The 1990s were a time of rapid change for the world of online gaming. The first online casinos were starting out in these early days of the modern internet, bringing the likes of slots and roulette to a new generation of online-savvy players. Meanwhile an unusual mix of slots and bingo was making waves with those in the know. This was, of course, Slingo! But how did Slingo come about, and how come it became such a massive hit in the UK when it was actually born in the US? This is what this article is all about, so join us as we tell all in the Slingo story - from the US to the UK!
The Origins of Slingo
You might be wondering about who created Slingo. This answer is one Sal Falciglia Sr, a real estate developer from New Jersey who came up with the idea of combining slots and bingo in the early 1990s. Falciglia was so convinced that this game would be a hit that in 1994 he created Slingo Inc., a company to create and market titles based on the idea.Turns out Falciglia was correct, and the game quickly made it to CD-ROMs, electronic handhelds, and the internet.
The idea behind Falciglia was simple, yet it remains the core concept behind the game to this day. Essentially you get a 5x5 bingo-style card holding numbers and 5 reels underneath. The reels spin to reveal 1 number each. If this number corresponds to one in the column of the grid directly above the reel then it will be marked off the card. Form a line on the card and you’ll get a bingo - sorry, slingo! Thus the aim of the game is to get as many of the 12 possible slingos in the limited number of spins (typically 10) provided in a round.
Slingo Game Evolution
Later versions of the game added more elements to further enhance the Slingo formula. These take the form of special symbols found on the reels. These include jokers, which can mark off one of the numbers on the grid, devils that can block off numbers on the grid, and free spins that add even more gameplay to the round. These additions make for an even dynamic game that manages to create a balance between the randomness of slots and the decision making of bingo.
With the above enhancements Slingo further grew in popularity. The 1990s saw Slingo Inc partnering with AOL, who made the game available on its online portal. This way the Slingo managed to get in front of more eyeballs! Slingo also proved to be a worthy addition for the early online casinos, thanks to its innovative combination of gambling elements. Finally as more players took on Slingo the game started getting new spin-offs and variants, the first of which were available on CD-ROM. These include Mixed Matrix Slingo, which had the numbers in random locations, Giant Slingo that added a “Giant” powerup on the reels, and a 2-player version of the game dubbed Duel Slingo.
From TV to Digital Platforms
Did you know Slingo was on TV? Or at least, the creators of Slingo attempted to get the game its own show? Turns out that Falciglia initially thought of Slingo as a TV game show, so in 2008 Slingo Inc pitched the idea of a Slingo show to the producers of The Wheel of Fortune. The producers liked the idea enough to film a pilot, but alas this was not picked up by any station, and as such remained unaired. However that was not the end of the Slingo TV story - turns out Slingo was popular enough in the Philippines to get itself a game show in the country! This show aired in 2007 on the ABC-5 channel, and while short lived it did prove that the format could be adapted into a variety of formats.
Speaking of formats, Slingo’s next transition was towards mobile. While the first iPhone had hit the market in 2007, mobile gaming really got its stride in the 2010s. Slingo launched its first mobile version in 2012 in partnership with Zynga. Called Zynga Slingo, the game proved instantly successful, but it soon hit a snag - in 2013 Slingo Inc was acquired by RealNetworks, meaning the Zynga partnership was dissolved. Instead players got to check out a new mobile version of the game, Slingo Adventure.
Slingo proved a hit on smartphones, thanks to its undemanding visuals and bite-sized gaming sessions. The same qualities are what also led to its popularity on online casinos, where it provides something different for players burned out on slots and the like. Slingo makes for a fresh experience, especially when paired with popular slot series such as Starburst!
How Slingo Crossed the Atlantic
We’ve been talking about Slingo’s online successes from the 1990s to the 2010s, but we have to admit that so far this story has been very much focused on the US. So what about the Slingo UK story? Turns out that the UK was the perfect place for Slingo to flourish following the online casino boom of the 2010s. Bingo was always popular in the country, while plenty of British people were familiar with the fun of slot machines. As such Slingo combined the best of both worlds, making it the perfect game for us Brits!
Further accelerating Slingo to the status of British favourite was a series of smart strategic partnerships. We’ve already mentioned how Slingo was adopting a range of slot themes, and these included team ups with games that were massive in the UK such as Rainbow Riches. These themed versions tap into brand recognition, and with dozens available it allows for all players to find the version of Slingo that’s right for them. It’s a true cross-branding success story, and if one is not interested in branded versions then there are plenty of different Slingo versions that stand wholly on their two legs, with the Slingo name acting as their only branding.
From New Jersey to British Fame!
By this point Slingo has found itself a firm niche in the British online gambling ecosystem. The industry is well established in the UK, with the UK Gambling Commission providing a safe and transparent environment for all players to enjoy their favourite games, and this allows Slingo to comfortably rub shoulders with the other, longer established kinds of casino games. The market is big enough to allow for all types of games, and Slingo is always reinventing itself to keep up with the times.
This quality ensures that whenever Slingo goes online, whether it’s in web portals, mobile apps, or online casinos, it will always prove popular, if not an outright success. It’s all about a strong game design that allows for a game that’s a modern classic across both sides of the Atlantic. Slingo walks the tightrope between innovation and nostalgia, not to mention chance and strategy, bringing about a unique experience that can be enjoyed by all. No wonder that we British players have embraced it so wholeheartedly!
