Android Pokies: Play Top-Notch Games on Your Smartphone!
Online casino games, and pokies in particular, have been popular for over 20 years now. The last decade has seen a shift from online to mobile gaming, with nearly 80% of Aussie punters gambling this way. The initial excitement of playing online casino games has been overridden by the advancement of smartphones’ capabilities and improved technological developments like HTML5. Native casino apps on Google Play and instant play pokies via Chrome made their way to the everyday user.
Anyone can jump on the technological bandwagon through this page. We don’t just list the best Android pokies and casinos you can try them on for real money. We also educate you on how to get started and the pros and cons of playing pokies this way.
Best Aussie Online Casinos for Android Pokies in 2024
The current legislation surrounding online gambling Down Under restricts operators from listing native apps on Google Play. You can find free pokies apps for Android to download and play but you won’t be playing for real wins there.
The only viable option to play Android pokies for real money is using the mobile version of online casino sites. You don’t need to be a tech-whizz to do so. Simply visit the gambling site through your mobile browser and the casino will automatically adjust to fit in your screen. Casino operators and developers have powered their products with HTML5 since 2015, and you can experience the same features, pokies, bonuses, and more instantly across devices and operating systems.
Some operators do go the extra mile and power progressive web apps that can be installed from their websites to your Android tablet and smartphone. They look and perform exactly like their online version, yet remove the need to type the URL into your mobile browser every time you fancy playing.
With the level of optimization for Android devices in mind, selection of mobile pokies, licenses, banking methods, and other crucial aspects, our experts have curated the above list to only include the best Android casinos Down Under. Hit the links to grab the featured bonuses and start spinning those reels. No need to download or install anything!
Below is a quick overview of three of our top picks:
Casino Chan
Casino Chan has been running the show Down Under since its launch 5+ years ago. They are powered by top iGaming companies like NetEnt, Playtech, Lucky Streak, and Pragmatic Play. Casino Chan recently curated a progressive web app that Android users can locate and install through their mobile site. It provides an instant gateway to their 8000+ pokies lobby, among which you can find Megaways, bonus buys, crypto, and more types of titles. Their welcome package requires A$30 minimum and you will get free spins and your initial investment doubled. Other standout features include their Curacao license, outstanding user reviews, and overall reputation among Aussie players.
Red Dog
Red Dog is not up to the level of Casino Chan. Our experts decided to include it among the top Android pokies sites because it offers a download version of their online site for all users. You can locate and install it via their main site. New users who deposit A$10 or more can grab their 225% welcome bonus up to A$7,500. Red Dog sports 200+ games from RealTime Gaming, including popular pokies such as Cash Bandits 3 and Mariachi 5. ViG is another supported developer populating the live casino lobby. Red Dog is a decent option for Android players who fancy progressive pokies and balanced games with fun bonus rounds. Players who have yet to sign up can redeem the code 45GIFT for A$45 no deposit to try out all their Android pokies for free before tapping into their wallets.
Wazamba
Wazamba is my personal favourite online casino. The company behind this brand has gone a long way to ensure all features and games are easily accessible across devices, including Android smartphones and tablets. I’ve tested their mobile casino more than I care to admit and found no fault. And that’s not their only highlight, since Wazamba has partnered with 100+ gaming studios to pack 10,000+ Android pokies under one roof. You can instantly register through our links and grab free spins and a welcome package extending to your first three deposits. Wazamba has acquired the highest ratings among Aussie players and our expert team, so worth a try.
How to Play Mobile Pokies on your Android Device
There are two main ways to play pokies on your mobile. Through an application or by entering the URL of the pokies site into your mobile browser.
Players tend to go for the latter since Aussie online casinos cannot get listed on Google Play. If a download version is available, it will be prominently displayed on the official site anyway.
Don’t be fooled thinking that iPhone pokies, Blackberry casino games, or Windows casinos are any different. The same restrictions and options we discuss in relation to Android extend to all mainstream mobile OS.
Elsewhere, playing via Android or directly at the online casino is the same. You tap to sign up, make instant deposits, and acquire access to the same lobby. All features will be adjusted to fit your screen, and may potentially even perform better depending on your device. What’s unique about Android pokies sites is the inclusion of Google Pay for instant payments and bonuses for installing selected PWAs.
How to Select Android Pokies
There is literally no difference between playing online pokies on your desktop or Android device. The criteria used to rank games include their RTP, volatility, theme, bonuses, and payouts. All gaming studios ensure the games operate in oriental and landscape modes with convenient controls to play the game using touch controls.
If you don’t know with which pokie machine to begin, we explain the main criteria to inform your selection process. Keep in mind that making an informed decision can significantly improve your winning chances.
RTP This is the most important aspect of a pokie, showcasing the house edge based on +1,000,000 spins. It might not help you in the short run, but it is a strong indicator of the winning potential when you regularly play. We always suggest to our players to pick pokies with an RTP of over 96%.
Volatility Volatility indicates how risky a slot is. It is categorised by the gaming studios and tested by independent bodies to ensure the ratings are valid. Low volatility means frequent but small wins and high volatility rare but hefty payouts. Unless you are a high roller or exclusively after massive wins, I suggest playing pokies falling in the middle of the spectrum.
Theme Not every player cares about the theme of Android pokies, but we consider it a major factor. This is because online pokies should not only offer good winning chances, but an overall fun gaming experience. We suggest you always select games with a theme that ticks with you.
Bonuses The more bonuses a pokie game has, the more likely it is to have average volatility. I am not in favour of online pokies packed with modifiers and flashy effects, yet there should be at least two apparent. The best pokies games tend to fuse multipliers with free spins.
Design/Graphics Since you are reading this page, you likely have an Android device in your disposal. This gives you the freedom to seamlessly play advanced pokies at a mobile casino – so why miss out? Don’t pick simplistic pokies, rather go for the most flashy designs and graphics for the ultimate gaming experience.
Excellent Free Android Pokies to Play
Now that you know how to distinguish between good and bad online pokie machines, it is important to also explore the two different types of pokies players engage with at online casinos. Free Android pokies are usually preferred by recreational players, beginners, and professionals who want to test their performance before investing real money. Below, I briefly describe the best free Android pokies, qualifying for the title due to their fun gameplay indifferent of whether you are playing for real money or not.
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter 2 is the best NetEnt pokie to date, and it is optimized for play on all devices. Such games highlight the shift of online casinos from classic games to pop culture. Street Fighter 2 provides players with similar features as the video game with the same name. You get to select a fighter and an opponent. Your choice will affect the game’s volatility, correlated with the bonuses and reels at play. The Street Fighter 2 bonus rounds involve interactivity and massive wins.
Thunderstruck II
Thunderstruck 2 might have slightly rusty graphics but the gameplay still holds up. The game has been revisited by NetEnt in 2016 to include an HTML5 version for Android and iOS players. Thunderstruck 2 has five reels, three rows, and 243 ways to win per spin. Norse mythology figures like Loki and Thor play a central role in the bonus rounds involving free spins, cascading reels, multipliers, and other unique features. These same features make Thunderstruck 2 a great pokie to play indifferently to whether money is on the line.
Real Money Android Games
Our team looks beyond the gameplay, graphics, and immersiveness of pokies when searching for top real money Android pokies. The RTP and max win must be substantial to grab our attention, while the special features must trigger on less than 100 free spins on average. Below I highlight some Android pokies worth trying at the casinos listed earlier.
Mega Moolah
Don’t be fooled by the Mega Moolah’s launch in 2006, Microgaming has released several remakes to offer outstanding gameplay on mobile devices. But that’s not why I cover it in this section. Mega Moolah comes packed with a free spins round with 3x wins, wilds with 2x wins, and scattered wins. Any spin can take you to the progressive bonus round where 4 jackpots are up for grabs, the highest seeding at A$1M.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
Red Tiger’s remake of Gonzo’s Quest takes the NetEnt mascot and puts him on steroids. With over 100,000 ways to win per round, the same free spins with multipliers and random earthquakes, Gonzo’s Quest never looked better. A unique aspect of the Megaways version is the unbreakable wild, get 2 on the first three reels and the max win will be within reach. The game shines on all devices and it is one of my go-to Android pokies when I have at least A$20 in my casino account.
Google Play Pokies Apps vs Android Mobile Casinos
Aussie players don’t get to download native casino apps for their Android devices due to the current Google Play policies based on Aussie gambling laws. However, if you have the option to play Android pokies through a progressive web app or directly via the mobile casino, here are my views:
Ease It might take you a few minutes to download the mobile app and play pokie games initially, but it will always be saved on your Android afterwards.
Performance Although the mobile casino might have a mobile optimised website, it is very unlikely to perform as good as the Android app designed purely for this purpose.
Games The mobile version of an online casino usually incorporates 90% of the website options, but the Android app will likely host games exclusively created for Android players. This way you get quality over quantity catered to your OS.
Before I bring this guide to an end, I want to highlight an important point. Don’t be one of the players missing out on Android apps just because you found your way to the online casino version. If you are often playing pokies via an Android, don’t forget to check the following casino sections for app info:
Mobile page – most online casinos have a dedicated page to their mobile casino. There, you will be able to find information in regards to what the casino offers to mobile users and links to install the Android version on your device.
FAQs – another great way to learn whether a casino offers pokie games for Android is to visit its FAQs section. Many people have the same question, so casinos tend to answer them in advance for everyone who wants to play games this way.
Google Play Store – the last place you could search for Android games is the official Play Store. Although this is the fastest route to install Android casino apps, it is not a viable option for Aussie players. Instead of real money pokies, you can find free Android pokies apps on Google Play. For the ultimate real money pokies for Android, simply use the links we’ve placed on this page and you will spinning reels in no time.
About the Author
Affiliate Disclosure
Mike Fatouros Chief Editor
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
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