Legit Online Pokies
If you go to the tucker shop and purchase a list of items, then go home, look at your receipt and discover that you were overcharged—maybe an item was on sale but rang up full price—you can walk back into that store with your receipt and demand a due refund. You may have to speak with a manager to get it approved, but if you’re in the right, you will walk out of that store with due compensation. Unfortunately, the internet gambling business doesn’t always work that way. If you win $5,000 playing the online pokies and request a cashout, you aren’t always guaranteed to get it.
Founded in 1994, Micrograming opened the first online casino ever and they now operate some free pokies machines with free spins of the best online casinos available on the Internet today. You can choose to never miss another Polish Lotto draw by subscribing. Legal Pokie Sites for Real Money in AUD At Legal Pokies we are devoted to gambling, and to pokies in particular. These machines have dominated clubs, pubs, restaurants and casinos across the country for many years now, and thanks to the online age, they are bigger, more popular and more widespread than they have ever been. Online pokies (also known as slots outside Australia and New Zealand) are a popular online casino game. Pokies are a fast-paced game in which the aim is to align symbols to get a big payday. Most modern pokies have bonus features where you can get insanely high winnings as well. Pokies are a staple at all online casinos.
Most countries have explicit laws either permitting or prohibiting online gambling. In Australia the laws are a bit askew, but not in a bad way. When the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 was passed, it prohibited “online gaming services from being provided to customers in Australia”. That must mean online gaming is illegal, right? No. Interestingly enough, the law specifically maintains that it “does not prohibit Australians from using online gambling services”. Thus it’s legal to play online pokies in Australia, but not legal to provide such services to Aussies.
I’m not writing this to explain the laws; rather to make a quick point. Did you ever wonder why it’s legal to play pokies online, but not to provide online pokies to Australians? It’s not because the pollies are going after every internet casino, poker and bingo site they can get their cuffs on. Aussies play online pokies all the time. Much of the iGaming industry would be at risk if that was the case. It seems to be more of a protective firewall for Australians. Legitimate sites that receive no complaints are generally safe from prosecution, while bodgy sites may endure the wrath of the Australian government.
It’s good to know the higher ups are watching out for us on some level, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll step in and secure your money if an online casino doesn’t pay up, or if your personal/financial information is compromised. If you want a safe and secure run at the online pokies without having to worry about how they’ll handle your finances, you’re going to have to make sure you’re playing at an ace website. Let’s go over the most important signals to look for when seeking out legitimate online pokies.
Transparent Ownership, Licensure & Regulation
If an online pokie site is legitimate, they should have no problem declaring their ownership, licensure and regulatory body. They should be licensed and regulated by a respectable jurisdiction, such as the UK, Gibraltar, Alderney, Isle of Man or Malta. If they withhold this information, there may be a reason for it. You should be able to find all of this info on the homepage, About Us page, or at least in the Fair/Secure Gaming statement.
For example, if you scroll to the bottom of the Spin Palace website, you’ll find the following statement:
“A member of The Palace Group that is managed by Bayton Ltd (C41970) a Maltese Registered company with registered address at Villa Seminia, 8, Sir Temi Zammit Avenue, Ta Xbiex XBX1011. Bayton Limited is licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta LGA/CL1/376/2007 (issued: 30th December, 2009) and LGA/CL3/376/2007 (issued: 30th December, 2009).”
Spin Palace openly declares its ownership by Bayotn Ltd, parent company of The Palace Group. And not only does the online casino provide its regulatory body as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta, it offers the actual license numbers and dates of issuance. You can even cross reference the online gambling license on LGA.org for verification. They clearly have nothing to hide.
Reputation via Longevity
Online pokies tend to build up a reputation over time, assuming they have adequate longevity to produce one. If it’s a good reputation, the site should portray an associated logo with online gambling watchdogs. There are at least a dozen distinguished watchdog organizations, but the four most distinguished, and their respective logo designs, are:
eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance): blue “e” over a blue checkmark on silver logo that says “eCOGRA Safe & Fair”
Interactive Gaming Council: white logo that says “IGC proud member”
Gambling Commission: black and yellow badge that says “Gambling Commission Approved”
Online Players Association: blue/white logo that reads “Click here for OPA Certification”
The online pokies at Ruby Fortune are a good example. Scroll to the bottom of the main page where a series of logos are displayed. You will see the eCOGRA logo detailed above. Of all gambling watchdogs, eCOGRA is my favorite because it goes above and beyond background checks, ensuring that online pokies are fairly played, intensely secure and that payouts are prompt. eCOGRA has been resolving player issues for 10 years now and also performs payout percentage reviews, requiring their associated websites to post the monthly results. These can be viewed by simply clicking the eCOGRA logo on the pokie site.
Expedience of Email Support
If there is negative aspect that makes me go troppo, it’s when customer support fails to respond to an email. Live chat operators aren’t always online, and if I need an answer, I want to know that it’s forthcoming. I’ve abandoned what seemed to be legitimate online pokies before because they failed to respond to an email in a timely manner; some never at all. If you’ve confirmed all the above ingredients are present, take one final step and send an email to their customer support department. Ask anything, whether you already know the answer or not. It can be as simple as “do you accept Australian players?”, or as detailed as “what payment methods can Australians use to deposit and withdrawal?”
If you get a response within a few hours, you’re good to go. If two days pass with nothing, move on. Or, if you get a response but it has nothing to do with the question you asked, consider going elsewhere. I’ve run across that one a few times, too. Maddening! But all the lunacy can be easily avoided by learning if online pokies are legitimate before you get started. Play it smart, play it safe, do your research!
Online pokies (also known as slots outside Australia and New Zealand) are a popular online casino game.
Pokies are a fast-paced game in which the aim is to align symbols to get a big payday. Most modern pokies have bonus features where you can get insanely high winnings as well.
Pokies are a staple at all online casinos. There are many different pokie variations, such as progressive, jackpot, 3-reel, 5-reel, megaways, and much more! You’re guaranteed to find a game you’ll enjoy at one of our recommended casinos.
On this page, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pokies, including the best online casinos to play at and the pokies with the highest RTPs.
Best Online Pokies Casinos In Australia And NZ
RANK | AUSTRALIA CASINO | BONUS | # OF GAMES | PLAY NOW |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Red Dog Casino | BONUS 225% up to $12,250 | # OF GAMES 184 | |
2 | Joe Fortune | BONUS 100% up to $2,250 | # OF GAMES 297 | |
3 | Fair Go Casino | BONUS 100% up to $1000 | # OF GAMES 171 |
The table above shows the best casinos you can play pokies at in Australia and New Zealand. It goes without saying that you must play real money pokies at a safe and trusted online casino. It pays dividends to play at a site that values security.
Legitimate Casino verifies every single casino we recommend by evaluating the licenses they hold and by studying their credentials.
Are Online Pokies Legal In Australia?
It is legal to play pokies online in Australia. The law that regulates online gambling in the country is the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.
The law states that it is illegal to play real money games on a website that is registered in Australian territory. It does not regulate offshore companies.
Therefore it is perfectly okay for Australian citizens to play on websites that are registered out of Australia.
There is nothing to indicate that online gambling’s legality is under threat in the region, so Australian residents should feel comfortable playing their favorite pokies.
Why Play Real Money Pokies Online?
There has been a massive and sudden shift in the modern-day, where we have seen an exodus of players from physical brick-and-mortar casinos. Instead, they’ve transitioned online.
While traditional locations such as pubs and brick-and-mortar casinos are readily accessible in Australia, the pros of playing real money pokies online far outweigh any cons.
Here are a few of the pros of playing pokies online:
- Playing from the comfort of your home: When playing online, you can be a couch potato and play on a handheld device or computer. You never have to feel uncomfortable again at an inconvenient casino table or at a noisy pub.
- Playing on-the-go: If you’re ever bored while you’re out and about, you have the freedom to play your favorite pokie games while on-the-go. Just be careful, and never play when you’re in a dynamic environment like walking or driving.
- Juicy bonuses & free spins: When you play pokies online, you’ll have the choice to play games that have lucrative bonus features. Not only that, but online casinos always provide some sort of incentive to keep players playing, like welcome bonuses or no deposit bonuses.
- Higher RTPs: Modern online pokies have a much higher “Return-To-Player,” as they have more ways to win than traditional pokies you’ll see at a pub. This way, you have a higher chance of winning money playing your favorite games.
Types of Online Pokies
There’s a lot of choices when it comes to online pokies, and it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find a game that will keep you satisfied. All pokies are not created equal, though, so it’s crucial you understand which one caters to your taste! Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of pokie:
- 3-reel pokies: 3-reel pokies are the most traditional games out there. These are likely to be stuffed in the corner of your local pub, and they typically lack innovation and don’t have very high payouts.
- 5-reel pokies: 5-reel games are the archetypal modern pokie. It’s the perfect balance between high RTP and insane payouts if you can match symbols across five reels. Here, you’ll see cool bonus features depending on the game that can swell your account balance.
- 7-reel pokies: 7-reel pokies are rare as they are more of a ploy that online casinos use to show their customers they have unique pokies. It is uncommon to see 7-reel pokies, but if you do get to play on them, they have the highest payouts available on the Internet if all goes well.
- Video Pokies: The term “video” in video pokies refers to the graphics and animations implemented in the online game rather than the actual gameplay itself. This means that technically all online pokies are video pokies, but there is a clear distinction between games that heavily promote its graphics versus those that don’t.
- 3D Pokies: 3D pokies are currently the pinnacle of online pokies today. You’ll find certain software developers like Betsoft and Evolution Gaming, providing users with awesome pokies with insane graphics, storylines, and amazing features.
- High Payouts/Progressive Pokies: High payout/progressive pokies are very volatile games with huge prizes to win up top. If you hit the jackpot symbols, then you’ll have a chance to win millions potentially.
Review Of The Best Online Pokies In Australia
The only way you can find out what type of pokie you like the most is by playing a bunch of different games. By experiencing the full spectrum of what online casinos have to offer, you will understand which pokie caters to your taste.
We investigated and discovered some of the best slots with the highest RTP at our recommended casinos. Read on below for our selection:
Pokies With Highest RTPs
Frog Fortune
Frog Fortune is a hexagonal pokie that has an RTP percentage of 96%.
The minimum bet is $0.25, and the maximum is $25. Perfect for those who want a more casual occasion.
It was created by Real Time Gaming.
Dragon Hatch
Dragon Hatch is an exciting 5-reel video pokie with clean animations with a high RTP of 96.83%!
The minimum bet for this pokie is $0.20, and the maximum is as high as $200, great for those looking for some high-stakes play.
Ancient Gods
Ancient Gods is a 5-reel pokie with an ancient Chinese theme.
Ancient Gods has an excellent RTP of 96%, with a minimum bet of $0.01 and as high as $6.25. Ancient Gods is available to play at Fair Go Casino.
Kung Fu Rooster
Kung Fu Rooster is one of the most popular pokies out there today as it has a high RTP of 96.30%, with a betting range of $0.12 – 3.
You can play Kung Fu Rooster at Red Dog casino today!
Dragon Match Megaways
Dragon Match Megaways is a beautifully themed modern pokie with a brilliant RTP of 96.11%.
Created by iSoftBet, you can have the “fortune” of playing this pokie over at Joe Fortune.
Panda’s Gold
Panda’s Gold is a contemporary classic when it comes to 5-reel pokies.
You have all the necessary features included in the game, and you can bet as low as $0.01 or as high as $12.50 with an RTP of 96.81%!
You can have a crack at Panda’s Gold over at Fair Go Casino.
Top Bonuses To Play Pokies Online
Online casinos provide customers with great bonuses to entice players to sign up at their website. Every casino has its unique bonuses and promotions, but generally, welcome bonuses are the most attractive.
You can expect to get free bonus funds, free spins, or sometimes even no deposit bonuses!
Check out the top pokie bonuses at our recommended casinos below:
- Red Dog Casino: Grab yourself a lucrative welcome bonus at Red Dog Casino with a sweltering $12,250 welcome bonus with code WAGGINGTAILS. The code is valid five times, and you must wager x35 the deposit amount to withdraw your bonus winnings.
- Joe Fortune: Over at Joe Fortune, you can get a cool welcome bonus of $2,250 with no deposit limit. That means you can deposit as much as you want and get that same amount extra in bonus funds. On top of that, you can claim 20 free spins on selected pokies.
- Fair Go Casino: Fair Go Casino gives you a $1000 welcome bonus (in your first five deposits)! That means you can claim up to $1000 in bonus funds with code WELCOME. You must wager at least x60 your deposit amount in order to redeem funds.
Ready To Play Online Pokies For Real Money?
So now you have all you need to know about online pokies. There are a ton of games out there that can satisfy all different types of players.
It’s always essential that you pick the right online casino for you, as it can make a world of difference. Check out our recommended casinos for Aussie players, and don’t forget to apply your welcome bonuses!
Get playing today and potentially earn yourself a massive payday on these enjoyable online pokies. You’ll never know how much you could make on some of the crazy features that some of these pokies offer. Find out for yourself today!