Pokies, commonly referred to as slot machines, have long been an integral part of Australia’s casino culture. Dating back to the late 19th century, pokies have come a long way in the last two centuries.
In recent times, their popularity has surged across the nation. At present, Australia has over 200,000 slot machines operational in various clubs, pubs, and bars.
Despite their widespread fame, there remains a level of intrigue surrounding the origin of the term ‘pokies.’ This article is prepared by DashTickets editor Edward Howard. We will explore the history of pokies and also shed light on the different pokie types.
DashTickets is a magazine that do research and discover the top paying casinos in New Zealand.
Pokies History
The first pokies game was introduced by the Aristocrat gaming company in Tasmania during the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until 1956 that New South Wales legalized playing pokies with real money. Surprisingly, it took until the 1990s for other regions to follow suit and adopt this form of gambling.
Back in the 1950s, pokies had a purely mechanical design, far different from the digital machines we see today. Typically, these machines featured three reels and were operated with a mechanical lever. The symbols on the reels were poker symbols or fruits, which is why the term “pokies” became synonymous with these games.
The advent of video pokies in the 1980s marked a revolutionary shift in the gambling world. It replaced the mechanical game with a digital one, leading to significant improvements in gameplay. The transition to video pokies allowed players to enjoy more games per hour compared to the older machines.
Over the past few decades, innovation has flourished, giving rise to numerous variations of pokies. There also have been significant improvements in the gameplay, visuals, audio, and overall gaming experience.
In today’s time, you don’t even need to visit a casino to play pokies. Instead, you can access them online.
Presently, Australia boasts approximately 200,000 physical pokie machines. Players can also access countless virtual games in various online casinos. The tax revenue generated from these machines contributes to the development of local infrastructure and supports education systems and public health.
Why Australian And New Zealanders Call Slots Pokies?
Pokies hold a prominent place in Australia and New Zealand. The term “pokies” possibly stems from the slang expression “poking machine.” This likely came from players poking buttons of the slot machine to set the reels in motion. However, its exact origin remains unknown.
In their early days, pokie machines had a straightforward design, featuring only one pay line and three reels. Yet, their simple gameplay, coupled with higher payout rates compared to other casino games, helped garner a loyal following.
With technological advancements over time, pokies have evolved into modern slot games that we play today. It has incorporated additional pay lines, reels, and other features like multipliers and bonus rounds.
Deposit Methods to Play Pokies
When choosing an online pokie site or casino, you should check the deposit methods offered by the site. Most pokie websites offer multiple payment or deposit methods. Choose a site that offers a deposit method that you prefer the most. Some of the common deposit methods offered by pokie sites are:
- Cards
Many online pokie sites accept both credit and debit cards like Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and others. Players can use their card details to make a deposit directly into their Pokie account.
- E-wallets
E-wallets are digital payment methods that allow you to store funds and make online transactions. These provide a convenient and secure way to transfer money to and from your Pokie account.
- PaySafe
PaySafe is another safe method to deposit money to play pokie. It allows users to make online payments without the need for a bank account or credit card.
- Crypto
Some online pokie sites accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. Crypto deposits offer privacy, fast transactions, and lower fees, making it an ideal deposit method.
- Bank Transfer
Players can opt for traditional bank transfers to deposit funds into their pokie accounts. This method can be a bit time-consuming as it involves processing time from both the player’s bank and the casino’s banking system.
Pokie Types
Modern pokies can be of various types. Before you decide to play pokies, it is important to familiarise yourself with the different pokie types.
- Interactive
One popular type is the Interactive pokie, which is also known as “I-pokies.” These games blend traditional pokie gameplay with video clips to engage players in immersive stories. As the game progresses, various characters are introduced, and players’ decisions directly impact the storyline. These games are highly interactive and encourage repeat play to explore different outcomes.
- Multiple Pay-Line
Another popular pokie game is the Multiple Pay-lines, which has replaced the older single pay-line models. With these machines, players can activate multiple pay lines, typically ranging from 1 to 25. Your chances of winning increase with more pay lines being activated.
- Progressive Jackpots
In progressive jackpot pokies games, a fraction of each wager contributes to the ever-growing jackpot. Once the jackpot is won, it resets to a predetermined amount and begins accumulating again. These machines can be of two types – linked or standalone. Progressive poker machines offer the highest potential payouts. But it’s essential to note that most progressive jackpots require playing with the maximum number of coins to qualify.
- Buy-A-Pay
The type of pokie operates differently from traditional ones. Instead of paying more to activate additional pay lines, it enables additional symbols when more money is wagered. This pokie is most advantageous when played with the maximum number of coins.
- Bonus Game
This type of pokie awards bonus rounds or free spins when a specific combination of symbols appears on the reels. During these phases, players get the opportunity to multiply their winnings, win bonus spins, or both.
- Multiplier
The multiplier offers payouts based on the number of coins wagered before the spin. For instance, if one coin was wagered, a winning spin might pay out $5. Similarly, if three coins were wagered on the same spin, the total winnings would amount to $15.
- Megaspin
For those who enjoy playing pokie machines, the Megaspin pokies game will certainly catch your interest. This is a unique type of pokie game that allows players to spin multiple games of the same type at the same time. While this may enhance your chances of winning, it’s essential to note that it comes at a higher cost.
- Bonus Multiplier
Similar to the multiplier pokies, this game type also adds a bonus amount to a player’s winnings. This occurs when the player wagers the maximum number of coins for a spin. In addition to the amount determined by the multiplier, the player receives the bonus amount. Make sure not to confuse sign-up bonuses with bonus multipliers at online casinos.
- Wild
These pokies feature a wild symbol on their reels, which can be used as a substitute for other symbols in the game. The presence of multiple wild symbols not only offers payouts but also turns an otherwise losing spin into a winning one.
- 243 Ways
The 243 pokie requires players to pay a single flat price and gain access to every possible winning combination. The name “243 ways” is derived from the arrangement of five reels, each containing three positions. For newcomers, 243 pokies may feel a bit overwhelming. It should be noted that winning in this pokie game doesn’t require symbol alignment on specific lines. All you need to do is get three or more identical symbols on any line from the left to the right.
Conclusion
Pokies is a popular casino game in Australia. These games offer a diverse range of themes, features, and winning opportunities. With time pokies have transitioned from traditional mechanical machines to sophisticated digital platforms. To try your luck in pokie, you can choose from different pokie games. The good thing is that pokies don’t include complex rules or strategies like other casino games.
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