The Slot Game That Made 1,200 Millionaires w/ Jean Venneman | MaxBet Podcast

Sponsored by IGT, powering today’s conversation (and a lot of casino floors). As always, all opinions are our own, for better or worse.

Ever wonder what it was like behind the scenes of the very first Wheel of Fortune slot machine?
Spoiler: it involved a Volvo windshield motor, a string, and some serious duct tape energy.

We sat down with Jean Venneman from IGT to talk about how a project they hoped would sell a few hundred units turned into a legacy that has made over 1,200 millionaires and changed the casino industry forever. Next year marks 30 years of spinning, winning, and some truly wild jackpot stories.

Mike and Hillary also work through some of the worst casino advice people actually give, like why "always split tens" should probably be a jailable offense.


🔴 Scammers Are Getting Smarter: Gaming Payments & Fraud
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Chapters
00:00 – Jean’s Accidental Demotion & FTC Disclaimer
01:14 – Meet Jean Venneman: SVP of US Studios, IGT
01:45 – The Birth of Wheel of Fortune Slots (1995 Origins)
02:56 – Building the First Version: No Wheel, Just Puzzle
04:01 – Duct Tape, Windshield Motors & Prototyping the Wheel
05:30 – Mirage Launch & Player Confusion with the Bonus
06:43 – From Modest Goals to 20,000 Machines
08:04 – The Giant Super Spin & Custom Cabinets
09:21 – New Era: Poker, Stadium Games, and WAFT Trio
11:04 – $3.6B Paid Out, 1,200 Millionaires Made
11:54 – Pat & Vanna’s Role and Vanna Surprising Players
13:34 – Celebrating 30 Years of Wheel in 2025
14:33 – Wheel of Fortune Poker: Why It’s a Bold Move
16:16 – Elvis, Jeopardy, and the Branding Evolution
22:01 – Bad Casino Advice (and Superstitions That Won’t Die)


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