Live Slots Guide: Top Games and Casinos in Australia
The popularity of Twitch slots didn’t go unnoticed by online casino developers. Playtech and Evolution were quick to come up with a similar concept – live slots.
Similar to live dealer table games, in live slots, a host presents the game and narrates the action while hundreds of players are wagering at once and engage with each other. Age of the Gods and Buffalo Blitz and are the most popular live slots to date.
If you are interested in this pokies niche, stick with us and you will become a pro in no time.
Online vs Live Slots
Online slots have many benefits over land-based slot machines, as many similarities. Live slots are significantly different, though. Playtech went about developing live pokies to address the following weaknesses of online slot machines:
01.
Solo game
02.
Lack of comradery and teamplay
03.
Lack of interactivity and ability to communicate your thoughts
The above are downsides of all RNG-based online casino games since dealers and other players are missing. Land-based casinos involve real dealers and communal gambling in table games. Even pokies machines players can communicate with each other.
With live slots, players can enjoy luck-based games that require no skill or effort, get served by a host, and communicate with other players that experience the same game and outcomes they do. The main differences between online and live slots are:
- The concept of RTP differs here. The pokies RTP is generally calculated over a million spins and determines the payouts of the slot machine. When hundreds or thousands of players bet at the same time, the way that the payouts work can differ from singular video slots. Think of it in relation to the classic land-based slot machine that used to pay after a punter had wagered a lot of cash in it; the ‘lookers’ would then sit on the machine hoping to cash-in on the losses of the previous player.
- As with online slots, players set the stakes, limits and the number of spins they wish to play. However, the actual spinning is not in their control, rather on the dealer’s.
- Live pokies take place in live studios – offering a mix of land-based and online pokies. Themes and backgrounds of the games can also vary from casino to casino since the studio teams can get quite innovative.
- Interaction with a host or other players was never possible at online pokies. Live slots mitigate this through the live chat feature and the live show element.
- Lever based pokies, also known as one-armed bandits, got a massive comeback with live pokies, although the latter involve a buzzer instead. Still, the live host does not need to press it for the game to begin, although they often do.
Highlights
- Hosts with a fun personality add an extra element of excitement to the game.
- Players can communicate as they play.
- More insights into how a pokies machine performs without necessarily wagering money.
- The game’s background may differ from one casino to another.
- Dealer unnecessary unlike on table games.
- Similar to slots live streaming on Twitch, though the dealer might lack in-depth knowledge of the game.
- The host is not invested in the game as when someone plays on Twitch.
- Not all players wager equally and therefore win different amounts. This means that the shared experience is not reflective of the actual gameplay.
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The main idea behind the gameplay of online and live slots is the same. The few differences stem from the different format of the two genres. In specific:
01.
Players do not have an individual screen to place wagers. Instead, they are watching a big screen placed behind the game host, who is usually standing next to the buzzer.
02.
To join, players have to set a number of automatic spins, bet per spin, and limits on losses and wins.
03.
Then, players can watch the action unfold without doing anything. Winning combos and payouts are displayed individually since the bet levels of each player differ.
It is important to note that minimum and maximum stakes might differ from the online version of the same games. Live slots typically require higher bets to participate. After a big win, players can see the total multiplier, which will then be calculated on an individual basis. Keep in mind that live pokies are not available to play in demo mode due to the higher costs compared to single player games. Join one of the live slots casinos apparent on this page to see how they work in practice.
Best Live Slot Games at Australian Casinos
Live pokies were first introduced in 2011 but they were not met with equal popularity as live dealer games and game shows. The situation is different today. The following live slots are played by thousands of gamblers.
Gonzos Treasure Hunt Live
Released in 19.05.2022 by Evolution Gaming, the Gonzo live slot has an RTP of 96.56% and a maximum win of 20,000x the player’s bet. Similar to Gonzos Quest, the action takes place in an Inca Temple. Players select symbols that come with hidden multipliers, which they must then match with the hidden stones. Stone multipliers range from 1 – 65x, though the higher multiplier stones are harder to find on the wall. Players get 1 – 20 picks per round, while there are 70 total stones that you can choose from to uncover. Pretty much like keno!
Live Buffalo Blitz
Launched in 2019 by Playtech, this live slot works exactly like the respective online slot. Bets range from A$0.40 – A$4, and the host comments on the journey as you try to match wild animals on the reels. Live Buffalo Blitz features wilds and multipliers, and an unlimited amount of free spins through scatter symbols. This game seems to be the most popular live slot ever created, with over 100 players simultaneously wagering at Playtech casinos.
Age of The Gods: God of Storms Live
Due to the success of Buffalo Blitz, Playtech went on to develop Age of the Gods: God of Storms live slot in 17.07.2020. God of Storms Live comes with a 96.14% RTP and stakes between A$0.10 – A$250 per spin. The game looks identical with the online slot under the same name, except from the host standing in front of the castle background. The live chat is another great twist, enabling banter between players while chasing the four progressive jackpots.
Mermaids Fortune Live
This was the first ever live slot by Evolution, launched in 2011. I have never encountered this game at an online casino, probably because it failed massively. Still, it was a clever take. A real mermaid spins a bonus wheel every eight minutes, handing out win multipliers. Players can enter the bonus by gathering 50 pearls or by landing three scatters on the reels. Mermaids Fortune Live takes an interesting approach by mixing online slots with live hosts during the bonus round only.
Online Slots Streaming
Slots streaming and live slots at casinos seem intertwined. One can also argue that Evolution and Playtech focused on live slots after noticing the boom at platforms of famous slots streamers. Such activities take place on YouTube, Twitch, Kick, and other independent streaming platforms.
Watching slot streamers can be a great way to discover new games, strategies and chat with other players that share your interests without spending a penny.
Twitch Slots
Streaming on Twitch is nothing new. Call of Duty, Dota and Fortnite players have been monetizing their gameplay for ages. Although the above video games are skill-based, offering an obvious entertainment element, watching a fun and charismatic player wagering on slots can be equally fun. The only difference between normal online slots and Twitch live slots is that players do not spend their money to enjoy a session.
Benefits of watching slot streams
The following are the main benefits of watching slot streams:
- Enjoy your favourite pokies without spending a penny.
- The entertainment side can be equal to watching a podcast or a funny YouTube video if the streamer is charismatic.
- Learn how the slot games being streamed work.
- Explore strategies and techniques that could help you win at slots.
- Make new contacts and friends with similar interests.
- Learn how to launch your own streaming channel.
- Unlike with live slots, the streamer has an actual stake in the game.
Other live slots streaming platforms
Depending on the types of games you enjoy watching, you might need to subscribe to different people and platforms. Most streamers use Twitch since it offers clear monetization schemes based on viewers. YouTube is another big one, although gambling videos are very likely to get demonetized; still, many casinos pay for ads and banners on popular videos from slots streamers.
Most professional casino game streamers also have a website for players to find their content regularly. Facebook live, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram live are also employed by some less-known live streamers.
The main takeaway is that slots streaming takes place on pretty much any social media network if you know where to look.
Fun to watch streamers
The following are the major players in the casino streaming business:
NG Slots – with over 250k subscribers on YouTube alone, this pokies player makes live videos and normal posts at least once every month. Expect bets on Lightning Link pokies ranging between A$50 – A$250 per spin.
Roshtein – describes himself as a casino philosopher. He began streaming with A$2 wagers in 2015 and today, you can see him buying slots bonus rounds for A$50k on Twitch. For extreme bets and millions in wins and losses, check out his channel.
Classy Beef – is one of the fascinating collectives of streamers, with seven people operating together. Millions of viewing hours and over 100k followers on this Twitch slots channel.
Casino Daddy – is a team of three brothers, which have been steadily playing pokies online and streaming, reaching thousands of eyeballs daily.
Deuce Ace – is one of Roshtein’s friends, who operates his own channel offering fun and entertaining content with bets in the A$20 – A$50 range.
Xposed – is the best guy to follow on Twitch, as he is mostly chasing jackpots.
TheLateNightSlots – this channel is a bit different and newer. It resembles a game show instead of a game stream. Still, thousands are watching daily and there is a lot of betting involved.
Keep in mind that most streamers work with casinos and generate profit through any players they send to them. Casinos have their own streamers too, although such channels are less successful since they feel staged.
Should You Engage with Twitch or Live Slots?
There is no main point or singular reason to play live slots. I find them a good alternative when I am bored of playing alone or want to take the piss along with others who also enjoy gaming. You don’t have to try them, but they are not bad.
With Twitch, although it is a waste of time, I have to personally admit that I am really into it. Watching streamers play slots allows me to discover new games, see how the games perform on higher bets and enjoy the communal atmosphere that is inherent to it. Beware though. If you follow any of the streamers discussed above, don’t freak out with the size of the bets neither try something similar unless you are outrageously wealthy!
Live Casino Slots Developers
Now, back to live slots. Although we expect many companies to produce live pokies in the near future, there have only been two major gaming studios that have taken a swing at it.
Playtech
This company is a real gaming giant, powering exclusively thousands of casinos, while also distributing its casino games on almost every reputable online casino. Playtech is mostly known for its branded slot games with progressive jackpots, like Superman, Gladiator and Flash. They are also behind huge progressive networks, such as Age of the Gods and Fire Blaze Classics games. Playtech has been producing live dealer games too, and Quantum Roulette is their very best. Their recent live slots releases show that Playtech won’t stop with just a few of their games being turned into this entertaining alternative. We expect much more there.
Evolution
Evolution is no stranger to live dealer games. They are the number one provider of such titles to casinos across the globe. Their professional studio setups, expert dealers, and live games ranging from roulette to Football Studio – prove that the title of the live casino king rightfully belongs to them. When it comes to live slots, the difference from Playtech is that Evolution does not develop slot machines, so all their live slots are likely to be original, matching the genre perfectly.
Ezugi
Ezugi has not yet produced any live slots. This provider is a fierce competitor of Evolution, powering equally recognized and fun live dealer games. The two companies have been going head to head in the US states that allow gambling, opening their own studios and fighting about who will power the most casinos. We cannot wait to see whether Ezugi will come up with their own live slots.
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The following list includes the best Aussie online casinos with live slots and bet with streamers games. They are partnered with the aforementioned gaming studios and feature fun live casino slots and bonuses. Use our page links to get started today.
- King Johnnie – great welcome package, boosting your balance up to the 10th deposit.
- Kings Chance – huge range of providers and games.
- GunsBet – fastest BTC withdrawals.
- Ozwin Casino – both real money and free games.
- Spin Samurai – match bonus and free spins.
- WooCasino – one of the most-established live casinos.
- PlayAmo – huge player base and therefore good live casino audience.
- Casinonic – over 200% match bonuses and huge range of live dealer games.
- Loki – one of the best branded live casinos out there.
- Bitstarz – best live casino accepting all cryptocurrencies.
We have added links to the reviews of each highlighted casino. Check them out to know exactly what to expect in terms of bonuses, customer support and other gaming options on each of our recommended live dealer casinos.
- 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.
