IGT, Double Down Interactive and FremantleMedia Enterprises Hit a High Note with Fans and Social Gamers with the New Free-to-Play American Idol® Social Slots Game for Facebook

LAS VEGAS, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) recently launched the free-to-play American Idol Social Slots game on the world's largest multi-game virtual casino, DoubleDown Casino, a wholly owned subsidiary of IGT, available through Facebook. DoubleDown's 5.4 million monthly social gamers can now experience all the show-stopping thrills of American Idol through the free online social slot game, which includes weekly updates as contestants from the current Idol season move forward or are voted off.

Free to play, the American Idol Social Slots game features the talented final 24 contestants of Season 11. Offering a simulcast concept for dedicated Idol fans, the Facebook game updates as contestants are eliminated from the show, making it the first game that is timed with the airing of each episode.

"American Idol Social Slots players will enjoy a dynamic entertainment experience, four unique bonus games and an ability to customize the slot reels to feature images of their favorite Idol contestants," said Greg Enell, vice president of Double Down Interactive. "Social gamers and Idol fans alike will love the contestant countdown, full-color photos, and music player embedded in the game."

"We are thrilled to bring one of our biggest television shows to the exceptionally popular DoubleDown Casino experience," added Nicholas Dale, Senior Manager of Interactive and Mobile for licensor FremantleMedia Enterprises. "The American Idol Social Slots give fans of the show an innovative way to connect with their favorite contestants and form a winning engagement with the brand."

Additional exciting features of the game are four unique bonuses, which include:

• Five free spins with a 10X Multiplier.
• Golden Ticket Bonus – Players reveal their prize by selecting a contestant to award the Golden Ticket.
• Hollywood Week Bonus – A two-phase bonus where players pick a group as their multiplier before selecting a contestant to unveil their prize.
• Finale Bonus – Players open the finale envelope to claim their bonus.

"The debut of the American Idol Social Slot game on DoubleDown Casino is an important milestone for IGT as we bring one of the most popular television shows, featuring this season's contestants, to the millions of DoubleDown players and fans on Facebook," said Patti Hart, IGT CEO. 

For more information on the American Idol Social Slots, visit doubledowncasino.com or join #Idol Fever on Twitter with @IdolSlotGame.

About IGT
International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines, systems products and social media games, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com or follow IGT on Twitter at @IGTNews or Facebook at www.facebook.com/IGT.

About AMERICAN IDOL
AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment, and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past eight consecutive seasons.

About FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 per cent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Original Productions, @radical.media and Ludia amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.

SOURCE IGT