Is the wheel on Wheel of Fortune fixed?

Answer 1

There are more than enough ironic, brilliant, or dumb moments in the game without having to manipulate the outcome. (Besides it being covered by several FCC regulations on games of chance and skill.)

Originally, when Pat Sajak had to spin on a final spin, he had to land on a prize or he spins again. In the current version, some fixed dollar amount is assigned if he lands on a non-dollar space.

There is constant drag on the wheel, so the distance it turns depends solely on how hard the contestant pulls on the wheel edge. It is the same free-wheeling mechanical design that has been used from the very first shows. There are, however, extra parts for the wheel, and there is constant maintenance.