From the studio to the casino
Sony Pictures Television is preparing to turn its iconic Wheel of Fortune game show into an immersive betting experience.
an ever-changing board and brain-teasing puzzles
The game, which features a roulette wheel (of sorts), an ever-changing board and brain-teasing puzzles, will soon be made into Wheel of Fortune Casino with help from BetMGM, Sony’s gaming partner in the project, and International Game Technology.
The project will first launch in New Jersey by the end of 2022.
New Wheel of Fortune games
The Wheel of Fortune-branded online casino will launch as the television show prepares for its 40th season on the air. Roughly 250 versions of Wheel of Fortune slots have already flooded casinos in the last two and a half decades, and the new online casino is just another arm of the brand.
“We are delighted to be partnering with BetMGM for the launch of Wheel of Fortune’s very first online casino,” Suzanne Prete, executive VP of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a press release. With Wheel of Fortune celebrating its 40th season this year, we are pleased to continue offering players additional, new ways to play the games they know and love.”
BetMGM has also promised to lead “responsible gaming education”
BetMGM has also promised to lead “responsible gaming education” with the help of GameSense, a program licensed to MGM by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation designed to help patrons learn and understand the gambling scene when the new games hit the market.
Enrico Drago, IGT CEO Digital & Betting, spoke glowingly of the opportunity.
“The Wheel of Fortune brand has been synonymous with slot gaming for more than 25 years, and this unprecedented brand-led online casino, driven by BetMGM’s compelling platform and promotional capabilities, is well-positioned to engage and entertain new and long-time players,” he said.
A legendary history
Wheel of Fortune went live for the first time on January 6, 1975, on NBC. Chuck Woolery was the original host, and later, Susan Stafford took over for a short stint until Pat Sajak and Vanna White seized the reins, which they still hold today.
The show features three players (or sometimes teams) gathered around the giant wheel they spin before each of their turns; participants take turns guessing which letters comprise a hidden message on the board, and whichever contestant solves the puzzle gets the winnings for the round.
In the end, the player with the most money earns a chance to play the bonus round in which they have only a short amount of time to solve a special puzzle that has a few common letters already included (RSTLNE – the player gets to choose three more consonants and one vowel).
The biggest winner in the show’s history is Autumn Erhard who racked up $1,030,340 in cash and prizes.
On April 4, 2022, a guest won $3.8m on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine
On April 4, 2022, a guest won $3.8m on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at Mohegan Sun, the largest-ever prize on a Wheel of Fortune-branded machine at the facility.