Online Pokies for 2026
Online pokies in Australia are by far one of the most popular casino games that are enjoyed online that you can find among pokies sites. Whilst classic casino games such as Roulette and Blackjack have a huge following, online pokies are played by over 80% of real money players in Australia. Just one look at the homepage of any online casino site in Australia and you’ll be met with a screen full of fun and exciting online pokies which are available to play instantly either on desktop or mobile (provided you have a casino account).
There’s no end to the different types of pokies available to you at online casinos in Australia. Over the past decade alone, we’ve seen a change how pokies are played and what online pokies can offer. Starting with old-style 'classic' pokies (which are still available at most casino sites today) there are so many more types to choose from with exciting features, state of the art modern graphics, fantastic soundtracks and even branded games!
Although the pokies selection will vary at each online casino, we’re sure you won’t have enough time on your hands to try them all as there are thousands of games available, provided from a multitude of premium casino software providers.
Featured Pokies Reviews
Game Features of Online Pokies
Unlike 'real' pokies machines, Aussie online pokies games tend to be full of fun and packed full of modern in-game features including Multiplier, Wilds, Scatters Free Spins games- the list goes on. These modern features make sure that not only is each pokie fun and unique, there’s also a variety of ways and chances to win.
- 3-reel pokies online: 3-reel online pokies have, you’ve guessed it- 3 reels. 3 reel pokies are considered ‘classic’ pokies and are considered a little dated but they still have a large following as they offer a simple gameplay with an air of nostalgia for long-time casino players. Most of the time, 3 reel pokies have a single pay line and may include one or at the most 2 bonus features which increase your chance of winning. The first-ever pokies machine at the turn of the 20th century called the Liberty Bell was, in fact, a 3-reel pokie machine!
- 5-reel Pokies: These are by far the most popular and well-known pokies at Australian online casinos and across the globe today. They are without a doubt, the most interesting and exciting pokies to play thanks to modern features, soundtracks and design. Most of the time, 5 reel pokies often have a theme or branding to tell a story, such as a wild west theme, Halloween theme, Christmas theme, cartoon theme, movie themes, retro themes, nature theme, fantasy theme – the list really does go on there. 5 reel pokies (and similar variations) often offer multi-level bonus games which offer increased chances to win. Usually, such bonus symbols come in the form of wilds and multipliers as well as higher bet features for those who are brave enough (or have a larger bankroll). Wild symbols are used to substitute for other symbols to make up winning lines and multipliers multiply your wins for bigger wins. You will almost certainly encounter scatter symbols too. Scatters act as multipliers and are also used as a way to enter lucrative bonus features and rounds.
- Progressive Jackpots: Whilst our list is not exhaustive of the online pokies you’ll find online, it’s a great start and covers most things, however, one thing we cannot leave off the list is progressive jackpot pokies. You would have most certainly seen this type of pokie at land-based casinos, so no surprise you can find plenty online too. Progressive online pokies are usually 5 reel but can come in the form of 3 reel pokies too. They are largely the same as the games we’ve mentioned above but they come with a progressive jackpot which can reach hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of dollars depending on which ones you play. Usually, to win progressive Jackpot, you will need to land certain symbols or get through to a bonus feature. However, with some games, the jackpot can be randomly triggered too. Most Australia casino sites offer progressive jackpot pokies and they can usually be found under a separate tab on the homepage.
What is RTP %?
When you read about RTP % in online casino language, it generally means Return to Player (RTP). This is a term which both online and offline casinos use to describe the percentage of all the wagered money slot machine will pay back to players over time. As an example, if you make 100 $1 bets on a pokies machine which is configured with a 96% RTP, then theoretically you might expect to get back about $96 in wins. The minimum theoretical payout percentage varies among jurisdictions and is typically established by law or regulation however online pokies generally have between 95%-97% RTP depending on game and manufacturer.
What is Variance?
RTP % is often confused with a slots 'variance' (and vice-versa), though they are 2 closely related topics, they are not the same thing. Variance basically determines the way in which the game’s RTP % is achieved. For example, lower variance slots are programmed in a way where you’ll see frequent smaller hits (wins), which will help you keep your balance in check and your head above the water to enable you to play for longer without losing your balance.
The polar opposite to that kind of pokies is Higher variance pokies usually have the most RTP % located in the games bonus features and can provide some really BIG hits. But, of course, to recompense for these big hits, these slots don’t have as many small to medium wins in the base game and therefore there's a risk of busting out your bankroll before you see any of these big hits come in, which is why these types of online pokie aren't suitable for everyone. In reach of our reviews, we explain clearly what type of game - both RTP and variance so that you can make an informed decision whether a pokie is going to be your style or not.