International Game Technology (IGT) is a U.S.-based company that has been around since the 1950s. It went public in 1981 as its initial video poker machine gaming product met unmitigated success. Since then, IGT has been specializing in the design, development, production, trade and distribution of various gaming machines and networking systems all over the world. It has expanded its influence in online and mobile gaming solutions as well.
In 2005, IGT’s involvement with online gaming was cemented when it acquired WagerWorks to develop its online gaming technology. With offices in Reno, Las Vegas, San Francisco, London, Stockholm, Argentina, China, and Canada and in other key cities abroad, IGT is one of the top performing gaming companies today.
Short History
The company started in the 1950s as a private company. After the success of its video poker machine in 1981, the company opened its door to the public. To realize the concept of computerized player tracking, IGT acquired Electronic Data Technologies in 1984. Several gaming technologies were conceptualized and realized by IGT over the years. In the 1990s, IGT began servicing casinos in other countries, establishing sales offices in the process.
IGT continued to expand with the acquisition of several gaming companies such as Anchor Gaming, Silicon Gaming, Acres Gaming and Cyberview Technology, Inc. It innovated the multi-level Megajackpot products and the M-P Series multi-player product. In 2008, IGT opened Global Technology & Interoperability Center in Reno, Nevada with its true-to-life casino ambiance as a testing ground for customers, gaming and third-party gaming manufacturers.
In July of 2014, IGT was acquired by GTECH, an Italian gaming equipment company, for $6.4 billion.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Slot
In 1996, IGT developed and launched the Wheel of Fortune® land-based progressive slot based on the very popular TV game show Wheel of Fortune. The launch cemented IGT’s hold in wide area progressive technology. The theme has literally turned thousands of players into instant millionaires. Touted as the most popular slot game of all time, the game and it’s more than 200 variations can be found in more than 20 countries around the globe. The land-based slot and its various derivatives continue to enjoy the patronage of new and old slot players alike.
IGT, in collaboration with WagerWorks, has come up with two Wheel of Fortune slot games sub-titled Hollywood Edition and Wheel of Fortune Triple Action Frenzy as its entry to the world of online real money gaming.
Hollywood Edition has 5 reels and 5 paylines and a maximum payout of 50,000 coins per line. Hitting three scatters on an active payline triggers the bonus feature.
The Triple Action Frenzy is a 5 reel, 15 payline video slot. This online slot involves solving word puzzles just like in the actual Wheel of Fortune game show. Unique in this game is the gamble button for a double-or-nothing round.
It is quite ironic that IGT’s Wheel of Fortune online slots are not available to U.S. players. However, WGS (Vegas Technology) and RTG (Real Time Gaming) versions of the said themed-slot are available to U.S. players.
Wheel of Fortune at DoubleDown Casino Interactive
In September 2014, IGT released the Wheel of Fortune Double Diamond online slot to its social gaming site DoubleDown Casino Interactive. The release was brought about by IGT’s partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products. The initial Wheel of Fortune online slot variant offered to social gamers was such a success that a second and third variant was soon released.
Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin was released in November 2014. The online slot has 5 reels and has 720 possible ways of winning at each spin. The minimum bet is $10,000 per spin and players are presented with the option to customize their bet for each spin. If there is sufficient virtual money, a player can opt for auto-play.
The third addition to the DoubleDown Casino Wheel of Fortune franchise was just released in January 2015. Wheel of Fortune Extra Spin joins the other two titles. It is played on 5 reels and 20 paylines and includes a special Wheel Bonus Feature.
Online slot players can look forward to more Wheel of Fortune slot games in the future as IGT and Sony Pictures Consumer Products are in agreement to design and develop online and mobile games for DoubleDown Casino Interactive and for real money play at online casinos worldwide until 2024.