Wheel of Fortune Casino Games
Any fan of casino games will have come across Wheel of Fortune-themed titles in their iGaming journey. These types of games are based on the popular Wheel of Fortune TV show, which first hit the screens in the 1970s.
Created by Merv Griffin, the concept of the show involves players spinning a giant money wheel to determine a cash value before solving puzzles to win prizes. Wheel of Fortune was a massive success and has remained a truly iconic show over time. Most notably hosted by Vanna White and Pat Sajak, audiences like it for the simplicity of the gameplay and the sense of excitement that each spin of the wheel brings.
The Wheel of Fortune show is such an ingrained part of pop culture that it has been turned into a popular series of online slots. This brings the fun of the show to all casino lovers and allows them to get in on the action. A number of other games have been influenced by this TV show and include a Money Wheel feature. Live casino games are a great example of this and use Money Wheel gameplay mechanics to wow players.
The Legacy Behind Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune has left a real legacy in terms of game shows and gaming. Although it started out as something that people would watch from home, it wasn’t long before land-based casinos decided to take the show to their gaming floors.
This saw Wheel of Fortune casino games become a common sight at the best physical casinos. These games offered the same kind of thrills that the TV show delivered and easy-to-understand gameplay.
The twin successes of Wheel of Fortune on TV and at land-based casinos continued until the late 1990s, when online casino play started to take off. IGT decided to license the brand around this time and created the first official Wheel of Fortune online slot in 1996.
This was an instant hit and helped the iGaming sector reach a broader audience. The company has since gone on to produce a range of Wheel of Fortune slots and emerge as the primary developer for casino games based on the show.
It’s fair to say that slots based on hit TV shows or movies tend to resonate with players. This is especially true compared to other slots that do not have this context. Money Wheel casino games are a classic example and use the iconic show they’re based on to connect with players.
But why is this possible?
A huge reason is the familiarity that people have with popular shows. This makes people feel comfortable playing games based on them and up to speed on how the main gameplay mechanics work. Casino games based on hit shows tend to include well-known hosts, images and music from them.
Overview of the Gameplay & Features in Wheel of Fortune
The core mechanics of Wheel of Fortune casino games online are simple and work in exactly the same way as they do in other digital slots. Most come with a five-reel setup, for example, and fixed paylines. Once players have set their stake, they hit the button to spin the reels and try to match up winning combinations.
These kinds of slots usually include symbols that are based on the Wheel of Fortune TV show. This can be anything from a Pat or Vanna symbol to Wild symbols that show the famous money wheel.
As with most online slots, these sorts of games include special bonus features to trigger. The most famous is the Money Wheel bonus. This is normally triggered when players land three of more Money Wheel scatters on the reels. Players then spin the wheel on screen to win rewards such as:
Cash prizes Fixed or progressive jackpots Win multipliers
Of course, slots based on Wheel of Fortune don’t just offer this kind of bonus to play for. Other commonly seen extras include:
Free spins Puzzle-based bonus rounds Pick-and-reveal mini-games Symbol replacement bonuses
While these bonuses are a major reason why people like to play these slots, they have plenty more to offer. The easy-to-understand gameplay mechanics and familiar theme are obvious places to start. Wheel of Fortune games are also easy to find at the best casinos online, are fun to try, and can pay out big prizes to lucky gamers.
Different Wheel of Fortune Slot Games available at LeoVegas UK
Here at LeoVegas, we’re proud to have some of the best Wheel of Fortune slots in our library. Let’s take a closer look at what they include!
Wheel of Fortune Elegant Emeralds
Wheel of Fortune Elegant Emeralds is from IGT and has a simple 5x4/20-payline grid design. This particular game has a charming Irish feel, which blends with the Wheel of Fortune theme to superb effect. The upbeat soundtrack is based on the show’s theme tune and sets the perfect tone. As well as the Money Wheel bonus to trigger, this slot also has a free spins round to enjoy.
This is another slot in IGT’s iconic series and includes symbols that reflect the prizes commonly seen on the TV show.
The game stands out for its MultiWay Xtra base game mechanic, which brings 1,024 ways to win. There’s also a symbol replacement feature in the base game that kicks in before each spin and sees a random symbol fill up reel stacks.
The Money Wheel bonus is present and activated by landing three or four scatters. With an awesome free spins round that can be retriggered and a progressive jackpot bonus, it’s easy to see why this game is a stone-cold classic.
IGT has produced a long line of slots in this series and Wheel of Fortune Ruby Riches is one of the best.
The five-reel/30-fixed-payline format makes it simple to play and the vibrant colour scheme makes it gorgeous to look at. Smooth animations help to power the game along and bring a real sense of excitement to proceedings.
The main bonus round is the Wheel of Bonus, and this is activated by landing a Wheel of Fortune scatter on reel 1 and the Treasure Chest symbol on reel 5. This takes players into the main bonus screen and gives them a chance to spin the famous money wheel. The wheel in this slot includes a Jackpot segment, and hitting this brings the chance to scoop a prize worth up to 1,000x the stake.
More Games Influenced by Wheel of Fortune
Although IGT’s series of online slots based on the Wheel of Fortune TV show are very popular at LeoVegas, there are Money Wheel games in our live casino library that have the same feel. Let’s take a look at the top three games in this category.
This is one of the most famous Money Wheel games and comes from Evolution. Hosted by a human dealer from a live studio setting, it involves trying to predict which segment the money wheel will land on after it’s spun.
The numbered segments of 1, 2, 5 and 10 show the multiplier attached to winning bets (i.e., betting on 1 brings a 1:1 payout if the wheel lands on this number). Crazy Time Live also has other spaces on its wheel that are bonus segments. Features such as Cash Hunt and Pachinko add even more thrills to this game – plus an extra layer of depth.
Another popular Money Wheel live game from Evolution is the disco dancing Funky Time. This takes its lead from Crazy Time Live and offers a similar gaming experience. This game adds more multipliers onto the wheel though and some innovative themed bonus rounds.
The most eye-catching of these include:
Funky Town Bar Bonus Funky Town Stayin’ Alive Bonus Funky Town Disco Funky Town Disco VIP Bonus
The unique disco theme really helps this live title stand out and brings new energy to the experience that standard Money Wheel games offer.
Pragmatic Play Live is the studio behind this stunning game and it’s based on the studio’s hit slot of the same name. This means that the candy theme is present to enjoy and the action is hosted from a vibrant, colourful studio. 3D virtual effects crop up regularly to help make this game visually stunning.
As with the games above, a huge Money Wheel powers the action along and is split into various segments to bet on. This includes numbers 1, 2 and 5 plus a few bonus segments (such as Bubble Surprise and Sugar Bomb).
Why Play Wheel of Fortune Games at LeoVegas?
There are lots of reasons to play these kinds of TV show-based casino games at LeoVegas!
To begin with, they’re very easy to understand and have no complex rules to learn. Wheel of Fortune casino games deliver lots of thrills and include the iconic Money Wheel from the TV show. This brings a real sense of fun and anticipation to playing them!
Although there’s no guarantee of winning, these kinds of games can include jackpot bonuses and pay out big prizes. The sheer range of slots in IGT’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ series with different bonuses makes these games popular.
When it comes to live Money Wheel games, the social experience is a major plus and allows people to interact with the dealer and other players.