Slots
The journey from mechanical slot machines to modern sophisticated online games is amazing, especially when you throw mobile devices into the mix.
The journey from mechanical slot machines to modern sophisticated online games is amazing, especially when you throw mobile devices into the mix.
Around 40% of adult Aussies play the pokies, and this simple yet irresistible form of entertainment is now more accessible than ever via online casino sites. As an expert pokie player myself, I’ve enjoyed spinning the reels of many online pokies at various casinos online in Australia.
Do you need someone to give you a quick rundown on slots and explain how they work in Aussie online casinos? You’ve come to the right place! Even if you’ve had experience with slot machines and you know your pokies, my advice is to stay and read interesting stuff about the games that have been the fascination in Australia since the early 1900s. The journey from mechanical slot machines to modern sophisticated online games is amazing, especially when you throw mobile devices into the mix.
Without keeping you waiting any longer, I’ll get right to it!
Pokies may not have been invented in Australia, but their popularity across Aussie territory is unmatched anywhere in the world. Charles Fey created the first slot machine in 1895, the Liberty Bell. These machines were the staple of saloons and bars in the San Francisco Bay area. Cash prizes were soon replaced with small treats, and gambling machines were completely banned for a while.
The revival of slot machines happened in Las Vegas after WW2. In the meantime, American sailors visiting Australia in the early 1900s brought the machines to The Lucky Country. There were several thousand pokie machines across New South Wales and Victoria by the late 1920s, and the business was flourishing, although it was technically illegal.
Pokies were legalised in the 1950s, and the first video pokies appeared in the 1980s. This was when simple fruit machines with three reels evolved into more immersive games featuring multiple paylines, animated graphics, bonus rounds and more symbols. The first online casino in Australia was launched in 1994, making pokies so much more accessible for the average player.
The online revolution expanded the pokie machine fandom, so the industry became more competitive. Software developers are motivated to put in extra effort each time they release a new game, because it has to win the players’ attention and enhance the experience in a way other games can’t. As a result, we can now play online pokies with interactive animations, more complex structure, and creative bonus rounds.
One of the best things about online slots is their diversity. Hundreds of software developers create pokies for the online market, supplying online casinos with thousands of games and always adding more. Since there are so many slot machines on offer, casinos tend to categorise them for easier navigation and selection. Below are some of the categories you’re likely to see at online casinos in Australia.
Video slots, or video pokies, are the broadest category since all games with themed graphics and special features fall into it. There are so many themes video pokies can adopt, which also affects the game’s design and makes each game feel refreshing and new. Furthermore, video slots often feature innovative structures and added modifiers that make the gameplay more engaging.
Slots with 3 reels are sometimes called classic slots or pokies because they are a throwback to the times when slot machines weren’t as advanced as today. Their charm comes from a simple layout and a few classic symbols such as fruit, BARs, bells, lucky 7s or stars. Some players prefer simple gameplay without complicated features and bonus rounds, so classic pokies remain popular even today.
Pokies with high RTP are games with a high return to player rate. These games are very sought-after because they offer the best return percentage and the lowest house edge. What is the RTP? The term is used to describe the percentage of wagered funds a slot will pay back over time. The rate is calculated over a long period, involving thousands of spins. For example, a slot’s RTP of 97% means the game should return $97 for every $100 wagered over time. Clearly, the higher the RTP, the better.
Games with progressive jackpots offer a prize that grows larger with every bet made by all players. A small portion of each bet goes into the pot, so the jackpot gets bigger and bigger until it’s won. The amount comes back to a fixed “seed” once the progression restarts. To win a progressive jackpot, the player sometimes has to trigger a special bonus round, while sometimes the award is activated at random.
Volatility is another important aspect of online pokies, besides the RTP. Variance, or volatility, refers to how often and how much the pokie pays out. If the payouts are rare but sizeable, then it’s a high volatility pokie machine. If the wins are frequent, but smaller, it’s a low volatility slot. Neither low nor high volatility games are good or bad – it comes down to the player’s personal preference, their risk appetite and playing style.
Megaways pokies conquered the world after Big Time Gaming released Bonanza in 2016. Hundreds of Megaways slots have been released so far, and the number is getting bigger each year since BTG licensed other providers to produce them. Their strong point is the varying number of paylines. When you launch a Megaways slot, prepare to face up to 117,649 possible winning combinations on each spin.
In order to play slot games at online casinos in Australia, one doesn’t have to be skilled or particularly knowledgeable. Slots are super easy to understand and play, especially if you start with classic pokies and work your way up to more complex video pokie machines released more recently. Here’s how to get started:
Check the list of the top-rated casino sites for Aussie players here at Aussie Casinos. Pick an online casino that matches your preferences. Look for a site that offers the games you want to play, convenient banking methods, good customer service and worthwhile bonuses. Fill out the registration form and verify your personal details.
Once you’ve created an account, log in with your username and password. If you want to try demo slots, you don’t have to make a deposit just yet. If you want to play with real money, visit the cashier and deposit some funds to your balance. Browse the lobby and pick a game, then click on its thumbnail to launch it.
Before you place the first bet, take some time to get to know the game. Open the paytable to see all its symbols and their corresponding payouts. Read about the special features and how they work. This will help you understand what’s happening on the screen.
Depending on the game, you’ll see various controls below the reels. These are usually reserved for adjusting the bet per line or per spin. Each game has a bet range, so you won’t be able to bet more or less than what’s been determined for that particular game. Bet within your comfort zone and budget.
All that’s left is to click on the Spin or Play button. If you don’t want to readjust the wager between spins, most pokies have an autoplay option. It allows the player to choose a number of spins to play continuously without interruption, always wagering the amount that was set before the first auto-spin.
The reels are now set in motion, so you can enjoy watching the magic unfold before your eyes. The symbols will appear randomly as the reels spin, and their positioning will determine the outcome. Once the reels stop, you’ll know whether you’ve won anything. At least three matching symbols on a payline will result in a payout. The appearance of special symbols might trigger a bonus, which will automatically launch a notification of a bonus round.
This sums up the entire procedure of playing slots online. Whether the autoplay continues or you click the Spin button again, you can continue playing for as long as you wish. Of course, your balance needs to support your ambition. It’s always best to pause, leave the game, and come back another time if your balance is being exhausted too fast, too soon.
Aussie players are spoiled for choice when it comes to game variety. Many trusted developers compete to draw your attention with visually striking games, new features, and bonus prizes. Here are some of the top software developers providing excellent pokies you can find at the best online casinos in Australia.
Aristocrat is an Australian company founded in 1953, with headquarters in Sidney. It is a huge manufacturer of land-based pokie machines, so I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you have already seen or played them. Aristocrat pokies have also become a staple of online casinos, thanks to titles like Queen of the Nile, 50 Dragons, and Lightning Link.
Ainsworth Game Technology is another Sidney-based software company renowned for its innovative slot machines. Ainsworth pokies offer high-quality graphics, immersive sound effects, and exciting bonus features. The most popular titles from this provider are Mustang Money, Golden Ox, and Cash Cave.
Established in 2011 in Australia, Big Time Gaming revolutionised modern video pokies by introducing the Megaways system. After Megaways, they developed Megaclusters, and Megaquads. BTG titles such as Danger High Voltage, Extra Chilli, Bonanza and White Rabbit are a must-try for every pokie enthusiast out there.
One of the global leaders in iGaming trends, Playtech powers many of the top online casinos in Australia. The company has been around since the dawn of online gambling, providing top-quality games in various categories. The Age of the Gods progressive jackpots network from Playtech is very popular, as well as many other video pokies with a sleek design and thrilling gameplay.
Pragmatic Play is an award-winning studio with hundreds of pokies under its belt. Its most popular titles include Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza, Lucky Dragon and Mustang Gold. Pragmatic Play casinos are known for adding new games regularly, so players never run out of fresh pokies to try.
IGT pokies are in demand even today when many younger companies compete for the spotlight. IGT is a long-standing brand with a global reputation, with a notable presence in the Asia-Pacific region. You’ll easily find some of the top IGT pokies in the best casino sites for Aussies. Notable titles include Golden Goddess, Cleopatra, Wolf Run and Da Vinci Diamonds.
I was curious about favourite pokie themes among Australian players, so I also did some research on this topic. The options are many, and there is something for everyone. Playing themed pokies always provides a new experience. But what are the themes that interest Aussies the most?
● Adventure pokies – tell stories about uncovering riches or hidden treasures in exotic or ancient locations.
● Classic pokies – these games have an old-school charm and classic symbols.
● Sports pokies – focus on rugby, racetrack sports and other popular sports.
● Nature pokies – themed around animals, aquatic life, etc.
● Movies/TV pokies – based on popular TV shows or movies.
● Mythology pokies – include mythological characters and deities.
This is a small reminder that you don’t have to sit at home on your computer to play pokies online. Thanks to mobile casinos in Australia, you can take your favourite games wherever you go. Most top-rated Aussie casinos have developed mobile apps or made their platforms easily accessible via mobile browsers. Whether you download a pokie app or load a mobile version of a chosen pokie site, a fun and safe experience is guaranteed.
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Yes. I advise you to consult our list of the best casino sites with pokies in Australia. Pick one, create and account, and deposit. Then, choose a real money pokie from the lobby and enjoy the gameplay!
You need to register an account with trusted Aussie online casino first. You can try some games in demo mode or deposit and play for real money. Once you launch an online slot, you have to adjust your bet and spin the reels.
There are many popular online slots in Australia for real money, and no single game tops them all. You need to find your favourite game that suits your preferences.