Slots crossed with bingo
Slingo — A Stranger History Than You'd Think
Most people assume it's a recent invention. It isn't. Sal Falciglia created it in the early 1990s, and the route from there to your phone is an odd one.
Where the Idea Came From
The concept was first discussed on a flight from France back to the United States. It was conceived as a television game. This was the era when Wheel of Fortune ruled the game-show ratings.
Making It Work
Pairing bingo with slots took real effort. It involved a Mexican Peso five-reel slot machine and an idea scribbled down at two in the morning.
Even that undersells it. This was a family enterprise, with a grandfather and his grandsons working out how it should play.
From AOL to Your Phone
Four moments that took a basement idea worldwide.
The Programmer
A hire who built a web version and suggested taking it to AOL, whose games area it dominated almost immediately.
IGT Signs Up
The son of IGT's chairman played it and recommended it to his father. In 1999 it launched as a slot machine.
Brand Partnerships
Wheel of Fortune came first, then scratchcards with Scientific Games.
Gaming Realms
The UK firm behind Foxy Bingo and Cheeky Bingo bought the rights outright and took it mobile.
Where It Is Now
It is fair to wonder why IGT or Scientific Games did not buy the rights first. The game gives you multiple rounds to build a prize and extra chances at a bigger win, which is exactly what players want.
The likely answer is scale. Giant firms tend to buy proven businesses outright, even at a premium, rather than back something early. Gaming Realms picked up a gem.
They have pushed it further since. The brand partnerships continue, including ones well outside gambling. Britain's Got Talent Slingo and Monopoly Slingo are two examples.
There are now well over forty versions of the game, with more on the way. We keep the full list on our Slingo games page, along with how the grid actually plays and where the newer titles have come from.
One Last Thing
The man who invented Slingo still plays it every time he goes down to his basement. That is roughly the same enjoyment most people find playing it online, and it is what makes the story worth telling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slingo?
Who invented Slingo?
How many Slingo games are there?
Who owns Slingo now?
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Play Responsibly
Slingo is entertainment, not income. Set limits, take breaks, and only ever spend what you can afford.