Are IGT Slots Worth Playing?

International Game Technology (IGT) is arguably the most-famous slots maker of all time. It produces more slot machines than any other developer.

IGT is also the only gaming company that holds licensing in every regulated gambling jurisdiction across the world. It draws almost $5 billion per year through licensing deals and selling slot machines.

That said, the Las Vegas-based company should be on top of their game, right? Actually IGT slots don’t quite stack up to the competition these days.

One prominent casino even called them out for offering “underperforming” games. I’ll discuss more on IGT along with why their slots are doing so poorly.

What Is International Game Technology?

William “Si” Redd founded the company that would become IGT in 1975. Redd, who previously worked for the game supplier Bally, purchased Bally’s video poker rights at a bargain price.

He and his then-company, SIRCOMA, had great success marketing and selling video poker machines. In 1982, Redd changed the business’ name to International Game Technology and went public.

Today, IGT has undergone major mergers (i.e. Gtech S.p.A.) and grown even larger. It features offices in London, Las Vegas, Rome, and Providence.

This company annually produces more slots, video poker, blackjack, and roulette terminals than any other developer. Its clout has enabled it to score licensing and casino deals in every regulated jurisdiction across the globe.

Notable IGT Slots

International Game Technology derives most of its fame from producing slot machines. It has turned out a number of hit games over the decades.

This developer designs most of its slots with brick-and-mortar casinos in mind. However, it also ports some of its biggest hits to an online format.

In short, IGT lays claim to many popular slot machines. You can see some of its most-famous land-based and/or real money online slots below:

What Sets IGT Apart From Other Developers?

History is perhaps the biggest aspect that makes International Game Technology stand out. This provider has been rolling out hit games for a long time.

Everything started when this developer, under Si Redd’s direction, began producing video poker machines. It quickly made a successful transition into creating slot machines too.

IGT has been at the forefront of many slots innovations. Again, it released the first wide-area progressive jackpot in 1986.

Megabucks has since gone on to pay the biggest slots jackpots in history. The $39.7 million prize that it delivered in 2003 (anonymous player at Excalibur Las Vegas) remains the largest slots payout ever.

This game-maker also developed the first slot with a second-screen bonus. Released in 1996, Reel ‘em In gives players a chance to fish during the bonus.

IGT was also the first, or one of the first, provider to feature cascading reels. The latter causes winning symbols to disappear so that new icons appear and offer more chances to win.

This developer introduced the gaming world to 720 ways. The latter features a funky setup (3-4-5-4-3) and gives players 720 ways to win in every round.

Twin River Casino Blasts IGT Slot Machines

You can see that International Game Technology has done truly remarkable things in the gaming world. Even still, not everybody is a fan of their work.

In 2019, Twin River (Lincoln, RI) bashed Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s (D) plan to give IGT most of the state’s slots business.

Raimondo favored giving IGT exclusive rights to supply Rhode Island slot machines until 2043. Under the plan, Twin River would have to use IGT for up to 85% of its slot machines.

The casino company was so adamant about the deal that it even set up a website (StopNoBidDeal.com) to stop the move. The website noted:

“IGT machines do not stack up competitively. They are underperforming compared to machines from the state’s two other VLT vendors. More than 1,800 of their machines are more than a decade old.”

Twin River eventually struck a deal with IGT to create a new company together. That said, it has likely changed its original stance on IGT’s slots-making skills.

Nevertheless, the company’s original thoughts (via StopNoBidDeal) stand. It initially complained about the developer’s outdated and underperforming games.

Problems with IGT Slots

IGT can survive in the gaming world for decades to come based on its name recognition alone. But it could definitely work on some aspects, including the following problems.

Dated Graphics

International Game Technology has done a good job on visual design throughout its lengthy history. But its recent efforts don’t exactly compare to top-notch developers.

These days, the typical IGT slot features average or even below-average graphics. This provider simply isn’t keeping up with the hottest studios in terms of visual elements.

No Revolutionary Features Lately

As covered before, International Game Technology is behind some of the most-notable slots features in history. It either invented or was at the forefront of the following:

The same type of innovation just isn’t coming from this studio anymore. IGT still offers new slot machines—just not anything that’s shaking up the industry.

Doesn’t Release Many New Online Slots

This company could never produce another original slot again and do just fine financially. Therefore, IGT doesn’t have to create as many games as the average provider.

However, it also seems to be resting on its laurels and just concentrating on the business side. After all, this developer isn’t launching many new slots nowadays.

Pros of IGT Slots

Not everything is bad regarding IGT’s slot machines. You can see some of this developer’s positive points below.

Large Game Library

International Game Technology offers a massive collection of slot machines. You can find countless slots throughout brick-and-mortar and IGT online casinos.

Here are some of their numerous online slots:

Classic Slots Hits

Some gamblers like going to casinos for nostalgia purposes. They remember the good times and/or big jackpots they had while playing certain slot machines.

IGT does an excellent job of capturing this crowd. It has churned out plenty of hits over the decades that, even today, inspire nostalgic feelings.

The Biggest Jackpots

IGT rolled out the first wide-area progressive prize in casinos. It continues to offer the most sought-after wide-area jackpot in Nevada’s Megabucks.

The latter seeds at $10 million and routinely pays life-changing amounts worth between $15 and $25 million. It also lays claim to the previously mentioned record payout of $39.7 million.

The online slots jackpots aren’t as big as Megabucks. However, its online MegaJackpots prize—connected to Cleopatra, Isle of Plenty, and Siberian Storm—does sometimes pay seven figures.

Are IGT Slot Machines Ultimately Worthwhile?

If you’re looking for the hottest features and best graphics, then you won’t find these aspects with IGT slot machines. This developer was once excellent in these eras but has since fallen off its game.

International Game Technology no longer banks on being the first with a certain bonus or theme. It also doesn’t dedicate countless hours towards revolutionary 3D graphics.

Instead, IGT is a mogul in the area of slots development. Through decades of innovation and hit releases, it has earned the right to spend more time on the business side of gaming.

Of course, you can still find plenty of value in this company’s slot machines. IGT boasts an extensive library of games and huge jackpots too.

Assuming you like certain brands, such as Family Guy or Ghostbusters, then you’ll enjoy playing the associated slot machines.

Conclusion

Certain slots developers, like Big Time Gaming, NetEnt, and Red Tiger, are pushing gaming into the next generation. They come up with truly unique features and game formats that fascinate gamblers.

International Game Technology is not among these developers. It doesn’t drive the industry regarding bonuses, graphics, jackpots, or formats like it once did.

Instead, IGT spends more time developing licensing and business deals with states/countries and casinos. This company owns enough intellectual property that it can simply capitalize on what it already owns.

IGT slots can still be worthwhile under the right circumstances. So, their games aren’t completely terrible. However, you’ll need to look elsewhere to find the latest and greatest in gaming.