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The first license to ever be granted for a casino slot machine has become legendary, and is about to reach its 30th anniversary.
IGT’s partnership with Wheel of Fortune is the stuff of legends – you can’t walk through a casino without hearing those magic words: “Wheel… of… Fortune.” The success speaks to the steady hand of IGT and the enduring success of America’s most popular game show.
With the 30th anniversary approaching for their slot machine partnership, we spoke with our friends at IGT to learn a bit more about what makes the series so special, and what to expect for the upcoming anniversary.
Always Evolving, Always Fresh
The key to a partnership with such longevity is to keep moving forward. When it comes to IGT and Wheel of Fortune, both have continued to evolve and refine their offerings to keep viewers and players, respectively, engaged with the Wheel of Fortune brand.
Boris Hallerbach, Director of Product Management, Premium at IGT, said that both teams’ commitment to evolution, and working together, is a key ingredient to their success.
“IGT and Sony have had a very strong partnership over the years,” he said. “We have benefited from the Wheel of Fortune Team’s continual updates to style guides, show concepts, Theme Weeks, etc. The branding has always been fresh. Sony, in turn, has allowed IGT to implement the latest and greatest slot play mechanics on our games, which have kept the brand very relevant for slot players. It’s a great partnership!”
Karin Bernkopf, VP of US Gaming Marketing, Global Licensing, Global Creative Services, noted the balance between familiarity and exciting new elements is the perfect combination for casino players.
She said, “The wheel and the puzzle are timeless, but we keep things fresh with new bonus features, multi-level jackpots, and state-of-the-art cabinets that light up the casino floor. Plus, we’re bringing Wheel of Fortune Slots into digital and mobile channels, so you can play wherever you are.”
Among the newest launches has been the Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet, which revived the giant wheel with a larger than life presence on casino floors. It’s among the innovative thinking that’s kept Wheel of Fortune so engaging on the floor.
“Wheel of Fortune, as a brand, has always been on the cutting edge of development at IGT, and we have used the brand to launch many new cabinets,” Hallerbach said. “From the largest carousel and bonus wheel in slots (Wheel of Fortune Super Spin, 9 player stations) to today’s refined WOF Trio, IGT always looks to make a splash with Wheel of Fortune.
Spinning the Big Wheel
Most fans of Wheel of Fortune dream of having a chance to spin the big wheel. While most of us may never get our chance on set, the next best thing is playing Wheel of Fortune slots at the casino and getting to spin for a big prize.
“That big, colorful wheel, the anticipation as it slows down, the cheers when it lands on a huge prize… it’s pure adrenaline,” said Bernkopf. “Add in the chance to win life-changing progressives, and you’ve got a game that delivers thrills every single spin. Fun fact: a $100K+ jackpot hits about every three days. How’s that for exciting?”
Hallerbach added, “Wheel of Fortune creates more millionaires than any other brand on the market. We have created over 1,250 millionaires over the years, and players know that Wheel of Fortune jackpots hit.”
A recent evolution has been the introduction of the first progressive jackpot that resets at $1.125 million, the first time it’s increased beyond the magical $1 million mark.
“Wheel of Fortune features games on several different links, with different jackpots, from $100,000 reset to the $1,125,000 reset on our newest Ultra Link,” Hallerbach said. “We place the games on links where the average bet levels can support the jackpots that we offer.”
Time Tested and Fan Favorite Elements
When you step up to a Wheel of Fortune game, you’re going to encounter elements players know and love.
Hallerbach said, “We always seek to blend strong game mechanics with Wheel of Fortune, whether it be Lock and Respin, Cash on Reels collection and nested bonuses, but at its core, the draw for Wheel of Fortune is to spin the famous wheel, and we deliver that experience to players in many different ways. We create games in both Video and physical Reels, Large Format, and in many different denominations. We can truly say we have a Wheel of Fortune slot game for every player.”
As part of IGT’s latest extension of the partnership with Wheel of Fortune, some of the latest releases reach beyond slot machines for the first time.
“With the new agreement, we were able to extend the Wheel of Fortune brand in Video Poker, Electric Table Games (ETGs) and into the Video Lottery markets (VLTs), which have all been new markets for the brand,” he said. “We are finding that the brand draws players to the games, and the game play, with a central Wheel Spin focus, makes for great game experiences.”
What’s Ahead for IGT and Wheel of Fortune in Casinos
Other new games were recently showcased at the Global Gaming Expo, showcasing what’s ahead for the series. Hallerbach outlined his favorites from the 12 titles showcased:
- “Wheel of Fortune Cash On Reels on our RISE55™ cabinet – This brings the Wheel and latest Wheel of Fortune branding to a well-known Cash on Reels game mechanic
- “Wheel of Fortune Megatower™ Rise – Our latest jumbo cabinet, coming out next year
- “Wheel of Fortune High Roller Respin on our WOF Trio cabinet. This game features growing reels and strong Respin bonus that can award up to 5 Wheel Spins.”
With the 30th anniversary approaching of the partnership, we wondered if there was anything special to look forward to. Bernkopf wasn’t able to reveal all just yet, but did offer us this:
“We’re spinning into 30 years of fun! To celebrate Wheel of Fortune Slots’ big anniversary, we’ve got exciting activities planned with our casino partners—and a surprise coming in early 2026. Here’s a hint: we’re cruising into 30 years—and we can’t wait to share the journey with our fans!”
To see which Wheel of Fortune games and jackpots are near you, check out IGT Jackpots:
