Randomness is one of the biggest factors in the best games across the iGaming industry. Not only does it help provide a sense of fair gaming, but it also creates a feeling of anticipation as to what the next outcome will be. One of the most effective ways iGaming developers and operators achieve such random results is to embrace wheel-based casino games.
Wheel games are simple concepts, allowing iGamers to pick up and play them on-demand. All that’s required is to pick where they think the wheel will land and see where it stops. In many ways, the mechanics of wheel-based games in iGaming may sound almost too simplistic, but the creativity of game developers ensures there’s always unique features to be mindful of.
Below, we shine a spotlight on the most popular wheel-based games in the game libraries of the leading iGaming operators, spanning classic games enjoyed for more than a century through to state-of-the-art, next-generation offerings.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the oldest casino wheel games on the planet. Conceived in the 18th century, the game means ‘little wheel’ in French, and France is where the game was first played before moving across Europe.
One of the most unique features of roulette is that it’s a fusion of a table game and a wheel-based game. Players place wagers on the table layout and the wheel determines whether those bets are winners or losers.
The game mechanics are simple. The white ball spins around the wheel before landing in one of the numbered pockets. Those betting on that number will win a payout. Over the years, casinos have worked hard to bring new twists to this generations-old game. The inclusion of an extra green double zero pocket – alongside the green zero pocket – was one such twist. This is known as the American variant, which is one of three formats commonly used by iGaming operators today. Although the double zero increases the house edge, it does offer a different dynamic for players that may need to change their strategies to try and win.
Wheel of Fortune
You might be more familiar with the television gameshow version of Wheel or Fortune, but there is also a licensed casino game with the same moniker. This game is developed by iGaming software studio IGT and has since designed approximately 250+ variations of the Wheel of Fortune casino wheel game.
Some versions of the Wheel of Fortune casino game are slot machines with a wheel-based Wheel of Fortune bonus game. Meanwhile there’s also live dealer versions that allow players to wager on numbered segments on the wheel and attempt to win multiplier payouts.
Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher is another hugely popular wheel-based game within the libraries of iGaming operators today. This multi-coloured wheel consists of 54 segments, with win multipliers worth between 1x and 40x positioned on segments at random. Naturally, there’s plenty more 1x multiplier segments than 40x multiplier segments.
The game mechanics are simple – place wagers on the win multiplier you think the wheel will land on. There’s no huge strategy involved here, with the spin of each Dream Catcher wheel influenced by pure chance.
Monopoly Live
Monopoly is one of the world’s most commercially successful board games ever. It has also successfully transcended the iGaming market. Board games are renowned for being good for memory muscles too. Monopoly Live is one of the most popular branded live casino games in the industry right now – and it just so happens to have a wheel-based game dynamic.
Monopoly Live has similar game mechanics to Dream Catcher. You’ll be tasked with predicting which win multiplier the wheel will land on. There’s also the added dynamic of the ‘2 rolls’ and ‘4 rolls’ bonus segments. Whenever the wheel lands on these, it triggers the 3D bonus game, with Mr. Monopoly transporting you to a virtual game board, making your way around the iconic Monopoly board and racking up prizes along the way.
Money Drop Live
Money Drop Live is inspired by the successful television gameshow called The 100k Drop – originally known as the Million Pound Drop.
Players start with a set amount of money which can be distributed across four platforms – A, B, C and D. A fully decentralised random number generator algorithm (RNG) determines which platforms open. The money left on the one remaining platform then advances to the second and final stage. The final stage sees another three platforms open, as selected by the RNG. Any remaining money is won and multiplied by a multiplier worth between 5x and 1,000x.
