How Do You Capture the Magic of the Love Island Villa? We Asked Kaylor Martin and Shannon St. Clair
Former Love Island contestant Kaylor Martin knows there's no predicting what happens inside the villa. It's the unexpected twists, the emotional highs and lows, and, of course, the texts that keep everyone on their toes.
FanDuel Casino set out to capture that same thrill through its exclusive partnership with ITV and Love Island, launching three original slot games inspired by the show—Love Island Real Vibes, Love Island Unlocked, and, most recently, Love Island Step Into Love.
"I've always said someone should make a game out of Love Island because that's what it feels like watching it," Martin said. "You're following everyone's journey around the villa. This is the closest thing to that."
Each game features its own characters, bonus rounds, and gameplay, giving fans another way to stay immersed in the world of Love Island long after the season ends.
Meeting Fans Where They Already Are
The partnership is all about giving fans another way to experience the entertainment they already love.
Internal research shows more than half of FanDuel Casino customers watch reality TV, making Love Island a natural choice.
"Partnering with Love Island allows our Casino brand to be in new spaces—whether that's pop culture media or just joining the social conversation," said Jessica Lee, Senior Director of Brand Strategy at FanDuel Casino.
Bringing the Villa to Life
Authenticity was key for FanDuel Casino when creating these Love Island games. It's about capturing what keeps millions of fans coming back six days a week.
"I was honestly surprised," Martin said. "I thought, 'There's no way they can make this game feel so much like the villa,' but they did! It feels so realistic."
Former Season 3 Islander Shannon St. Clair agreed, pointing to the moments fans instantly recognize.
"FanDuel Casino hit the nail on the head, especially my favorite game, Love Island Unlocked," said St. Clair. "'I’ve got a text,’ coupling up, picking your bombshell...It really brings the villa magic into the game."
More Than a TV Show
Those familiar moments resonate because Love Island is as much about the people as it is the drama.
"Love Island is on so many days a week that fans really get connected with the Islanders," said St. Clair. "They watch us wake up, brush our teeth. They watch us cry. They watch us fall in love. They watch us break up."
FanDuel Casino wanted to bring that sense of community beyond the games, hosting a Finale Fortune event to celebrate the partnership. Fans gathered for themed food, interactive real-life games, meet-and-greets with Martin and St. Clair, and the chance for one attendee to win $100,000—the same grand prize awarded to the winning Love Island couple.
For Lee, whether fans are spinning the reels or reliving iconic villa moments alongside fellow Love Island enthusiasts, the goal is the same:
"FanDuel Casino stands for fun. Everything we do is to bring fun and entertainment into our players’ lives."
The games may already feel like the villa, but Martin and St. Clair still have a few ideas. Martin wants to see the infamous food challenge in a future FanDuel Casino game, while St. Clair has another fan-favorite in mind:
"The heart rate challenge would be such a good addition to a game!"
FanDuel Casino team, you've got a text.
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