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One Armed Bandits
Written by: Jasmin Williams | The review was last updated: 22 September 2024 | Fact-check by: Kim Birch
Pokies have become a staple in online casinos, and for good reason. They're a hit with punters of all stripes, offering a quick thrill and some top-notch entertainment for those keen on a spin or two.
The beauty of pokies lies in their simplicity. You just press a button, watch the reels whirl, and cross your fingers for a win. It's this straightforward gameplay that's made them a favourite across the board. From uni students to retirees, everyone's getting in on the action, and pokies have been pulling crowds in betting shops for yonks.
While pokies might be old hat in the casino world, they're still the go-to for punters looking for a solo gaming experience. No wonder they're the most popular one-player option in the house.
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Pokies have come a long way since their humble beginnings in San Francisco back in 1898. It wasn't until the late 1980s that these games made their way to Europe, getting the green light in French casinos. Initially dubbed 'one-armed bandits' due to their distinctive lever, these machines have undergone a massive digital transformation.
The rise of online pokies has revolutionised the game. Thanks to better internet connections, the winning potential has skyrocketed, with some seriously impressive jackpots up for grabs. As more Kiwi punters turn to online play, the old-school physical machines are becoming a bit of a rarity.
These days, you can enjoy all the thrills of the pokie on your tablet or mobile. It's a far cry from the clunky machines of yesteryear, but the excitement and fun factor are still very much alive and well.
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The classic pokie machine kicked off in the American Wild West, with the first mechanical version popping up in the late 1800s. Back then, gambling was a bit of a posh affair, mostly happening in exclusive clubs for the well-to-do.
Enter Charles Frey, a German-born mechanic with a knack for gambling games. Inspired by the popular 36-number roulette, Frey came up with the classic pokie. His machine had an arm to spin the reels, and if three liberty bells lined up, you'd score a win.
Frey set up his Slot Machine Factory, chasing that classic Kiwi dream of making it big. Despite a few hurdles with the law, he kept at it. He even tweaked his machine to dish out tokens for lollies and drinks, swapping out most symbols but keeping the iconic liberty bell.
After World War II, pokies found their home in the desert oasis of Las Vegas. From there, these entertaining machines got the green light to join other casino games, and their popularity just kept climbing.
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Kiwi Classics: Pokies That Never Go Out of Style
Classic pokies are the old-school machines you'll spot in casinos and gaming halls across New Zealand. The name fits these machines to a tee, really.
Once these pokies hit the scene, their popularity skyrocketed. Punters couldn't get enough of them. Different companies started churning out their own versions, and now you'll find all sorts of pokies when you pop into a betting shop.
These days, there's no shortage of Free Pokies to Play For Fun. Many newer models have ditched the lever for spin buttons, and they come decked out with flashy designs, sound systems, and eye-catching colours.
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The classic pokies are so popular because they're dead simple to play. Your goal is to line up symbols on the screen. Match them up, and you're in for a win. It's a bit like that addictive mobile game Candy Crush - get three of a kind and you're laughing.
Playing these old-school pokies is a breeze. Just pull the lever and cross your fingers. If lady luck's on your side, you'll score a prize. If not, give it another go. Grab some coins, pick your favourite machine, yank that lever, and see what happens. That's the magic of these beauties.
Reginald Waldersmith, who started the Games Room Company, was mad about collecting vintage casino gear. He really knew his stuff and was always on the hunt for the coolest classic pokies.
We're keeping that passion alive by bringing these classic pokies online. Heaps of the fun pokie games on our site have been given a digital makeover. The detail and design in these online pokies are top-notch, so why not give them a free spin?
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Free pokies that are a blast to play in NZ.
Wild Fruit Super Wheel is a modern online pokie with a classic fruit theme, developed by Pariplay. It features a 5x3 layout with 243 ways to win.
The game has an RTP of 94.23%, which is a bit lower than usual. You'll find some cool features like wilds, multipliers, and a bonus wheel.
It's basically a digital version of the old-school pokiesyou'd find in pubs, with a modern twist. The gameplay is reminiscent of those classic fruit machines many Kiwis grew up with.
Give it a spin for free right here on BETO.com. Just click the image to start playing the demo.
Don't forget to check out our exclusive online pokie bonuses if you're keen to play for real money.
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Pokies have become hugely popular in pubs and online casinos across New Zealand, thanks to their straightforward gameplay and minimal rules. You're bound to spot one whenever you're out for a punt.
Over time, classic pokies have seen their fair share of changes. They've moved on from the old mechanical machines to become fully digital and modern. But one thing that hasn't changed is the sheer thrill these games deliver. Once you start spinning those reels, it's hard to stop - they're just that much fun.
We're now in an age of massive gambling platforms and online casinos offering heaps of betting options. You'll find everything from card games and live dealer options to bingo guides.
Let's take a look at how these classic pokies have evolved into the entertaining free online games we enjoy today.
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Pokies: From Poker Tables to Screens
The pokies we play online today trace their roots back to mechanical games from around 1880. These early machines were coin-operated and resembled a standard poker game with 5 reels and 50 cards. Players would chuck in a coin and pull a lever to get the reels spinning.
Back then, winning wasn't as straightforward as it is now. If you landed a winning combo, you might ask the barman for a beer or a ciggie as your prize. This setup led to these machines being dubbed pokies, with the Liberty Bell model becoming a crowd favourite.
By 1980, the classic machine got an upgrade with two more reels and an arm replacing the lever. Punters weren't too keen on this change, as anyone could nab the prize by yanking the arm. This led to the famous "Please don't pull the handle" signs popping up next to machines - not that many players paid them any mind.
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Liberty Bell: The Pokie That Started It All
Back in 1898, Fey rolled out a machine with an automatic payout system called the "Liberty Bell".
Punters who lined up 3 liberty bell symbols scored a 50-cent payout, which was a decent win at the time.
This innovation sent the popularity of pokies through the roof. Despite the official ban, Fey churned out hundreds of these machines, meeting the demand from eager players.
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Fruit Party by Pragmatic Play Channels Classic Kiwi Pub Pokies!
The next big shake-up for one-armed bandits came when they swapped out the boring old card symbols for eye-catching fruit icons. Suddenly, punters were spinning reels full of apples, peaches, cherries, and oranges.
To sidestep gambling laws, these machines initially dished out fruit-flavoured chewing gum as prizes. It was a clever workaround that kept the pokies running while staying on the right side of the law.
These fruity pokies took off like a rocket. Even now, you'll find heaps of fruit-themed games in the catalogues of top online pokie developers. They're still a favourite among Kiwi punters looking for a nostalgic spin.
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Back in 1964, the first electromechanical pokie hit the scene. Called Money Honey, this machine was a game-changer. Its advanced system could handle up to 500 coins automatically, no need for someone to come and sort it out. Fast forward to 1996, and we saw the first video pokie with a bonus round on a second screen, dubbed Reel'Em.
These days, online gambling is a punter's dream. There's a massive range of online pokies to choose from. Fancy a modern, fast-paced game or a classic, slower one? Take your pick. You'll find all sorts of layouts too - 3 reels, 5 reels, or even more complex setups. And let's not forget the extras that make these digital one-armed bandits so exciting: special promos like free spins, progressive jackpots, and wild symbols.
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One of NZ's most popular and fun pokies online is Book of Dead.
The pokies we know and love today kicked off in 1994 when Barbuda and Antigua signed a Free Trade Agreement for the Caribbean. This opened the door for companies worldwide to run online casinos legally.
The first online casino launched in 1995. As punters faced some teething issues, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission was set up in Canada the following year to keep things in check.
This led to a boom in online gambling. However, the USA decided to put the kibosh on online gambling that same year with their Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Europe took a different tack, opting to regulate rather than ban online gambling. This meant Europeans could still enjoy their favourite pokies in all their modern, souped-up glory.
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Pokies are a blast, and if you haven't given them a go yet, you're missing out. They offer some seriously good winning chances and come loaded with jackpots that can skyrocket your winnings.
The old-school one-armed bandits are a far cry from the flash video pokies you'll find at online casinos these days. These new games can dish out rewards so massive, you could tick off your entire bucket list with one lucky spin and a decent bet.
Online pokies really took off in the late 90s, and they've only gotten more popular since. Microgaming created the first video pokie, and they're still churning out top-notch games that punters love worldwide.
The humble pokie machine has come a long way, now packed with modern features that amp up the excitement. You'll find unique bonuses specific to each game, plus the usual suspects like themed graphics, jackpots, wilds, free spins, and multipliers.
Every day, more Kiwis are getting hooked on online pokies, as you can see from the surge in online casino sign-ups. Game makers are crafting pokies with such diverse and captivating themes that it's hard not to be drawn in.
From superheroes to fruit, different cultures to fantasy worlds, and wildlife to just about anything else you can imagine - there's a pokie for everyone. With so many options, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose. That's why most developers let you try their games for free, spinning the reels without risking any real cash.
You can find these demo versions right here at BETO Slots. We've put together a solid collection of thousands of online pokies for you to try. Whether you fancy the latest releases or the classic digital one-armed bandits, we've got you covered. Give them a spin and enjoy!
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Old-school pokies were some of the first gambling machines around, running on gears and levers with a big handle on the side. Here's a rundown of the most common questions punters ask about free online pokies, along with our answers.
Pokies got their nickname 'one-armed bandits' from the classic lever used to spin the reels. The 'bandit' part? Well, that's because these gambling machines were notorious for nicking your cash and chewing up your time.
Back in 1895, a German-born mechanic named Charles August Fey created the first classic pokie machine. This early version relied on a simple mechanical setup and could automatically dish out winnings on its own.
The earliest pokies were pretty straightforward machines. You'd yank a lever, which set off a series of mechanical actions. This lever would turn a bar against a strong spring, pulling a hook into position. As the mechanism continued, it'd release the reel stoppers. At the end of this process, the hook would drop onto another part, grabbing toothed plates that spun the reels and bringing them to a halt.
Nah, there's no way to pull a fast one on online pokies these days. The developers use fancy Random Number Generators, so you can't predict or sway the outcome. Your best bet is to check out the RTP and volatility rating before you have a punt on any pokie.
The lever on the side of old-school pokies is called a Bandit. This nickname comes from the original mechanical machines, where you'd pull the lever to kick off your game. It was a proper part of the machine, not just for show. Over time, the whole pokie ended up with the colourful name 'one-armed bandit'.
If you've played pokies online or at the pub, you've likely spotted the bar symbol. It's actually a stylised image of chewing gum and a company logo. Some reckon it might've been the Bell-Gum Fruit Company's emblem. Whatever its origin, the BAR symbol is a key part of the classic fruit theme you'll find in most free online pokies.
Most pokies share a few key features. You'll typically find reels, symbols, a spin button or lever, and a paytable explaining the payouts. These elements are pretty standard across the board, whether you're playing at the pub or online.
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