Play the very best Australian online pokies for real money and find out everything you need to know to succeed in this gambling business. You are in the right place: on our website, you can not only find the most popular pokie games – there are plenty of other things to do here. Test real money online pokies for free before depositing some cash, read all about the pokie mechanics and rules, find out where and how to find the best online pokies in Australia, and what to do to win when playing online pokies… After that, armed with knowledge and experience (if you choose to play all our pokies in their free demos), you’ll be ready to join our Pokiesurf casino community, play online pokies for real money in Australia, enjoy the whole process, and win.
If you are looking to play the true best real money pokies in Australia at an online casino (and who isn’t, right?), we suggest you choose a game that ticks all the boxes below:
Aussies might think that real money online pokies only exist in Australia, and they will be partly right. The word “pokies” comes from Australia, and it is derived from the phrase “poker machine”: the Aussies love to add suffix -ie to many nouns when they have a special warm feeling toward a notion or a thing.
But what does an online pokie (or slot) have to do with poker, you’ll ask. And how does all that connect to types of real money online pokies? It’s all connected, we promise. We’ll tell you right here right now, and the first thing to do is to take a look back. First stop – the 1980s.
At the dawn of the pokies’ days, they were called poker machines because their display had 5 playing cards, and the point of spinning the reels was to collect a poker hand – the higher the possible. That was what paid out in the very beginning, and that’s the memory the word “pokie” has saved and brought to today.
Let’s look at how the history of real money slot machines has been unfolding and developing from there:
So, the very first one-armed bandits that appeared at pubs, and not casinos, (including the iconic Liberty Bell – believed to be the parent of all the other slot machines) with poker cards rotating on its reels were the inspiration of the whole gambling industry. If players needed to rotate playing cards and collect poker games first, today the images spinning on the reels can blow your mind with the diversity of themes and crispiness of the image.
The very first poker machines used to pay out candies of different fruit flavors — that was how fruit machines (both the term and the mechanism) appeared. Even if you are living your best digital-age life, you can still feel the vibe of the first poker machines if you choose to play those old-school 3-reel online pokies real money.
As the name in the heading suggests, their first defining feature is the minimum number of reels. Yes, there can’t be fewer than 3 for a slot machine to work. Surprisingly, the simplification came later than the first one-armed bandits had spread their plume of popularity. The very first poker machines used to have 5 reels as they had to display 5 playing cards necessary to build a poker hand.
3 reels came with fruit and classic casino symbols – lucky 7s, horseshoes, bells, and bars. So, these machines have a limited number of symbol combinations, very few paylines (from 1 to 9), and a high predictability potential. That’s why playing pokies online or offline of this kind comes with rather moderate but regular payouts and super simple gameplay. Speaking of their today’s virtual representation, they tend to feature classic bonuses, and not many of them too: free spins, multipliers, scatters, sometimes a gamble game or a pick-me bonus, or none of them. Hence, simple and straightforward mechanics paired with bold traditional design. It all makes them popular and suitable for novice gamblers and old-time reminiscing players.
If you are one of them, you could have fun playing games from this list:
Real-money pokies with 3 reels are still super popular and they always have a corner to occupy in the best online casinos and land-based casinos.
These casino pokies are more complex. They appeared and got extensive growth after the mechanics of traditional land-based slot machines were mixed with video advancements – somewhere in the second half of the 20th century. Now, they are the most popular pokie type online and offline. And not just the most searched-after, but also the most numerous, with piles of them being released every month.
Don’t know where to start? We’ll suggest a couple of options for you:
The motto of the video slots and 5-reel pokies is the more the better: the more diverse themes – the better, the more features and paylines – the more fun. So, if this is what you are looking for when choosing a pokie game, now we think you know where to find all that.
Just like 5-reel video slots were a revelation of the past century, 6- and 7-reel pokies are a contemporary innovation. They are even more complex, engaging, and entertaining as they offer more ways to win real money and more intricate gameplay. Sounds intriguing? Why not try some of the best titles?
We are sure that software developers won’t stop here, and we are sure to see an even greater number of reels soon.
Some casino game developers have implemented excellent 3d graphics into their online pokies games. If you want to bring your gaming experience to the next level, try one of these top 3D pokie games: Vendetta, and McMurphy’s Slots by Microgaming 3D, BetSoft, and Rival Gaming 3D; 2Can, A Night of Mystery, Gonzo's Quest, A Switch in Time by Yggdrasil; White Orchid, Dragon’s Myth, and Hot Shot Progressive by Slotorama.
Yes, popular online pokies real money have become an interactive video game! Share your gaming experience with infatuated aficionados like you or invite your friends. Get into virtual gambling rooms, talk in real time, share your success stories and strategies, beat the other teams in pokie tournaments, and join forces to win real money accumulative jackpots. All these things are at your fingertips thanks to multiplayer pokies available online.
You can start your fun adventure with the following multiplayer pokie games: Isis Multiplayer, Wheel of Wealth, Avalon, Centre Court, Terminator 3, Sure Win, Playboy, Mermaid Millions, Buffalo Blitz Live Slots, and MultiPlayer 4 Player.
Online pokies dedicated to a popular theme, brand, media/social event, or character. These pokie games hop on trendy topics and receive their share of admiration and fans’ love. Top examples include House of Doom by Play’n GO, NetEnt’s Planet of the Apes, Guns ‘n Roses, and Jumanji, Microgaming’s Lara Croft, and even Monopoly and Cluedo themed games. There are even a couple of pokie games dedicated to famous people – Ellen DeGeneres and Hillary Clinton, for instance.
Another innovation in the mechanics of pokie machines that, as they say, found its way to the gambling world in 2010 when NetEnt released its gem – Gonzo’s Quest online slot. The game was pivotal: after its introduction, many other developers launched something resembling a mix of everyone’s favs – where you had to break some kind of blocks to win and gamblers’ beloved best online pokies.
So, the Avalanche (Collapsing or Cascading) reel is a shift from a traditional pokie reel: they are blocks of symbols that disappear after a winning spin. New symbols fall down and take their places after that.
If you’ve never tried playing on cascading reels, in addition to NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest, you can check out these most popular pokies with the Avalanche feature:
Cascading reels have proved to add to the engagement, unpredictability, and even aesthetics of online gaming.
Megaways is another revolutionary implementation added to slot mechanics that was invented in 2015-2016. Before the Megaways feature was introduced by the company Big Time Gaming (Australian-born and raised, btw), all the reels had occupied their own fixed spots on a virtual slot machine. They were there and they were rotating around their fixed axis.
Megaways made the reels dynamic: they got the ability to shrink or expand, changing the number of symbols per spin. Hence, more innovative gameplay, many more paylines, and bigger winning potentials. For example, a Megaways slot can have up to 117,000+ ways to win real money and 243 paylines on a standard 5x3 grid.
Game developers dug the idea of expanding reels and started adding this feature to their real money games. Here are just a couple of honorable mentions:
Bored with the classics – go with the Megaways pokies at your favourite casinos, and you will not remember the “B” word again.
All the pokies work in the same way at all the casinos: they pay out for the right combination of symbols. However, when playing some of them all your winnings will come as a sum of each individual winning spin, and in others – there are predetermined prizes – jackpots. Everyone’s dream, aren’t they?
Online pokies real money like Divine Fortune (NetEnt), Sisters of Oz (WowPot), Miami Jackpots (RTG) have a fixed jackpot. They tell you in advance what amount of coins/dollars/cents you are going to get with every winning combination. This information is always displayed in the game’s rules, so never forget to check them out before starting to play. Plus, there can be the biggest prize a player can receive for triggering a certain combination. And these prizes are fixed. There can be one jackpot in one game, or a few of them: oftentimes, you can find the so-called “mini”, “medium”, and “mega” jackpots.
In contrast to the fixed jackpots we talked about a moment ago, progressive jackpots are far from being fixed. And that’s why gamblers love them so much: they can grow for quite some time and reach impressive sums.
How is this possible, you’d ask. Simple. Progressive jackpot pokies are not stand-alone machines (or their virtual copies): they are nets of connected games. And every player who plays this game gets connected to the net: the money he or she wagers during the gameplay goes to one huge pool – and that’s where the progressive jackpot pool grows. All the players across different casinos participate in building one progressive jackpot by spending their money on the game. And at one point that growing prize will jump right into the hands of one lucky duck – the person who triggers the jackpot at the right time. Some companies set deadlines and hint at when their progressive slot machine will release the jackpot, sometimes even that doesn’t happen, and the winner gets the jackpot out of the blue.
All the records in online and offline payouts are, of course, set by progressive slot machines. Experienced gamblers know the names of “millionaire-makers” by heart:
Progressive Pokie |
Game Developer |
Notable Jackpot Amounts |
Details |
Mega Moolah |
Microgaming |
€18,915,872; €17,879,645 |
Has created several multi-millionaires over the years. |
Mega Fortune |
NetEnt |
$24,000,000; |
Known for its hefty jackpots and has a luxurious theme showcasing yachts, jewels, and champagne. |
Megabucks |
— |
$39,700,000; $35,000,000; $27,600,000 |
The game is not attributed to a specific online software provider as it's a well-known land-based slot machine found in many casinos, especially in Las Vegas. |
Mega Moolah Absolootly Mad |
Microgaming |
$23,600,000 |
A fun twist on the Mega Moolah pokie. |
Wowpot |
Microgaming |
$15,183,085 |
The game belongs to Microgaming's progressive jackpot network, which is one of the longest-running and most successful in the industry. |
Yes, progressive jackpots look like a super attractive way to win big, but at the same time, they are the most unpredictable and high-volatile games on the market. The chances of winning these huge jackpots are something around 1 in 50-60 million. Have fun but always stay reasonable.
Choosing the best real money pokies to play online is the question of cyber safety and a conscious attitude towards gambling more than anything else. It’s also crucial to stay informed. We’ve summarized all these principles and offer them to you here.
In 2023 Australian players together with other online gamblers all across the globe are definitely spoilt by the gigantic game choice provided to us by the online casino world. So, the important thing here is to keep your head cool and stay in control remembering what gambling and games of chance are all about.
Yeah, you’ve heard us right. The first thing to do to enjoy real money pokies is to understand why you want to gamble and what you are looking to get from playing this game. Got it? Only after that should you proceed to the next step.
Here, please, read on both mechanics of gambling games, and understand how slot machines and their online incarnations work – get into the gambling essence. You need a grasp of RTPs, House Edge, slot volatility, paylines, pokie bonuses, and other game bonus features before you start playing. Btw, we’re gonna get deep into detail on all these issues in our next section. So, read on!
This is archi-important when you deposit your own cash somewhere on the Internet and hope to win real money back. When choosing a website for online gambling in Australia, the licensed online casino must check all the boxes concerning cyber and financial safety.
The most trustworthy Australian online casinos offer free online pokies in their demo mode, and most often – even without registration to complete. For new pokies players, this step is a must. They can see which free pokies games suit them best and get to know the whole process in reality rather than on paper. Don’t skip free pokie games if you consider yourself a true veteran of online gambling either. Playing free online pokies is your way to check out the casino website and its reliability.
When you are sure that the website you’ve found is safe and the customer support is really supportive, transfer a minimum deposit (yeah, start small: there will be a chance to go big, don’t worry) and start playing Australian online pokies you love. And again, don’t go crazy from the very beginning: practice the small steps tactic and employ responsible gambling principles.
Whatever you do after entering the realm of pokies and other gambling games, never treat them as a way to earn cash. It’s entertainment and it is meant to remain a fun activity. Only in this case, real money online pokies in Australia are bound to be fun, only fun, and nothing but fun.
Despite what many people believe (that success in online or offline gambling comes to those who have uncovered secret pokie/roulette/blackjack/etc. strategy which is usually a mix of math, superstitions, and witchcraft), winnings at games of chance like slot machines come to those who take care of cyber safety, sets impenetrable limits on time and spendings, and never gets carried away. That’s why we suggest you stick to this algorithm when choosing a pokie game.
Knowledge is power. Always, in any area of our lives, and games of chance are not an exception. We’ll explain the A-B-C of slot machines right here, so keep reading.
Scatters are special symbols that have an extraordinary function – to unlock the game’s extras, bonuses, and other exclusive features. Scatter symbols don't adhere to any specific sequence; they pop up randomly and they don’t need to build a combination. Their mere presence on the spinning reels is sufficient to unlock perks like complimentary free spins.
Think of Wild Symbols as the slot machine's ultimate chameleon — they are shape-shifters that can stand in for nearly any other symbol. And when they fall down and take another symbol’s place, they can be handy as they might complete a winning combination and contribute to your winning. Occasionally, they come with a cherry on top: they can 2x a payout or bring some other extras.
Multipliers add some more fun to the process. Their job is to magnify your winnings by 2, 3, 4,...25 times, or even more. They can be activated by special symbols or a rare sequence of symbols.
Respins (Free Spins) in pokies say – great job playing pokies, get a complimentary spin as a pleasant extra. They are awarded after specific triggers, such as a particular symbol or symbol combination. They don’t require an additional bet.
Paylines are the programmed patterns (or paths) across the reels where your matching symbols should align for a win. While classic real money slots stick to a fixed number of paylines – from 1 to 25, as a rule, contemporary versions have evolved to feature multiple paylines, offering many more opportunities for a win.
Moving away from conventional paylines, some advanced pokie machines introduce the concept of 'Ways to Win.' Here, a win is determined by matching symbols landing on neighboring reels, potentially offering hundreds or even thousands of unique winning configurations. So, a winning combination is not necessarily a line – it can be just a certain group of symbols.
This revolutionary concept defies the traditional left-to-right rule for forming winning combinations. With the 'Win Anywhere' feature, you can score wins starting from any reel—be it the center, left, or right, opening up a world of possibilities.
Cluster Pays diverge from traditional paylines by rewarding players for gathering a group of identical symbols. The larger the cluster, the bigger the win, providing yet another engaging way to play.
This feature empowers you to lock in select symbols while giving the remaining reels another go. This not only boosts your chances of striking a winning combo but could also be your ticket to activating an exclusive bonus.
Now, as you know the insides of a pokie machine, it’s time to move to the outside of the mechanism. Let’s talk about buttons that you will see on your screen after choosing a pokie game.
The Autoplay feature allows you to pre-set a specific count of spins that will roll automatically, eliminating the need to continuously press the 'Spin' button.
Your Coins or Credits display reveals the remaining balance you have to play and allows you to decide the number of coins or credits you wish to wager for each spin.
The 'Adjust the Bet' function allows you to modify the amount you're wagering per spin. Whether you want to amp up the stakes or play real money pokies safe, this feature lets you fine-tune the risk-to-reward ratio according to your personal preferences.
The option to modify the number of paylines you're betting on offers yet another layer of strategic depth. Opting for a greater number of paylines naturally elevates your odds of striking it big but at a higher cost. Conversely, reducing the number of paylines makes for a more budget-friendly game but lowers your winning prospects.
So, the features of every online pokie that have something to do with its real money payouts are RTP and volatility. Why are they important?
We’d say that they are, of course, important, and you should check them out before you start spinning the reels and play online pokies for real money Australia, but they are not as crucial as they are PRed.
And yet, before you get to play real money pokies, why not look into RTP percentage?
RTP (Return to Player Percentage) is the other side of the house edge. For example, if a pokie has an RTP of 90%, over a long time (up to a million spins overall), for every $100 wagered, $90 will be returned to the players – they will receive them as their winnings, while the casino will keep $10.
Online pokies Australia with High RTP:
âť—RTP is a general parameter, not an individual. It doesn’t show you how much you are going to get from each wager spent on a pokie game. The percentage is spread among thousands of your peer gamers. So, a higher RTP is a nice sign for a player, but it is not definitive.
That’s not enough to consider RTP only when evaluating an online or offline pokie game. Volatility (Variance) also shapes the whole gameplay. You can find pokie games of
Choosing a pokie variance is not about jackpots and payouts, it’s more a question of your gambling style and reasons for playing pokies online. If 2 online pokies have the same RTP, but the first one is highly volatile, and the second one has exceptionally low volatility, your gambling experience will be super different.
Start by signing up with a reputable online casino that accepts Australian players. The registration process usually involves providing basic personal information and verifying your account through an email link.
Before diving into real money gaming, familiarize yourself with the ropes by playing free pokies. These demo versions (free games) allow you to grasp the game mechanics and features without risking your hard-earned cash.
Real Money vs Free Pokies:
Real Money Pokies |
Free Pokies |
|
Pros |
Potential for real wins; Enhanced thrill of gambling. |
Zero financial risk; Ideal for practice. |
Cons |
Risk of financial loss; Potential for addiction. |
No monetary rewards; Limited game features. |
When you pick slots to play for real money and hope to win some of it back, you have to make a minimum deposit first. Thanks to the digital era we live in, it’s easier to transfer money from your bank account online than do it offline today. Just never forget about staying safe.
Popular Australian deposit & withdrawal methods:
Credit/Debit cards |
Visa; Mastercard |
Cryptocurrencies |
Bitcoin; Ethereum; Litecoin; Ripple; Tether |
E-wallets |
Skrill; PayPal; ecoPayz |
Prepaid cards |
Neosurf |
Other digital transaction methods |
PayID; Apple Pay |
Once you're comfortable and ready for the real deal, head to the betting options. Use the 'Adjust the Bet' feature to set the amount you're willing to stake for each spin, thereby customizing your gameplay to fit your budget and risk tolerance.
After accumulating wins, it's time to cash out. Navigate to the casino's withdrawal section, select your preferred payment method, and initiate the withdrawal process. Make sure to comply with any verification procedures to ensure a smooth transaction.
You should differentiate between 2 types of bonuses – the extras coming from a casino (like a welcome bonus or a deposit bonus to play games), no matter which game you choose for playing pokies online, and the special features programmed into the games offered by their software developers
Occasionally, you may receive unexpected bonuses like random cash prizes or tokens, enhancing the element of surprise in your gameplay.
Symbols that stretch to cover multiple positions on the reels, boosting your chances of forming winning combinations.
Often a 'double-or-nothing' type feature, where you can gamble your recent win for a chance to double it.
A bonus game where you choose from a range of hidden prizes, revealing anything from free spins to instant cash rewards.
Free spins that are integrated into the slot game itself, often triggered by specific symbol combinations.
A popular casino bonus that grants a certain number of free spins for signing up at the best online casinos (as a welcome bonus) or any other loyalty-showing action.
Exclusive perks provided to frequent Australian players or high-stakers, such as personal account managers or special event invitations.
Deposit Bonuses that match a percentage of your deposit, effectively increasing the amount you have to play with.
A No Deposit Bonus granted just for signing up or as a part of another promotion, without needing to make a deposit, offering a risk-free way to try out online casinos.
A percentage of your losses or wagers returned to you, offering a way to recover some funds.
As we’ve already said a couple of times, the first rule of the club is to opt for trustworthy and reputable online casinos and pokies online, ensuring that they are licensed and audited for fair gameplay. After the first rule is in place, go on with the others.
The year 2023 has brought even more treasures to the sea of game option which was already too immense to cover in a lifetime. Here are 5 pokie games worth checking out in 2023:
And one more extra recommendation: Book of 99 by Relax Gaming (RTP: 99.00%). This Greek-themed slot stands out with an astonishing RTP and fun free spins.
To get the best experience, you have to choose the best online pokies Australia. And here is how you can do it: just find a game that will check every box from our rating list.
The best companies make the best products. So, why go for something suspicious or low-quality when the gambling market has so many excellent producers and products?
Software Provider Company |
Year |
Their Best Pokies Online |
Licensed? |
NetEnt​ |
1996 |
Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Twin Spin |
Yes âś… |
Microgaming​ |
1994 |
Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Immortal Romance, Avalon II, Game of Thrones |
Yes âś… |
Aristocrat​ |
1953 |
Buffalo, Queen of the Nile, 5 Dragons, Miss Kitty, More Chilli |
Yes âś… |
Thunderkick​ |
2012 |
1429 Uncharted Seas, Babushkas, Birds On A Wire, Esqueleto Explosivo, Fruit Warp |
Yes âś… |
Playtech |
1999 |
Age of the Gods, Gladiator, Jackpot Giant, Buffalo Blitz, Kingdoms Rise |
Yes âś… |
Even though Aussie casinos can’t be created and developed on Australian territories according to the country’s law, you can access websites hosted outside the country. Just make sure to choose the most reliable ones.
For your safety and convenience, try to make sure all the boxes below are checked when you are choosing an online pokie casino to play for real money in Australia:
So, we’ll have to conclude that the top casinos in Australia to play pokies for real money are those websites that ensure safe and responsible gameplay and payouts and can be easily accessed from Australia, no matter where hosted.
Pokiesurf online casino has a collection of 800+ top online pokies of different categories: classic, 5-reel video slots, newer releases with unconventional reel mechanics. Right now, the top online pokies for real money at Pokiesurf online casino are:
All these real online pokies are available on the Pokiesurf site as free games and for real money play.
We won’t be mistaken or deceive you in any way if we say that all the real money pokies of today found online are mobile. As any online casino wants to be in demand, they make their casino platforms super-friendly for all mobile devices. So does Pokiesurf, for example. Pokiesurf mobile casino doesn’t require downloading any apps: thanks to the mobile compatibility, the website adapts to any mobile device Aussie players use – iOS, Android, Samsung; smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
Mobile pokie apps are still available too, but now free games in pokie apps are getting even more popular than games for real money. They are in a more entertaining and risk-free trend, plus app stores are more inclined to host such games as they are safer for users.
According to the Australian Gambling Act, Aussie casinos can’t be created and developed on Australian territories. Australian pokies players can still access websites hosted outside the country. They won’t face any penalties for doing so.
Legal Status |
Partially Legal; varies by territory |
Age Requirement |
Minimum 18 years |
Licensing |
State and territory-based authorities |
Online Casinos |
Generally prohibited |
Online Sports Betting |
Allowed with license |
Online Poker |
Mostly illegal |
Taxes on Winnings |
Generally not taxed for recreational gamblers |
Advertising Restrictions |
Limited; no inducements to gamble |
Self-exclusion Options |
Available through operators |
Offshore Gambling Websites |
Only choose the reputable ones |
Penalties |
Fines and imprisonment for illegal operators |
Responsible Gambling |
Operators must promote responsible gambling |