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Best Online Pokies for Real Money Australia 2025
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Here at the online casino Pokiesurf, we make it our mission to serve our players and potential customers. That means that we provide the best gambling experience, as well as share our expert knowledge of the online casino market. Today, we have prepared a thorough guide for all Australian punters, going in-depth about online pokies for real money. Best games, bonuses and other helpful tips for all the players. Buckle up and let’s get started, as we are jumping right into action.
Real Money pokies online – Top Games you should look for
It’s no secret that every player has their own opinions on the specifics of what can be called “the best” pokie. We have compiled a list of the top performing and popular real money pokies, with player recommendations and all the necessary information you need to know about the games before you start playing.
The Best Real Money Pokies 2025 – Our Picks
Get a look at the top-performing slots of this year so far! This time our team has provided an exciting new list of games, based on the recent player reviews and popularity in the Australian casino segment. Surprisingly, we found a few new names popping up more frequently than we expected. A new wave of casino gambling is incoming? Maybe! But for now, let’s check out our options.
|
Name of the game |
Software provider |
RTP |
Special features |
Who the game is for |
|
Mighty Wild: Jaguar |
Wazdan |
96.14% |
Bonus Bet, Buy Feature, Hold and Win, Fixed Jackpots, Multiplier, Wilds, Sticky Symbols, Double Game. |
Because of the option to choose between 3 different chance levels, the game is suitable for any kind of player. |
|
Hot Slot: 777 Gold Crown |
Wazdan |
96.14% |
Bonus Bet, Fixed Jackpots, Double Game, Scatter Symbols. |
The simplicity of the slot and its features are suitable for beginner players and lovers of classic gameplay. |
|
3 Pyramids of gold |
Octoplay |
95.76% |
Bonus Bet, Free Spins, Buy Feature, Bonus Symbols, Expanding symbols, Multiplier, Respins, Scatter Symbols, Wilds With Multipliers, Stack, Energy. |
The variety of available special features may overwhelm people new to the game, so we recommend it for players, looking for new and exciting gameplay. |
|
Cash of Egypt |
Ela Games |
95.4% |
Bonus Game, Bonus symbols, Multiplier, Multiway, Random Wilds, Wild Symbols. |
Easy to operate, yet a very exciting slot with over 1024 ways to win is excellent for beginners and high-rollers, looking to get the best bang for their buck. |
|
Flame Fruits Frenzy |
Ela Games |
94.1% |
Double Game. |
Classic slot, that would be a perfect pick for fruit enthusiasts and beginners. |
|
Flame & Fortune: Hold & Win |
Octoplay |
92.78% |
Bonus symbols, Hold and Win, Pot Collection, Stack, Energy, Wild Symbols. |
Well-rounded fantasy game with just enough features to make it interesting, but not overwhelm the player. Great fit for any player. |
|
The Sword and The Grail |
Play’n Go |
94.5% |
Free Spins, Multiplier, Scatter symbols, Energy, Wild Symbols. |
Visually stunning slot, that unfortunately is not suitable for casual players and aims more towards high rollers. |
|
Noble Crown |
Ela Games |
94.03% |
Expanding Symbols, Fixed Jackpots, Double game, Scatter Symbols, Wild Symbols. |
A nice fruit slot that caters to all sorts of players. The Ouble game adds a necessary edge if you want to get more exciting gameplay. |
|
Coin Win: Hold The Spin |
Gamzix |
95% |
Bonus Game, Bonus symbols, Fixed Jackpots, Gamble, Hold and Win, Double game, RTP range, Wild Symbols. |
Fruit slot with a twist! Non-standard grid and mechanics, unusual for this kind of slot are certainly entertaining, but unfortunately not beginner-friendly. |
|
Hot Chilli Bells |
BGaming |
97% |
Additive symbol, Bonus Game, Bonus symbols, Buy Feature, Expanding Symbols, Free Spins, Hold and Win, Multiplier, Random multiplier, Respins, Scatter symbols, Sticky Symbols, Wild Symbols. |
This game is loaded with all the different kinds of mechanics and twists, making the gameplay a neverending hurricane of excitement. Maybe this game is not particularly suited for newbies, but the bet range certainly allows for some leeway in terms of available player funds. |
You may be asking yourself why we only recommend games based on popularity and the answer is relatively simple. In today’s casino industry, games are popping up left and right seemingly every day. The mere fact that a game doesn’t get lost in the shuffle means that there’s something worth checking out. Consider it a sort of peer review.
Mobile Real Money Pokies: Fast, Convenient and Accessible
Be honest – how many hours are you spending on your phone? We’re not trying to shame you, trust, our writers probably spend way more time on their phones than you do. What we’re alluding to is the fact that the time a regular person spends on their phone has increased dramatically over the last decade.
Phones are everything now. You talk to friends on your phone, you play and relax on your phone and for many people, their work has also shifted to being on their phone.
So the casino industry moved on to adapting the games and websites specifically for phone users, too. In fact, almost all modern pokies have already come out adapted for mobile play. The most popular older pokies also have been modified to fit into the realm of mobile gaming. There’s maybe under 1% of pokies that are not available for mobile use.
So, this just comes down to individual casinos having specific mobile versions for their websites. Here we will talk about some ways you can access your favourite games from your mobile device.
Apps VS Web versions
So, there are only two ways you can access casinos from your phone. It’s either through their app or a mobile version of their website. Frankly speaking, both options are valid and have their own upsides and downsides.
Apps
Let’s talk Apps First. The main downside of installing a casino app is wasting space on your smartphone or a tablet with an application that can be avoided. But other than that, there are little to no downsides. You get easy and fast access to all the games you could think of through the same account you’d be using on your pc. All you need to do is find the app on the casino website or in the app store and install it.
Websites
With mobile websites, the main downside is the lengthy process of actually accessing the site through your browser, as well as a higher dependency on internet connection. So let’s be real – there are no major downsides, same with apps. Using the mobile web version of the casino you will get the same experience, as on PC and won’t waste space on your device. So really – this is up to you to choose.
Understanding the Game: Casino Games and How they Work
Casino games at Land-based casinos look shady enough, am I right? And these games you can touch and feel, observe the dealer and watch the cards. You can’t even do that with online gambling! It’s no wonder many people are intimidated by the idea of online gambling – it’s simply scary.
But in a rather counter-intuitive fashion, online games are arguably more safe and well-balanced than their real-life counterparts. How? Well, because most of the games are automated. There’s no human error and no card tricks. Of course, these algorithms can be manipulated, but with a nice and licensed casino (like Pokiesurf and yes this is a self-promo) you won’t have to worry about that.
What is a Pokie? How Do They Work?
So, let us start with the basics. You probably already know a thing or two about pokies. Everyone at least heard of them one-hand bandits, aye? You know, like the slot machines from the movies? The reels spin and form a combination that determines how much you win. Except, online pokies are a bit more advanced, with all kinds of bonuses attached to the symbol combinations adding a new level of excitement to the gameplay. But you actually don’t need any special knowledge to play these games. The gameplay loop will do everything for you, all you need to do is press “spin”.
Types of Real Money Pokies – What’s there to expect?
Just as we said, online pokies nowadays have moved on so far from their predecessors that it’s honestly a little insane. What used to be a simple mechanism with 3 reels and one payline nowadays evolved to having over 100,000 paylines across a virtually endless number of reels. To better understand the art form of pokies, we have prepared a little infographic with all the different pokies types that exist, so you won’t have to worry about stepping into a game you’re not sure about.
You may have noticed that we didn’t mention 3D pokies or Branded pokies, and that’s because while they are very different from the rest of the games stylistically – there’s not much to add about them when it comes to mechanics. Same for the slots with a number of reels larger than 5 – they are virtually the same as 5 reelers, but with more reels. However, we will talk in detail about some special features that do make a difference.
Pokies Features to Up Your Game
The types of pokies are definitely important, but the features are what make the game. Pokies are defined by their bonus features and special mechanics, so learning what each feature adds to the game is necessary to make preemptive decisions about choosing the right pokie to play. So, let’s not wait any further and get into it!
- Autoplay. Probably the most common feature that appears in almost all modern pokie games. The feature is rather self-explanatory. You set your bet and click autoplay, letting the gameplay for you, allowing you to just kick back and watch the reels spin. You can set an autoplay for a specific number of spins or make it go until you’re satisfied. You can stop the autoplay feature at any time you see fit.
- Multipliers. The name speaks for itself – you get to multiply your wins for a limited number of spins, if you get this bonus. It’s usually activated through specific symbol combinations or through scatter symbols.
- Free Spins. Not to be confused with the casino bonuses. Free Spins is an in-game feature, commonly activated after hitting the right scatter count or just getting the combination on the payline, that triggers it. Free spins are just that – spins, that do not waste any money from your account. Free spins can also be re-triggered while the spins are active!
- Scatters. We’ve already mentioned them, so let’s get into the nitty gritty a bit. Scatters are special symbols that can appear anywhere on the paylines, activating various bonuses, depending on a position. Usually, three scatters on a board activate Free Spins, but there are some other combinations for visible symbols on the board that can start up a different feature, depending on the game.
- Wild Symbols. At this point almost all the games have wilds. You will have to actively search for a game without wilds. Wilds substitute other symbols on the board and activate winning combinations. There is a variety of wilds, as some wilds can take up the whole reel (expanding wilds) or stick to specific places on the board (sticky wilds).
- Bonus rounds. This feature is often equated to the free spins feature, but in reality, there are some distinctions. Bonus rounds are special rounds of the game that can multiply the player's winnings or score jackpots while being free for the player. To activate them you usually need to finish a number of in-game tasks or get a specific symbol combination. Sometimes Bonus rounds are simply presented as a variety of prizes you can choose from or a wheel of fortune round.
- Double game. A bonus round you receive after hitting a jackpot, that allows you to guess the cards or symbols presented in front of you. If you guess the combination correctly – you will double your prize and if you lose you’d have to say buy to your wins.
- Buy feature. Last, but not least Bonus buy allows players to buy a bonus or multiplier in-game, instead of depending on luck. Just as simple as that!
These are the main features that you will see in most pokies games nowadays. Of course, this doesn’t cover the full extent of available bonuses, as some games have game-specific variations of these features or even specific mechanics that are only employed with these slots. Can’t know everything, unfortunately. But what we’ve already learned here is enough for a starter.
RNG, RTP and Other Important Letters
Now, if you read anything about pokies, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of abbreviations and terms that people just throw your way and expect you to know them. Most gambling services rely on the fact that their players are more likely to know what these terms mean. But that’s just a little uncool towards the new players, only starting out in the biz. Here at Pokiesurf we’re aiming to be accessible and helpful to all the players.
Let’s start with RNGs. This is the most important part of the slot, the Random Number generator. RNGs generate a string of numbers, each having a specific symbol attached to it. This string of numbers is transformed into what you see on the screen after you make a spin! RNGs can be manipulated, but this only ever happens when the casino itself is fraudulent. We’ll talk about the ways to avoid further down the line.
RTP is the percentage of money returned to players on average. Basically, If the RTP of the game is 95% it means that players usually win back around 95% of the money they bet. This doesn’t mean you will get exactly that amount of money back, but the higher the RTP the bigger your chance to win. Another parameter often talked about alongside RTP is Volatility. High volatility means the punters will get rare, but big wins and low volatility are the exact opposite of small, frequent wins.
History of Pokies: The Origins of Aussie Obsession
Now, there’s no knowing the present, without knowing the past. So, if you ever wondered how the pokies became so popular in Australia – here’s your chance to learn. The history of Pokie machines starts in 1894 in San Francisco, with the first ever slot machine named “Liberty Bell”, however the slot machines we are familiar with right now first appeared in Chicago, with the invention of the first-ever electronic slot machine in 1963, which received the name of “Money Honey”. It’s unclear when the first slots came to Australia, but many people point towards the early 1900s. But the first ever legal pokies machine started operating in New South Wales in 1956. Back then, the machines would often be put in the same spaces that were holding poker games and therefore received the name “Poker Machines” or, shortly – Pokies. Australians were always keen to play and gamble and this trajectory doesn’t change now either. Gambling is considered a part of the national heritage and is legal, as long as you follow the rules.
The Best Software Providers for Pokies and More
If you’re still not familiar with the major software developers for casino websites – you’re missing out. Knowing these companies not only allows you to know more about the pokies and manage your expectations for certain titles. But also allows you to judge the casino website, based on the providers they collaborate with. Best software providers are really thorough about choosing who to collaborate with, so seeing big names on the casino website indicates a certain level of trust for the company. Below you can find a comprehensive list of all the major software providers that you should look out for.
Microgaming
Talk about history! Microgaming started it all, when they produced the first ever online slot back in 1998 – the Cash Splash. That monumental development paved the way for every other slot game since. And Microgaming is never stopping upping its game, still continuously producing industry-shaking new games. Now they’ve stepped into the VR market, creating their first VR roulette, so you can immerse yourself into the game even more.
Play’n Go
Ever stumbled upon the now iconic character in the world of online pokies – Riche Wilde? Tome of Madness, Book of Ra and such? Well, this spry fellow is the product of Play’n Go creative genius! Play’n Go has a lot of great tiles under its belt, all of the highest quality possible. It’s no wonder they managed to sweep not only the Best Casino Supplier of the Year in 2019 but also The Best Mobile Provider the same year.
Aristocrat
Wanna stay local even online? Then choose the authentically Aussie developers! Aristocrat was actually founded in Sydney. They first started as a slot machine supplier to actual land-based casinos back in the 1950s! And now, with almost a century of experience, they are still on that grind to provide you with the best casino gaming possible.
NetEnt
NetEnt is the company you go for when you’re in for the win. Their games usually sport insane RTP levels, some even reaching 98-99% RTP. This, coupled with their impeccable game designs and mechanics makes their slots one of the most popular in the industry. You probably played their most popular titles like Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest or Divine Fortune.
The Pokies Craze – Why You Should Play Online
Pokies online have taken over the gambling world like a storm. Nowadays most people choose to play online, instead of venturing to a real casino. There’s just so much about online gambling, that’s more convenient than going to the casino. And pokies are the top choice amongst online games for a reason, too. Of course, land-based casinos provide you with a great experience, with the ambience and the aesthetics, but let’s be real – online is just better. Let’s look at the facts:
- Simplicity. Let’s start with Pokies. It’s okay to like different things and if you like table games over pokies – we get it fully. But a fact is a fact, pokies are the least troublesome to get into, most casinos focus their bonus systems over pokies and the variety outsells any other game. Pokies are the perfect tool for gambling, requiring no training or additional knowledge.
- Convenient payments. Online casinos have at least 3 to 5 payment methods available and some online casinos even offer upwards of 20 options. You don't have this luxury with land-based casinos. No crypto payments, no e-wallets – just cash or card.
- Flexible betting. You are usually not allowed to choose the size of your bets. While playing pokies in a land-based venue or at least you can’t set it as low as the online gambling allows.
- Free Play. No casino will allow you to play for free. Unless it’s an online casino! At online venues you can easily play any game you want (apart from live games and progressive jackpots) for free, simply to test the waters.
- Privacy. Not everyone can just show up at a casino with no repercussions. But at online casinos, nobody sees your face. You may need to send in the documents to prove your age, but that’s the extent of it.
- Variety. Pokiesurf alone has over 1000+ options for gamblers. No casino can sustain this amount of options in one building.
Online pokies are a great way to relax, de-stress and enjoy your evening, with the additional benefit of potentially winning some money. While land-based casinos are fun, they should not be your everyday go-to.
I Wanna Play, But Where Do I Start?
Ah, we see – we’ve got you hooked, don’t we? Don’t worry, if you want to start as fast as possible – we’ll help. There is some undisclosed information you need to learn before starting your gambling adventures like learning about the casino safety measures or the basics of casino registration.
How To Choose a Casino That Won’t Scam You
Choosing a good casino is honestly half of the whole deal. This will directly affect your enjoyment of the games and most importantly, the safety of your personal and banking information. Below are some of the things to pay attention to.
Customer support
The way the casino cares about its customers is indicative of the casino’s inner workings as a whole. You can reach out to customer support just to test it out or read some internet reviews (take those with a grain of salt, really).
Licensing
Casinos must be licensed to legally operate. If there’s no information about the casino’s licensing there’s a high chance it operates illegally, which puts you and your many in grave danger. Additionally, we would recommend looking for licensing agencies' approval like eCOGRA, iTech labs and Gamcare. These audit agencies greenlight the casinos with fair RNGs and implementation of responsible gambling practices.
SSL Encryption
Encryption is necessary to prevent the loss of your personal and payment information. It ensures that any and all data you provide isn’t going to be bought or sold to other companies or even scammers for profit.
Terms and Conditions
Never play at a website, whose Terms and Conditions aren’t clear to you. We know that reading the fine print is boring and all, but you need to understand that your safety is on the line here.
Signing Up is Easy – Just do it!
The sign up process is a bit scary, especially for newcomers. After all, you’re offering your personal information and payment details to strangers on the internet. And that’s not what we were taught to do! But don’t worry, all these measures exist only to make your time playing safe and ensure the casino is acting in accordance with the laws and regulations. But nonetheless, let us guide you through the process here.
- Go to the trusted casino website… To Pokiesurf, preferably, and find the “Sign Up” button at the top right corner of the screen.
- Click it. The pop-up window will appear. There, you will be asked to fill in your information (email, name, surname and password). You will also need to choose your country. Please take note that Pokiesurf only works in Australia and New Zealand.
- After that, you will be sent a confirmation letter to the email address you mentioned in the registration form. Here, you will be asked to provide some personal information to better identify the legality of you operating the website. All the instructions will be provided, don’t worry.
- Afterwards, you will be allowed access to the website. Just go back and log into your account.
- Now, you will be able to start playing! Try out free demos or make a deposit and start out your journey right then and there. Oh, and don’t forget about the bonuses!
Easy, right? We hope our small explanation helped even a little to ease your nerves. We totally understand the nature of your concerns and are there to help. If you have any questions about the registration process – do not hesitate to reach our customer support team.
Banking is Confusing – Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Payment Methods
Best Casinos in Australia use a wide range of options to enable their players to make a deposit. There’s everything from Visa cards to crypto – you should expect anything. And while variety is always good, there comes a point, where it becomes overwhelming. But don’t sweat too much about it – we’re here to give you the full rundown.
|
Payment option |
Pros |
Cons |
Best suited for |
|
Visa and Mastercard |
Widely accepted. Already available to most people. Highly secure. |
Rather slow transaction time, ranging from 3-7 days on average. Additional charges from the bank for some transactions. |
People who value convenience and safety above all else. |
|
PayID |
Instant Transfers. High level of security as you won’t share any of your banking information at any point. |
May not be available at some casinos or even at some banks. |
Punters prioritise the transaction speed and whose banks accept PayID. |
|
E-wallets (PayPal, Neteller, Skrill and more) |
Instant Deposits and Withdrawals. No sharing of your personal information. Easy management of your finances. |
Possible fees, when moving your money to a bank account. Need to first register and create your digital wallet. |
Another great choice for people, who prefer speedy transactions. |
|
Bank Transfers |
Accepted at all Casinos. The safest transfer method by far. Hue choice of banking options at casinos. |
Very slow withdrawals, of up to 7 business days. Additional fees. |
If your main concern is the safety of your funds – you found your choice. |
|
Cryptocurrency |
Extra level of anonymity. Instant withdrawals. Special bonuses for crypto gamblers in Australian casinos. |
Hard to get started. Crypto is a fluid currency, so the value might change at any moment. |
Tech-savvy players should definitely look into crypto as an option. |
Honestly, the best we can recommend is to stick to what you already know, but also try and browse through the available options to see whether there’s anything you’d also like to try out. Oh, and also check for any fees. Nobody wants to get hit with additional spending out of nowhere.
Casino Bonuses – Types and Player Recommendations
There are so many bonuses offered to players at casinos. As casino representatives – we get it, y'all want to keep the people coming back. Bonuses are here only to encourage play and nothing else. But it doesn’t mean you as a player can’t benefit from them.
Welcome bonus
It’s all in the name – Welcome Bonus is the offer, given to all new players, that gives them an extra boost for the start of their journey. It’s usually divided into 3-4 separate bonuses that work across the first few deposits the player makes. At Pokiesurf it works like this:
- Welcome bonus #1 – 150% deposit match + 100 Free Spins in Starburst;
- Welcome bonus #2 – 100% deposit match;
- Welcome bonus #3 – 100% deposit match;
- Welcome bonus #4 – 150% deposit match.
This means that for the first 4 deposits you make you will receive a little ‘gift’ from a casino that you can use for your games. Why is a gift in quotes? Keep reading to learn more…
Deposit Bonuses
Deposit bonuses are a large group of a lot of different bonuses that you can only acquire from making a deposit. It can be a reload bonus, daily bonus or any other offer that needs you to make your payment first.
Free Spins
Free spins were already mentioned before, but let’s get more in-depth about them. Free spins are spins that are added on top of your deposit and allow you to take additional spins in a selected number of games.
What’s the deal with Wagering?
So, there we finally reach the part, where we talk about bonuses not being gifts. Basically speaking, almost all bonuses have wagering attached to them. The wagering requirement is a set of rules that allow you to withdraw the money you won while using the bonus. Usually, wagering is equal to the bonus amount x the wager number. So, say, you deposited 50 bucks and used a 50% bonus with a x30 wagering. That means that the bonus amount is 25 bucks. And you will need to deposit and play with 750 bucks to withdraw the money from the bonus.
This might seem a bit unfair, but really, it’s doable. You don’t have to spend the money all at once. Just when the bonus is still active. And you’ll win more money that way, anyway. This measure is here to ensure nobody commits fraud, using the bonuses.
Responsible Gambling and Australian Laws – How To Stay Safe
“Gambling” and “responsible” aren’t the words you usually see together. There’s a stigma about gambling always being a bad addiction, leaving no room for any productive discussion. You can gamble responsibly, and, actually – you should! But what does responsible gambling really entail? It means that your gambling is controlled and doesn’t harm your wallet or your mind, as well as doesn’t affect your day-to-day life and relationships.
Gambling can be addictive and while we talk so nicely about all the features and knick-knacks – you need to know when to stop and what to do when you realise that you can't do it. Here are some of the resources that might help:
- gamblersanonymous.org;
- gamblinghelponline.org.au;
- gamblershelp.com.au;
- turningpoint.org.au;
All we can say – take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Veteran’s Advice: Things People Wish They Knew as Beginners
We’re no strangers to gambling ourselves. Being in the industry for a while, you learn a thing or two about how it functions. You let go of your rose-tinted glasses, no longer thinking there's a way to outsmart the RNGs, stop blaming casinos for being scammy and just lead your gambling life like you want to. Here we have some advice for people who are just starting out, just to save you some time figuring it all out.
The Legality of Real Money Pokies in Australia
Gambling in Australia has rather lax laws, compared to some other countries. Technically, online gambling is not allowed in Australia… If you play on Australian websites. But any offshore casinos are absolutely okay to play at. There are no legal repercussions for gamblers, you are allowed to play however you want. You won’t be asked to pay taxes on your winnings either. So, from the legal standpoint – you’re fine.
Farewell: Some Last Words from the Pokiesurf Team
FAQ
