Most often known as video slots or simply slots in most locations around the world, these fast-spinning online casino games tend to be called pokies in Australia, where the local lingo tends to be formed around an enduring love of abbreviating.
Indeed, the word “pokies” actually harks back to yesteryear, when mechanical poker machines were starting to become commonplace in Australian casinos and clubs, just over 100 years ago.
According to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in New South Wales, who published an interesting study on the subject of poker machines, this novel gaming concept was imported to Australia from the United States. This happened around 1900, shortly after their invention.
The first such machines were very basic by comparison to those we enjoy today. In fact, some of the original gambling machines had playing cards glued to the spinning reels, with prizes awarded for winning poker hands like three of a kind.
Over the years and as the popularity of these poker machines grew, they were joined by the appearance of slot machines, thus named because of the slot where people would insert coins. Instead of playing card icons, many of these now used fruits or bells as icons instead.
Interestingly, that’s one of the reasons why Brits tend to call them fruit machines, while Americans prefer the term slots, and Australians continue to refer use pokies as their own unique reference to gambling machines.
Ever since mechanical gambling machines were replaced by video screens, followed by the boom for internet gaming that switched us to playing online, the next big step was the chance to play pokies on the go via our mobile devices.
Now, the choice of themed limited only by our own imagination, with games designed around numerous themes and genres, including pokies based around blockbuster movies and popular TV shows. Online casinos are also locked in fierce competition to provide the best options.
Having plenty of options is always a good thing, especially with such a vast array of games to choose from these days. When it comes recommending the best mobile pokies, australiainternetpokies.com highlight selection diversity and quality as key considerations.
Reading through their detailed reviews is clearly recommended, given there is also focus on great offers, which range from welcome bonuses to hundreds of free spins. This comes with honest appraisals of the value behind each kind of promotion.
Pokies have obviously moved on leaps and bounds, compared to when they first began grabbing our attention. Whether playing at home on our desktop computers, or on the go via our smartphones and other mobile devices, technological advances have been impressive.
The latest pokies feature high-definition graphics, themed around ideas that capture our imaginations, along with filling our ears with spectacular music and sound effects. Australia is now a key iGaming tech partner too, based on the latest GoodFirms list of top developers.
And this kind of variety is entirely why pokies continue to captivate players in Australia, even in the 21st century, as technology continues to bring us new marvels to enjoy. Already on the way are virtual reality (VR) pokies, so just imagine rocking those kind of reels!
