Pokie guide · Australia

Online slot machines in Australia: what to look for

Online slot machines differ in ways that matter before you deposit: return to player, volatility, and how wins are formed. This page explains what to check, how line games compare with scatter-pays, and lists five machines with their published figures.

  • 5pokies compared
  • 96.51%best published return
  • A$5max bet on a bonus

The shortlist

Picked on figures, not on promises

The shortlist below ranks five online slot machines on published RTP, volatility, maximum win and, where listed, the number of lines.

Checked on 16 October 2026

  1. Madame Destiny Megaways

    Madame Destiny Megaways has the highest listed RTP at 96.51% and a 5,000x maximum win, with high volatility and a megaways structure.

    RTP
    96.51%
    Volatility
    High
    Max win
    5,000x
    Lines
    megaways
    • Mystical
    • Pragmatic Play
  2. Gates of Olympus

    Gates of Olympus matches that 5,000x maximum win with an RTP of 96.5% and high volatility in a scatter-pays format.

    RTP
    96.5%
    Volatility
    High
    Max win
    5,000x
    • Greek Mythology
    • Pragmatic Play
  3. Sweet Bonanza

    Sweet Bonanza has the largest listed maximum win at 21,100x, with an RTP of 96.48% and medium-high volatility.

    RTP
    96.48%
    Volatility
    Medium-High
    Max win
    21,100x
    • Candy
    • Pragmatic Play
  4. Floating Dragon

    Floating Dragon lists 10 lines, an RTP of 96.35% and a 5,000x maximum win at high volatility.

    RTP
    96.35%
    Volatility
    High
    Max win
    5,000x
    Lines
    10
    • Asian
    • Pragmatic Play
  5. Big Bamboo

    Big Bamboo lists 50 lines, an RTP of 96.13% and high volatility, making it the most line-heavy game on the shortlist.

    RTP
    96.13%
    Volatility
    High
    Lines
    50
    • Bamboo
    • Push Gaming

The same data, sortable

Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.

5 pokies compared on their published figures
1Madame Destiny Megaways96.51%High5,000xPragmatic Play
2Gates of Olympus96.5%High5,000xPragmatic Play
3Sweet Bonanza96.48%Medium-High21,100xPragmatic Play
4Floating Dragon96.35%High5,000xPragmatic Play
5Big Bamboo96.13%High—Push Gaming

Select a column heading to sort.

Return to player and volatility

Return to player is a long-run average, not a promise for your session. A game with an RTP of 96.51% returns that percentage over millions of spins; in a short session you can lose the lot. Volatility describes how wins are distributed: high volatility means rarer but larger wins, low volatility means more frequent but smaller ones. The figures on this page come from the games' published specifications. They are not a prediction of what you will win or lose.

Choose a volatility that matches your bankroll and patience. High-volatility games can go long stretches without a win, which suits a larger bankroll or a smaller stake. Medium-high volatility sits between the two. None of this changes the house edge. The RTP figure already accounts for it, and the edge applies to every spin regardless of how you bet.

Line games versus scatter-pays

Line games pay when matching symbols land on defined paylines, usually left to right from the first reel. Fifty Lions is a line game: it uses a set number of lines and a fixed symbol set. Scatter-pays games, by contrast, pay when enough matching symbols land anywhere on the reels, often eight or more. That difference changes how a game feels. Line games reward reading the paytable and tracking which lines are active; scatter-pays games are more about collecting symbols.

Neither format is better. Line games tend to have simpler base games and clearer win patterns. Scatter-pays games often build around tumble mechanics and multiplier symbols, which can make the base game busier. If you like knowing exactly which line paid, a line game is easier to follow. If you prefer counting symbols rather than lines, a scatter-pays game may suit you better.

Reading bonus terms before you play

A bonus is a contract. The partner's published terms include a first deposit bonus of 600% cash, daily cashback of 10% of losses, a minimum deposit of US$20 and a maximum bet on a bonus of A$5. The max bet rule is the one that catches people out: bet more than A$5 while a bonus is active and you can lose the bonus and any winnings from it. Cashback is calculated on losses, so it does not remove the risk of losing money.

Check the cashier before depositing. The partner does not accept every payment method, and the minimum deposit is in US dollars, so the amount that leaves your account in Australian dollars will vary with the exchange rate. If you take a bonus, read the wagering requirement and the time limit. If you would rather not be bound by those terms, you can decline the bonus and play with your own funds.

FAQ

Questions this page gets asked

What is the most important number on an online slot machine?

Return to player is the most useful single figure, because it tells you the long-run average return for every dollar wagered. It does not tell you what will happen in your session, which is why volatility matters just as much. RTP and volatility together describe the game better than either one alone.

Are line games better than scatter-pays games?

No, they are different formats rather than better or worse ones. Line games pay on set paylines and are easier to follow, while scatter-pays games pay when enough symbols land anywhere on the reels. Your preference should decide which you play, not the format itself.

Can I use a bonus on any online slot machine?

The partner's terms include a maximum bet on a bonus of A$5, and some games may be excluded. Check the bonus terms before you spin, because breaching the max bet can void the bonus and any winnings from it. If the terms do not suit you, decline the bonus.

What deposit methods does the partner accept?

The cashier does not accept every method, so check the deposit page for the current list. The minimum deposit is US$20, which is converted to Australian dollars at the time of the transaction. The exchange rate therefore affects the amount that leaves your account.