When you think of slot machines, you probably think of flashing lights, a large lever, and “7s” and “cherries” spinning around. Well, you would be wrong, this hasn’t been the case in many, many years.
In fact, in 1997, International Game Technology (IGT) started a trend toward slot machines based on popular culture. The first was Wheel of Fortune, which is still one of the most appealing games today due to the popular theme song alone. From there, the idea of pop culture games grew and grew, exploding into the online casinos as well. There are hundreds of pop themes ranging from rock n’ roll legends like Jimi Hendrix to popular comic book characters like Superman, and heck, there are even slots machine games based off Miss America and the classic movie The Godfather. Today, however, slot machine games are based off one of three categories: celebrities, TV/movies, or board games.
Are you wondering why the casino gaming industry is filled with so much of popular culture? Well, it is pretty simple…the typical gamer, whether online or in a brick-and-mortar casino, is no longer a businessman or woman of a certain age. Instead, it’s the people who are heavily influenced by the popular culture surrounding them.
Millennials don’t tend to play the traditional slot game, as slots are synonymous with an older player, but they do have a huge presence in the gaming industry today, especially online. Millennials are looking for that “gaming” experience that they are used to with a PlayStation or Xbox, something that is very familiar to them, so by offering pop culture-themed games, the casinos can relate to that demographic.
Now that we know that these games exist and why, let’s explore some of the most popular games? In no particular order, the pop culture themes below tend to be the most popular among the heavily targeted millennial market:
The Price is Right – this game has a huge presence in the brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online. Originally produced by WMS, it has been updated to include Drew Carey. The game isn’t just popular among the millennials, it’s even more popular among the senior citizen crowd. With the backing of a show that has run for over 55 years, it’s no wonder it has such a following in the gaming industry as well.
Monty Python – this IGT game takes advantage of the huge following of the cult classic Monty Python, which is nearing its 40th anniversary. Even though the audience is limited for this game, the audience it does have is very devoted, contributing to the popularity it still has to this day.
The Hangover – based on the popular film of the same name, this game produced by IGT is very popular with the millennial market. Seeing that it has a direct link to Vegas, it continues to grab attention and reel in more followers.
Deal or No Deal – people love this game, as it gives viewers the build of extra excitement as they wait to see what they could possibly win. It also gives people the feeling that they are on the show. The game’s popularity has faded a bit, but it remains one of the most widely entertaining among large audiences.
Other popular games are Rocky, Marvel Series, Star Trek, and Monopoly. Take a look online or the next time you enter a casino to see which slot machine may be your new favorite. If you’re a big fan of popular culture, like most millennials, you’ll likely find at least one game that is worthy of your time and money.
