History of Pokies in Australia
1) Before legalization: "fruit" devices and gray areas (1900s-1950s)
The first mechanical machines hit Australian clubs long before official permission; by the beginning of the 20th century, devices of various types were already in informal use, which was later noted in studies on the history of NSW clubs.
2) Turning point: NSW legalises pokies in clubs (1956)
In 1956, New South Wales was the first in the country to legalize poker machines for registered clubs (Gaming and Betting (Poker Machines) Act 1956). This decision became the growth point of the industry and cemented the term "pokies" in mass speech.
3) Birth of a national manufacturer: Aristocrat (1950s-1970s)
In 1953, Aristocrat Leisure was founded in Sydney - the future leader in the local and global gaming machine market. The company developed lines of cabinets for clubs and then went beyond Australia.
4) The era of casinos and "electronic" machines (1970s-1980s)
The country's first legal casino opened in Tasmania, Wrest Point (Hobart) in 1973, giving the industry a new impetus and accelerating the transition from electromechanics to electronic machines.
5) Scaling across states: 1990s
In 1991, Victoria adopted the Gaming Machine Control Act, a regulatory framework for entering EGM in hotels, clubs and casinos; a similar legal framework applies in Queensland (Gaming Machine Act 1991). In 1997, NSW allowed pokies in hotels, which actually ended the 40-year monopoly of clubs.
6) Exception on map: Western Australia
WA retains a special regime: pokies are only allowed in casinos (Crown Perth), while pubs and clubs are banned - a decades-long state policy.
7) Public discussion and measurements of influence (late 1990s)
The Federal Productivity Commission in 1999 released a basic report on the socio-economic effects of gambling, which became the starting point for many subsequent reforms.
8) Technological leap: video slots, link jackpots and "generation link"
From the mid-1990s onwards, progressive systems (link jackpots), video interfaces, new communication protocols, as well as multi-denomination modes were massively introduced. In 2015, Aristocrat launched Lightning Link, a prime example of a global link format that has influenced Australian halls as well.
9) 2010s-2020s: digitalization, responsible practices and leveling the rules
Reforms of the last decade strengthen control (responsible play, changes in machine regulations, discussion of cashless models/card identification, limits, etc.), and approaches differ by state; NSW and Victoria are in the focus of updates, and discussion about the timing and format of implementation is ongoing.
Key milestones (short)
1900s-1950s: "fruit" devices in clubs without clear legalization.
1956: NSW legalises pokies at registered clubs - a mass market start.
1953 → 1970s: Aristocrat founded in Sydney and the expansion of the manufacturer.
1973: Australia's first casino (Wrest Point, Tasmania).
1991-1997: Wave of regulation - Victoria/Queensland introduce EGMs, NSW allows pokies in hotels.
Since the 1990s: video slots and progressive links; in 2015 - "Lightning Link" as a symbol of the era of link jackpots.
WA (ongoing): Pokies are only allowed in casinos.
1999 → present: continuous regulatory discussion based on Productivity Commission reports and state initiatives.
What it means for the player today (pragmatic)
1. Different regime by state: availability, limits and practices of responsible play are highly dependent on jurisdiction (example - WA). Check local rules.
2. Legacy of the club model: In many states, pokies stand in pubs/clubs, not just casinos - this is a historical feature of the market.
3. Technological evolution: progressive links and multi-denomination regimes increased dispersion and involvement; understand that link jackpots are rare, and bankroll should take into account volatility.
4. Rule updates - regularly: monitor changes (identification, cardinality/cashless game, operational requirements for halls) to correctly plan the game format and limits.
The first mechanical machines hit Australian clubs long before official permission; by the beginning of the 20th century, devices of various types were already in informal use, which was later noted in studies on the history of NSW clubs.
2) Turning point: NSW legalises pokies in clubs (1956)
In 1956, New South Wales was the first in the country to legalize poker machines for registered clubs (Gaming and Betting (Poker Machines) Act 1956). This decision became the growth point of the industry and cemented the term "pokies" in mass speech.
3) Birth of a national manufacturer: Aristocrat (1950s-1970s)
In 1953, Aristocrat Leisure was founded in Sydney - the future leader in the local and global gaming machine market. The company developed lines of cabinets for clubs and then went beyond Australia.
4) The era of casinos and "electronic" machines (1970s-1980s)
The country's first legal casino opened in Tasmania, Wrest Point (Hobart) in 1973, giving the industry a new impetus and accelerating the transition from electromechanics to electronic machines.
5) Scaling across states: 1990s
In 1991, Victoria adopted the Gaming Machine Control Act, a regulatory framework for entering EGM in hotels, clubs and casinos; a similar legal framework applies in Queensland (Gaming Machine Act 1991). In 1997, NSW allowed pokies in hotels, which actually ended the 40-year monopoly of clubs.
6) Exception on map: Western Australia
WA retains a special regime: pokies are only allowed in casinos (Crown Perth), while pubs and clubs are banned - a decades-long state policy.
7) Public discussion and measurements of influence (late 1990s)
The Federal Productivity Commission in 1999 released a basic report on the socio-economic effects of gambling, which became the starting point for many subsequent reforms.
8) Technological leap: video slots, link jackpots and "generation link"
From the mid-1990s onwards, progressive systems (link jackpots), video interfaces, new communication protocols, as well as multi-denomination modes were massively introduced. In 2015, Aristocrat launched Lightning Link, a prime example of a global link format that has influenced Australian halls as well.
9) 2010s-2020s: digitalization, responsible practices and leveling the rules
Reforms of the last decade strengthen control (responsible play, changes in machine regulations, discussion of cashless models/card identification, limits, etc.), and approaches differ by state; NSW and Victoria are in the focus of updates, and discussion about the timing and format of implementation is ongoing.
Key milestones (short)
1900s-1950s: "fruit" devices in clubs without clear legalization.
1956: NSW legalises pokies at registered clubs - a mass market start.
1953 → 1970s: Aristocrat founded in Sydney and the expansion of the manufacturer.
1973: Australia's first casino (Wrest Point, Tasmania).
1991-1997: Wave of regulation - Victoria/Queensland introduce EGMs, NSW allows pokies in hotels.
Since the 1990s: video slots and progressive links; in 2015 - "Lightning Link" as a symbol of the era of link jackpots.
WA (ongoing): Pokies are only allowed in casinos.
1999 → present: continuous regulatory discussion based on Productivity Commission reports and state initiatives.
What it means for the player today (pragmatic)
1. Different regime by state: availability, limits and practices of responsible play are highly dependent on jurisdiction (example - WA). Check local rules.
2. Legacy of the club model: In many states, pokies stand in pubs/clubs, not just casinos - this is a historical feature of the market.
3. Technological evolution: progressive links and multi-denomination regimes increased dispersion and involvement; understand that link jackpots are rare, and bankroll should take into account volatility.
4. Rule updates - regularly: monitor changes (identification, cardinality/cashless game, operational requirements for halls) to correctly plan the game format and limits.
💡Bottom line: Australian "pokies" are the product of a unique history: early club legalisation (NSW, 1956), a local grower industry, a strong pub/club role and undulating state reforms. Understanding this trajectory helps guide differences in RTP configurations, machine formats, and regulatory requirements by state and site.
