“We could have quite easily just arranged a Megaways licence – like we do with many providers – and then consult with you and help you make the best game you can. But when it came to Wheel of Fortune and the preciousness of Megaways and that brand coming together, we, as a business, wanted to take the challenge on. 

“That’s the really exciting thing,” says Robinson, “Enrico trusted me and our business to take on the brand.”

It seems trust has underpinned the whole process. “Enrico said to us: ‘You can do whatever you want to do as long as we feel it has the character of Wheel of Fortune’. That was a huge leap of faith that we wanted to repay and we got to work. 

“On one side you have the TV game show but, on the flipside, you have Vegas. I wanted a gameshow feel, sure, but I wanted it to be the kind of slot you’d find in Vegas. On the floor at Vegas casinos, you hear that Wheel of Fortune drama and excitement playing out all the time, even after all these years,” explains Robinson. “So we doubled down on the Vegas factor.”

To see where that mission took Wheel of Fortune Megaways, watch the whole conversation by registering here. You’ll also learn more from Nik Robinson about Big Time’s plans for 2021.

Plus there’s more insight from Enrico Drago at IGT, who speaks about how the BTG collaboration is a template for similar future strategic joint ventures with third-party developers, with some exciting times ahead. 

Learn more about the CasinoBeats Innovation in Slots series here

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The branded space dedicated to the legendary game covers more than 2,900 square feet, and is located at the heart of the Plaza Casino’s gaming floor.

“When Plaza Casino guests enter our new Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone, it is immediately apparent that they’re in Las Vegas’ epicentre of Wheel of Fortune slots fun,” said Casey Adras, the Plaza Hotel and Casino director of slot operations. 

“We’ve collaborated with IGT to create a compelling space that delivers an exceptional guest experience, features the most in-demand Wheel of Fortune games and embodies the jackpot-paying legacy of the iconic slots brand.”

The space is home to more than 40 IGT Wheel of Fortune slots games, including both new and classic themes in mechanical reel and video reel formats. 

“The Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone at the Plaza Casino in Downtown Las Vegas captures the excitement of the most acclaimed slot theme of all time on an unprecedented scale,” noted Suzanne Prete, Sony Pictures Television SVP of global licensing and brand management. 

“For decades IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Slots has set the gaming industry standard for life-changing jackpots and there is no better place for this type of winning mecca than Las Vegas, the world’s most iconic gaming destination.”

Since the game’s 1996 debut IGT has made more than 250 variations of the Wheel of Fortune slots theme, and totalled well over $3bn in jackpot payouts.

“In creating Las Vegas’ exclusive Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone, the Plaza Casino harnessed the excitement, appeal and familiarity of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slots brand to create a venue that players will quickly associate with world-class casino entertainment and life-changing jackpots,” said Nick Khin, IGT chief operating officer of gaming. 

“We look forward to ongoing collaboration with our customers at Plaza Casino to ensure that they maximise the performance of this new space through IGT’s latest Wheel of Fortune slots games and casino technologies.”

The post Las Vegas’ Plaza Casino introduces <br> IGT Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The global live TV games supplier confirmed that igaming operators in Italy can now legally integrate the following set of games – 1Bet, 5Bet, 7Bet, WheelBet and Lucky6.

As well as Italy, the games have also gained certification for the Maltese market. However, in Malta the certificate only allows you to work in combination with an MGA licence, which TVBET is yet to receive.

Wheelbet is a simple wheel of fortune combined with American roulette features, while Lucky6 is a live lottery game where 35 of 48 numbers are drawn randomly with players betting on six balls, the final one being said to bring ‘special luck’.

1Bet is a live lottery game where one out of 37 balls is selected every minute, in 5Bet, five of 36 balls are selected randomly, and 7Bet sees seven of 42 balls selected every minute.

All of the previously mentioned games are characterised by random number generation mechanics, with the GLI evaluation confirming the randomness of the results. Furthermore, the games include a three-tiered jackpot mechanic along with the in-play betting options and parlays.

Thanks to the supportive documents of GLI, TVBET can now present its games with alternative betting mechanics to the aforementioned market, yet it only applies for web cooperation, with the company being able to offer ‘fully customisable’ software integration for online casinos, sports betting companies, and suppliers.

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Giving individuals the opportunity to scoop prizes without wagering requirements on its range of table games, the move means players rewarded with free bets while playing OneTouch’s relevant titles, such as baccarat and blackjack, can withdraw any winnings made from their bets minus the initial stake.

As a result of the introduction, the organisation is striving to “appeal to players and operators, with sites able to reward members and give more exciting incentives to VIPs, in turn boosting retention and player engagement”.

First added to OneTouch’s full portfolio of table games, free bets will soon be added to all its slot mobile-first titles, including Juicy 7, Wheel Of Fortune and all future releases.

Ollie Castleman, marketing manager at OneTouch, commented: “Players have grown tired of unrealistic wagering requirements and sign up deals that aren’t really as good as they first seem.

“That’s why we have decided to put an end to these practises by ensuring wins from free bets can be withdrawn as cash, giving players more chance to win and helping operators boost retention.”

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The subsidiary of Penn National Gaming’s Penn Interactive Ventures arm is to be boosted by the IGT PlayDigital division supplying its full suite of digital gaming products.

It is hoped that the PlayDigital solutions deployment for Penn National, within the newly regulated Pennsylvania online gaming market, is to be undertaken during the first quarter of next year.

Chris Sheffield, managing director of PIV and senior vice president of PNG, commented: “We’re excited to leverage IGT’s platform and content for our online gaming launch in Pennsylvania.

“The flexibility and reliability of the PlayCommand platform, coupled with the proven game library within IGT’s PlayCasino, give us confidence that HollywoodCasino.com will deliver the same caliber of world-class gaming entertainment that our players have come to love in our land-based casinos.”

IGT’s digital gaming platform, PlayCommand, will enable online gaming for Penn National’s Pennsylvania-based customers via its online gaming portal HollywoodCasino.com.

The organisation is to also leverage IGT’s PlayCasino, to provide its players with an extensive library of slot games such as Wheel of Fortune, Elephant King, Ocean Magic and Cleopatra, in addition to Penn National also agreeing to deploy IGT’s PlayBingo and PlayPoker online solutions.

“IGT PlayDigital’s vast portfolio of proven digital solutions enables us to quickly address our customers’ needs across online gaming, sports betting and on-premise mobile gaming,” added Enrico Drago, IGT senior vice president of PlayDigital. “The newly regulated Pennsylvania online gaming market presents an exciting opportunity for IGT to extend the success of our PlayCommand platform, and PlayCasino to Penn National as it expands the scope of its entertainment offering.”

This comes in the immediate aftermath of a further agreement relating to PNG’s HollywoodCasino portal, which will see NetEnt deliver its suite of titles to the state’s players when the market goes live.

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An extensive portfolio of titles are to feature in the revamped property, such as Wheel of Fortune and Fort Knox Video Slots, alongside film-favourite The Goonies, in addition to a selection of the firm’s core games.

Ocean Resort has detailed that it is to also make use of the IGT remote gaming servers, which will enable to deliver further IGT offerings to desktop and mobile devices.

Nick Khin, IGT Chief Commercial Officer of Gaming, said: “By combining proven IGT games such as Fort Knox and Wheel of Fortune video slots with our IGT Advantage, bonusing apps and mobile systems innovations, our customers at Ocean Resort Casino are well-positioned to offer their casino guests exceptional customer experiences with real-time loyalty rewards on cutting-edge games and hardware.”

The connection of over 1,900 slot games at Ocean resort via IGT advantage is to be complemented by “a range of other IGT systems solutions”.

These include its service window for in-display player communications, random riches and carded lucky coin bonuses for exciting player promotions and mobile host, mobile dashboard and mobile notifier systems to streamline and improve operations and customer service.

Frank Leone, Ocean Resort Casino CEO, added: “Creating a highly personalised loyalty program and a gaming floor that includes the industry’s most in-demand games for our Ocean Premier loyalty members are top priorities for Ocean Resort Casino.

“We are confident that the combination of IGT games and systems solutions that we’ve deployed will position us to drive play while efficiently operating our world-class gaming floor.”

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