A game is a game.
That is not always true. Board games are not the same as online slot games. Television game shows are not the same as online slots. However, people who enjoy games have many of the same qualities, as they love challenges and taking risks. Enter: game themed slots.
When those types of players walk through a casino or browse through online video slot options, names of game shows and board games often catch their eyes. The names of those brands signify something friendly and familiar…and a game that incorporates a game within a game.
Interestingly, most game shows and board games make their way into branded casino games, ones available in land-based casinos with big screens and lots of bells and whistles. Few developers make them for online casinos, unfortunately, though the reasons are unclear.
Let’s look at the three massively popular online slot games in this category, as well as the lists of those large slot machines that players can find in casinos.
1. Monopoly and Multiple Variations
Walk into any casino and look for the Monopoly slot machines; there is typically a line of people waiting to play them. They are incredibly popular for the bonus rounds and interactive game play.
There is an online version of Monopoly, and it, too, is wildly popular. WMS Gaming, a subsidiary of Scientific Games, created the first online slot edition of the game years ago. Since then, it has complemented it with numerous variations, all separate takes on the original board game. Some of those titles are:
- Monopoly Big Money Reel
- Monopoly Mega Movers
- Monopoly Once Around Deluxe
- Epic Monopoly
- Epic Monopoly II
- Super Monopoly Money
- Monopoly Plus
- Monopoly Dream Life
- Monopoly Big Event
- Monopoly Grand Hotel
- Monopoly: Bring the House Down
- Monopoly: On the Money
- Monopoly Luxury Diamonds
- Monopoly Legends
- Monopoly Prime Reel Estate
There are also some versions reserved for brick-and-mortar casino play, such as Monopoly Money, Monopoly Millionaire, Monopoly Money Grab, Monopoly Hot Shot, and Monopoly Grand. The latest is Monopoly Big Wheel Railroads.
The brand is also now a force in the live dealer online casino game world. Evolution Gaming, the leader in live dealer games online, offers Monopoly Live with a human dealer virtually helping play the game. And Monopoly Slingo is also a new version of the game.
888casino offers several versions of Monopoly in the slots and live dealer games sections. Monopoly is also quite the popular game on Playamo Casino.
2. Deal or No Deal and Multiple Variations
Gamesys secured the licensing deal with Deal or No Deal, the popular television game show that has also taken over the world of online and casino gambling. However, there are several versions of the game by Blueprint Gaming.
Based on the television game show hosted by Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal translated well into online games because the opening of the suitcases easily became a bonus game.
There are some variations of Deal or No Deal, as follows:
- Deal or No Deal Megaways
- Deal or No Deal Grand
- Deal or No Deal World Slot
- Deal or No Deal: Las Vegas
- Deal or No Deal: What’s in Your Box?
- Deal or No Deal: The Perfect Play
- Deal or No Deal: Go All the Way
- Deal or No Deal: The Banker’s Riches
- Deal or No Deal: In It to Win It
- Deal or No Deal: Join’N Play
- Deal or No Deal: The Big Deal
Again, many of the latter titles on the list are versions only found in land-based casinos, but those like the Megaways are online at many different Canadian casinos.
Live dealer options are available for Deal or No Deal at a number of online sites, as the game lends itself to a dealer or host to facilitate the action.
Jackpot City and All Slots Casino are two of the top casinos to offer live versions, even in the Slingo format. Read our full Jackpot City Casino Review and All Slots Review for more information.
3. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Slingo Version
The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire brand hasn’t undergone the multiple changes as the two aforementioned games. The television game show makes for an exciting online game but nothing that warrants too many iterations. There is the standard version, as well as the Slingo version, and one additional one with the “Mystery Box” subtitle.
Big Time Gaming brought the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire brand to life online, with help from Scientific Games and Microgaming.
There is not yet a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Live version with an online dealer, but as these types of games become more popular, expect to see it there in time.
4. Game Show Slots in Casinos
Many more game shows are now available in slot machine form in casinos around the world. It is likely only a matter of time before some of them also become available online.
- Jeopardy
- The Price Is Right
- Plinko (The Price Is Right)
- Press Your Luck
- Family Feud
- The $100,000 Pyramid
- Wheel of Fortune
Press Your Luck may not be a familiar title, though more players will recognize the “no whammies” tagline that took on a life outside of the TV show.
The most popular game-themed slots of the above-listed games is Wheel of Fortune. As with Monopoly, walk into any casino and find the Wheel of Fortune slots, and there will be people waiting to play. The unique bonuses and many variations of the Wheel game – complete with Vanna White and Pat Sajak – involve bonus rounds, wheels above the machines, and many ways to win.
5. Board Game Slots in Casinos
Board games seem like a perfect match for slot machine players, though not all of them translate easily into slot symbols and bonus rounds. There are a number that have made their way into casinos, though, like these:
- Clue / Cluedo
- Mouse Trap
- Battleship
- Yahtzee
- Dungeons & Dragons
Players have been able to access versions of IGT’s Clue for quite a few years in casinos, and it seems to remain popular. Those inside the USA will find Clue Slots on many slot rows, while those in the UK can find Cluedo Slots. Players also can find chess-themed slots here or there, such as Queen of Thrones by Leander Games, though such games aren’t licensed slots.
That’s over 50 slots based on popular game shows and tabletop board games. Which game-themed slots would you like to see next?