Online Pokies in Australia
The History of Australian Pokies
The first slot machine was invented in the late 1800s by Charles Frey in the United States. The game was called the Liberty Bell and became an immediate success. The slot appeared in Australia in the early 1900s. Although illegal at that time, the games gained popularity quickly.
An Australian company, Aristocrat, was founded in 1953 by Len Ainsworth. They released the first Australian pokie machine called the Clubman. A couple of years later, it was followed by the Clubmaster. These games were very simplistic. All had three reels and were operated by pulling a handle. In 1956, the government of New South Wales legalised gambling in registered clubs.
In the mid 1980s, the first video slots were released. They included five reels and many more ways to win. The early 1990s ushered in the first internet casinos. One of the first was the Gaming Club, which is still presently in operation.
In 2004, Microgaming released Thunderstruck. This paved the way for hundreds of online games that have made Australian pokies what they are today. Video slots became known as “pokies” in Australia. The name is derived from the first slots which were poker slots. “Pokies” became a slang term to refer to all slots.
Online Pokies in Australia Offer Great Benefits
Online pokies in Australia offer some of the most innovative play you’ll find. Many of the designs feature graphics unavailable with traditional machines. They are more interactive and user friendly. Most online casinos offer games appropriate for various skill levels. Online pokies can be accessed from any location in the world.
The nearest offline casino may be quite some distance away. Online pokies in Australia eliminate long drives. They can be played in the comfort of your own home. There is also no waiting to play your favourite games. Online pokies provide immediate access no matter how many players are playing.
Players will find many sign up bonuses including free play and VIP awards offered at online casinos. Since online casinos have lower maintenance costs, they typically offer larger pay-outs and jackpots. The large amount of competition among online casinos encourages fair pay-outs. A number of online Aussie pokies have been established independent of the Australian government’s regulations against gambling.
| Rank | Casino | Rating | Bonus | Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Casino Max | $AU9000 | Review | ||
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Fair Go Casino | $AU1000 | Review | ||
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Joe Fortune Casino | $AU7500 | Review | ||
Choose from a Variety of Online Pokies in Australia
Thunderstruck II – There are many exciting Australian pokies available online. One of the most popular is Thunderstruck II. The game offers incredible graphics, free spins, scatters and multipliers. It has a Norse gods theme and includes animated symbols such as Thor’s hammer and Loki’s green fireball. The game offers 243 ways to win.
Avalon – is another very popular pokie. The theme is that of the Arthurian legend of King Author’s sword. Glittery graphics display symbols such as jewels, gold, goblets and crowns. The game is a 5 reel, 20 payline pokie with plenty of free spins, wilds and a random multiplier.
Tomb Raider – is also a favourite pokie among online players. Its outstanding graphics and audio keep players entertained on this 5 reel, 15 payline pokie. The game is the same theme as the movie. It provides many special features, bonuses and a large variety of ways to win. Try one of these popular games or choose from hundreds of others.
Best Casino to Play Online Pokies
Play Online Pokies in Australia on Your Mobile Phone
Technological advances have made it possible to play pokies on mobile phones. Previously, most online pokies were based on Adobe Flash. This software isn’t compatible with mobile phones. With the arrival of HTML5, many pokies can now be played on mobile phones. This includes popular pokies such as Tomb Rider, Thunderstruck II, Avalon, Cashapillar and Stash of the Titans.
Many online casinos now offer games compatible with iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android. Some sites also provide games that can be played via a browser on practically any mobile phone. While Google Play and Apple store provide some games such as Texas Hold’em Poker, they do not allow gambling apps that use real money.
Australia’s Gambling Laws
Online gambling is legal in Australia. It is not legal for Australian casino sites to provide gambling for real money to Australians. For example, since Aristocrat is an Australian based company, it is illegal for Australians to play online pokies powered by them. It is, however, legal for them to play on international sites.
Gambling is regulated by the federal government in Australia. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits “online gaming services from being provided to customers in Australia”, and in designated countries. It also prohibits advertising gambling services. It does not prohibit those who live in Australia from gambling on international casinos. It also does not prohibit Australian gambling casinos from offering services to customers outside the country.