Try these great pokies for free, without even having to leave our website. Once you've found and mastered your favourite pokie, why not then play for real money at one of our hand-picked Australian casinos? They also offer great sign-up bonuses too.
If you are looking for the best casinos to play pokies in Australia you are in the right place. There is no denying their popularity in Australia, and punters love their pokies at the club or pub, on their mobile phone or even on a tablet sitting on the couch.
Online pokies are in many ways even more appealing that their land based counterparts. There is certainly more choice, and many more games with odds that favour the player. Here at Casino Shortlist, you will find the best real money online casinos that offer an unbelievable variety of pokies. We will tell you not only where to play them, but which games offer better odds. We will also show you which software providers power the best Australian online casinos, and offer you valuable tips when playing these fantastic games.
Top Real Money Pokies Sites in Australia
These top 3 real money online casinos offer the largest variety of online pokies and some free spins to give them a try.
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FAQ
Yes, but only for free. You are not allowed to play Aristocrat's online pokies for real money in Australia. However, you can play on them for free in demo-mode right here on CasinoShortlist. Simply go to our page on Aristocrat Casinos.
If you are disappointed about not being able to play on Aristocrat's pokies, we have the thing for you. Read our editorial on Popular Australian Poker Machines and Similar Online Pokies to discover our recommended alternatives to popular Aristocrat pokies.
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No, sadly you cannot play on Microgaming's pokies for real money or for free. Microgaming does not allow its games to be played from the jurisdiction of Australia.
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You can check to see if the casino's games are licensed and regulated by a leading gambling authority, or find out if your casino has had its games certified by a third-party testing agency. Alternatively, you can play at any of our Top Real Money Pokie Sites in Australia - all of which have passed our extensive evaluation where we do all the hard work for you.
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Yes, absolutely! There are two ways you can play for free. You can either play on demo-slots, or claim a no deposit bonus. If you claim a no deposit bonus, you will receive either free spins or bonus credits to wager on a selection of pokies. You can win real money using no deposit bonuses if you successfully fulfil the terms and conditions.
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Online pokies and land-based pokies are very similar. In fact, you may find that land-based pokies and online pokies are almost exactly the same. However, there are online pokies that exist (Jammin Jars, for instance) that have a format unique to the online industry.
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RTP (Return to Player) is a way of measuring how much a slot will payout on average. The vast majority of online pokies have an RTP of around 96%, which means that for every $100 wagered, you should receive back $96 on average.
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No, pokies cannot be hot or cold. Don't believe the myth. Pokies are totally random and cannot be influenced by external factors.
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The three most popular pokies in Australia, at the moment, are:
Wolf Treasure by IGTech
Play on Wolf Treasure at Woo Casino
Sakura Fortune by Quickspin
Play on Sakura Fortune at Jackpot Jill Casino
Wolf Gold by Pragmatic Play
Play on Wolf Gold at PlayAmo Casino
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Yes, of course. If you want to win real money on pokies without making a deposit, claim a no deposit bonus. This type of bonus is free to claim and will allow you to wager either free spins or bonus credits on a selection of eligible pokies. All you have to do is to fulfil the wagering requirements.
For more information about wagering requirements, check out our article on How to Beat Casino Wagering Requirements.
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Where to Play Free Pokies Online
There are a significant number of online casinos offering a huge range of pokies to Australian players. Zeroing in on the one that is the best fit for you can be quite a challenge. There are different ways to find the right casino to play pokies.
The first option would be to search out the different online casinos offering their games to Australian players. There are different parameters to consider:
The look and feel
The software
Range of games
Promotions
Payment options
Customer support
Checking all of this for multiple casinos can be quite a drag and you could lose steam even before you start playing. This brings us to the second and more attractive option - visiting portals and websites that lists out the top online casinos that cater to Australian players. They review and analyse all the online casinos available to Australian players and list out the best.
The second option is always the preferred option because all you have to do is go through the list - read the reviews if you want more information - and pick the casino you want to play at.
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Our #1 rated online pokies site for Australian poker machine fans is King Johnnie Casino - here's why:
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Types of Pokies Games You will Find Online
It takes all kinds to make the world, they say, and this is definitely true about online pokies.
There are different kinds of pokies available at online and mobile casinos across the world:
Single payline games
Pokies with multiple reels
Classic pokies
Video pokies
Pokies with innovative wilds, bonus rounds and more
Diversity of themes
Progressive jackpot pokies
In this section we discuss the following kinds of pokies for Australian players:
Classic 3-Reel Pokies
These are pokies with just 3 reels and have a very classic look and feel. The reels have a range of symbols from the era of the first land-based slot machines: cherries, apples and others, the number 7, the word Bar and more. The sound effects are basic as well and include bells and chimes and simple catchy tunes.
These are usually low-volatility games and many of them come with just a single payline. There are of course a number of them that come with multiple paylines, as many as 5. Some of the classic slots also have jackpots attached to them, but the payouts are not as huge as what you can expect in a 5-reel game with a progressive jackpot.
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Play Classic Pokies at Woo Casino today!
Play Classic Pokies at Woo Casino today!
Video Pokies
Video pokies usually have at least 5 reels; some of the Real Series pokies from RTG have 6 reels. They have multiple paylines that are either fixed or adjustable, which means you can select the number of paylines per spin. The graphics and animations are of high quality. You get a range of innovative features to help you win more, like:
- Cool wild symbols
- Multipliers
- Bonus rounds
- Jackpots
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Play Video Pokies at Raging Bull Casino today!
Play Video Pokies at Raging Bull Casino today!
Progressive Pokies
These are pokies that come with progressive jackpots attached to them. The jackpot pokies are unique because a percentage of the money that you wager on the game goes to building up the jackpot attached to it. The longer the jackpot stays untouched the bigger the prospective payout becomes. Not every software provider has progressive pokies in its list of games.
There are 3 types of progressive jackpot pokies:
- Standalone progressive jackpots: They are not connected to any other machines at the online casino. The jackpot amounts are not that big.
- Local progressive jackpots: They are connected to some of the other machines within the casino. The jackpots can be significantly large, and go up to six-figure values.
- Networked progressive jackpots: They are connected to other machines across a network of casinos powered by the software provider. The jackpot is, therefore, huge and can run into the millions of Australian Dollars.
Fair Go Casino
Play Progressive Pokies at Fair Go Casino today!
Play Progressive Pokies at Fair Go Casino today!
Types of Online Pokies Bonuses
Free Pokies Games with Free Spins
One of the standout features of pokies is the range of free spins within the game. Operators take it up a notch by offering free spins as a form of bonus for players to boost their bankroll. These bonuses are different from the built-in free spins feature that a number of these pokies come with.
There are 2 major kinds of free spins offered on pokies as a bonus by the casino operator:
No Deposit Free Spins
No deposit free spins are available to new players even before they make their first deposit. All you have to do to claim the bonus is sign up with the casino. At some casinos, you may need to enter a bonus code to activate the no deposit free spins bonus.We will discuss this cool bonus in a little more detail later.
Our Recommended No Deposit Free Spins Casino
50 Free Spins on Alien Fruits
Deposit Free Spins
The deposit free spins bonus is available to both new and existing players. The bonus becomes available once a player has made a deposit into his casino account.
For a new player, this bonus is usually offered in combination with a match deposit bonus. For instance, a casino could offer a welcome bonus of 100% match up to AUD200 and 50 free spins. The free spins are available on a single game or on multiple games; that depends on the casino operator.
Some casinos offer the welcome bonus across multiple deposits, in which case one of the following could happen:
- The free spins are offered on the first deposit along with the match welcome bonus.
- The free spins are spread across multiple deposits along with the match bonus.
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Real Money Online Pokies with Free Credits and No Deposit Free Spins
There are a number of casinos that offer no deposit bonuses to their Australian players. No deposit bonuses are universally popular because of the following reasons:
- They allow you to test out the real money mode without spending any of your bankroll.
- You get to keep a portion of the winnings from the bonus.
- This bonus helps you boost your bankroll. In the case of the no deposit free credits bonus it is a double boost - the free money or credits that you receive and the winnings you earn from it.
- They allow you to hone your skills on a specific game without having to worry about losing your money. Any money you lose while using this bonus is the casino's.
The no deposit bonus could be free credits or, as mentioned earlier, free spins.
No Deposit Free Credits
No deposit free credits are available the moment you sign up with the casino. You get a certain amount in the form of free casino credits or cash. The amount offered ranges between AUD10 and AUD25. Some casinos may require you to enter a bonus code to activate the no deposit free credits.
The no deposit free credits can be used to play pokies or any of the other eligible games. The casino lists out in its terms and conditions the different games that the bonus covers. You get to keep a portion of the winnings from this bonus.
Always understand the Pokies Bonus Terms and Conditions
Regardless of the no deposit bonus available, it is imperative that you fulfil the terms and conditions attached to it. These include, among others, the following:
- Wagering requirements: The number of times you would need to wager the bonus amount to be able to redeem winnings from it.
- Maximum capped amount: The maximum amount you can withdraw from the total winnings earned with the bonus
- Eligible games: Games that you are allowed to play with this bonus.
- Minimum deposit amount: The minimum deposit you would need to make into your account to be able to withdraw or redeem winnings.
Playing Mobile Pokies on Smartphones and Tablets
Mobile casino gaming has been very popular among Australian players. A major reason for this is the extensive usage of mobile devices in Australia. A study about the usage of mobile phones in Australia by Deloitte in 2017 threw up some interesting statistics:
88% of the Australian population uses a smartphone.
The numbers for streaming TV and video as well as live TV broadcasts has tripled since 2016.
43% of Australian consumers regularly exceed their data limits.
35% of Australians check their phones every 5 minutes.
All online casinos available to Australian players come with a mobile variant that is compatible with both the Android and iOS platforms.
The different Australian mobile telecom networks that support mobile casino gambling include:
The earlier mobile casinos came in the form of apps that you had to download to your device. There was an app for each of the mobile platforms that the casino was compatible with:
Android
iOS
Windows Phone
BlackBerry
Of late casinos are making the transition to offering exclusively no download mobile casinos to players. This has become possible with the advent of HTML5.
As of now, Australian mobile casinos offer games in instant play mode only. This is also in keeping with gaming laws that do not allow for hosting of real money casino apps in the app stores of the mobile platforms.
How to pick the right pokies
When it comes to picking the right pokies is obviously a matter of personal taste. But there are some important factors to bear in mind when you make your choice. There are so many different online pokies available, all with different features and mechanics, so it can be a bit confusing at first.
Let's have the different factors that you should take into account when picking the right poker machine game to play.
Consider The Payout Percentage
Firstly there is the payout percentage, which is also referred to as the return to player. This is a theoretical measure of the amount of return you are likely to get on all your betting, using a percentage of what you bet. Without going into the complicated details it works as follows...
If the payout percentage is stated as 90% it means that over time you will win 90% of what you bet. This excludes lucky big wins, of course. It basically means that if you play a thousand pokie spins and get paid out according to the pay tables without any huge win, you'll end up winning 90c for every $1 you bet. Payout percentages on pokies typically range between 80% and 95%, so it pays to choose a pokie game that has a high payout percentage. Not all casinos publish the payout percentages of their pokies, so try to find games where these are given.
Review The Biggest Possible Win Amount
Then there is the jackpot size jackpot or the biggest win that you can have on a particular pokie. There's a lot of variation here between the different pokie games. Most classic 3 reel pokies have pretty modest top prize payouts, with the video pokers offering bigger prizes. The bonus feature pokies have bigger payouts due to the added bonus feature prizes, and of course the largest top prizes are to be found in the progressive pokies.
Is the Secondary Payout Structure Reasonable?
In addition there is the secondary prize structure. While many pokies these days are geared towards the top prizes, there's a much bigger chance that you'll win some secondary prize money, so pay attention to what's on offer. You can find information on the secondary payouts in the pokie's paytable. These are easy to read.
Understand the Optimal Betting Amount
A further factor in deciding on the right pokie to play is how much you want to bet. That means looking at the coin sizes that are on offer. Some pokies offer a large variation in coin denomination, often with a spread as wide as 1c to $1. You can choose various denomination in-between these amounts too. Other pokies have fewer choices, and some restrict you to a single coin value. The importance of the coin denomination is that it affects your risk through the size of your bet, and it also affects your potential prize payout. If you choose a small denomination you have less risk, but you will also win less. If you choose a larger one, the opposite applies - more risk, more reward.
Seek Out Games With Free Spins
We move on to bonus game features, and the first one to consider is free spins. This is where you get a particular combination on the paylines and you are awarded a specific number of spins on the house. You don't have to place any bets and you keep anything that you win. It's a really great way of winning some extra cash. So look out for pokies that offer a free spins feature.
Look For Lucrative Bonus Rounds
Finally there are the other types of bonus games that are triggered by payline combinations. Again, not all pokies have these but the ones that do are well worth playing - not least because, in addition to offering extra cash prizes, they are often great fun to play. These bonus rounds are usually in the form of a mini video game that opens in your screen. You have to complete set tasks in order to unlock prizes.
Poker Machine Odds, Return to Player Percentages and the House Edge
One thing that you must be aware of when playing online pokies at any casino is the odds that the games come with. Originally referred to as the poker machine odds because the game was available on physical machines at land-based casinos and even at local pubs and clubs, the odds determine the chances you have of winning.
The odds for pokies are expressed as a percentage value called the Return to Player (RTP) value. This is the amount of money that you win back from the casino over a period of time. So if you deposited AUD100 on a game that has a RTP value of 95%, it simply means you will, over time, win back AUD95.
It is difficult to determine odds for pokies in general given the vast range of games available and the infinite variety within them. Australian gambling laws require the poker machine odds to be at least 85%, though there are a number of games that come with higher odds nowadays. The higher the RTP value, the better chances you have of winning over a period of time.
One thing you must remember: the advantage is always with the house. This is also referred to as the house edge, and is the in-built advantage that the house enjoys over you. The house edge is seen in most games except some like poker, where the casino is the dealer and the mechanism for collecting revenue is a percentage of the pot, which is referred to as the ‘rake'.
The RTP value and the house edge are values that work over a period of time. It is not possible for you to expect to win back 98p for every $1 dollar you bet each time you play. Research has shown that it takes about 100,000 rounds of play for a player's win value to map to the house edge that is given for a game.
Tips for Playing Online Pokies
Here are a few tips you can follow when playing online pokies at your favourite Australian online casino:
Play pokies with higher payout percentages and RTP value. They give you better chances of winning over time.
Choose games with exciting bonus rounds. Bonus rounds are the best ways of maximizing your wins, apart from the progressive jackpots.
Check the pay tables before you play. It gives you an idea of the kind of wins to expect - smaller wins more frequently or bigger wins over time.
Look for games with progressive jackpots. They come with lower payout percentages compared to the other pokies but one win can change everything for you.
Play at casinos that offer promotions and bonuses on pokies. Free spins are a good way of picking up wins without spending too much of your own money, for instance.
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AuthorSharon Kingsby
Sharon lives and breathes online casinos. She answers all your how, why, where questions to make your online gambling journey fun and successful. read more about the author
