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What are pokies? Simply put, they’re Australia’s version of slot machines. As one of the most popular methods of online gambling, online pokie machines come in various forms – from classic 3-reel games to massive progressive jackpots.
Each game brings its own theme, features, and bonus rounds designed to enhance your overall experience. Let’s take a closer look at these games in Australia and explore their history, legal status, mechanics, examples, and more.
Pokies Definition and How Did They Get Their Name?
A pokey is a short term used for a poker machine in Australia and New Zealand. In other words, pokies is another name for slot machines. Australia has half a percent of the world’s population yet has 20% of its pokies. The slang term for a slot machine was created using the “pok” from poker machines.
Australians have used the term for both slot machines and poker games since the early days of Australian casinos. The term has remained over the years and is now an official name for all land-based and online video poker and slot games you can find in Aussie clubs, pubs, and casinos, including online gambling sites.
Legal Status of Pokies in Australia
The Aristocrat gaming company introduced the first slot machines in Tasmania in the middle of the 20th century, around the 1950s. Around that time, the first and only Australian territory to legalize pokey gambling was New South Wales, setting the example for other territories. It was not before the 1990s that they joined New South Wales in the attempt to legalize pokies.
Each territory has different regulations prescribed by respective pokey gambling regulators. The role of regulatory bodies is to ensure that pokey operators, land-based and online, adhere to gambling regulations and have the valid certifications and licenses required to facilitate such form of gambling in Australia.
The History of Pokies
You can trace the origins of pokies in Australia by going back to the 1880s when American sailors first brought the pokey machines to the Aussie shores. Early pokies, or slot machines, were basic machines with three reels and card symbols, resembling the game of poker – thus the name.
Early Mechanical Machines
Charles August Fey invented the first three-reel slot in 1895, which was played with a handle that spun reels and delivered automatic payouts. Initially, pokies were simple mechanisms with basic rules and a series of gears and levers.
They featured a coin detector, which unlocked the brake and released the handle. Players used a metal shaft and braking system to control the reels. The objective was to land a winning combination on a payline by matching poker hands.
Introduction of Video Slots
The introduction of video slots marked a major turning point for the Aussie pokie scene. These machines leveled up the experience by moving from three reels to five, boosting jackpots, and adding the now-popular free/bonus spin feature. Although video slots were first developed in 1976, they didn’t really take off in Australia until the mid-1980s.
By the 1990s, pokies had exploded in popularity, prompting several Aussie states to officially allow them in pubs and clubs – starting with Queensland in 1992, followed by South Australia in 1994 and NSW in 1997.
Evolution Into Modern Online Pokie Machines
Technological advancements mean that pokies have never been more convenient, engaging, and accessible. You can enjoy playing pokies in Australia without leaving your home via high-end mobile casino apps and virtual gambling platforms. Modern-day pokies feature state-of-the-art graphics and immersive features like cascading reels, multi-level bonuses, high and low-scoring symbols, etc.
Online Pokies Examples
Nowadays, you can find a handful of different types of video pokies at online casinos in Australia. Before we dive into how to play pokies in Australia and how they work, let’s take a look at the three main types found online.
3-Reel Pokies
These are classic slots that feature just three reels. They often consist of simple symbols such as fruit and diamonds.
5-Reel Pokies
The majority of modern pokies feature five reels. This is to increase the excitement and possibilities of landing a big win.
6-Reel Pokies
Six-reel pokies are known for featuring more paylines and catering to more adventurous players.
How Pokies Work
A range of technologies are needed to operate online pokie machines. Understanding how pokies work is important before you start playing.
What Are the Pokies Features
When trying to understand the answer to “What are pokies?”, we must look at their features in more detail. Pokies come with a range of features to keep players entertained, with these being the most common:
Breakdown of Paylines
Paylines run across the reels of video pokies. If you’re curious about how to win on pokie machines Australia, you should note that in order to achieve a payout, you must match symbols on these lines. Most pokies feature multiple paylines, with some reaching as high as 100,000+. These are the different types of paylines you can expect to find.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Pokies use RNG mechanisms and algorithms to generate random outcomes automatically, ensuring fair gameplay. RNG also ensures that every player has an equal chance of winning. The moment you activate the game, the RNG algorithm selects a combination of symbols across the available reels and paylines.
If it triggers a winning combo, you can claim your rewards. Thanks to the RNG, every Aussie player can rest assured that pokie games aren’t rigged. In addition, RNG auditing ensures fairness, transparency, and authenticity of games across both online and land-based gaming sites.
RTP & Volatility Explained
The Return to Player or RTP is a percentage rate that indicates how much a player can expect to get back over the long run by playing a pokie game. Most pokies have an RTP of 95%. With a 95% RTP pokie, the machine will pay out $95 for every $100 bet over time. Volatility refers to the level of risk when playing Aussie online pokies. High-volatility slots deliver higher, less frequent wins. Low-volatility pokies offer smaller, more frequent payouts.
Pros and Cons of Playing Pokies
Pokies come with different themes, bonus rounds, paylines, and soundtracks to keep things interesting, but they vary in volatility and RTP, making it virtually impossible to predict possible outcomes. Before you start working your way to pokie machine wins, we recommend considering the pros and cons below.
Pros:
- You can play pokies for free and for real money
- There are classic, Megaways, branded and jackpot pokies
- The best online casinos offer hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pokies
- Many pokies come with bonus rounds, offering free spins, multipliers & other rewards
- Bets on online pokie machines can be funded through traditional and modern payment methods
Cons:
- The odds of winning pokies are always in favour of the house
- Online pokies don’t have RTPs as high as some other games, such as blackjack, for example
The Financial Impact of Pokies on the Gaming Sector
The Australian gaming sector is highly dependent on pokie gambling, as Aussies tend to spend millions on slots annually. According to the latest reports, Aussie pokie expenditure has increased faster than the costs of inflation, housing, and education. Reports indicate that Aussies spend $31.5 billion on gambling each year.
The stats from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that Aussie punters spend around $25 on legal forms of gaming, including pokies.
Technological Innovations in Poker Machines
The future of online pokies is paved with current and incoming technological advancements. For example, the VR expansion will considerably enhance online pokie performance and accessibility, providing a more immersive gambling experience to Aussie punters.
Meanwhile, the rise of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) promises to elevate personalisation in gambling. These innovations are expected to turn the online pokie landscape into a punter’s paradise – offering fairer gameplay, improved transparency, strengthened responsible gaming tools, and enhanced privacy and anonymity.
More Useful Gambling Guides on ReadWrite
This “What are Pokies?” guide is just one of many written by our gambling experts. To get a better understanding of online gambling in Australia as a whole, we recommend checking out the following articles.
Our Final Thoughts
Winning on pokies is something that many in Australia dream of. Pokies are simple to learn and come in many formats. Whether it be 3 reel pokies, jackpot, or classic variants, iGaming providers are constantly releasing new games.
These games can be enjoyed on numerous safe and secure casinos, however, CashWin is our favourite. Here, you can find 4,000+ games, most of which are pokies. You can claim bonuses on your opening four deposits after signing up. There are also free spins, weekly rewards, and mystery drops to look forward to, all of which could increase your chances of winning on pokies.
What Are Pokies in Australia: FAQ
Is there a better chance of winning at pokie online or in person?
Are pokies just luck?
How often do you win on pokies?
Is it better to bet big or small on pokies?
Are free spins actually free?
What are linked machines?
Responsible Gambling
It is important to gamble responsibly when betting on pokies. Whether it’s jackpot pokies in Australia or 5 reel pokies, stick to your budget and never chase losses. The best online casinos have tools in place and are associated with organizations that promote responsible gambling. Tools include self-exclusion, timeouts, and deposit limits.
There are also multiple organizations that support players in Australia, these include the following:
