Slot of the Year 2025
We present to you the 2025 Shortlist for the Slot of the Year award.
Bluberi - Honey Bomb - Honey Bomb launched with a 2.11 Theo Zone Index and ranked #13 on the Top Indexing New Games - Premium Leased, marking a strong debut as part of Bluberi’s Beacon Elite portfolio. It redefines hold-and-spin gameplay with the industry’s first pot filler reels, a honeycomb board that unlocks in phases, and a market-first Spin Zero enhancement that turns the final bonus spin into an all-bomb event. Unlike traditional slots, Honey Bomb gives players control over where their journey ends, creating a personalized and strategic gameplay experience that keeps engagement high and replay value strong.
Aristocrat Gaming - Phoenix Link - Launched last year, Phoenix Link was an instant global sensation, quickly becoming one of the fastest and best-selling games in Aristocrat Gaming’s history. Boasting player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features and bonuses, it skyrocketed to the top of industry reports. Its four games debuted at #1, #2, #3, and #4 on the list of premium leased new games. The game continues to perform for operators at record-setting levels, with a 3.65x house average, maintaining its rank as top indexing new parent family.
Ainsworth - Triple Troves - Featured on Ainsworth’s A-STAR Raptor cabinet, Triple Troves is in high demand and installed across the US. It appears consistently on EKG’s Class III Top Indexing New Games list, and performs at 1.5 to over 2x house average at every venue. This steady performance has been driving operator and player demand, and the backlog of orders is constantly growing. Two new themes will be making their debut soon, so operators can add multiple banks and up to 4 themes of this high-performing title that players are clamoring for.
Gaming Arts - Lava Lock - Lava Lock has quickly become one of Gaming Arts’ most successful titles to date, consistently ranking as a top performer across multiple markets. With over 280 placements and an average of 1.4x theo vs. house, Lava Lock was named the #3 Top Indexing New Game and #13 Overall Game - Emerging Suppliers by Eilers. What sets Lava Lock apart is its striking visual design paired with an action-packed base game featuring cash-on-reels pay. The game also features market-trending mechanics such as randomly triggered Single or Double Pot features, with 6 free spins awarded per pot, keeping players engaged.
IGT - Whitney Houston Slots - IGT’s Whitney Houston Slots deliver star-studded entertainment that has captivated players across the US, topping the Eilers list of Top Performing 3rd Party IP Branded Games. Whitney Houston Slots brings a high-energy concert-like experience to the floor and features hit songs with synchronized audio and video. It offers an interactive platinum record collection pot, an engaging lock-and-respin bonus, Cash on Reels, and is housed on the 11-foot tall SkyRise cabinet.
Light & Wonder - KONG: SKULL ISLAND - KONG: SKULL ISLAND delivers a blockbuster slot experience with a 3x3 reel array, interactive Kong features, and a thrilling bonus wheel. The game introduces three new bonus modes: Primal, Rage, and Havoc, each offering substantial winning potential. Since its launch in December last year, it’s ranked Top 3 across Eilers’ premium, leased, and WAP segments, powered by Light & Wonder’s leading cabinet platforms. Kong’s grand floor presence and dynamic gameplay redefine player engagement.
Zitro - Legendary Sword - Legendary Sword has emerged as a top-performing title in both Latin and North America, driven by innovative features like “Honor” to multiply rewards, “Glory” for extra lives, and a “Magic Sword” which doubles Link symbols for bigger wins. It ranked #1 in the January 2025 LatAm Game Performance Report, with 111 installations across 19 casinos, achieving an Index vs House of 2.39 and Index vs Zone of 3.04, signaling exceptional engagement and revenue. In the US and Canada, Legendary Sword - Avalon debuted at #15 at EKG’s Top Indexing New Games – Core, Video.
EGT - Bell Link - EGT’s products are present in over 100 markets worldwide, with the Bell Link series - featuring the multigames Bell Link 1 and 2 - available in the majority of them. Bell Link has gained widespread popularity due to its dynamic four-tier jackpot structure, combining progressive Grand and Major levels with fixed Minor and Mini jackpots. It offers a compelling mix of high-potential new titles and proven performers from EGT’s extensive portfolio. Bell Link has delivered strong results across the Americas, particularly in key Latin American markets such as Panama, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.
Sega Sammy Creation - Railroad Riches - The Railroad Riches™ series, showcased on the Genesis Atmos™ cabinet with its 55-inch 4K display, offers a premium slot experience, anchored by the popular Hold & Spin bonus feature. Since its US debut in January ‘24, the game has consistently outperformed average machine performance at each casino where it’s deployed. It ranked #1 in EKG’s Top Indexing Games – Core (Overall) for four consecutive months. As of March ‘25, Sega Sammy reported 747 units sold, 1,067 new installations, and 564 machines on lease.
Konami Gaming - Charms Full Link - Launched in 2024, Charms Full Link instantly made a strong impression. It ranked #9 in Eilers & Krejcik’s “Top Indexing NEW Game – Core, Video” list in September ‘24, showcasing strong initial reception and sustained floor traction. Showcased on the DIMENSION cabinet line, the series introduces a highly engaging feature where collecting six or more Coin symbols triggers the Charms Full Link bonus - with additional spins, progressive link frames, and boosters like Lucky Kicker and Extra Spins - delivering dynamic gameplay that stands out on the casino floor.