Las Vegas Review Journal – Slot machine giant International Game Technology announced a new multiyear licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Monday that allows the Las Vegas-based company to use the “Wheel of Fortune” brand on its product lines through 2024. The deal covers traditional slot machines, online games, mobile devices and free-play social games. IGT said the contract also lets IGT place the “Jeopardy!” brand on slot games on IGT’s DoubleDown online casino. The company said this will be the first time “Jeopardy!” will be available to an online social casino in the United States. Both IGT’s existing “Wheel of…

Biz Journals – Is Philadelphia the next Las Vegas? With the city now home to several casinos, a City Councilman wants to take it a step further, by installing slot machines at the airport. Councilman Jim Kenney is arguing for the measure, saying the city could use the proceeds to fund its struggling education coffers. It wouldn’t be for the general public, just people flying in and out of the city. Here’s what he told Newsworks: “We need new revenue sources for the school district. The state legislature has been reticent to pay anything with the word tax associated with it. 1,300 machines at…

We speak with Dan Taylor of SHFL Entertainment about their progressive slot game, Duo Fu Duo Cai. In a press release, the company had this to say about the game: The Company’s smash hit, the Duo Fu Duo Cai progressive jackpot link, will return to this year’s show… (and) feature(s) SHFL’s exclusive All Up design, which offers players higher rewards for higher bets using gold symbols. Casino Compendium states “SHFL entertainment Inc’s (SHFL) progressive jackpot link Duo Fu Duo Cai has been awarded Inside Asian Gaming’s “Best Progressive Slot” as part of the magazine’s 2012 Supplier Awards, announced in its…

Las Vegas Review Journal – Prepaid debit cards — tied to a casino customer’s rewards account — have been approved for wagering on Nevada slot machines following changes in state gaming regulations. The Nevada Gaming Commission voted 4-0 Thursday — Chairman Pete Bernhard was absent — to approve the amendments, which were backed by several gaming companies and recommended by Sightline Payments, a Las Vegas-based payment processing business. Attorney Dennis Neilander, representing Sightline, told the Gaming Commission the changes address concerns raised by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, which has long fought the use of traditional credit cards on…

The Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ slot machine from Bally Tech will entertain and electrify casino players worldwide with more gaming excitement from one of the greatest performers of all time. The game will be available on casino floors this summer. The follow-up game to the popular Michael Jackson King of Pop game, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ features familiar gameplay and all-new bonuses set to five of Michael Jackson’s most iconic hits: Bad, Billie Jean, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, The Way You Make Me Feel, and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. The Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’…

Finns are among the most enthusiastic about their slot machines in Europe, but there are wide regional differences in levels of gambling. Our interactive map, which uses data from the state slot machine company RAY, shows exactly where people play the most. Finns are exceptionally enthusiastic about gambling. In the first six months of this year they spent an average of 61 euros per session on slot machines, which is around 50 cents more than during the same period last year. Virolahti spends the most per capita on RAY games, with more than a hundred euros spent per resident in…