There is no doubt that playing Australian pokies online is the most popular form of gambling in Australia. Across the country, there are more pokies, or poker machines, than anywhere else in the world. On a per-head basis, Australia has six times as many pokies as the United States. So why are pokies so much enjoyed by Australians?
With their bright colours and flashing lights, pokies are very entertaining. They offer inexpensive fun and the dream of winning a big jackpot.
When pokies were introduced to Australia in the early twentieth century, they were actually illegal to play. It was only shortly after the company Aristocrat started developing more poker machines in 1953, that pokies were legalised by the government of New South Wales. But they could only be played legally in licensed and registered clubs. The other Australian states legalised pokies in the years to come.
Early pokies had no lights and were very basic, with only three reels and five lines at most. Nevertheless, this new form of entertainment was very much enjoyed by many gamblers. As technology and style advanced, the popularity of pokies increased. Soon the number of reels and paylines increased, and new features, such as bonuses, free spins and double winnings were introduced, making the pokies even more popular. A rising number of pubs, clubs, hotels and casinos were licensed to operate pokie machines, making them more accessible to the general population.
Today, many pokie games are based on cultural themes like TV shows, comic books or movies. Playing Australian pokies online offers some light-hearted fun. The games are easy to operate and require no skill but offer the chance to win a potentially life-changing amount of money. Winnings are not taxed in Australia, as they are seen as a result of good fortune, rather than an income.