IGT extends deal with Sony for Wheel of Fortune
Content supplier will develop mobile, social and real-money version of popular land-based slot game
IGT will develop online versions of its popular slot product Wheel of Fortune after extending its licensing agreement with Sony, with the content provider prepaying US$185m against future royalties.
Under the agreement IGT has also licensed the rights to popular US TV show Jeopardy! and plans to use the brand for land-based, online real-money, and freeplay content through its DoubleDown casino.
The game’s appearance on IGT’s DoubleDown Casino will mark the first time that Jeopardy! will be available on an online social casino in the US.
In January eGR North America reported that DoubleDown had been a key driver behind IGT’s Q1 2014 growth, with revenues up 57% to $65m for the quarter.
The launch of real-money gaming in New Jersey was also a boost for the content provider who supplies the likes of the Golden Nugget and Gamesys in the Garden State.
IGT first launched its Wheel of Fortune land-based slot game back in 1996 and has gone on to become the most popular slot theme of all time with more than 200 variations.
In other news:
– Federal ban on US regulated egaming builds momentum