5 themed slot machines that reel in the players

Attendees look over slot machines at the Bally booth during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at the Las Vegas Convention Center Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

By Rebecca Clifford-Cruz

Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 | 2 a.m.

Global Gaming Expo kicks off at Sands Convention Center (10-3-2011)

Walking across a casino floor can at times be like a walk through Hollywood history. Themed slot machines inspired by television shows, movies and celebrities have become increasingly common.

This week, Bally Technologies announced a Michael Jackson-themed machine that the company will debut at the 2011 Global Gaming Expo, which begins Monday. For casinos, slot machines are some of the highest grossers and the popularity of the themed slots can generate significant revenue. Here’s a look at some of top-played machines in local casinos:

/Courtesy of IGT
Wheel of Fortune

In 1997, International Game Technology produced the “Wheel of Fortune” game with a bonus wheel and sound effects from the popular television game show. Unlike many themed-slots that fade in popularity in a few years, “Wheel of Fortune” continues to be a top performer. Many versions of the game released, some attached to a progressive jackpot. Even large eight-player machines can be found at some casinos, where the players sit at the same unit, each with their own monitor. When one player hits the bonus round, all players are included in that bonus if they’ve made the required minimum bet during that spin.
/Courtesy of Bally Technologies
Betty Boop’s Love Meter

Featuring the 1930s cartoon icon Betty Boop, the Love Meter is a multi-progressive machine that has several bonus features. The main feature, “How Hot Are You?”, involves a touchscreen display. Players place their hands on the display to register their “romantic potential.” The bonus can lead to one of the three progressives displayed on the machine tower. Due to Betty Boop’s popularity, Bally Technologies will unveil Betty Boop’s Fortune Teller this week.
/Courtesy of IGT
Sex and the City

The “Sex and the City” slot machine came about when HBO’s licensing chief, James Costos, pitched the idea to IGT in 2008. The pink, sparkling machines feature the leading ladies of the franchise and landed on casino floors in 2009, becoming an instant hit. The virtual digital-slot has several bonus rounds featuring pink cosmopolitans, diamonds and Mr. Big congratulating you on your winnings.
/Courtesy of IGT
The Hangover

Last year, IGT and Warner Bros. teamed up for a “Hangover” slot machine, which was unveiled with the release of the sequel to the hit movie starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha. The game features character-themed progressive bonuses and bonuses based on memorable moments from the movie — a Stun Gun bonus, Wedding Chapel bonus, Mr. Chow’s Freaky Free Games and the Deal in the Desert bonus, among others. Base game wilds are awarded when a police cruiser, an SUV, a tiger paw swipe, a mattress, or Mr. Chow enters the screen and randomly converts game symbols to wilds.
/Courtesy of Bally Technologies
Playboy Hot Zone

Playboy fans who dream of playing with animated Playmates have made this five-reel slot a hit. The game features Bally’s patented Hot Zone Play Mechanic, in which an overlay appears over reels and all symbols under the overlay become wild — earning credits — and the game sometimes shows a dance from Playboy kingpin Hugh Hefner and his busty companions.