TV has produced countless timeless classics that have stood the test of time, enduring far beyond the era during which they were released. Many of the top sitcoms and drama series are extended for dozens of seasons, while spin-offs and even film adaptations help to further cement a franchise’s legacy.
But beyond the small and big screen, there are opportunities for bigger leaps and cross-overs, and in this article, we will be talking about the TV shows that have been adapted to become casino games and why each was an ideal match for the new medium.
Deal or No Deal
Hit TV show Deal or No Deal received its debut in Germany in 2000, under the name Die Chance deines Lebens, which translates as ‘the chance of your life’. Since then, it has been exported across the world, with America’s version debuting in 2005 and running for four years.
Presented by Howie Mandel, the game offers players the chance to win up to $1,000,000 by negotiating offers. Round by round, the contestant eliminates boxes held by others in the studio in the hope of getting rid of the lowest amounts.
A game of chance and risk, Deal or No Deal is the perfect candidate for the casino treatment and the title has spawned an array of online gambling titles. You can play Deal or No Deal casino game titles at sites like Paddy Power, for example, while bingo and slots games have also been developed around the franchise.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Another show to be exported to the US from Europe is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The premise of the game is extremely simple. Contestants answer multiple-choice questions to accumulate cash, with the top prize rising as high as $10,000,000.
The game also provides the player with lifelines to help them past difficult questions. Traditionally, contestants could remove two of the four answers, ask the audience, who’d vote using keypads, or phone a designated friend.
Millionaire became a huge hit due to the tense nature of each episode, while the calculated risk was once again a major factor. Both elements made the show a perfect fit for the casino, with players able to create their own experience from home.
‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ Season 13 premiere: New host Terry Crews does ‘something… http://t.co/E20OWgZbwm pic.twitter.com/r0fClxBmg3
— Screener (@screenertv) September 8, 2014
Rick & Morty
Away from the world of game shows, Rick & Morty has proven to be a runaway animated hit with adult audiences in recent years. Debuting on Adult Swim in 2013, the show is now a global success on Netflix, building a larger mainstream following with every season.
The story revolves around a typical American family’s relationship with a very untypical grandfather, Rick, whose scientific genius and eccentricities are the catalyst behind his adventures with often reluctant grandson, Morty.
The fantastical nature of the show offers pure escapism for audiences, with episodes regularly transporting the viewer to another world. It’s these qualities that make Rick & Morty such a perfect fit for the online casino, providing comic relief from the monotony of every-day life.
Guess it was a good idea. “The Vat of Acid Episode” won an #Emmy. Watch it on the @adultswim app now: https://t.co/ZXGk8dMkb5 pic.twitter.com/VDC2Y65lup
— Rick and Morty (@RickandMorty) September 22, 2020
By featuring in online casino games, TV shows like Deal or No Deal, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Rick & Morty are securing their digital legacies for years to come. It’s doubtless we’ll see dozens more make the leap in the future.
Robert J. Smith is still early into his career as tech reporter but has already had his work published in many major publications including JoyStiq and Android Authority. In regards to academics, Robert earned a degree in business from Fordham University. Robert has passion for emerging technology and covers upcoming products and breakthroughs in science and tech.
