Pokies is a combination of slots and poker and is accessible to play on offshore online casino sites and at various pubs, sports clubs, and casinos in New Zealand and Australia.
For more about the origins of Australian pokies and their development over the years, this post divulges all.
Charles Fey Invents the Liberty Bell Machine
Charles Fey, a German immigrant and machine shop owner in the US, was an inventor.
In the late 1800s, he started developing ideas and designs for gambling machines; by 1895, Charles created the liberty bell machine, hosting three reels that randomize symbols.
Charles marketed the machines across San Francisco Bay in saloons and bars. Here his invention gained a footing with the locals and earned the name slot machines.
Slots initially paid out cash prizes; however, US state laws soon banned cash betting. In response, the machines were configured to release small prizes such as fruit gums.
Despite the change in prizes, slot games were shortly after banned from the US.
Las Vegas Reignites Slots
In 1931, Nevada legalized gambling, and the state taxed betting revenue to counteract the shortage of income during the Great Depression.
After WW2, America was flourishing. Soldiers returning from war wanted to start families, make money, and indulge in luxury leisure facilities and vacations to spend their disposable income.
As a result, the demand for Las Vegas with its bright lights, vibrant and musical slot machines, and the chance to win big prizes by gambling, grew. Thus, Las Vegas gained a reputation as a gambling destination for flashy tourists and wealthy Americans.
Pokies Arrive in Australia
During this era, pokies arrived in Australia, with New South Wales being the first destination to legalize the game in 1956. Eventually, the popularity of pokie gambling machines in sports clubs, social clubs, and pubs soared throughout the continent.
Australia Bans Casinos
Casinos in Australia were banned until 1973. The Australian government legalised casinos due to the tax revenue earned by the profits from casinos.
Furthermore, in the nineties, International Game Technology revolutionized pokies. By creating electronic machine pokies as opposed to mechanical pokies.
Moreover, advancements, such as computerized random number generators, room for more reels, and the means to facilitate larger pay-outs caused the pokie gaming experience to improve over time. In turn, the popularity of the game continued to grow.
Interesting Pokie Stats
- At least 80% of Australians gambling once a year, and 4% of the adults in Australia play pokies once a week.
- New South Wales owns the second most pokie machines in the world, at 95,800.
- Fairfield in New South Wales earned $391 million in pokies revenue, which was $123 million more than combined pokie profits from the City of Sydney.
Why Australians Enjoy Pokies
Pokies is Australia’s beloved gambling game because it is easy to play. There are chances to win generous prizes, and different gaming varieties keep the game exciting and interesting.
Plus, despite Australian legislation banning online gambling with offshore gambling companies. It is not illegal for residents to place bets online with providers outside Australia. And with the internet and devices at everyone’s fingertips today, finding a pokie game is convenient and accessible to all.