The Lightning Link progressive jackpot network and all linked pokies are powered by Aristocrat. This powerhouse started operations in Australia over 50 years ago, and it now ranks as the second largest gambling company in the world.
Despite their numerous classic slot machines and online pokies, the Lightning Link games remain the most popular among punters.
The original Lightning Link game was released in 2014 and turned out as a player favourite due to its several bonus games, and in particular the Hold and Spin progressive jackpot feature. Several slots share the same feature, which provides a clear pathway to 4 progressive jackpots. The most popular pokies in the Lightning Link series are:
- Happy Lantern
- Magic Pearl
- Sahara Gold
- High Stakes Las Vegas
- Raging Bull
- Mine Mine Mine
- Dragon’s Riches
- Fire Idol
- Eyes of Fortune
- Magic Totem
- Bengal Treasures
- Wild Chuco
- Tiki Fire
- Heart Throb
- Best Bet
- Moon Race
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Aristocrat, as most casino software providers, developed a platform that allows all players to engage with their slot machines online, without spending any money. Further, the popularity of Lightning Link pokies also led to the launch of an online pokies app with the same name.
To comprehend the popularity of Lightning Link Pokies, this platform is followed by 100,000+ people on FB, 6,500 on Instagram and has 3,000 X followers. So, interested parties can play Lightning Link pokies for real money on regulated Australian casinos or enjoy the free version, no deposit, no download on sites like Pokies Bet, the company’s free-to-play app, or other iGaming platforms that provide free access to Aristocrat pokies.
Another option is turning to Fire Link pokies powered by Scientific since these progressive jackpot pokies are available at Aussie online casinos we linked here. Playing online Lightning Link pokies for real money isn’t possible since the company doesn’t work with digital casinos.
Lightning Link Pokies Review
Not everything is identical across pokies sharing the Lightning Link jackpot, especially in terms of theme. You can find American themes, like the Mining one, or fantasy themes such as the Magic Pearl and Magic Totem. Aristocrat’s Lightning Link pokies can even transport you to Africa with Sahara Gold, or to India by playing the Bengal Treasures pokie.
What all these games have in common are detailed 3D symbols that help build complete and entertaining games – which are complemented by intense sound effects that spike as you land winning combinations or big wins.
In terms of paylines, Lightning Link pokies come with 25 – 50, while the RTPs range from 90 – 97%. When you factor in the progressive jackpot contribution of these 5×3 reel games, their RTPs are pretty high. The volatility on all Lightning Link pokies is high too, as one would expect from such high paying slot machines.
In terms of bonuses, Lightning Link Pokies usually cover the following:
- Free spins through 3 or more scatter symbols, along with a win multiplier of your wager.
- Stacked symbols that can help land big wins, even when you match 2 of them only.
- Wild symbols operate as on most slot machines, by replacing all other symbols and helping you land winning combos.
- The Hold and Spin feature is triggered when six or more themed money symbols land on the reels. Then, players are awarded 3 free respins that refresh with any new money symbol or jackpot landing on the grid. The process continues until no money bag or jackpot lands on the reels, and all the prizes are collected.
- It is through the above feature that players can win one of the Lightning Link progressive jackpots. This can happen by either landing the jackpot symbol during the Hold and Spin bonus or by completing all symbol spaces with money bags. In total, there are 4 Lightning progressive jackpots to be won in each game, seeding at A$10 (Mini), A$100 (Minor), A$500 (Major) and A$10,000 (Grand). The Grand Jackpot comes about when all spots are filled during the Jackpot Link bonus round.
The prizes of the money bags depend on your bet level. Lightning link pokies support bets from as low as A$0.10 – A$10 per spin.
Lightning Link Games Paytable & Symbols
As we cannot cover the details of each of the Lightning Link pokies available to play in Australia, it is paramount that you spend a few minutes to go through the paytable of the one you go for. There, you will be able to find details on the special features, paylines, RTP, bet levels, jackpots and the symbols payouts.
In general, you will encounter the following low paying symbols: 9, 10, J, Q and K, paying 5 – 75 coins depending on the number of identical symbols on the game grid.
The high paying symbols are themed, and vary across all Lightning Link pokies.
Payouts there usually range from 3 coins per payline for three identical to 150 coins per payline for five.
Origins of Aristocrat’s Lightning Link Feature
Lightning Link pokies are just one product from Aristocrat Gaming. The company has achieved several milestones since it began operations in 1953, with 2000+ employees contributing to its success from almost every country. The casino gaming sector would not be where it is today without this Australian provider, as many Aristocrat patents have altered the way slots operate today.
One of those patents is the Lightning Link jackpot, which pays out through the Hold and Spin feature. Numerous companies have employed the same bonus game since, including Playtech, 3 Oaks, Playtech and Pragmatic Play. Some other games that pay jackpots through the same bonus feature include Chilli Heat, Fire Blaze Classics, Wolf Gold and Magic Apple. If this Aristocrat game type is not your cup of tea, why not try some other slot machines from the same provider:
Cash Express
Red Baron
Why Play Free Lightning Link Pokies Online?
Our team considers Lightning Link pokies worth playing, even though high rollers have higher chances of landing the grand jackpot. These games might come with low payouts during the base game, but they carry a range of bonuses, including wilds, free spins, scatters and stacked symbols. The above are what most online pokies provide through their bonuses or less.
However, Aristocrat did not stop there with Lightning Link Pokies. These games offer the above special features plus 3 free re-spins that can payout 1 to 4 progressive jackpots from a single bonus trigger. It is this mix of real money slots and progressive bonus features into a single game that makes Lightning Link pokies as popular as they are.
How to Play Lightning Online Pokies in Australia
After reading our full Lightning Link pokies real money review, you might feel tempted to try your luck towards the grand jackpot of A$50,000+ available in these games. Whether you find yourself at an Aussie casino with Lightning Link pokies, or stick with the free play version available online, you can start rolling by following these steps:
- Select the number of active paylines using the (-) and (+) buttons.
- Adjust your stake per payline, until you are satisfied with the total bet per round.
- Tap Play to trigger the reel animation or set Automatic Spins.
- Wins form from left to right during the base game, when three identical symbols land on a single payline. The highest paying symbol pays out for even 2 identical on the same payline.
- Wilds, scatters and money bag symbols can help you trigger the Lightning Link jackpot bonus, where you could win the maximum possible prize by filling all 15 slots.
Try free Lightning Link Pokies on Pokies Bet or Aristocrat’s native app to see why these games are so popular. Like we stated, real money Lightning Pokies aren’t available online. For a similar experience, you should stick with Hold & Link slots like the Fire Link pokies by Scientifc or Dragon Link pokies by the makers of Lightning Link – Aristocrat!
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
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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