A new slot game from IGT, themed around the legendary pop icon Whitney Houston, has been launched at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in California. This casino has the distinction of being the first in the United States to offer the Whitney Houston slot machines. These gaming cabinets, developed by IGT, will soon be available in more casinos across the country.
Last October, IGT, based in London, announced a partnership with the Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, which holds the publishing rights to Houston’s music catalog. The collaboration led to the creation of Whitney Houston Slots, a wide-area progressive (WAP) slot game that premiered at the tribal casino in Highland, California, located about an hour east of Los Angeles, where Houston passed away in 2012.
Standing over 11 feet tall with high-definition screens, Whitney Houston Slots features some of the singer’s greatest hits, including “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “How Will I Know.”
Casino Features and Promotions
The Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, is one of the most successful tribal casinos in the United States. It boasts over 7,000 slot machines, 150 live dealer table games, five high-limit gaming rooms, and a 17-story hotel with 432 rooms.
To celebrate the launch of Whitney Houston Slots, the casino has showcased a collection of Houston memorabilia. Additionally, an all-80s playlist featuring Houston’s songs and other hits from the decade will play through June 14. The first 200 guests to play the new slots received four free max-bet spins.
Nick Khin, IGT’s Chief Operating Officer, commented, “IGT’s Whitney Houston Slots combine the star power of one of the most celebrated music artists of all time with player-favorite game mechanics and stunning new hardware to create an entertainment destination that truly enhances Yaamava’s gaming floor.”
The Grammy Museum has lent several pieces of Houston memorabilia to the casino, including a dress she wore during her 1990 Japan tour and a beaded gown from her performance at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards.
Legacy of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston passed away on February 11, 2012, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. She was found unconscious in a bathtub and pronounced dead later that day. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office determined that her death was caused by drowning, heart disease, and cocaine use.
Despite her untimely death, Houston’s legacy continues to generate significant earnings. Last year, her estate earned approximately $30 million, largely from the biographical film “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and her ongoing partnership with MAC Cosmetics.
Houston ranked seventh on last year’s earnings list of deceased celebrities. Michael Jackson topped the list with $115 million, followed by Elvis Presley with $100 million, and Ray Manzarek of The Doors with $45 million.
