50 Lions
50 Lions has the highest published RTP here at 96.79% and medium-low volatility, which suits short sessions better than the rest of the list.
- RTP
- 96.79%
- Volatility
- Medium-Low
- Max win
- 600x
- Lines
- 50
- African
- Aristocrat
Pokie guide · Australia
The pokies online: where it works and where it does not
This page is about the pokies online — what the published figures mean, where they mislead, and how the partner's terms actually work. No promises of winning, because there aren't any.
- 5pokies compared
- 96.79%best published return
- A$5max bet on a bonus
The figures, side by side
The shortlist below is ranked on published return-to-player figures and volatility, not on any testing we have done.
Checked on 19 October 2026
The whole list, in one grid
Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.
| 150 Lions | 96.79% | Medium-Low | 600x | Aristocrat |
| 2Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | 96.72% | High | 2,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 3Big Bass Bonanza | 96.71% | High | 2,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 4Madame Destiny Megaways | 96.51% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 5Gates of Olympus | 96.5% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
Select a column heading to sort.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways has a 96.72% RTP with high volatility, so expect long gaps between wins.
- RTP
- 96.72%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 2,100x
- Lines
- megaways
- Fishing
- Pragmatic Play
Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza has a 96.71% RTP and high volatility, with a maximum win of 2,100x.
- RTP
- 96.71%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 2,100x
- Lines
- 10
- Fishing
- Pragmatic Play
What the numbers do and do not say
A return-to-player figure is a long-run average, calculated over millions of spins. It is not a target, a guarantee, or a forecast for your session. In a short session of a few hundred spins you can finish well above or well below that figure, and neither outcome tells you anything about the next spin.
The same applies to volatility. Low volatility generally means smaller and more frequent wins; high volatility means larger but rarer wins, with long dry spells in between. Neither is better in any absolute sense. They suit different session lengths and different bankrolls.
Where online play is rough for some
Online play works best when the session is the thing you're paying for. If you sit down for fifteen minutes with a small stake and a firm stop, the cost is predictable and the entertainment is real. That approach fits low volatility, small wins, short sessions — the angle this site covers.
It works badly when the session has no natural end. Online casinos never close, never announce last drinks, and never make you walk past a cashier on the way out. A high-volatility pokie plus an open-ended session is where most of the harm happens.
Where the bonuses help and hurt
A bonus is a discount on play, not a gift. The partner's terms include a first deposit cash bonus and daily cashback on losses, with a minimum deposit. Those terms can stretch a session. They cannot change the house edge on any spin.
The catch is the maximum bet while a bonus is active, set at A$5. A high-volatility pokie played at that stake will burn through a balance quickly during a dry run, and the bonus may not survive long enough to be useful. Match the stake to the game, not to the bonus.
Quick answers before you decide
What does RTP mean on a pokie?
It is the long-run average return to players over millions of spins, not a per-session result. A pokie with a higher RTP still loses money for most players in most sessions.
Are low-volatility pokies better for short sessions?
They usually produce smaller and more frequent wins, which keeps a short session moving. High-volatility pokies can pay more, but the dry spells are longer and harder on a small balance.
Can I use the partner's bonus on any pokie?
The published terms cap bets at A$5 while a bonus is active, so high-stake play on a high-volatility game is not possible. Read the full bonus terms before you deposit.
Is there a way to beat the pokies online?
No. Every game has a house edge built in, and no staking plan changes the long-run average. Any claim otherwise is a marketing line, not a strategy.