Times are changing for the beloved television game show Wheel of Fortune and its fans. Not only is the show preparing for the exit of longtime host Pat Sajak, but also this week they’re showing a willingness to integrate casino gambling concepts by attaching a progressive jackpot to its puzzles.
NewsNation reported on Monday that June 7 will be Sajak’s final episode after nearly 43 years. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest will take over, with Vanna White staying on through the 2025-26 season.
Adding to the excitement this week as Wheel of Fortune celebrates its upcoming 8,000th episode, show sponsor BetMGM has introduced a special Nightly Progressive Jackpot.
During what is being dubbed “Big Money Week,” contestants can win additional money if they solve the Bonus Puzzle at the end of each episode. That jackpot will continue to grow until a player wins it.
Growing Jackpot Tied to Spins Throughout Episode
In addition, players can potentially double their rewards. A BetMGM “Double Jackpot” wedge will be included on the gameplay wheel, with a player who holds onto that wedge and reaches the bonus round having the opportunity to win double the listed progressive jackpot prize should they solve the final puzzle.
According to rules posted at the Wheel of Fortune website, the progressive jackpot opened at $8,000. Every time a player spins a wedge – with the exception of those with no cash value, or the $1,000,000 wedge – the value is added to the jackpot. At the end of the show, a contestant who successfully solves the Bonus Puzzle not only gets their normally selected prize, but also adds the total of the progressive jackpot to their winnings.
BetMGM is also sponsoring a corresponding contest for Wheel of Fortune viewers. One lucky fan will win the amount of the progressive jackpot each night, regardless of whether or not the contestant actually solves the final puzzle. Should the contestant solve it with the Double Jackpot bonus, then the sweepstakes winner will also double their prize.
“BetMGM is honored to join Wheel of Fortune during this milestone week and be a part of a game show that has earned a place in American television history,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a press statement. “’Big Money Week’ is a great collaboration, giving contestants and viewers at home the opportunity to experience the excitement of a progressive jackpot.”
The collaboration could be a big win for BetMGM, which gets the chance to put its branding front and center in front of a large audience of viewres who may not normally think about online gambling. BetMGM graphics will appear on monitors this week, along with a branded jackpot ticket and the Double Jackpot wedges on the wheel itself.
Wheel of Fortune Slot Endures as Casino Favorite
Casino goers are already well acquainted with Wheel of Fortune, even if they’re not regular watchers of Pat Sajak and Vanna White. The IGT Wheel of Fortune slot machine, first developed in 1996, has become the most successful slots franchise of all-time.
With iconic sounds, hundreds of variants and its own embrace of progressive jackpots, Wheel of Fortune has become a timeless classic and remains an enduring favorite of casino gamblers nearly 30 years later. The brand is so ubiquitous that BetMGM has even launched an online Wheel of Fortune Casino in New Jersey.
Progressive jackpots work somewhat differently in the casino than they will on the Wheel of Fortune game show this week, however. Progressive slots jackpots are player funded, with a small amount of each bet made going into the jackpot fund until a lucky player wins the grand prize.
Wheel of Fortune is one of the most successful game shows in American television history. Created by Merv Griffin, the show has aired continuously since 1975, making it the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. There have also been 60 international adaptations of the television program.