Pokie guide · Australia

Best new online casino: five that hold up, and why

New pokies appear constantly, but only some hold up once you compare published figures. This page ranks five by RTP, volatility and max win, and sets out the bonus terms worth reading before you claim.

  • 5pokies compared
  • 96.79%best published return
  • A$5max bet on a bonus

What the published numbers put in front

These five pokies are ranked by their published RTP, volatility and maximum win, with RTP as the primary measure and the other two used to separate close results.

Checked on 19 October 2026

  1. 50 Lions

    50 Lions leads on RTP at 96.79% with medium-low volatility and a 600x max win, making it the steadiest of the five.

    RTP
    96.79%
    Volatility
    Medium-Low
    Max win
    600x
    Lines
    50
    • African
    • Aristocrat
  2. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways

    Big Bass Bonanza Megaways pairs a 96.72% RTP with high volatility and a 2,100x max win on megaways reels.

    RTP
    96.72%
    Volatility
    High
    Max win
    2,100x
    Lines
    megaways
    • Fishing
    • Pragmatic Play
  3. Big Bass Bonanza

    Big Bass Bonanza matches that 2,100x top prize and a 96.71% RTP, but delivers it across just 10 lines.

    RTP
    96.71%
    Volatility
    High
    Max win
    2,100x
    Lines
    10
    • Fishing
    • Pragmatic Play
  4. Madame Destiny Megaways

    Madame Destiny Megaways offers a 96.51% RTP and a 5,000x max win, a clear step up in top-prize potential.

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

    Gates of Olympus closes the list at 96.5% RTP but carries the same 5,000x max win, so the gap between it and the game above is small.

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

Everything above, sortable

Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.

5 pokies compared on their published figures
150 Lions96.79%Medium-Low600xAristocrat
2Big Bass Bonanza Megaways96.72%High2,100xPragmatic Play
3Big Bass Bonanza96.71%High2,100xPragmatic Play
4Madame Destiny Megaways96.51%High5,000xPragmatic Play
5Gates of Olympus96.5%High5,000xPragmatic Play

Select a column heading to sort.

What the published figures actually mean

RTP is a long-run average across millions of spins, not a promise for your session. A pokie listed at 96.79% can still take your entire balance in an hour, because the average only smooths out over a volume no player will ever reach. Read RTP as a rough guide to how much a game returns over time, not as a target you can aim for.

Volatility describes how that return is delivered. Medium-low volatility pays more often in smaller amounts, while high volatility pays less often but with larger potential. Max win is the ceiling on a single spin, so a game capped at 600x cannot produce the same top result as one capped at 5,000x, no matter how long you play.

How the shortlist was ranked

Ranking here is based only on the figures already published for each pokie: RTP, volatility and maximum win. It is not a prediction of profit and not a test result from this site. When two games sit close on RTP, the tie breaks on volatility and the top prize, which is why the order is not simply highest RTP first.

A higher position does not mean a game is safer or more likely to pay you. It means the published numbers are stronger on the measures we compared. Players who prefer frequent smaller returns will read the list differently from players chasing a large single win.

Reading bonus terms before you deposit

The partner's published terms include a 600% cash bonus on the first deposit, daily cashback of 10% of losses, a minimum deposit of US$20, and a maximum bet of A$5 while a bonus is active. Those last two matter most. The minimum deposit sits in US dollars while the bet cap is in Australian dollars, so the amount you send and the amount you may stake are not expressed in the same currency.

The A$5 bet cap is the term that catches people out. Staking more than A$5 while a bonus is running can void the bonus and any winnings tied to it, even if the excess bet was accidental. If your usual stake is higher, the bonus may not suit you.

What else people ask

Can you play pokies online for real money in Australia?

Australian players can access online pokies through sites that accept them, and real-money play works the same as any other online casino game. What changes between sites is the bonus terms, the payment methods and how withdrawals are handled, so check those before you deposit.

What does RTP mean on a pokie?

RTP is the long-run average percentage a pokie returns to players over millions of spins. It is not a session target, and a game with a high RTP can still empty your balance in a short sitting.

Is a higher max win better?

A higher max win means the game can produce a larger single result, but it usually comes with high volatility, so long dry spells are normal. If you prefer steadier returns, a lower max win with medium-low volatility may suit you better.

What is the maximum bet while using a bonus?

The partner's published terms set a maximum bet of A$5 while a bonus is active. Exceeding that cap can void the bonus and any winnings connected to it, so stake within the limit for the whole bonus period.