The Fascinating Journey of Pokies in Australia

For Australians, pokies aren’t just casino games, they’re woven into the fabric of leisure, local culture, and conversation. While their history may be shorter than table classics like roulette or blackjack, the evolution of pokies in Australia is full of remarkable milestones, community impacts, and rapid innovation.

It All Started In America

The very first poker machines were invented by Charles Fey, a German immigrant who chose the land of opportunity as his home away from home. He settled in San Francisco, opened up a machine shop and played around with his inventor skills, up until the late-1880’s, when he started to design the pioneer poker machines that that would soon become industry icons. The year was 1895 when Fey managed to build the world-famous Liberty Bell poker machine that featured 3 mechanical reels used to randomise symbols. It only took Fey a few more years to start selling his machines to saloons and bars spread all over the San Francisco Bay region. The locals there started calling them “slot machines” and their popularity continued to sky-rocket as more and more people became acquainted with them.

Given the state laws that soon started to prohibit real money gambling, the Liberty Bell slot machines started replacing cash prizes with bubble gum, fruits and a series of other small items that would fit inside the machines. Over the years, many of the reel symbols started depicting various fruits, thus, the alternative “fruit machine” name was given to these machines in the UK.

Slot Machines Banning, Post-War Leisure and Vegas

Poker machines were prohibited in California and the rest of the US soon followed. In 1931, Nevada decided to make gambling legal again, given the shortage of revenue during the Depression Era and the need for more tax revenues to support the local economy.

As soon as World War II was over, the country started facing a time of incredible wealth and prosperity. Returning from the war, Americans wanted to build their families and make a fortune, while enjoying fresh and stylish leisure activities. The introduction of jet engine aeroplanes and the construction of the interstate highway largely contributed to the turning of Las Vegas into the number one gambling destination for rich Americans, as well as numerous middle-class Americans on vacation. Since the game of slots required zero experience, skill or special gambling knowledge, it quickly turned into their favourite.

Pokies Down Under: The Clubman and the NSW Decision

It was not until the early nineties that the first pokies machines started to make an appearance in Australia. At first, they were placed outside the law, but that didn't stop passionate gamers from seeking them every time they had the chance.

The first domestic pokies machines were designed and created in 1953, thanks to the brilliant minds of the people at Aristocrat, an Aussie company that envisioned the gambling future that would belong to these poker machines, and, consequently, created the Clubman, the pioneer slots game that had Joe Heywood as a creator. Two years later, the game was replaced with an improved version, the Clubmaster.

In 1956, New South Wales government officials decided to make poker machines legal in all registered clubs. This was the sole decision that has completely changed the face of gambling Down Under and it also influenced the way gambling would be regarded worldwide ever since.

The Name 'Pokies'

The word “pokies,” so familiar to locals, is an Australian twist, short for "poker machines", that emerged from broken slang and bustling pub culture. While there's no single, documented "eureka!" moment for when the term "pokies" was first coined, its widespread adoption is strongly linked to the machines' early presence in pubs and clubs, especially after the 1956 legalisation in NSW.

Video poker machines were also called “cardies” and, together with slots, they were generally called “poker machines”. Broken slang has most likely lead to the term “pokies” as people used to say they were heading off to a pub to “play the pokies". Interestingly, the term only caught on Down Under, as everybody else continues to call them “slot machines” or “slots”.

So, "pokies" isn't a complex etymological mystery; it's a simple, affectionate, and uniquely Australian abbreviation of "poker machines" that became ingrained in the national lexicon through everyday conversation and club culture. It perfectly encapsulates the laid-back, informal attitude often associated with Australian leisure.

Pokies & Local Innovation

Pokies’ journey Down Under accelerated after World War II, riding a wave of prosperity and the growing appetite for easy, social entertainment. The landmark moment came in 1956 when New South Wales legalised poker machines in registered clubs. Suddenly, pubs and clubs, especially in NSW, became the nation’s pokie heartland, hosting tens of thousands of machines and nurturing a new national pastime.

Aussie creativity played a pivotal role. In 1953, Aristocrat Leisure released the Clubman, the country’s first domestic pokie. The Clubman and its successors didn’t just entertain, they helped define Australia’s unique approach to gaming: laid back, welcoming, and distinctly local.

Legal Venues for Playing Pokies

In 1956 the NSW govertment decided to make venues for playing poker machines legal to put an end to gamblign in social clubs and in the backrooms of pubs and other establishments. With the new legislation, pokie venues started a rapid growth.

Rapid Growth Following the 1956 Legislation

The 1956 legislation in NSW essentially created the blueprint for how poker machines would integrate into Australian society. It established clubs as the primary conduits for this form of gambling, distinguishing Australia's approach from many other countries where casinos or dedicated arcades were the main venues for slot machines. This decision fundamentally shaped the Australian gambling landscape for decades to come.

Prior to this, gambling on poker machines was largely clandestine. The new legislation, championed by the NSW Labor government under Premier Joseph Cahill, wasn't primarily about promoting gambling. Instead, it was a strategic move to address a significant financial crisis facing the state's burgeoning returned servicemen's clubs (RSLs) and other social clubs. These clubs were struggling financially but provided vital community services and a social hub for many Australians, especially in the post-war boom.

Here's how the rapid growth unfolded:

• Financial Lifeline for Clubs: The new law allowed registered clubs to operate poker machines, with the explicit purpose of generating revenue to support their activities and facilities. This was a game-changer. Clubs quickly realised the immense earning potential of pokies.
• Explosive Installation: Almost overnight, clubs began acquiring and installing poker machines. From virtually none operating legally, the numbers soared. Within just a few years, thousands upon thousands of machines were in operation across NSW.
• Clubs as Community Hubs: This era solidified the role of clubs as central community hubs. They could now invest heavily in better facilities – larger clubhouses, restaurants, entertainment, sports facilities, and subsidised drinks – all funded by pokie revenue. This, in turn, attracted more members and more patrons to the machines, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth.
• The "Pokie Palace" Emerges: Clubs transformed, some becoming sprawling "pokie palaces" with hundreds of machines. They offered a safe, legal, and often more comfortable environment than the traditional pub.
• Social Acceptance and Integration: With legalisation and the revenue clearly benefiting community organisations, the social acceptance of poker machines grew significantly. Playing the "pokies" became a normal, everyday leisure activity for many Australians, integrated into their social routines at the local club.
• Aristocrat's Role: Australian manufacturers like Aristocrat Leisure, which had already introduced the "Clubman" in 1953, were perfectly positioned to meet this sudden demand, further fuelling the domestic industry.

From Mechanical Pokies to Modern Online Pokies

The difference between the "pokies" of the early days and the modern online pokies of today is like comparing a Model T Ford to a Tesla – both serve the same basic purpose, but the technology, experience, and features have evolved exponentially.

Here's a breakdown:

Early Pokies (Mid-20th Century Mechanical Machines)

Mechanical Operation:

• Physical Reels: These were genuinely mechanical devices with physical reels that spun. You could often hear the clunking of the gears and the stopping of each reel.
• Lever/Handle: Players physically pulled a large lever (the "one-armed bandit") to initiate the spin. This tactile action was a core part of the experience.
• Limited Paylines: Most early machines had only one, three, or five paylines. Winning combinations were simple and straightforward, typically horizontally or diagonally across the central reels.
• Basic Symbols: Symbols were usually fruits (cherries, lemons, watermelons), bells, and lucky sevens.
• Fixed Payouts: Jackpots were relatively small and predetermined. There were no progressive jackpots shared across multiple machines.
• No Bonus Features: There were no free spins, wild symbols, scatter symbols, or elaborate bonus rounds. The game was purely about matching symbols on a payline.
• Low Interactivity: Beyond pulling the handle and watching the reels, player interaction was minimal.
• Cash/Coin Operated: You inserted coins directly into the machine, and winnings were dispensed in coins.
• Physical Presence: Exclusively found in land-based venues like clubs and pubs.

Modern Online Pokies (Digital & Advanced)

Digital & Software-Driven:

• Virtual Reels: Everything is software-based. The "reels" are digital representations, and the outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), ensuring fairness and unpredictability.
• Button-Press: A simple button press or screen tap starts the game. The tactile "pull" is gone, though some games simulate it visually.
• Innumerable Paylines/Ways to Win: Modern pokies can have 20, 50, 100, or even thousands of ways to win (e.g., Megaways mechanics). Winning combinations can crisscross the screen in complex patterns.
• Rich Graphics & Themes: Themes are virtually limitless – ancient civilisations, mythology, pop culture, movies, animals, fantasy. Graphics are high-definition, often 3D, with intricate animations and cinematic sequences.
• Massive Progressive Jackpots: Jackpots can be enormous, often reaching millions of dollars, as they are accumulated from small contributions across vast networks of machines (or online players) globally.
• Abundant Bonus Features: This is where modern pokies truly shine:
  • Wild Symbols: Substitute for other symbols to create wins.
  • Scatter Symbols: Trigger bonus rounds regardless of their position on paylines.
  • Free Spins: Players can win multiple spins without placing an additional wager.
  • Bonus Games: Elaborate mini-games within the slot, often involving picking items, spinning wheels, or skill-based elements, offering additional prizes.
  • Multipliers: Increase winnings by a certain factor.
  • Cascading Reels, Expanding Wilds, Sticky Wilds, etc.: Innovative mechanics that add dynamism to gameplay.
• High Interactivity & Engagement: The sheer variety of features, animations, and sound effects makes the experience much more immersive and engaging.
• Diverse Payment Methods: Players deposit and withdraw funds using various online banking methods, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies.
• Accessibility & Convenience: Playable 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection, on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Many even offer dedicated mobile apps.

The 90's - Pokies Go Online

The first Internet casinos opened their virtual gates in the '90s when they started delivering a brand new way of playing pokies and today, millions of Australians are engaging with playing online pokies. The Gaming Club was one of the first online gambling venues that players had the chance to join, and also one that continues to operate today. Almost two decades after the first online real money casinos saw the light of day, Microgaming released the Thunderstruck pokies games in 2004. This was an Aussie-style pokies game available online and it encouraged more developers to start working on their own online pokies games.

Later on, mobile gambling allowed casino software developers to enable players to access incredibly complex pokies with cool graphics and special symbols, multipliers, bonus rounds, captivating themes and whopping progressive jackpots on the go.

The Current Status of Pokies in Australian Gambling Culture

Pokies are a deeply entrenched part of Australian leisure and economic life, providing entertainment for many and crucial funding for community clubs and state coffers. However, this comes at a significant social cost, making them one of the most debated and challenging aspects of Australia's contemporary gambling culture. The conversation is actively shifting towards how to mitigate their harms while acknowledging their cultural and economic presence.

The industry thrives on innovation: adaptive payment methods, secure gameplay, and welcoming bonuses make pokies a central pillar of Australia's quickly growing online casino market, which is projected to reach over 21 million users and $15.4 billion in revenue in 2025.