Aristocrat Wins Monopoly Slots Deal, Dethroning Rival Light & Wonder

Aristocrat Gaming has scored another victory in its growing rivalry with Light & Wonder by securing the rights to produce Monopoly land-based slot games.

The gaming giant has signed what they are describing as a multi-year agreement with Monopoly owner Hasbro, allowing them to reinvent the iconic brand in slots format.

Visitors to casinos will be highly familiar with Monopoly slots machines, with it being one of the most successful franchises in gaming history, if not the most successful.

"To be selected as Hasbro's land-based slots partner – after a highly competitive process – is a proud milestone for Aristocrat Gaming," Aristocrat CEO Craig Toner said in a press release. "Our commitment to innovation and bold creativity sets us apart, and we're excited to reimagine Monopoly slot games for today's players around the globe."

Battle for Slots Supremacy

Whilst the license to produce Monopoly land-based slots is a huge acquisition for Aristocrat, it will represent an undoubted blow to Light & Wonder. They have been producing Monopoly land-based games since 1998, with the most recent exclusivity deal signed in 2018.

However, it appears that after such a long and successful partnership, they have been outmaneuvered by their rivals on this occasion.

"It was evident through our selection process that Aristocrat Gaming was the natural fit for the next evolution of the Monopoly brand in the gaming category," Hasbro Director of Gaming Relationships Claire Hunter Gregson said. "We can't wait for Monopoly fans to experience all new premium gaming content on casino floors."

The most recent Monopoly title, Monopoly Express, was only warmly received by gamblers on casino floors. Although beautifully designed and initially popular, high volatility and an overly aggressive perceived progression.

What is Perceived Progression?

Perceived progression is a controversial trend that has grown to dominate the slots industry. It relates to graphics on screen, often pots of gold or firecrackers, that appear to advance towards a bonus the more you play the game – despite having no actual influence on when a bonus feature will be triggered.

Aristocrat's acquiring Monopoly is also a further interesting twist in the rivalry between the two slots giants following the now infamous Dragon Train saga last year.

Light & Wonder initially looked like they had a hit on their hands with Dragon Tain, but it was ordered off casino floors by the court amid accusations of misappropriating trade secrets relating to Dragon Link, which remains one of Aristocrat’s biggest sellers. 

(Image: Megan Kobe / Alamy)