KFC Worker Becomes Instant Millionaire! You Won’t Believe How

Why Did The KFC Worker Cross The Road?

To play online pokies and win more than $10 million kiwi dollars in one spin on Mega Moolah, the world’s most popular progressive slots game of course!

A bloke from the land of the long white cloud has won more than $10 million kiwi dollars through a progressive jackpot playing online pokies at CasinoLand – an online casino available to Australian and New Zealand players – and the New Zealand Government is Not Happy Jan! (His Mum however is probably pretty stoked NOW, although initially she was not a fan of her son “wasting money” playing online pokies and spending time on gambling sites. I should think there is a pretty smug looking KFC worker somewhere in New Zealand right now who’s giving his mum $10 million worth of “I told you so” – along with a nice cup of tea of course, because Rawiri Pou looks like a nice boy – and nice boys make their mums tea.

On Tuesday, Rawiri Pou (pictured above) attended a press conference at an Auckland hotel where he was presented with a giant novelty check for NZ $10,144,395.82 (US $7.2m) for winning the Mega Moolah progressive slots jackpot on Casinoland.com.

The 27-year-old Pou, who currently works for a KFC in Matamata, said he originally won $1,500 playing the online progressive slot game but decided to roll over his winnings – leading to the giant payday on June 17. A Casinoland spokesperson said the company was thrilled for Pou and promised that the life-changing amount of money would be in his bank account by Friday.

Pou says he has no plans to quit his KFC job, perhaps because he admitted that he still doesn't know what to feel about his good fortune. That said, he did apparently feel a little smug about his parents having previously scolded him for wasting his money on gambling sites.

The Millionaire Maker – Mega Moolah

The world’s most popular online progressive slots game is not affectionately called the millionaire maker for nothing and once again it has created another instant millionaire – this time from our neighbour country New Zealand. But as incredible and life changing as this $10million will be for Rawiri Pou, it pales in comparison to some of the other lucky Mega Moolah winners – with the largest win on record going to English retired soldier John Haywood who took home over $30 million USD!

Microgaming who are the software company powering Mega Moolah, or as I like to call them “The Brains Behind the Games” are thrilled to hear of yet another player becoming an instant millionaire simply by enjoying their online pokies and playing the Microgaming owned Mega Moolah progressive online slots. And this win now takes the total amount paid by Microgaming to players around the world to a ridiculous amount. In fact:

Microgaming have now officially paid out over ‚¬583 million to online casino players since their inception over 15 years ago'

New Zealand’s Online Gambling Laws

This recent Multimillion dollar win is a big embarrassment for the New Zealand government as they appear to have been caught unprepared and (for all intents and purposes) unaware of the popularity of online gambling and playing pokies online. It's not currently illegal for Kiwis to bet with international gambling sites but the government is actively exploring ways to choke off access to gambling sites like the Malta- and UK-licensed Casinoland. The same situation is happening here in Australia, although I don’t think the Australian Government was quite as ill informed or unprepared as the NZ government appear to be.

The only acceptable form of online gambling in the country is the NZ TAB's online sports and race betting. Local casino operator SkyCity Entertainment even caught hell for launching a free-play online casino last summer.

The New Zealand government has yet to comment on Pou's payday but the New Zealand Racing Board is likely burning up the phone lines demanding to know what Racing Minister Nathan Guy is going to do to ensure more people don't realize the full scale of available options besides the lowly TAB.

St Kilda accused of grooming' new generation of gamblers at Moorabbin redevelopment

Australia has a gambling problem like no other country – and with a government obsessed with pokies and our sporting clubs equally pleased with the revenue that pokies bring – it seems things are going to get a lot worse around here before they start to get better. The AFL Clubs around the country are no stranger to this ongoing controversy either, with Carlton and Collingwood (among many) constantly being called out for encouraging the growth of this pokie addiction and aiding problem gambling.

Some of the more recent articles that have exposed the AFL for being the corrupt money hungry pokie lovers that they are can be found below:

And Now St Kilda has joined the ranks of arsehats in the AFL who are only interested in profits – even though it comes at the expense of the people.

St Kilda FC Accused of Grooming New Generation of Gamblers

ST KILDA is accused of grooming a new generation of gamblers by including an 83-machine pokies parlour in the club's Moorabbin redevelopment.

The Saints submitted plans to council for the $29 million project last week. The club will relocate back to the ground before the 2018 season and will share the facility with Sandringham Dragons under-18 team and the South Metro Junior Football League.

Poker machines are the first thing the kids will see when they go to footy training each week, said Rev Tim Costello (pictured) of the Alliance of Gambling Reform. This will help the pokies industry groom a whole new generation of kids.

The State Government and Kingston City Council tried to distance themselves from the machines €” which have been linked to social and family harm.

The state is pumping $12 million into Moorabbin but said its funding would not go towards the gaming operation. It emerged on Tuesday the government insisted on a clear separation between community space and the pokies den.

And Now The Government Joins the Bullshit Train

The Victorian Government does not invest in pokies, said acting sports minister Philip Dalidakis.

Artists’ impressions of the proposed Moorabbin development for St Kilda Football Club.

The support we are providing St Kilda and the AFL is for a community facility for locals and junior football to enjoy and for the Saints to return to their spiritual home.
Kingston City Council, which is investing $5m, also claimed no council funding will be spent on the gaming area.

Instead $4m of council funds are dedicated to the shared community football facilities, indoor training court which will be available for community basketball/netball use after-hours, plus $1m towards upgrades in the surrounding parkland area, said Kingston chief executive John Nevins.

The AFL is contributing $6m and St Kilda is attempting to raise $5m from wealthy supporters.

The AFL did not wish to comment when questioned about it assisting St Kilda fund and build a new venue for its machines. Costello said government and the council were involved in a con-job if they believed they were not paying for the pokies room.

How can they pretend they're not paying for the gambling room when they're paying for the roof over the top of it and the walls all around it? he said. They're all involved in a con job.

The machines are currently housed in the Saints' social club at Moorabbin, which was described by St Kilda president Peter Summers last week as a tired, rundown community eyesore.

St Kilda said in a statement the works would significantly reduce the focus on gaming at Moorabbin.

This redevelopment gives us the opportunity to relocate the gaming area to a more appropriate location, in line with the club's partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, the club said.

The project also introduces many other aspects to the precinct €” including a cafe, function area, retail outlet, museum and community meeting rooms €” so that gaming is a minor component of the new, enlarged facility.

St Kilda are Actually one of the Better Teams too!

North Melbourne is the only Victorian club not running poker machines.
The other nine take about $90m from gamblers' pockets annually.

St Kilda is a minor player in the AFL industry's pokies habit, claiming just $1.25m in social club revenue in 2015.

Original story and source article –> HERE

Top 5 Aristocrat Pokies Of 2015 According To Aussies

Aristocrat Gaming and the Undisputed Pokies King

Aristocrat Gaming Technology or just Aristocrat as is the more commonly used name is the world leader in slot machine and pokie development and have been making world class, award winning pokies and slots since they begun in Australia over 60 years ago. Started by the undisputed king of the pokies and Australia’s 5th wealthiest man Len Ainsworth – a man who then went on to create Ainsworth Gaming who it’s no surprise – are the second largest maker and supplier of slot machines and pokies, Aristocrat is the product of a man who has shaped not only how pokies and slots are played around the world but has also directly influenced how we gamble and interact with online and offline casinos in general!

Learn more about the man behind the biggest pokie machine manufacturers in the world and see why he is the undisputed king of Australian pokies by following THIS LINK HERE

The Top Aristocrat Pokies of 2015

play aristocrat pokies online free spins and bonus games

Aristocrat Pokies have been on top of every Australian punters list of favourites for as long as they can remember, and even those unfamiliar with the brand will find at least 50% of their favourite pokies and casino games bear the Aristocrat brand. It is therefore hardly surprising that when we took a look at the top 5 pokies as voted by Australian players in 2015 – all 5 of them belonged to and were the product of Aristocrat Gaming.

With that in mind let’s see what 5 Aristocrat Pokies have been listed as favourites and learn a little more about why they are so popular with Aussies from all walks of life.

The 5 Most Popular Aristocrat Pokies in 2015

Zorro– set in Spanish-occupied California, you are going to don the mask as Zorro as you try to win Juliana's heart and show the evil Monasterio what you are made of. The game itself is brimming with Bonus games and the art style used in Zorro is truly spectacular.
Dolphin Treasure – This game certainly makes a big splash, it helps you explore hidden treasure while you discover the depths of the ocean. This ocean-themed casino game looks great and makes you feel like you are the Master of the Ocean. While it might not have a progressive jackpot, it does have a maximum payout of 7,000 credits. This game places you directly at the bottom of the sea, has you search through coral reefs, talk to sea turtles, and swim with dolphins.
Red Baron – The sky is literally the limit when you play with this online pokie. Battle it out in the sky for some great jackpots. This war-themed online pokie gets its name from the infamous wartime pilot. With 243 ways of winning, this is a five-reel spectacular that you are sure to love. The fluid gameplay and the grouse animation make this an entertaining option.
Werewolf Wild– If you want your fix of spooky werewolves, you do not have to wait until Halloween. This game is going to send the shivers down your back. The chilling graphics and eerie sounds set in this Victorian London theme will draw you in instantly.
Silk Road – Come along with a journey for the ages as you travel across the long and winding roads that offer mystery, elegance, and massive bonuses. You may encounter ships of trade, silk traders, and much more. The 3D graphics found here truly stand out, making it one of the most attractive pokies that you will find anywhere.

Other Popular Aristocrat Pokies Games Include:

Queen of the Nile
Indian Dreaming
Big Red
Where’s The Gold
More Chilli
5 Dragons

The above games are not only some of the most popular Aristocrat Pokies year in year out, they are also available to play online for free! In fact so popular are these Aristocrat pokie games that you can also play real money pokies online through our recommended online casinos and enjoy the best aristocrat pokies alternatives that you can enjoy for free for fun and for real money today!

Play Aristocrat Pokies Online for Free!

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Finding The Game You Love

Aristocrat is proud its Australian base and origins, and it shows. With gaming as a beloved pastime, Aristocrat is an important part of the Australian culture. In addition to being a homage to their homeland, Aussies love Aristocrat because it offers some of the best games in the industry. Pick any of the five options mentioned and you will find that Aristocrat is sure to please.

Best Online Pokie Software Companies

Last week we took a look at the real bricks and mortar world of slot machines and pokies and we analysed who make the best pokies and slot machines that you have come to love (or hate) at your local club/pub or casino. As a followup we thought we’d take this hunt to the online world where physical machines and their manufacturers are relegated to the backbench and the top online software companies fill their shoes with amazing slot machine themes and interactive gameplay that makes the real world pokies look rather boring if I’m completely honest.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best online casino sofware companies and see which ones are at the top of their game and the ones to look out for in the coming months.

Online Casino Software Companies – Who Makes The Best Online Pokies?

In the offline world of pokies companies like Aristocrat, IGT and Ainsworth are the names that all players are familiar with. In the online space the leading online software companies are different as the major offline manufacturers have been too focused on the casino, pub and club markets. And while players like Aristocrat and Ainsworth (who are actually the same team LOL) continue to impress the real world crowd with their interactive slot games and advanced imagery the software companies powering the online casinos around the world are quietly making inroads into the growing market. Not only are the major players making inroads, they are actually making an impact too – with some of the most popular modern day pokies and slots actually belonging to online casinos and the software companies who built them.

Let’s take a look at the major players of the online casino world and see what they have to offer – and more importantly why they are such a force to be reckoned with.

Microgaming

Established in 1994, Microgaming is the biggest online casino software provider and is the software behind some of the biggest online casinos. They have released hundreds of pokie games including popular games like The Dark Knight, Mega Moolah and Thunderstruck II. It would be fair to say that of the top ten most popular online pokies and slot games, at least 7 of them are owned and developed by Microgaming.

But it would be sacreligious to talk about Microgaming without spending some time focusing on their most successful and popular slot game ever – and a game that probably needs no introduction if I’m honest.

Mega Moolah – The Millionaire Maker of Online Slots

The Microgaming jackpot network has paid out a staggering Euro574,000,000 in progressive jackpots since 1998 when Cash Splash, the first linked progressive game to appear online was released. And Mega Moolah, the latest game to join the progressive network is fast taking over as the most famous and popular progressive slots game ever made available. Why? – quite simply because Mega Moolah has paid out more than any other online (or offline) slot machine in history, with one lucky player taking home $10,422,504 Aussie dollars from a $2 spin playing Mega Moolah through Spin Palace online casino.

What are progressive slots machines and pokies anyway? Check out our indepth guide showing you how progressive link jackpots work and why you’re better off trying your luck there than where the odds might necessarily be better. – Visit our Progressive Slots FAQ Page

Mega Moolah – the World’s Highest Paying Progressive Slots network and the game affectionately known as the ‘Millionaire Maker’

With more millionaires made than any other online slot machine there are far too many amazing stories to start sharing them here – which is why we have already prepared a special article focused on the awesome progressive network known as the Mega Moolah Jackpot – so be sure to visit our MEGA MOOLAH page and see for yourself just how incredible (and constant) the amazing wins are that come from this most generous of progressive slots

Playtech

Founded in 1999, Playtech is an online casino software company that is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Playtech’s game range has greatly expanded in recent years with some of the most popular titles being Great Blue, The Sopranos, Spamalot and the Marvel Jackpot pokies.

Playtech offers classic casino games in a download or no download format – which is basically a grammatically incoherent way of saying that with Playtechs range of mobile casinos you will never have to worry about the download and no download online slots options – namely because you will not have the option, with the best mobile casino apps streaming directly from your phone and allowing for interactive gameplay without the annoying downloads.

The Playtech run casinos have been highly praised for their fast playing casino games, their smooth glitch less moves and their more than generous bonus system. Playtech (Real Time Gaming) Casinos have been in business for a long time and have earned a place in the hearts of online gamblers everywhere.
We feature the top Playtech Casinos on this site and urge you if you’ve never before played in one of these casinos, to do so. The experience is definitely one of a kind. They offer many casino games, many of which you already know and play and some very unique games that are well worth trying out. In total there are more than 80 casino games and many offer play in several coin denominations from $0.05 and up. There are also multi player games available.

Playtech Casino Games

Playtech Casinos have spent countless amount of money in research and development to bring you the latest technology in online gambling. New game releases, lobby upgrades and new casinos are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to advances that this casino software provider is making. In order to remain in the top of their field, it’s a must that a company such as Playtech continuously grow and reach out to new players.

Playtech casinos also offer some of the best no deposit casino bonus offers around and I strongly recommend checking out some of these amazing deals before the fizzle up

Net Entertainment (NetENT)

A software provider located in Sweden and established in 1999, Net Entertainment is quickly making waves in the online pokies market with unique games including Aliens, Eggomatic and Robin Hood Shifting Riches as well as huge jackpots on games like Mega Fortune.

Founded in 1996 and firmly established in 1999 by one of Scandinavia's leading off-line casino operators, NetEnt is one of the pioneers in online gambling. Originally from Sweden, NetEnt is active in a major part of Europe with two offices, one still in Sweden, while their second office is based in Malta, well-known for the many online gambling companies centralised on this small and sunny island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The company has over 200 people employees, whose primary concern is the development and production of innovative games in line with NetEnt's vision

Driving the Online Casino Market through Better Games.

However NetEnt, formally known as Net Entertainment, is the original company name of the Swedish software developer, NetEnt is the name the industry and its players are familiar with. With that NetEnt became NetEnt Casinos and the games of the developer are called NetEnt games. But what is the reason why there is an entire website dedicated to just one software developer and its clients? The answer is easy as the NetEnt games are used by some of the world's most successful and prominent online gaming operators and a Netent Casino offers a complete gaming solution which includes a wide range of high quality games, based on the latest technology, just what players are looking for.

NetEnt Casinos

The success of the Swedish software supplier is partly due to their many years of experience as one of Scandinavia's leading off-line casino operators. This experience can be found in the many dozens casino games developed by the pioneer. But with a wide range of casino games success can't be guaranteed if the online casinos refuse to offer them to their players. This can't be said of the NetEnt games as dozens of online casinos have been added to the large network of NetEnt Casinos. Since there are too many of them, we've made a selection of high quality online casino, offering the entire range of NetEnt casino games, all of which can be FOUND HERE. The network of NetEnt Casinos is growing increasingly just as the NetEnt mobile casinos and NetEnt live casinos.

Learn more about NetEnt and their progressive ~~slot~~ CEO at our Weebly News Blog HERE

NetENT have also lead the charge for Mobile Casino solutions so as to bring the interactive online gaming experience you have come to love and capture it on your mobile or smart device. Learn more about how mobile casinos are changing the face of online gambling HERE

NetEnt CEO Per Eriksson poses for a photo in NetEnt headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden February 22, 2016. Picture taken February 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mia Shanley

Who Makes the Best Pokies and Slot Machines?

When it comes to Pokies and Slot Machines there is only really one or two names that come to mind – three if you are a regular punter and frequent more than one or 2(00) establishments – but for the most of us regular players the major names familiar to us are Aristocrat, IGT and Ainsworth. Aristocrat is without doubt the king of the Pokies, especially here in Australia – and surprisingly the man who started the company, one Len Ainsworth also happens to be the owner and creator of the other big slot machine manufacturer Ainsworth Technology!

iGT is not as big as Ainsworth and Aristocrat but are still a popular manufacturer who’s pokies and slot machines can be found in pubs and clubs all across this great southern land. You can also find pokies from Konami – a manufacturer of console games who has made the move over to Electronic Gambliing Devices

In the early 1990’s there were several other brands such as Universal and Jubilee but these games have all but disappeared.

The Top Pokie Manufacturers

Aristocrat Gaming Technology

Founded in 1953 by Len Ainsworth, Aristocrat had perfect timing as pokies were legalized in New South Wales just 3 years later. The first machine to roll off the production lines was the Clubman which was followed by the Clubmaster a few years later. You can learn more about Aristocrat and get some insight into the secrets of their success in Australia (and around the world) by visiting our Aristocrat dedicated games page – with reviews and links to all the best Aristocrat Pokies. Simply follow THIS LINK HERE

In 1984 Aristocrat changed the face of gambling in Australia with the release of the first of what would become the modern day pokie. Today, their name is synonymous with pokies and their game library includes greats like Queen of the Nile, More Chilli and 5 Dragons.

IGT (www.igt.com.au)

While IGT was operating as a private company as far back as the 1950’s it was in 1981 when International Game Technology went public and made a major move into the slot machine industry. They are the number one game maker in the United States and are making inroads into the Australian market with great games such as Cleopatra and Major Money.

IGT enables players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play.

Ainsworth Game Technology

Founded by “Pokie King” Len Ainsworth (pictured above) in 1995 after leaving Aristocrat, Ainsworth Gaming has quickly become one of the top three game makers in Australia and is rapidly expanding around the world.

One of the trademarks of the Ainsworth games are their multi-level progressive jackpots with the Double Shot, Triple Shot and Quad Shot games being some of their most popular titles.

Other Slot Machine Manufacturers

While the three pokie manufacturers listed above are the biggest and most prominent there are some other companies that have either been big in the past or are just started to make an impact. These companies are;

Konami
Once one of the top three, Konami pokies are now found less frequently. They entered the Aussie market in 1996 with popular games like Money in the Bank and Incan Pyramid.
Star Games / Shufflemaster / Bally
Three big names in the gaming machine industry have merged into on with Bally now being a big US slot machine maker looking to make inroads into the Australian market. Top games include Kelly’s Fortune and Wold Mountain.
WMS Gaming
Founded by Harry Williams in 1943, WMS Gaming’s pokies are now available in Australia. They even have a game development office in Sydney. Some of their top games are Zeus, Li’l Red and Jungle Wild.
Aruze Gaming
Aruze Gaming have been in the Australian pokie market since 1989. Their games are not as commonly found as they once were although the new G-Series and G-Deluxe games might signal a comeback.

Online Pokies and Slot machine Manufacturers

When it comes to the world of online pokies and mobile slots we stop talking about manufacturers and focus on the actual sofware that powers the pokies and slots you have come to love. The physical machines that you see in the pubs, clubs and casinos work exactly (and I mean exactly) the same as the online pokies you play except there is no need for a physical machine. As such the manufacturers stick to the bricks and mortar world and leave the online casinos and pokies to the software companies to develop interactive gameplay and awesome online casino games to keep even the most fussy punter happy.

When it comes to online software companies who supply the casino games for you to enjoy real money pokies and slots there is only really 2 or 3 names worth mentioning. In fact I would go so far as to say that if the online casino of your choice does not run one of utilise one of these software companies then I would not even waste my time and money there.

The Biggest names in Online Pokies is Microgaming – with Playtech and NetEnt following closely behind.

Learn more about the best online pokies software companies in the followup article –> HERE and learn first hand why Microgaming and their Mega Moolah progressive slots game is the world’s most popular online progressive slots game

What Casino Game Has The Best Odds?

When it comes to gambling and casinos, the question that remains the most relevant – and certainly the most important to your overall evening and potential return are the odds of you winning on a particular game or slot machine. Therefore the question we are going to take a serious look at today and analyse from a logical and learned point of view is this:

What Casino Game Has The Best Odds?

The first thing we need to do is decide what games constitute a ‘normal casino game’ and then ascertain what the odds are – on average of course. We can then apply another layer of what I would call ‘chance’ – this is gambling afterall – and we are left with what is hopefully the casino games with the best odds, and then we’ll be able to tell you definitively what casino game has the best odds. Not a bad plan of attack hey? Righto then – let’s get into it….

Most Popular Types of Casino Games (And the Odds of Winning Each)

Pokies and Slot Machines – House Edge 10%

Pokies and Slots need no introduction, especially here at Online Pokies Australia – but in terms of popularity you can see they are heads and shoulders above the other table and non table casino games here. The Pokies/Slot Machines also happen to have the highest return to Player rate (of around 90%) vs. the other table games and sports gambling where the return is closer to 70%.

So then the Casino Games with the best odds are slot machines?

Well no, not exactly….. In fact the RTP rate of 90% is no indication of the odds of winning but is an overall metric used by the machine’s internal algorithm to keep the payout balance in check. a 90% return rate sounds wonderful in theory but you are still getting 90c back from every $1 you put in the machine. Over time you are almost guaranteed to lose the lot. I say almost because there is a chance you will win more than you started with – a 1 in a million chance that is.

The odds of winning the major jackpot on a pokie or slot machine is closer to 9,000,000:1 but a realistic figure for a semi decent return (of say double what you started with) gives you slightly better odds of around 1,000,000:1 – lucky you right!

Learn more about what your true odds of winning on the pokies is by visiting THIS LINK HERE. You can also get some more insight into how the algorithm, Return Rate and overall odds are calculated within the slot machine by checking out our detailed HOW POKIES WORK guide. Simply follow the links (which will open in a new window for you)

Needless to say, Pokies are designed to make money not to make YOU money. They are also the ONLY FORM OF GAMBLING where the odds are predetermined and NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE will swing the odds in your favour. It is for this reason that pokies are without doubt Casino Game with the worst odds. Ironically it is the lack of knowledge and skill required to play them that make Pokies and Slot Machines such a popular choice for online and real world gamblers around the world

Determining Casino Game Odds with the ‘House Edge’

The house edge is defined as the ratio of the average loss a player makes to the initial bet amount. For example, if you play Blackjack with basic strategy, over the long run, the house edge is 0.5%. This means for every $10 you bet, you will lose 5 cents over the long run. With Baccarat or Craps, you will lose less than 10 cents for every $10 you bet. With roulette, depending on the game design, you could lose 27 to 53 cents for every $10 you bet.

To put it into perspective, the average house edge for most Casino Table Games is 1% – meaning for every $10 you bet you will lose 10c. The House edge on Pokies and Slot Machines is closer to 10% meaning for every $10 you spend you will lose $1!

Pokies and Slot Machines therefore provide at least 10 times less chances of winning than any other casino game on the floor – with odds over 1000% worse than the casino average.

Blackjack – House Edge of 0.28%

Blackjack is a card game. It's played between the house€”also known as the dealer€”and the player. The dealer deals out two cards to each player and keeps two cards. The dealer has one card face up and one down. The players take turns trying to get as close as they can to 21. The player calls hit to get a card and end their turn. A player can also call double. This doubles their bet. They can only get one card and their turn ends. If a player has two identically numbered cards, they can split.

Improve your Odds of Winning with These Effective Blackjack Playing Tips

Computer simulations and probability calculations have helped develop a basic Blackjack strategy. If this strategy is fully followed, the house advantage can be reduced to 0.5% over the long run.

If you have 8 or below, hit irrespective of what the dealer has.
If you have 9 and the dealer has 3, 4, 5 or 6, double your bets. If the dealer has 2 or 7, hit.
If you have 10 and the dealer has anything between 2 and 9, you should double down. If the dealer has a 10 or ace, hit.
If you have 11 and the dealer's card value is between 2 and 10, double down. If the dealer has an ace, hit.
If you have 12 and the dealer has 2, 3, or 7 and higher, hit. Stand if the dealer has 4, 5 or 6.
If you have between 13 and 16, and the dealer has 7 or higher, hit. If the dealer has between 2 and 6, stand.
Always stand if your cards value between 17 and 21.

Roulette – House Edge 2.7%

In roulette, the player places their chips on the table to wager them. The table has numbers 0-36 and 00. It has additional betting for even-odd, red-black, low 18-high 18, low/middle/high 12 and for the first/second/third columns. The dealer spins the wheel clockwise. Then, they roll a ball counter-clockwise. The ball lands in a numbered slot on the wheel. All bets that correspond with the number win. The only discrepancy with the odds of this casino game is dependant on whether there are 1 or 2 00’s on the board/reel. If there is the standard single 00 then the house edge is around 2.7% – add another 00 and the house edge is closer to 5.26%

The American roulette wheel has 38 number slots consisting of numbers 1 through 36 along with numbers 0 and 00. The European roulette wheel has only one 0 slot.

As a player, you can choose to bet on a particular number or several individual numbers. You can also bet if the ball will land on a black- or a red-colored number slot, or an odd or even number. You can also choose number groupings, for example, 1 to 18 and 19 to 36, and so on. There is a place on the table to bet for each of these situations, and you can place multiple bets during each play. The dealer spins the ball in the direction opposite to that of the turning wheel. The play is only valid when the ball completes three revolutions around the spinning wheel. Players can place bets until the dealer announces no more bets.

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker – House Edge 2.67%

Poker is a card game. It's based on a five card hand. Hands are ranked from lowest to highest. The order of hands is high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush. The player with the best hand wins.

There are too many versions of Poker and a myriad of hints and tips you can find to help improve your overall game play and of course increase your odds of winning. We recommend (and use) PokerListings.com for all our Poker Rules and strategy tips – and we recommend you do the same – just VISIT THIS LINK HERE

Craps (Pass/Come) House Edge 1.41%

Craps is a dice game. The players make wagers on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice. If a seven or 11 turn up on the first roll of the dice, the shooter wins whatever they bet. If the shooter rolls two, three, or 12 on the first roll, they loose the money, but not the dice. When the person rolls a four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten that number becomes their point. The shooter keeps rolling until their point turns up again for a win or until the person throws a seven and loses the money and the dice.

Improve your Odds of Winning with These Effective Craps Tips

If Craps rules seem complicated, start one step at a time. The PASS bet is the most fundamental that almost all players make, and it is easy to understand.
Start with a PASS or DON'T PASS bet, and with more experience, engage in more bets. The optimal strategy in Craps is to bet on the DON'T PASS line and back it up by laying the odds. This is contrary to how most players bet in Craps, but it gives you the most edge in the long run. If you want to go with the crowd, even with a PASS strategy, you have a great chance of winning.

Australians Are The World’s Biggest Gamblers – And That’s a Problem

Australian’s penchant for pokies has taken us from the lucky country to the unluckiest country in the world, with alarming gambling statistics that put us so far ahead of the rest of the world it would make your head spin.

Australia’s Gambling Addiction Stats

The most recent Australian Gambling Statistics place the average spend at nearly double the US (and close to triple the rest of the world) – see the image below or for further information and more supporting facts about the state of gambling in Australia and the associated issues pokie addiction has on this country – or visit RSLPokies.com and see first hand how bad it really is around here.

Visit RSLPokies.com for further evidence and supporting data surrounding Australia’s Gambling epidemic and the growing problems associated with Pokies

Gambling Isn’t So Bad – It’s The Pokies You Have To Be Wary of!

The problems associated with gambling in Australia are 100% attributed to the pokies – and sadly this is only perpetuated by a Government that is blinded by the 20 Billion plus they make every year in associated tax revenue (source and supporting data) – and just in case you think I’m just saying this because I don’t like offline pokies you are dead wrong! The image below shows how alarming the pokie problem is – and if you follow the above link to the source and supporting data you will see (sadly) why these figures are not going to improve anytime soon.

Laura’s Story

Laura began gambling on slot machines, or pokies as they are known in Australia, when she was 20 years old. Within a few months she was hooked. “I loved it but it didn’t love me back,” says Laura, not her real name, a wobble of emotion in her voice. She is now 25.

At her peak she was losing about A$5,000 ($3,650; £2,350) a month. “It would be basically all the money I had until my last dollar was gone.”

Laura had a decent job but she would pour all of her salary into the pokies and then borrow from friends and relatives to gamble more. “I lost my relationship. I lost my job. I went to pretty desperate measures to fund my gambling.”

Laura is Far From Alone…

Laura is far from alone. Australians are officially the world’s biggest gamblers, with each adult losing on average more than A$1,380 a year.

That is double the amount lost by Americans and almost three times as much as the British.

“Australians lose more per head than any other country in the world,” says Dr Sally Gainsbury from the Centre for Gambling Research at Southern Cross University.

“Australia definitely has a gambling problem,” she says.

“One percent of adults have a serious gambling problem which is actually a clinical disorder. Four percent of adults have moderate gambling problems and eight percent a low range of gambling problems.”

That means it is estimated there are a staggering half a million Australians at risk from problem gambling.

Original Source and further reading: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-33647401

The Hypnotism of Pokies

By far the biggest problem is pokies and/orslot machines, of which there are more than 200,000 across Australia. (This accounts for over 20% of the worlds gaming machines FYI)

“Pokies are the biggest revenue generator,” says Dr Gainsbury. “Around two-thirds of all gambling losses are through the pokies and in Australia that amounts to around A$9.8bn a year.”

It is incredibly easy to gamble in Australia. There are pokies in just about every pub or bar.

Many pubs contain betting shops, where punters are able to gamble and drink at the same time, and there’s nearly always a handily placed cash machine near by, often even in the pub itself.

“My partner used to say it was like I was hypnotised,” says Laura.

“I was chasing the adrenalin of having a big win. There was just something about the lights and the sounds of the pokie machines. I would just crave it.”

Laura, now a university student who hasn’t gambled for more than a year since joining Gamblers Anonymous, says she knew the odds were against her but she just couldn’t stop herself.

Matthew ‘Lied to their faces’ and Lost Everything

Matthew shares his own story and how the struggle was real…

“I knew exactly what time I got paid and I lost all that money before I even left the office,” says Matthew, again not his real name, a 35-year-old IT worker.

Matthew became hooked on amateur online trading sites, speculating on shares and currencies.

He first noticed he had a problem not because of the losses but because of the amount of time he was wasting at work researching the markets.

But soon he says he was losing more money than many people make in a year; tens of thousands of dollars.

“I lost a relationship, my fiancee. The relationship I had with my mum went down the drain,” Matthew says.

“The thing that got most people was that I lied to their faces about where I was and about my money situation.”

The Social Cost of Gambling

Most compulsive gamblers have similar stories to tell.

“In terms of social costs, it is estimated that problem gambling costs A$4.7bn each year,” says Dr Gainsbury.

“Gambling is something that affects not just the individual but the people around them. We’re talking family breakdown, unemployment, work disruption and then things you can’t even put a price on like suicide.”

With such a heavy social cost you would think the government would be keen to do something about it. You would be wrong.

“Gambling taxes are one of the single largest sources of income for the state and territory governments,” says Dr Gainsbury.

“It’s estimated that in 2014-15 they’ll get almost A$5.9bn from gambling [in taxes]. This is over 10% of total tax revenue for some of the states.”

And if anything, gambling is growing in Australia.

Aristocrat Profits Pouring in as Pokie Popularity Peaks

Whoops they did it again!

Poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure is scouring the market for more digital acquisitions after a bumper half-year result sparked by the success of its Lightning Link and Britney Spears pokie titles and strong revenues from the tribal casino market in North America.

The gaming giant, which has seen its shares surge by nearly 60 per cent in the last year, boosted its net profit for the first half of 2016 by 66 per cent to $183.2 million.

Aristocrat, which foreshadowed the result to the market earlier in May, lifted its dividend by 25 per cent for the six-monthly period to 10¢ per share and said the result marked its 10th consecutive period of earnings growth.

One broker, Citi, had said it was expecting a bigger capital return lift for shareholders, noting the latest payout represented a 35 per cent payout ratio compared to its forecast of a 60 per cent return.

It’s Business Before Pleasure

But Aristocrat Gaming chief executive Jamie Odell said the gambling company was a growth stock for investors and it would focus on building a larger business over the short to medium term rather than focusing purely on capital returns.

“At this point we don’t feel pressure from shareholders to turn into a high dividend, high yield stock,” said Mr Odell.“They are actually continuing to say the business is in very strong shape, keep your optionality, don’t go crazy on the dividend or on the balance sheet at the moment because we are very well placed to take advantage of opportunities that are going along.”

Mr Odell argued that investors were likely to be satisfied with their returns, particularly over the last 12 months during which time its share price has climbed 51 per cent.

“Most of our shareholders tend to think of us in terms of total shareholder return and clearly they have seen significant share price accretion in the course of the last 12 months, which combined with the dividend growth, means it has been a very high performing TSR stock on the ASX.”

Free Aristocrat Pokies Turning HUGE PROFITS

We’ve discussed in detail here at Online Pokies Australia how Aristocrat Leisure have not licensed any of their popular games to the online casinos and software companies that power them – but it seems there was method in their madness as their free app that allows you to play your favourite Aristocrat Pokies online for free is making a rather good amount of profit on its own merit.

The Heart of Vegas Slots App and associated Android and iTunes store purchases have accounted for over $200million in revenue in the last finiancial year alone

Aristocrat will target small deals in the digital sector, likely under the $200 million level according to sources, as it looks to build on impressive growth from the US social-game platform Product Madness it acquired in 2012, where punters bet on virtual slot games like Heart of Vegas.

“We look at opportunities large and small and whether they could be accretive for the business,” said Mr Odell. “In some cases that could mean acquiring new content, in some acquiring new platforms and in some acquiring new users. But at this point we haven’t found the right fit for us.”

Profit in its digital platform surged to $46 million from $17 million with the number of users surging by 63 per cent to 1.25 million partly due to a strong takeup on the Android network.

Back in the world of Real Money Pokies….

Revenue increased by nearly half to $1.01 billion, sparked by a 26% lift from its Americas unit which accounts for 60 per cent of its overall profits.
Aristocrat also snared a 64 per cent increase in revenue to $213 million from its Australia and New Zealand unit which contributes 20 per cent of group profits.
In Australia pubs, clubs and casinos are ditching competitors’ products for Aristocrat’s new Helix pokies cabinets with Lightning Link and Lightning Cash games.

“We’ve grown significantly more than the market and we have taken competitors’ older products out,” said Mr Odell, but cautioned that level of growth is unlikely to be replicated. “I think it’s unrealistic to expect a capped market like Australia which only grew by 2 per cent to do the same in the second half.”
With second-half growth expected to match trading in the first six months of the year, the gaming giant is on track to lift its annual net profit by 55 per cent to $366 million compared with a consensus prediction of $307 million.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/aristocrat-leisure-profit-boosted-by-pokies-20160525-gp42v5.html#ixzz4CC5TT09o

Aristocrat shares edged up 2c or 0.16 per cent to close at $12.45 on Thursday giving the company a market value of just under $8 billion.

Free Online Pokies For Fun

Online Pokies – Fun, Free & Available Now!

Are you looking to play free online pokies for fun and not sure where to look or what exactly constitutes fun when it comes to playing online pokies and slots? Today I’ll share with you the secrets to playing free online pokies – and you can decide for yourself whether it is totally FOR FUN or if you become so frustrated it ends up sounding more like FOR FU..CK SAKE!…

First I need to make sure we are on the same page regarding what fun actually means because while some people think it is enjoying yourself and having a good time, others take it a little far and think fun means you need to jump out of a plane or play chicken with traffic.

We’re Playing Pokies For Fun. If It’s an Adrenaline Rush You Seek…

If it’s an adrenaline rush you seek then may I suggest not doing the chores your wife/girlfriend is asking you to complete and maybe even leaving the toilet seat up consistently while dumping towels and all manner of wet clothes sporadically throughout the house.
Not only do you get the thrill of elevated dopamine coursing through your veins and heightening the experience, you also get the thrill of not knowing when she is going to get you back…. which is like waiting for a feature anyway 😉

If it’s an adrenaline rush you seek then try not listening to your better half for a few hours. Trust me – it’s twice the rush with all the anticipation of waiting for a feature – except instead of 3 pyramids you’ll more likely get a stiletto to the head or something equally exciting.

If however you legitimately want to play free online pokies for fun then we recommend doing the only smart advice this article actually provides and visiting any of our recommended Online Casinos (where all Australians are welcome) and either enjoying free pokie downloads via their online casino software or accessing the casino through your smart phone and playing the mobile casino pokies no download – as the game streams live through their mobile casino app.

Check out our Best Australian Online Casinos Page and learn more about the best casinos currently offering real money and free online pokies for fun.

Online Casino Review Page

Have fun playing pokies and slots online – if you are not enjoying yourself then you are doing it wrong

Free Pokies Games with Free Spins

How much do you love the feature?

It’s OK, that was a rhetorical question because EVERYONE loves a feature or bonus game, and when the free spins finally come around we all get super excited – maybe it’s going to finally give me some of the coin I’ve lost back?! Oh wait, these are free online pokies meaning I can’t lose a cent – and that my friend is what I call winning!

Free Pokies and Slots with Free Spins – Sometimes known as bonus spins, free bets or free games, these hidden gems give you an opportunity of playing a set number of free spins that do not take away from your existing credits but will only add to the stockpile. Yeah it’s a stockpile of virtual money, but then its virtually impossible to lose anything 😉

How do the free online pokies games with free spins work?

The free pokies games with free spins are usually triggered in different ways. However, the most common way is when you have a number of free spins symbols or scatter symbols across the reels. To find out more about the free spins, you should check out the paytable of the particular game to find out more about the rules.

In other instances, the free spins will be awarded as a prize once the bonus mini-game is over. As a rule, most of the free spins are usually in the same bet in which the triggered spin was made. Therefore, it would interest you to know that betting maximum on a game with free spins increases your chances of triggering the free spins and bonus rounds.

Retrigger Anyone? Feature in a Feature!

This unusual feature of retriggering the free spins is found in most of the free slot machines games online. It enables you to earn extra free spins in due course of a free spins round. When playing the free slot machines games, you should pray that the same symbols that triggered the free spins align themselves up again so that you are awarded a whole new set of free spins.

In theory, the free spins can continue indefinitely. However, most of the slot games have been programmed to have a maximum number of free spins, which you can win in any round. Moreover, not every slots game has the retriggering feature though most of the free slots machines with free spins do.

The best part about playing the huge range of free online pokies made available through the recommended Australian Online Casinos is that they all offer the same features and free spin bonus games you have come to know and love at your local. Well? What are you waiting for? The Best free pokies games with free spins are one download away – well actually one click away because if you are on a MAC or on a mobile device then you can access the best no download pokies games with free spins you’ll likely ever find online!

Play the latest Free Pokies with Free Spins at Spin Palace today! – simple click the image link below