It isn’t often that a new casino classic comes onto the scene. But there’s no denying that the fusion game of Slingo has quickly risen up the ranks to become a popular choice in online casinos.
Bringing together elements of the already popular games of Bingo and Slots, Slingo creates a gameplay experience that is both familiar and fresh. Starting from just a simple concept in the 1990s, the game really took off once the era of online play began, with an increasing number of players now playing Slingo online.
If you’re looking to find out more about Slingo then join us as we delve into the makings of this modern classic.
The history of Slingo
As you might expect, Slingo was only created at the tail end of the 20th century. In 1994, New Jersey-based real estate developer Sal Falciglia came up with the idea of Slingo. At the time he intended for his creation to become a possible gameshow feature, creating a physical version of the game in his workshop.
By combining elements of Slots with the core gameplay of Bingo, Falciglia brought together familiar parts of two classic games that players already knew. This meant that Slingo already had a built-in audience even while it introduced a new style of gameplay to players.
But, in the end, Slingo ended up not becoming a gameshow staple thanks to the rise of the internet. Instead, the game found its audience in online play, between online casinos and dedicated Slingo software or apps.
How Slingo works
So, now you know where the game got its start, but how does a game of Slingo actually work?
Similar to a game of US Bingo, players are given a 5×5 grid of numbers with the aim of marking off as many lines as possible. But the way they get these numbers is where the Slots part of the design comes into play.
Underneath the grid are a row of five reels, each of which corresponds to one of the grid’s columns. Players are given a set number of spins at the start of the game, with each spin potentially giving them a number to mark off in each column. Each completed line increases the game’s payout, making the player’s aim a full house of all 25 numbers.
This immediately changes the feel of Slingo compared to Bingo, where players only receive one number called at a time.
There is also the added Slots-inspired element of wilds, which are extra symbols that may land on the reels instead of a number. Each wild has a different impact on the game, whether that’s letting players mark off any number in a column, increasing the total number of spins available or blocking one reel for a spin.
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By bringing together parts of Slots and Bingo, Slingo turned itself into a new, modern classic. As the online landscape continues to evolve this fusion game could adapt itself further, bringing in new elements to keep its gameplay fresh.