Are Pokies Now the Most Popular Casino Game for Australians?
When online casinos came into being back in the mid-1990s, slots quickly became their flagship game. With an easy transition to the online world, people could log onto their computers – taking around fifteen minutes to half an hour, mind you – log into the casino, have a few spins, and get the exact same effect you would in any land-based casino.
Over time, however, technology has improved. Online poker has become even more popular – in addition to roulette, baccarat, and blackjack, along with their live dealer variations. That’s without mentioning VR experiences and a variety of interactive game shows. The iGaming world has become more diverse and accessible than ever. But perhaps not for Australia.
Are Pokies the Most Popular Casino Game for Australians?
According to a recent report, ‘pokies’ are currently the most popular games on online Aussie casinos and the second most popular gambling pastime behind the lottery. Pokies, of course, is the Australian and New Zealand term for ‘slots’, and in Australia, most casinos have anywhere between 2,000 to 8,000 variations on their platforms.
This choice is part of the reason for their popularity. As online casinos have evolved, casino operators have been able to add more and more into the mix. Are you a horror lover? You’ll be able to find a horror pokie. Do you prefer action-adventure games? You’ll be able to find an action-adventure pokie. Every option online has its own theme, atmosphere, and unique style of gameplay, and this kind of variation is key to why pokies have become so popular.
Are Pokies Better than Poker?
You might say, however, that poker has multiple variations too, and you’d be right. Right now, you’d be able to find a number of different poker games in online Australian casinos, including Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Three Card, and countless more – each of which offer a unique playing style. But the thing about poker – and any casino table game, for that matter – is that it takes time and effort.
We’re not saying us Aussies are lazy. You just have to visit one of our beaches to see that. Sunbathing? Nah. Try volleyball, surfing, and beach rugby! What we’re saying is that people click on online casinos for a very specific reason. They’re convenient. For most people, online casinos involve a brief visit where you try your luck, spin a few wheels, see what you get, and then continue with your day. It’s not like you’re powering up a console to play RDR2, or waiting 15 minutes for your old 1990s computer to get hot. It’s quick and simple, and that’s exactly what pokies are.
For those playing poker or blackjack, there are definitive strategies that have to come into play if you want to win. You have to know your hand, you have to guess the hands of others, you have to implement a number of different strategies. Essentially, you need time to get into the game and come away successful. With pokies, the gameplay is simple and the course of your luck has been set. In other words, it matches perfectly with the whole concept behind online casinos in the first place.
Best Pokies Games in 2024
So if you’re thinking about visiting an online casino this year, you might be wondering what games you have to choose from. Well, like we said before, there are plenty. But some of the most popular for Australians right now include:
- Money Train 2 (RTP 96.4%)
- Wolf God (RTP 96%)
- Rise of Olympus (RTP 96.6%)
- Book of Dead (RTP 96.2%)
- Sizzling Hot Deluxe (RTP 95.6)
If you’ve never tried any of these games, and you want to see what all the buzz on pokies is all about, we’d recommend finding a good, trusted casino and giving them a go. It won’t take too much time out of your day, after all!
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