The Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory slot machine is a WMS video slot based on the 1971 film, built around movie clips, a string of bonus features and a motion chair that moves with the action. WMS is now part of Light & Wonder. It was released for land-based casinos. Here is how it plays and what to expect from its bonuses.
Willy Wonka slot at a glance
| Maker | WMS, now a Light & Wonder brand |
|---|---|
| Theme | Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971 film) |
| Type | Video slot with motion chair and multiple bonus features |
| Released for | Land-based casinos |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
About the game
The film came out in 1971, and WMS showed the slot at the G2E trade show in 2012 in a Sensory Immersion version. The game’s appeal goes beyond the movie: the chair moves to and fro in sync with the boat on screen during the Chocolate River bonus, so it is something you feel as well as watch.
WMS was bought by Scientific Games in 2013, and Scientific Games renamed itself Light & Wonder in 2022. WMS continues as one of its brands. The company later released other Wonka games, including Willy Wonka World of Wonka, so the machine you find may differ from the original described here. Like other slots, older cabinets are replaced over time, so availability varies from casino to casino.
Bonus features
The original game packs in a long list of features, each tied to clips and audio from the film:
- Chocolate River boat ride: a bonus that takes you down the factory’s chocolate river while the motion chair moves with the boat.
- Free spins: Grandpa Joe and Willy Wonka symbols can cover several positions on the reels at once.
- Wonka Bars and the Golden Ticket: earn 1,500 credits during the free spins and you pick a Wonka Bar to look for the Golden Ticket.
- Gobstopper picks: pick candies on the screen; each one either awards a prize or explodes.
Oompa Loompas dance through the bonus rounds.
How wins and jackpots work
Most of the game’s bigger wins come from its features rather than the base game, with the free spins and the Golden Ticket pick as the main routes to a large hit.
If a machine is linked to a progressive jackpot, the top prize usually needs a specific bet level, so check the help screen before you play. As with any slot, the payback percentage is set by the casino within the limits its regulator allows and is not shown on the machine.
Tips for playing
- Read the help screens to see which features and jackpots your machine includes, since versions differ.
- Set a budget first. Feature-heavy video slots can go long stretches without a bonus.
- If the motion chair is part of the draw for you, check that the machine you sit at has one.
More licensed slot machines
If you like movie and TV-themed slots, see our reviews of Ghostbusters, Wonder Woman Gold/Wild, The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, or browse the most popular slots.
Willy Wonka slot FAQ
Who makes the Willy Wonka slot machine?
WMS, which is now part of Light & Wonder.
Can you play the Willy Wonka slot online?
This original WMS game was released for land-based casinos. Other Wonka-themed slots exist, so check the game’s help screen to see which version you are playing, and play for real money only at a site licensed in your state.
What is the Chocolate River bonus?
A ride down the chocolate river in which the motion chair moves to and fro with the boat on screen.
Gamble only what you can afford to lose. In the US, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (call or text).