Wheel of Fortune is one of the most iconic game shows of all time, and the British adaptation of the US series was a staple of our television schedules for more than a decade. The spinning wheel game surprisingly finished airing in 2001 and hasn’t returned to screens since.
The concept of the lucky wheel has lived on in popular culture, and it is now particularly prevalent in the online casino industry. The fact that it’s such a huge attraction in that sector suggests that now could be the perfect time to resurrect Wheel of Fortune on TV.
Lucky Wheel Games are Hugely Popular at Online Casinos
The simple idea of a spinning wheel that lands on random prizes has had a huge impact on popular culture. Merv Griffin invented the concept for US audiences in 1975, and the show he created is still going across the pond after more than 7000 episodes.
The idea has been borrowed at online casinos, where you can often find a daily free spin wheel that provides random bonuses. These wheels give players the chance to win free scratch cards, free spins on selected slot games, bonuses within games, and sportsbook free bets. They have proven to be an excellent way to keep players coming back for more.
Part of the thrill of casino gaming is that the titles are all based on chance, and players don’t know what they are going to get. It makes sense to align the bonuses with that idea and make these completely luck based as well. Players can treat the bonus game itself as a leisure activity, which also gives them the chance to pick up some freebies.
Wheel of Fortune Could be Rebooted for Modern Casino-Playing Viewers
Wheel of Fortune ran from 1998 to 2001 in the UK, and judging by the number of episodes, it was hugely popular. Indeed, there were 746 episodes before it was cancelled, and it also featured some great presenters. Nicky Campbell and Bradley Walsh both had stints as the host, with the latter using it as a springboard to later success in The Chase. Angele Ekaette, Carol Smillie, and Jenny Powell all appeared as the wheel spinners at different times as well.
If the series returned to screens, it would need to be refreshed and rebooted to appeal to casino players. Times have changed greatly since it stopped airing, and today’s audiences need more features to keep them entertained. It would need a new hosting duo for sure, and it could be interesting to flip the gender roles and have the man spinning the wheel instead. If ITV didn’t want to take it up, it could be a great option for streaming services to rebrand.
The recent resurrection of Who Wants to be a Millionaire has highlighted how bringing back a much-loved game show can be a success. The same thing could easily happen with Wheel of Fortune if the producers decide to revisit it.
Lucky wheel themes will always be around in the online casino industry as they are an excellent way to dish out prizes. With them being highly prevalent in the booming gambling industry, it suggests that a return of Wheel of Fortune could be a massive hit.
