Pokies and Slot Machine Information

Pokies nostalgia in Australia

April 21, 2006 on 1:26 pm | In Slot machine overviews |

Lawrie remembers back to the early days of pokies in Australia:

I remember back when:

- To get into a club you had to be a member or be signed in by a member.

- Pokies were either 3 or 4 reel machines and took 5,10 & 20 cent coins, there was even a 2 cent charity machine (jackpot $2).

- Jackpots were 200 coins on a 3 reeler and 500 coins on a 4 reeler and they either paid it all out into the hopper or you had to report it to the cashier and sign for it.

- You got your coins in a plastic tube from the change desk, no note acceptors in the 70’s.

- The machines were either Aristocrat, Jubilee, Nut and Muddle and Bally.

- Machines only paid on the center line.

- Everyone always made a beeline for the Inca or Tic Tac Toe or Gold Award machines.

- Little old ladies did line up at the front door just before opening time and yes there was a stampede for their favourite 5cent machine, it was death by PONGA if you beat them to THEIR machine.

- A schooner of beer at the bar was 25 cents, that’s all real blokes drank back then.

- Lobster Thermidor in the restaurant was $10.

- The girls all drank Sparkling Rhinegold or Porphery Pearl, the posh ones drank Brandy Alexander’s or Blue Lagoons.

- The gents had to wear a tie to get into the restaurant, meanwhile the girls got away with wearing Mini’s and Hot Pants (not that I was complaining).

- There was always a show on in the Auditorium on the week-end.

- Movie night was usually Monday or Tuesday.

- More to come next week on the history of pokies in NSW .

Do you have memories of pokies places from long ago? Let us know… email blog@pokiemagic.com