Madame Destiny Megaways
Madame Destiny Megaways tops the list on published RTP at 96.51%, with high volatility and a 5,000x max win.
- RTP
- 96.51%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Lines
- megaways
- Mystical
- Pragmatic Play
Pokie guide · Australia
Best pokies — the list, and the fine print behind it
This page answers “best pokies” with a ranked shortlist and the fine print that decides whether a game suits you. Figures are published RTP and volatility, not promises; a session can differ sharply from the long-run average.
- 5pokies compared
- 96.51%best published return
- A$5max bet on a bonus
The shortlist
The shortlist, and what put each one on it
The shortlist below is ranked on published RTP first, with volatility and max win as secondary checks, and it uses the figures already shown on the page.
Checked on 16 October 2026
Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus is a near-tie on RTP at 96.5%, high volatility and the same 5,000x cap.
- RTP
- 96.5%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Greek Mythology
- Pragmatic Play
Sweet Bonanza
Sweet Bonanza sits just behind on RTP at 96.48% but advertises the biggest cap here at 21,100x.
- RTP
- 96.48%
- Volatility
- Medium-High
- Max win
- 21,100x
- Candy
- Pragmatic Play
Floating Dragon
Floating Dragon returns 96.35% with high volatility, a 5,000x cap and ten paylines.
- RTP
- 96.35%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Lines
- 10
- Asian
- Pragmatic Play
Starburst
Starburst has the lowest RTP here at 96.08% and the smallest cap at 800x, with ten paylines.
- RTP
- 96.08%
- Max win
- 800x
- Lines
- 10
- Space Gems
- NetEnt
The shortlist as a table
Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.
| 1Madame Destiny Megaways | 96.51% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 2Gates of Olympus | 96.5% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 3Sweet Bonanza | 96.48% | Medium-High | 21,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 4Floating Dragon | 96.35% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 5Starburst | 96.08% | — | 800x | NetEnt |
Select a column heading to sort.
RTP decimals and what they really mean
The best pokies lists usually start with RTP, but the decimals are not a ranking of how much you will win. A theoretical return of 96.51% means that across millions of spins, the machine pays back that share of all stakes. It says nothing about your next hundred spins, and it does not mean you get 96.51% of your bankroll back.
Two pokies can sit close on RTP and still behave nothing alike. Madame Destiny Megaways and Gates of Olympus sit close on paper, yet the first uses a megaways reel set and the second a cluster-style grid. Read the RTP as a long-run average, not a session forecast, and treat the difference between 96.51% and 96.08% as small.
Volatility, max wins and bankroll reality
Volatility describes how a game delivers its return. High volatility means longer dry spells and larger, less frequent hits. Sweet Bonanza is medium-high volatility but advertises a max win of 21,100x, which is far above the 5,000x cap on most of this list, and that shapes the experience: the wins that reach the cap are rare.
Max win is a ceiling, not a target. Starburst tops out at 800x, so its biggest possible result is modest next to the others, while its volatility is not listed as high. Match the cap to what you want from a session, and never treat a cap as something a strategy can reach.
What shaped the final order
The order on this page follows published RTP first, with volatility and max win as secondary checks. That puts Madame Destiny Megaways at the top on 96.51%, then Gates of Olympus at 96.5% and Sweet Bonanza at 96.48%. Floating Dragon and Starburst follow at 96.35% and 96.08%.
A higher RTP does not make a game better for every player. If you prefer a lower max win and a smaller top end, Starburst may fit despite sitting last. If you want the largest advertised cap, Sweet Bonanza leads. The ranking is a reading of published figures, not a guarantee.
FAQ
Common questions, short answers
What does RTP mean on a pokie?
RTP is the theoretical return to player over the long run, expressed as a percentage of all stakes. A 96.51% figure does not mean you will get that share back in a session; it is an average across a huge number of spins.
Is a high max win better than high RTP?
They measure different things. Max win is the ceiling on a single result, while RTP is the long-run average return. A big cap usually comes with high volatility and long gaps between wins, so it does not replace RTP as a guide.
Does the partner's bonus restrict which pokies I can play?
The partner's published terms set a maximum bet of A$5 while a bonus is active, and the first deposit offer is a 600% cash bonus. Daily cashback is 10% of losses. Check the full terms because game restrictions and bet limits can affect whether a bonus is valid.
Can I use a strategy to beat a pokie?
No. Each spin is independent and the RTP is built in, so no betting pattern changes the long-run average. Treat any claim that a system can beat a game as false.
What does RTP mean on a pokie?
RTP is the theoretical return to player over the long run, expressed as a percentage of all stakes. A 96.51% figure does not mean you will get that share back in a session; it is an average across a huge number of spins.