How Gaming Realms Catapulted Slingo into the Mainstream

Comparasino chats with Suki Sandhu, Chief Product Officer at Gaming Realms, the company behind the hugely popular Slingo. 

Slingo has become one of the most popular game types at online casinos in the UK thanks to its innovative format and thrilling gameplay that combines elements of slots and bingo. 

The rights to Slingo have been owned by Gaming Realms, the same company that runs Slingo Casino, since 2011 and it has pulled out all the stops to catapult the format into the mainstream. 

To learn more about how it has done this, we spoke to Suki Sandhu, Chief Product Officer at Gaming Realms. 

Where did the concept for Slingo originate? How did Gaming Realms come to own the IP?

Slingo has a long history stretching back to 1994 when it was first launched in America. As the name suggests, it blends the excitement and certain game mechanics from slots and bingo together. This allows Slingo titles to appeal to a vast audience who gravitate towards each of its respective elements.

Typically, Slingo games use what can be considered a traditional bingo card, showcased as a 5×5 grid filled with randomly generated numbers. Players spin a slot machine-style reel to match these numbers on the grid. The goal is to create a “Slingo”, the name given to any line of five numbers in a row, with each increasing the player’s position on an incrementally increasing prize ladder.

The popularity of Slingo gained momentum when Gaming Realms acquired the brand in 2011 and helped transform it into the major online and mobile gaming property it is today.

What makes the combination of slots and bingo such an entertaining one?

Slingo taps into the core elements that make both slots and bingo highly engaging. When fused together, they create a thrilling experience that is driven by unique strategic decisions made possible through wilds and super wilds.

These empower players to interact with the title and choose where to place a guaranteed marked number. Some players may lean towards the middle section allowing for more Slingos to be instantly created or choose to play the corners to create Slingos more easily in the future. This aspect builds upon the thrill already present through the combinations of both slots and bingo, whilst adding additional gameplay interactivity with player choices directly impacting the title.

Who do Slingo games appeal to the most? 

Slingo games have a broad appeal, but they tend to resonate most strongly with players on mobile as opposed to desktop with the previously discussed interactivity working well on touchscreens, increasing immersion.

Our audience also has a great split between female and male players. Typically, slots are more traditionally enjoyed by males and bingo by females but by blending both of these verticals together we can reach and entertain all audiences.    

Can players still trigger in-game bonus features with Slingo? What bonuses can they expect?

Slingo titles offer players exciting bonuses and free spin opportunities to win big. For example, Slingo Fowl Play features multiple bonus rounds, awarded for achieving Slingos and climbing the prize ladder. Higher Slingo amounts unlock more lucrative bonuses. Additionally, these can be instantly won in the base game by landing specific symbols meaning every spin holds the opportunity to enter a thrilling bonus round.

While some titles prioritise simpler gameplay, with increasing cash prizes for each Slingo created, others, like Slingo River Re3ls, boast a wealth of bonuses and free spins, surpassing many traditional slot games. Our diverse portfolio caters to our wide range of player preferences as our audience is so diverse.

Can players enjoy Slingo versions of their favourite slots? 

There are countless Slingo versions of players’ favourite slot games which allow fans of an existing franchise to experience their favourite game in a new way, whilst still enjoying familiar features, mechanics or aesthetics. This includes Slingo Money Train which builds upon Relax Gaming’s hit Money Train series. Likewise, Slingo Gold Cash, Slingo China Shores and Slingo Capital Gains originated from slot collaborations of existing titles.

This reinterpretation of hit games being recreated within the Slingo medium has a long history with legacy titles like Slingo Centurion and Slingo Reel King remaining firm fan favourites years after release.

There are some great branded Slingo games. How did these games come about?

In addition to reinterpreting existing slot games, we frequently apply the Slingo formula to popular IPs from outside the online casino world. Tetris Slingo and Slingo SPACE INVADERS exemplify our success in blending the unique Slingo gameplay with iconic global brands, creating exciting new experiences.

These collaborations also extend beyond gaming, encompassing popular TV shows such as Slingo Deadliest Catch and Slingo Shark Week, further expanding the reach and appeal of the Slingo brand. If we see a brand that we think will resonate with our audience, we will reach out to the IP owner for a collaboration opportunity. However, following the success of our titles, increasingly brands reach out to us to create a Slingo version of their IP.

What are the most popular Slingo games in the UK? 

The UK remains a strong market for us, driven by the immense popularity of several Slingo titles within the region. Classics like Slingo Centurion and Slingo DaVinci Diamonds continue to resonate with players, alongside more modern titles such as Slingo POP and Slingo Santa King.

Slingo Day of the Dab has also enjoyed significant success in the UK. Its innovative gameplay, where matching numbers trigger other numbers to be instantly matched, creates a crescendo of excitement and high win potential.

Furthermore, we leverage the popularity of specific brands and IPs within the UK market. Slingo Constitution Hill, based on the award-winning racehorse, remains a player favourite, particularly during major horse racing events. Similarly, Slingo Deal or No Deal witnessed a surge in demand following the show’s recent return to television screens.

What’s your favourite game and why?

Slingo River Re3ls holds a special place for me. As the debut title featuring our innovative Re3ls mechanic, it significantly expanded the traditional Slingo gameplay with a wealth of exciting features. Moreover, this was one of the first projects I oversaw from inception to launch at Gaming Realms. Witnessing the evolution of this slot from concept to reality makes it a truly rewarding and memorable experience.

Slingo River Re3ls from Gaming Realms

What Slingo developments are currently in the works? Can you share any exclusives with our readers?

We have a fun Irish-themed game launching prior to St Patrick’s Day, Slingo Lucky McGold, which features a new free spin mechanic as well as additional scatters and instant cash prizes.

We then have a blockbuster bonus game launching in Honey Crew, which incorporates eight variations of bonus rounds and escalating rewards. Players can work their way up the ladder to unlock the bonus rounds, or for the first time in Slingo players can break through bonuses to unlock the next bonus game.

Following Honey Crew, we will have the release of Big Spin Booster, a wheel-based bonus game in which the wheel is always visible to the player. There are three different wheels in the game with two different bonus rounds, a jackpot wheel and a booster mechanic.

As the year goes on you will see more original Slingo titles as well as several IP-based Slingo games being released in the coming months.