Key facts
- The best payout pokies are those with the highest return to player (RTP): the long-run share of bets a game pays back.
- Providers often release games in several RTP versions, and the casino chooses which one to run.
- Among well-known online pokies, Pragmatic Play lists 96.71% for Big Bass Bonanza, 96.50% for Gates of Olympus and 96.48% for Sweet Bonanza.
- Australian venue pokies have state minimums; in Victoria the minimum return is 85%.
- A higher RTP lowers the average cost of play but does not make a single session more likely to win.
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Contents
What makes a pokie a "best payout" pokie?
A best payout pokie is one with a high return to player (RTP): the share of all money wagered that the game pays back over a very long run. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge and the lower the average cost of playing. It is the single most useful number for comparing pokies, as long as you understand what it does and does not tell you.
| RTP | House edge | Average cost of AU$1,000 wagered |
|---|---|---|
| 97% | 3% | AU$30 |
| 96% | 4% | AU$40 |
| 95% | 5% | AU$50 |
| 94% | 6% | AU$60 |
| 85% | 15% | AU$150 |
What are the published RTPs of well-known pokies?
These are the RTPs the provider lists on its own game pages. Your casino's version may differ, so check the game rules.
| Pokie | Provider | RTP (provider) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.71% |
| Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.48% |
| Wolf Gold | Pragmatic Play | 96.01% |
| Book of Dead | Play'n GO | Depends on the version the casino runs |
In Australian venues, each state sets a minimum return for pokies. In Victoria, the minimum was lowered from 87% to 85% in 2014. Online pokies publish their RTP in the game rules, often in the mid-90s.
How do you check the RTP version your casino runs?
You check the RTP version by opening the game itself:
- Load the game at your casino, in real money or demo mode.
- Open the rules, usually through an "i", "?" or menu button.
- Find the RTP line, often near the end of the rules.
- Compare it with the provider's published figure. A lower number means the casino chose a lower version.
Why does volatility matter as much as RTP?
Volatility matters because it decides how the RTP is delivered. Two games with the same RTP can feel completely different: a low volatility game pays small wins often, while a high volatility game pays rarely but sometimes large. Over a short session, volatility shapes your result far more than a one-point difference in RTP. Our guide to how pokies work explains both.
Why are jackpot pokies different?
Jackpot pokies split their return between normal wins and a jackpot pool. On a progressive game, part of each bet feeds the jackpot, so the base game returns less, and most of the remaining return goes to a rare winner. If your goal is the lowest average cost of play, a non-jackpot pokie with a high RTP is usually the better choice. See our guides to jackpot pokies and Mega Moolah.
Can a high RTP pokie help you win?
A high RTP pokie lowers the average cost of play; it does not make any single session more likely to win, and it cannot overcome the house edge. Use RTP to choose between games, then set a budget as if you will lose it. Our guide on how to win on pokies explains what you can and cannot control.
How do you keep play under control?
Even at 97% RTP, every dollar wagered costs about 3 cents on average, and re-betting your wins adds up quickly. Set your budget and time before you start, and stop when you reach either. Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
Gambling is for adults only (18+).
Sources
- Pragmatic Play - Big Bass Bonanzapragmaticplay.com
- Pragmatic Play - Gates of Olympuspragmaticplay.com
- Pragmatic Play - Sweet Bonanzapragmaticplay.com
- Pragmatic Play - Wolf Goldpragmaticplay.com
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation - Pokies tax changes and minimum RTPresponsiblegambling.vic.gov.au
- Gambling Help Onlinegamblinghelponline.org.au
Frequently asked questions
What are the best payout pokies?
The best payout pokies are those with the highest RTP in the version your casino runs. Among well-known online pokies, published RTPs are often in the mid-90s; check the game rules for the exact figure at your casino.
How do I find the RTP of a pokie?
Open the game's rules or information screen, usually through an 'i' or menu button. The RTP of that version is listed there. If it is missing, choose a game that shows it.
Why is the RTP different at different casinos?
Many providers offer each game in more than one RTP version, and each casino picks one. The game looks and plays the same; only the long-run return changes.
Is a 96% RTP pokie good?
A 96% RTP means a 4% house edge: over the long run, about 4 cents of every dollar wagered is kept. That is in the typical range for online pokies and higher than venue minimums, but every session is still random.
Do jackpot pokies have a high RTP?
Their total RTP can look similar, but much of it sits in a rare jackpot. The base game usually returns less than a non-jackpot pokie.