Online casinos have undoubtedly become a global activity, but it’s important to remember where the culture was birthed. Australia, despite accounting for only 0.3% of the global population, has 2.5% of gaming machines – or ‘Pokies’, as they’re called.
These fruit machines or slots began in pubs all around the country but have now spread to the digital world. Aussie casinos online are now rapidly catching up, but why? While their sign-up bonuses are a huge part of it, where thousands of dollars and hundreds of free spins up for grabs, we will look at some of the less obvious reasons for their success. Another contributing factor is the wide range of games available, with many online platforms offering users a seamless and user-friendly experience.
Game Offerings
With around 200,000 poker machines, Australians clearly had a lot of years practising on the pokies, so they know what they want. When online casinos first appeared, it wasn’t a new concept like it was to many people who didn’t have this pre-existing culture.
This gave Australian online casinos a head start and a lot of customer data. The new types of games were built off the back of this, and they became loved all around the world.
It’s also Australia’s non-gambling related culture that many love. Creepy crawlies, animals that seem mythical, extreme climates, and famous landmarks. This soft power that Australia possesses was put to good use by it becoming a foundational theme in many online games.
Online casinos are often seen as an escape, and what better way to escape than a game set in Down Under, with some of your favourite animals and settings? Australia has some of the most creative and immersive casino games around as a result.
A Strong IT Sector
Australia’s strong IT sector has given them a head start with game development, which is a highly competitive field. Its highly educated workforce, which leans towards tech, has spawned some world-leading developers like Aristocrat and Ainsworth, which provide games to casinos around the world.
These two firms alone account for a significant proportion of the slot machine game market. Of course, these games are globally distributed, but there is always a benefit to having home-grown talent with close connections to Australian casinos.
Another benefit of the strong IT sector is its ability to provide cutting-edge innovations to the mass market. Leading Aussie VR developers include Chaos Theory, SDLC Corp, BIDON, and Noble Steed Games. Although not all of them work directly with casinos, they contribute to VR development more broadly, which, in turn, leads VR casino gaming locally.
Artificial intelligence is being used for more than just chatbots too, with Australian wagering firm Tabcorp partnering with Mindway AI. The partnership seeks to boost responsible gambling practices by using advanced pattern recognition to spot any troubling behaviour. This shows not only the local tech infrastructure but Australia’s emphasis on creating an ethical space.
What Are The Top Australian Casino Games?
Show is better than tell, so below are some of the top games that are currently being played at Australian casinos.
One of the most popular games at Australian casinos is Sweet Bonanca Candyland, which is a live game show by Pragmatic Play that combines the live dealer experience with slot machines – truly, two worlds are colliding. It’s a wheel of fortune type of game, where you set a chip size and a large wheel is spun by the live dealer. Depending on where it lands, you may win a payout that varies depending on the segment. There are also three bonus game spaces: Candy Drop, Bubble Surprise, and Sweet Spins.
Ainsworth’s options for pokies are impressive, with Mustang Money being a big one. This game transports you to the wild frontier, but this time in America’s West. The majestic Mustang horse is central to the game, as it symbolises untamed beauty, making it a favourite among animal lovers.
Aristocrats have one for those looking to taste the Outback. Big Red is a classic slot game that features iconic Aussie wildlife symbols, such as Crocodiles, with a 5-reel, 5-payline game. The Kangaroo is the wild symbol, appearing on reels 3, 4, and 5 – when it wins, players are given 5 free spins for each winning payline.
Final Word
Despite its strict regulatory environment, Australia’s love for real-life pokies has transpired into a buzzing online influence. With world-famous games and developers, Australian casinos are pulling ahead of their international rivals. This is also in part due to the fiercely competitive sign-up bonuses, where it’s normal to receive several hundreds of free spins.
