If you are seeing random people in video streams wagering and winning millions of dollars at online pokies and thinking, ‘’what am I doing wrong?’’, you are not alone.
Social media and the internet in general have been flooded with online casino streams showing players screaming, shouting, and breaking things after winning or losing big on pokies.
Honestly, I have binge-watched hours’ worth of videos featuring gamers betting A$1,000 a day until they max win, and I know how humbling it can feel for the average gamer.
This guide unpacks the current online pokies influencer advertising space so that you can see it for what it really is.
Understanding Online Pokies Ads
An advertisement is a paid message promoting a service. Ads have been woven into our culture and target every demographic.
The potential return on investment for online gambling ads (casino or slots related) is tremendous, which is why you are being bombarded by paid promotions left and right.
Although ads aren’t inherently bad, they can be misleading and harmful if you aren’t aware that you are being targeted.
Online pokies advertisements aren’t allowed on TV and other Australian mainstream media because online casinos aren’t legal Down Under. On the other hand, you will often see advertisements promoting casino hotels and resorts with gaming floors like the Crown. Importantly, the internet is filled with pokies hooks leading you to offshore/unregulated online gambling websites despite the legal landscape.
The types of ads promoting gambling services through bonuses, pokies machines, and casino features usually fall under one of the following categories:
- Traditional (TV, radio, interstitials, etc.)
- Website banners and pop-ups
- Video ads
- Paid Google ads
- Organic ads placed within digital content
- Sponsored content through influencers
- Social media ads
Types of Online Gambling Ads
Most of us know that we shouldn’t believe everything an ad claims. Marketing experts exaggerate or even lie about the products they are promoting to hook their target audience. Traditional ads shown on TV or the radio are easy to recognise because their placement is forced, which kind of makes them transparent.
The same can be said about paid ads on Google and any sort of content marked as ‘sponsored’. Organic ads through affiliate sites (expert content/reviews) typically highlight that their content includes promotions, and usually offer a mix of informational and promotional content to provide value to their audiences along with a call to action.
What has been really tricky is the influencer/streamer online pokies content. Many casinos have been meshing their games with content creators blurring the lines even further. If your internet cookies indicate an interest in online gambling, casino bonuses, or pokies machines, you have likely been bombarded with the following types of ‘hidden’ influencer ads:
- Videos of big wins/gaming sessions
- Analyses of online casino services or games
- Real-life casino visits and land-based pokies sessions
These videos or live streams are treated as natural, real user testimonials and often become viral across all mainstream social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and streaming platforms like Kick.com and Twitch. In fact, Kick was built primarily for online pokies ads through streaming content.
Online Pokies Advertising Trends: How You Are Being Targeted
Naturally, video content and live streaming sessions are consumed more than text-based content by online audiences. Traditional expert sites with years of experience conducted hands-on games and casino reviews backed by research and evidence. Today, viral videos of big wins without context reach thousands or millions of eyeballs through social media, and advertisers make millions in profit through affiliate link placements.
Although Pokies.bet isn’t against video content and openly promoting certain services, influencers typically partner with a single casino and attempt to lead you there through massive pokies wins, often in the millions. The reality of the average gambler is nothing like what you see on video highlights of online gambling sessions, and the fact that these influencers promote a single casino proves their bias.
Influencer content aside, you should be wary of paid ads through fresh websites or social media profiles without any following that promote too-good-to-be-true apps, games, or casino bonuses. They are usually fake with the sole aim of stealing your personal information or money.
Online Slots Ads vs Reality: Managing Your Expectations
It should be clear by now that, inevitably, social media users with a search history linked to online gambling will be bombarded with viral pokies videos or fake ads of sketchy apps and games. You should double check everything with expert review sites instead of falling prey to scam ads.
On the other hand, I have nothing against watching entertaining videos and fun gaming sessions produced by influencers. They often showcase new games and what combos are likely to lead to max wins. HOWEVER, you should know the following:
- Most streamers use fake money to gamble. Hopefully you can see through this too, 18-year-old ‘kids’ wagering A$100 per spin or more is obviously fake, yet they hide this fact from audiences and normalise gambling massive amounts of money.
- The odds of landing a max pokies win or over 100x multipliers is unlikely. It happens every now and then, but by no stretch as often as seen on video highlights.
- Online gambling isn’t as fun as they make it appear. Most online casino streamers like Trainwreck and Roshtein have a background in the entertainment space as video game reviewers and know how to make gambling appear as fun, when in fact it can be nerve-racking and compulsive.
- Crypto casinos aren’t the safest or even mainstream. Influencers always prefer crypto gambling sites because they are paid ad revenue on the blockchain and avoid having to pay taxes. The best online casinos employ a plethora of payment methods, including fiat and crypto, with traceable transactions that you can revert if you ever get scammed.
- You can actually find better casino bonuses at review sites. Influencers usually share referral links that do not qualify you for large deposit bonuses or free spins like our exclusive promos. They don’t want you to know it, which is why they only work with a single site instead of listing all the available options for you to pick from.
Pros and Cons of Pokies Advertisements: Key Takeaways
| Pros | Cons |
| Engaging content | Streamers play with fake money |
| Great way to discover new games | Over-exaggeration comes off as annoying |
| Chat with other viewers and request specific titles | Promotes irresponsible gambling habits |
| Access to exclusive promotions | Biased promotions |
| Engage with likeminded individuals | Streamers aren’t open about their revenue streams |
I admit that online gambling streams can be a fun way to discover new games and kill some free time on TikTok. I’ve been following some streamers like WatchGamesTV for ages and enjoy their content, but I don’t change my gaming style or increase my wager size based on their practices.
Be aware that most streamers gamble with fake money, and you shouldn’t play at the casinos they recommend thinking you will have a better chance of winning. If you can manage this, binge-watch gaming streams all day long!
- 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.
