Wheel of Fortune is one of the best-known television game shows of all time, and it has been going strong ever since the first episode aired on NBC in 1975. The series from the late Merv Griffin was initially inspired by the roulette wheel, but it has, more recently, gone on to influence modern gambling games themselves.
Indeed, there are now numerous wheel games at online casinos that borrow ideas from Wheel of Fortune. These titles don’t reward players with cars, but they do have a few interesting prizes of their own.
The Concept Has Inspired Some Hit Online Gambling Games
There are various online casino games that have tried to capitalize on the popularity of Wheel of Fortune and offer players a similar experience online. One such offering is the Paddy Power Wonder Wheel, a lucky spinning game that gives players a chance to win every day. The prizes include free spins on selected games at the site, bonuses, and scratch cards.
There are a few other wheel spinning games at the site as well, with players able to take part in offerings like Crazy Time and Spin A Win. The prevalence of these wheels shows how many people want to experience the thrills of Wheel of Fortune and feel as if they’ve entered an episode of the show.
Players Have a Chance to Win Cars on Wheel of Fortune
The prospect of winning a car has become a common trope on television game shows over the years, but Wheel of Fortune was one of the first series to come up with this idea. Back in the 1980s, contestants would be able to take home vehicles like the 1986 Mazda SE-5 pickup won by John Dean. The only problem for Dean was the fact that he was left with a tax bill to pay, as the car and other prizes on the show were calculated towards his total earnings for the year.
More recently, the cars that players can take home have been a lot more impressive than the ones on offer in the 1980s. The last few winners of the show have all been rewarded with the Audi Q3, a luxurious SUV that’s priced at around $35,000 in the USA. That’s certainly not something to be sniffed at. In addition to that, there’s even the chance to win houses.
What Game Shows Have the Same Legacy as Wheel of Fortune?
There aren’t many game shows that have lasted as long as Wheel of Fortune or have left the same legacy. The only other series in the States that could compete with it would be another Griffin creation, Jeopardy! That series has been going since 1965, and it is still available on CBS Media Ventures today. In terms of game shows that have inspired other titles in the gambling industry, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Deal or No Deal are up there with Wheel of Fortune.
Winning an expensive car on a quiz show is the dream of many, and something that Wheel of Fortune has made possible. The spinning wheel is now iconic and has inspired similar offerings online. Players may not be able to win cars on these, but they do have the chance to win some cash prizes.
