Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus has the highest published return on the list at 96.5%, paired with high volatility and a 5,000x maximum win.
- RTP
- 96.5%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Greek Mythology
- Pragmatic Play
Pokie guide · Australia
Best payout pokies: the shortlist, with the terms read
Best payout pokies are usually ranked on their published return‑to‑player figure. That figure is a long‑run average, not a promise for your session, and it matters less if the terms attached to your bonus limit how you play.
- 5pokies compared
- 96.5%best published return
- A$5max bet on a bonus
The shortlist
The figures, side by side
The shortlist below ranks five pokies by published return to player, highest first, with volatility, maximum win and line count noted where available.
Checked on 19 October 2026
Sweet Bonanza
Sweet Bonanza sits just behind at 96.48% and lists a 21,100x maximum win, the largest here, with medium‑high volatility.
- RTP
- 96.48%
- Volatility
- Medium-High
- Max win
- 21,100x
- Candy
- Pragmatic Play
Floating Dragon
Floating Dragon publishes 96.35% across ten lines with high volatility and a 5,000x maximum win.
- RTP
- 96.35%
- Volatility
- High
- Max win
- 5,000x
- Lines
- 10
- Asian
- Pragmatic Play
Big Bamboo
Big Bamboo publishes 96.13% across fifty lines, the most on this shortlist, with high volatility.
- RTP
- 96.13%
- Volatility
- High
- Lines
- 50
- Bamboo
- Push Gaming
Starburst
Starburst has the lowest published return here at 96.08%, but its 800x maximum win and lower variance suit shorter, steadier sessions.
- RTP
- 96.08%
- Max win
- 800x
- Lines
- 10
- Space Gems
- NetEnt
The whole list, in one grid
Sort by whichever figure decides it for you.
| 1Gates of Olympus | 96.5% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 2Sweet Bonanza | 96.48% | Medium-High | 21,100x | Pragmatic Play |
| 3Floating Dragon | 96.35% | High | 5,000x | Pragmatic Play |
| 4Big Bamboo | 96.13% | High | — | Push Gaming |
| 5Starburst | 96.08% | — | 800x | NetEnt |
Select a column heading to sort.
What the return figure really means
Return to player is the share of all money wagered on a pokie that the game is designed to pay back over millions of spins. A title published at 96.5% is expected to keep 3.5% of total turnover in the long run. That says nothing about a single session, because variance decides what happens in the short term.
Two games can have the same published return and feel completely different. High‑volatility titles pay less often but with larger potential wins, while lower‑volatility titles pay more often in smaller amounts. The return figure is an average across all players and all time, so you cannot use it to predict your own result.
Why the shortlist is ordered this way
The five titles are listed by their published return, highest first. Gates of Olympus leads at 96.5%, followed by Sweet Bonanza at 96.48%, Floating Dragon at 96.35%, Big Bamboo at 96.13%, and Starburst at 96.08%. The differences between them are small, and a fraction of a percentage point is not a meaningful edge.
Volatility and maximum win matter just as much. Sweet Bonanza lists a maximum win of 21,100x, while Starburst lists 800x. A bigger maximum win usually comes with a lower hit rate, so the ride is rougher. Lines also vary: Floating Dragon and Starburst both list ten, while Big Bamboo lists fifty.
The bonus terms that change the maths
Our partner publishes a first deposit bonus of 600% cash and daily cashback of 10% of losses, with a minimum deposit of US$20. Those headline numbers look generous, but the term that catches people out is the maximum bet allowed while a bonus is active: A$5. Exceed that stake and you risk losing the bonus and any winnings from it.
Cashback is calculated on losses, not on turnover, so it does not turn a losing session into a winning one. It softens the cost of a bad day, nothing more. Read the full terms on the partner site before you opt in, because the maximum bet rule applies to every spin while the bonus is live.
FAQ
Quick answers before you decide
What is the best payout pokie?
Among the titles on this shortlist, Gates of Olympus has the highest published return at 96.5%. That is an average across millions of spins and does not mean you will get that back in any one session.
Does a higher RTP mean I will win more?
No. The published return is a long‑run average across all players and all time, so it cannot predict a single session. Variance means your actual result will almost always differ from the published figure.
What is the maximum bet while using a bonus?
Our partner publishes a maximum bet of A$5 on a bonus. Staking more than that while a bonus is active can void the bonus and any winnings from it.
Is cashback the same as a guaranteed refund?
No. Daily cashback is published as 10% of losses, so it only applies when you have lost money over the qualifying period. It reduces the cost of a bad session but does not make you whole.