Oh I Wanna Spin With Somebody: A Vegas Showdown With The Whitney Houston Slot Machine

The Whitney Houston Slot Machine: What You’ll Learn

• Game Features: Explore the unique features of the Whitney Houston slot machine, including special symbols, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots.

• Gameplay Mechanics: Understand how to play the Whitney Houston slot, including betting options, paylines, and the mechanics of the game.

• Tips for Maximizing Winnings: Discover effective strategies to enhance your chances of winning while playing the Whitney Houston slot machine.

• Vegas Experience: Get a glimpse of the immersive experience that the Whitney Houston slot machine offers, including its design, music, and overall atmosphere.

• Comparison to Other Slots: Learn how the Whitney Houston slot machine stacks up against other themed slots in terms of entertainment value and potential payouts.

Of the thousands of slot machines on casino floors in Las Vegas, many are themed after music icons. From slots featuring Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson to games showing Dolly Parton and Madonna, they are all there with many other world-class singers and bands, available to gamble on at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown, and everywhere in between.

Furthermore, many of these musical gambling hits are making their iGaming debut, bringing the tunes to players in jurisdictions where online and mobile casino gaming is legal.

One such title that caught our attention is the Whitney Houston slot machine, which game developer IGT debuted in June 2024 at a Tribal casino in California, followed by land-based casinos countrywide. In early 2025, the slot was also released to regulated online markets outside of the U.S., and we are hearing that it will soon be available online in Canada and the U.S., in jurisdictions where iGaming is legal.    

Our senior casino contributor, Ziv Chen, a journalist covering the gaming industry with over two decades of experience in slots, travelled to Las Vegas to examine the Whitney Huston slot up close. He played it in various casinos across the city, talked to fellow players, compared it to the online version, and came back to share his findings with us.

When did You First Cross Paths with Whitney (on the reels)?

Z.C.: Let’s start with a quick confession. I am a huge Whitney Houston fan. It’s not only her incredible voice and talent; it’s also her sad life story and tragic, premature death in 2012 that left a mark on me and gave her music another meaningful, sad dimension. So just about anything that celebrates her life and music immediately grabs my attention. I was all in when IGT first rolled out the Whitney Houston slot (I first saw it in the G2E show in Las Vegas in 2023).

But hey, I am still a casino professional who has played, worked on, and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of games throughout my career. So, I know what goes into making a good slot machine. Rest assured that although this review will be full of love for the iconic singer, it will also give my impartial feedback on the slot machine itself. 

Outside of the G2E show, I first saw the cabinet on the actual casino floor when I went to Las Vegas in late 2024. It gave me the perfect chance to play the land-based Whitney Houston slot for myself. In a twist of fate, IGT did me a favor by announcing in February 2025 that the game would launch online in several European markets. That means in the space of just a couple of months, I was able to play the slot machine on the Vegas Strip and online at top European casino sites. 

Why did You Decide to Review it Now?

Z.C.:  With news that IGT is bringing the “Voice of a Generation” to online casinos in the U.S., I thought now is the right time to give my full review. From the stunning land-based cabinet to the thrilling online experience, below is my complete review of the Whitney Houston slot in all its dazzling glory.

So I went to Las Vegas again to check it out. It was much easier to find the game across Strip and Downtown casinos during this visit (summer 2025) than it was in my previous trip, where I had to look for it.  

Vegas, Baby: My First Live Spin With Whitney

I was lucky to have played the Whitney Houston slot at a land-based casino before it made its debut online. My trip to Vegas was already booked, so it was a very happy coincidence that this slot released before I travelled. Once I knew that Whitney would be on the casino floors of the Strip, it became one of the games I was most looking forward to playing. 

Spotting Whitney on the Casino Floor

After landing at Harry Reid International Airport and checking into my hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard, I shook off my jet lag and went straight to the slots.

I admit, the Whitney slot was not on my mind as I wasn’t even sure I’d find the cabinet at my hotel. However, as I went to the slots hall on the casino floor, there she was towering in all her glory thanks to IGT’s outstanding SkyRise cabinets.

Featuring Dual 55” 4K edge-optimized, curved LCD screens, the SkyRise machine is the pinnacle of slot technology. These cabinets soar above others and really stand out, so from a distance, I could see the top video screen playing clips of Whitney from various concerts throughout her illustrious career. 

It is the sort of presentation that draws you to the machine like a magnet. Bright lighting, booming classic Whitney hits, and a video presentation serve as an audio/visual extravaganza, a true treat for the senses. 

Gameplay with a Crowd

It seemed like I was not the only person to be drawn to the Whitney Houston slot. Depending on the time of day, you may need to wait for your turn for a seat at one of these popular games. And when you do play, the cabinet is so attractive and the game so immersive that you may have a crowd watching you spin the reels. 

You get the same gameplay mechanics as the online version, including all symbols, design elements, features, and payouts. However, the land-based version amps everything to 100 thanks to its fuller sound, brighter lights, and the energy from the casino floor.

This is one of those rare slot machines that creates a true buzz, which is why positive word of mouth has been off the charts. Players love this game and people love watching it. 

Live Bonuses Hit Different

I triggered the Wheel Bonus a bunch of times over my various sessions on the Whitney slot. Yes, I did keep going back to play the game during my stay in Vegas! Playing for the jackpots or free spins on the wheel really hits differently in person.

The Lock & Respin feature becomes a physical treat thanks to the tactile buttons, adding real interactivity to the game. 

And IGT really knows how to put a cabinet together. Along with the truly spectacular design, the SkyRise machine ramps up the excitement with rumbles and audio when free spins land, Respins trigger, and other bonus features activate. It delivers the pure theater of an elite gaming experience alongside the drama of the Whitney Houston soundtrack. 

Wins, Near Misses, and Casino Drama

I would love to say that I walked away with a massive prize from the Whitney Houston slot, but alas, I did not. Sure, I collected some decent wins here or there, but nothing to really move the needle on my bankroll. In all honesty, my bankroll went the opposite direction. Don’t be too disheartened, this is definitely a slot with big win potential. 

For example, I saw another group of people winning a few thousand dollars. And Whitney has already proved to be a big payer. In April 2025, a lucky player triggered a $1.5 million payout on the game at Virgin Hotels (Las Vegas), while in another winner took home $1.2 million from the game at Table Mountain Casino (California) in June. 

I will add that I feel the game is more volatile in person than online, but that could be down to the atmosphere and excitement of the movement rather than a real change in variance. 

Playing Whitney at Home: The Online Experience

Although I first saw the slot on a physical cabinet at the G2E tradeshow, the first time I actually played it for real money was online. So let’s start with the online game specs.

Game Stats Without the Yawn Factor

• Release date: February 2025
• 5 reels, 243 ways to win
• RTP: 96.32 %
• Volatility: medium/high 
• Max win: 2,250× stake

What Were Your First Impressions?

Z.C.: I have played plenty of slots that made their name as land-based games before heading online, and found throughout the years that the results can be hit or miss. Sometimes the game loses its sparkle and atmosphere online, even if the gameplay remains the same. However, there are some games that successfully bring all their thrills and spills from the casino floor to the online game lobby. 

It took me about 2 seconds to know that the Whitney Houston title fits into that second category. Meaning that naturally, there’s nothing like the buzz of playing a slot machine in real life on the casino floor, but this game definitely delivers the thrill to online and mobile users, making it worthwhile to play when you don’t have the time or budget to travel to a land-based casino.

From the start, this is a winning ballgame that perfectly captures the immersion of the land-based game. It is really easy to get lazy with a branded slot and just pay homage to fanfare. I didn’t find it to be the case with the Whitney Houston game as this is a slot that not only appeals to fans but is also just a world-class game in its own right. 

Firing up the game and passing the elegant logo, I was greeted by a shower of pink sparkles descending onto the stage. My anticipation rising, the curtains drew, and the reels appeared while “I’m Every Woman” played to get the party started. It really is a stunning introduction to the game, setting the tone for a musical extravaganza on the reels. 

As for the overall game design, dancing spotlights set a triumphant background, while the gold-adorned wheels feature plenty of iconic era Whitney symbols. It all felt luxurious and very showbiz and I was instantly loving the experience. Alongside the opening track, the slot serves as a greatest hits of Whitney’s career, including songs such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “So Emotional,” and “How Will I Know.”

Symbols That Deserve a Standing Ovation

The Whitney Houston slot’s low-value symbols are royal cards 10, J, Q, K, and A. I would have preferred to see theme-specific symbols throughout, but at least IGT has given the low-value symbols a glittering sheen and gold outlays. They look slick and elegant despite being stock icons for slot games. 

Things got much more immersive when it comes to the high-value symbols. Here you’ll find Whitney in various stages of her career. We get the big-haired, fun-loving Whitney from the late 80s, the warm and casual Whitney from the movie The Bodyguard, Whitney from It’s Not Right But It’s Okay, and other famous looks. These are all expertly rendered photos of the singer at her most charismatic and beautiful. 

Another wonderful portrait of Whitney is the game wild, substituting all non-bonus symbols to help form winning combinations. This symbol will only ever land on reels 2, 3, and 4. The Whitney Houston slot logo can appear randomly and transform into a wild symbol for winning combinations. 

The silver vinyl record symbol opens the Respins feature and also pays the jackpots, which also have their own Whitney symbols. An award trophy symbol unlocks the Wheel Bonus game when it appears on reels 2, 3, and 4. Lastly, the game also has multiplier symbols that can help boost wins even more. 

Online Bonus Features

I mentioned before that the Whitney Houston slot is not only for fans of “The Voice,” but it also stands on its own as an excellent game. Thanks to its stacked features and win potential, this slot appeals to all kinds of players. If you love a video slot with lots of modifiers and bonuses, this is a game you should check out ASAP. 

Spin the Wheel, Spin Like A Superstar

Perhaps the star attraction of the Whitney slot is the progressive jackpot that turns this from a thrilling game into a potentially life-changing one. Get three or more award trophy scatter symbols anywhere on reels 2, 3, and 4 to access the Wheel Bonus, where you get a spin of a wheel with jackpot symbols on it:

• Mini 
• Minor 
• Major 
• Grand 
• Platinum 
• 10 Free Spins

Mini and Minor have 2x and 3x multipliers, respectively, to boost their payout potential even further. 

Lock & Respin Like You’re Collecting Vinyl

It is possible to spice up some base game spins with the Whitney Respin bonus, which is also active during free spins. You’ll need to land six or more Record Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels to trigger the feature. 

Once you do, you get three free Respins on the Active Play Area 1. Get nine or more vinyl record symbols to open Active Play Area 2, while the record symbols in Play Area 1 lock in place for the round. During the Respins, if a Mini, Minor, or Major Jackpot vinyl record hits the active area, you will win that jackpot. 

You keep playing until your Respins run out or you fill the whole grid with 15 symbols and win the Grand progressive jackpot. 

Free Spins – The Encore We All Want

I wasn’t surprised to see a feature-packed game like the Whitney Houston slot have a classic free spins bonus. Interestingly, the free spins do not activate from the base game. Instead, you can collect 10, 15, or 20 free spins from the Wheel Bonus. These spins are essentially a consolation if you miss out on one of the jackpots. 

3 Free Spins symbols on the reels during the bonus will reward you with an additional five freebies, and you can re-trigger up to 60 spins during the bonus. Once you are playing the free spins, the Star Bowl feature becomes active and randomly delivers Multiplier Wild Symbols on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. These are lucrative symbols that transform into Multiway wins, paying out to the multiplier value. 

Why Does the Online Whitney Houston Slot Work

Z.C.: The Whitney Houston slot provides an immersive iGaming experience, not only to me, being a diehard fan of her music. Of course, fans of the diva will be wowed by what’s on show here, but I believe that normal everyday slot players will be drawn in by the features and big win potential.

It is a slot that covers all the bases, including gorgeous design, a powerhouse soundtrack (duh!), smooth gameplay, an exciting base game, bonuses galore, and a progressive jackpot.

When coming to play at a new slot machine, I always have a checklist of what I want from the gameplay experience. The Whitney slot checked most of the boxes. At the same time, this is also a game with nuance that requires respect. It has medium volatility but can swing to high in the bonus games. Wins can require patience and careful bankroll management as you chase bigger payouts. 

Playing online brings a new level of control compared to the land-based machine. I can control the volume of the songs and play at my own pace with Autoplay. You also avoid the crowds that flock to this game at brick-and-mortar casinos. IGT has a reputation for expertly porting its land-based classics online, and Whitney Houston is another hit!

Online vs. Land-Based: Two Sides of the Same Song

My Strategy for Each Setting

Whether you choose to play online or at a land-based casino, I have tips to help you make the most of the Whitney Houston slot:

Online

• As I said, this game can tilt towards high volatility and dead spins with no payouts. If you’re not careful, it can chew through a bankroll. Pace yourself with smaller bets and smart wager choices.
• Consider playing a demo version of the Whitney Houston slot. This game is one that you absolutely should play for real money, but the demo allows you to learn the features and paytable dynamics.
• Whitney has an autoplay feature that makes longer sessions less of a chore. You can set between 10 and 100 automatic spins.
• Remember to gamble responsibly and within your financial means. The Whitney Houston slot allows you to set loss limits from 1x to 100x your bet. 

Vegas

• This game is all about the show, so embrace the fact that you may have an audience as you play. Buy into the energy to get the most from the slot. 
• And the same goes for the music. Whitney Houston is all about the soundtrack, so immerse yourself in it as you play. 
• Unless you hit a huge payout, consider allowing your wins to ride a little longer than online. The Whitney Houston slot has the capability of triggering multiple wins on consecutive spins. 
• Be patient with your bankroll and bet amounts. I felt a slight increase in volatility on the land-based machine, especially for triggering bonus features. 

My Final Verdict: Two Ways to Dance With Somebody

As Whitney herself said in her legendary hit, “I Will Always Love You,” and that’s exactly what I feel about the Whitney Houston slot. I am head over heels for this game, and not just because it features one of my favourite artists ever. Yes, I adore that Whitey and her amazing songs are in the gaming world, but she is the icing on the cake here. 

This game stands out as a pure slot experience, with sumptuous design, stunning gameplay, immersive features, and a progressive jackpot. Online, it is one of the most playable slots around, and in Las Vegas, it stands as a towering star attraction on a casino floor. You’ll love both versions, the unmissable showpiece of the real-life cabinet and the entertainment value of the online slot.