What are Online Pokies?
Pokies are known as slots or video slots in most other places around the world. Mostly, the Australian players refer to these games as pokies. The term has also spread to other regions such as New Zealand. Travelling to these countries, you will see land-based casinos and online casinos use this term for video slots, video poker, and other casino video games.
The term has been around for many years and has become so popular that some people in Australia find the term video slot or slots strange. The term came to be from the abbreviation of poker machines, which became popular many years ago in bars and pubs around the country.
Aussie’s have always been known to abbreviate words such as Straya instead of Australia, or g’day instead of good day. The list of these abbreviations is endless, but also makes sense that the term pokies came from the “pok” in poker machines.
However, online pokies and slots are the exact same thing. The word pokie seems to have adapted to slots over the years in the country as land-based and online slots are preferred to pokies. All terms where other countries would use slots, the Australians use pokies. For example, a slot bonus would be a pokie bonus, a video slot is video pokie, and a progressive jackpot slot would be a progressive jackpot pokie.
Best Casinos To Play Online Pokies April 2024
Pokies in Australia
The history of video pokies in the country starts off in mid-1950 when the first Australian state (New South Wales) legalised these games for pubs and clubs. Not long after, more states allowed the games to be presented in the areas, but New South Wales has always managed to have the most games.
It was not until 1999 where the productivity commission of Australia reported just how many pokies are currently operating in the country. New South Wales had more than half the casino pokies in the country and at the time more than 20% of all casino machines were operational in Australia alone.
The gambling industry in the country kept growing to a $4 billion industry by 2002, which was also around the time where online casinos became popular. Land-based operators in the country are still very popular for all players, but online casinos have become one of the preferred gaming methods to enjoy pokies, table games, video poker, and more.
The future is expected to keep the rapid growth rate, but there has been rumours that the country might experience limits towards these games, which would consist of a restricted smart card that limits the amount of cash played at these online casinos, and land-based.
Best Casinos For Online Pokies
Many new online casinos cater to the Australian market and provide many types of new pokies and other casino games. These casino sites also include a wide range of promotions, casino bonuses, and many other aspects that attract new players and provide a unique gaming experience.
However, some developers have become favourites, not online in Australia but around the world that offer a huge game selection, amazing promotions, and the best video pokies around.
These include NetEnt and Microgaming, which are 2 of the most well-known developers that have been around since the mid 90’s to provide a gaming experience like no other, but are also the in the biggest competition with each other.
This doesn’t only make them well worth joining, but also to keep an eye on them as the future of online gaming is expected to be exciting for these developers. Below, we look at some of the best offered by NetEnt and Microgaming, and hope it assists you in making up your own mind to who you think would be the best for you and your pokie online experience.
Jackpot Pokies - Netent & Microgaming
Netent: NetEnt is one of the most popular pokie developers as they offer a full range of games with various themes and gaming opportunities. The developer was one of the first to provide online gaming and have managed to impress over the years with the games created.
NetEnt provides a massive range of video pokies, which include progressive jackpots such as Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, and many more. They currently hold the records for the higher jackpot paid, standing at over €17 million to one lucky player. Their pokies provide various wager values, amazing 3D graphics, huge bonus features, and free spins.
The developer is also a leader in table game development and offers various types of Roulette, Blackjack, Casino Poker, Baccarat, Craps, and much more. Each game is shown in 3D and offers standard rules while also including a number of side bet choices, which even includes a few progressive jackpots. Players can also enjoy various live dealer games and enjoy mobile variations of their pokies and table games.
Microgaming: Microgaming is known as the very first casino developer and assisted in opening the first online casino in 1996. They have also reached the pinnacle of the gaming market with their creations in pokies, jackpot games, table games, and more. The developer currently provides one of the biggest gaming selections that come with bonus features and multiple reward opportunities.
Players get to enjoy the full range of new pokies that includes classic 3 reeled games, 5 reel games, progressive jackpots, huge bonus features, free spins bonuses, and more.
The games provide incredible 3D graphics and sound, making it a lot more fun to play, especially when huge winnings hit the reels. Each pokie is unique and represents a fantastic game play with some themes including well-known titles such as Jurassic Park, Playboy, Tomb Raider, HellBoy, The Dark Knight, and much more.