With a dynamic content portfolio from NOVOMATIC UK’s Astra Games Ltd studio supplied on the hit V.I.P. Lounge™ 2.32 cabinet – Big Bonus Wheel has proved an immediate and resounding success in UK casinos and arcades. Now, using creative signage to highlight that success and create even more excitement, Big Bonus Wheel by Astra Casino is making a big impact on the UK gaming stage.

Big Bonus Wheel is a mystery win presentation system that creates a stunning showcase around a
bank of V.I.P. Lounge™ 2.32 cabinets. Taking the idea of a top box to a completely new level, the gripping presentation creates a centre-piece attraction on the gaming floor. A mix of new, classic and themed games are available for Big Bonus Wheel, with more in the pipeline, remotely delivered by the aServe™ server-supported gaming system.

Games such as The Joker Why So Serious?, Shenanigans, Temple of Osiris, Max Fortune and the Temple of Ra, Lucky Lady’s Charm™ deluxe and Queen of Egypt give players the chance to rand-
omly activate the feature on any spin. When triggered, players move a wheel left or right, which spins a giant wheel in the same direction across both screens and win values display around the bank of terminals.

Excitement builds as the wheel spins and players anticipate the value where the wheel stops, awarding the respective prize with larger-than-life congratulatory animations to celebrate the win. The animation runs across a series of linked, interactive HD screens, scaling to run over and around the bank of machines, as well as around the floor.

Following its success in the arcade segment, the first launches in UK casinos were undertaken at Grosvenor Casino Coventry, Aspers Westfield Stratford City and Resorts World® Birmingham. Each installation has received a great response from players, maximising the overall experience and adding an extra element of theatre to the top performing slot titles.

Mark Beattie, Group Head of Electronic Gaming at Aspers commented: “We've put some fantastic installations into Aspers Stratford with the Astra and NOVOMATIC team in recent years, however this really takes it to another level, I can honestly say this has been the best product launch I have ever been involved in or seen in any UK casino. It takes something special to stand out on the casino floor here in Westfield, but the Big Bonus Wheel is truly eye catching and a real centre-piece.”

Andrew Sackey, Grosvenor's Head of Electronic Gaming & New Product Development: “It's rare that something so new and different comes into the UK Casino sector and as soon as we saw the plans for BBW, we knew we simply had to have it. Grosvenor Casino Coventry at the Ricoh Arena is an ideal venue for such an amazing piece of kit, as you enter the casino down the staircase the Big Bonus Wheel catches your attention straight away and has proven a real magnet for regular and occasional slots players alike.”

Marike Downes, Head of Product Development at Genting UK, commented: “Genting International Casino at Resorts World Birmingham, NEC is a special venue and it takes a special installation to make a dramatic visual impact on the casino floor, the Big Bonus Wheel has achieved this. This offer complements our extensive Electronic Gaming offer and has already proven to be a success with our loyal Customers. The visual attraction when the Big Bonus Feature is awarded has been a big hit and helps create memorable experiences for our players.”

Chris Butler, Managing Director at Astra Games Ltd said: “We wanted to do something ground-breaking to launch the Astra B1 slots range. UK casino slots players have very high expectations and quite rightly demand the very best gaming experience in the market. This is probably the most competitive and hardest to enter sector in UK gaming, and Astra's team have developed a pro- duct which has immediately captured the attention of the most important people in this sector, the players. Hugely successful from launch, this marks an important new stage for both Astra and the UK casino sector, and quite possibly the wider global casino market.”