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Nothing really beats playing Lightning Link pokies for real money at Australian casinos, and now you can do it online as well – although you will have to settle with the most similar alternatives.
Since the original games by Aristocrat are not available at online casinos, we've found the 10 best Lightning Link online pokies to play for real money that are just as good.
We're talking about slots with 4 in-game jackpots and Hold & Win features, high RTPs, maxed-out winning caps, and a lot of free spins.
Our personal favourite? That would be Coin Strike at King Billy – but stick around for all the rest!
King Billy (Coin Strike): Best overall
PlayAmo (Super Golden Dragon Inferno): Fastest payouts
SkyCrown (15 Dragon Pearls): Top pick for jackpots
Stay Casino (Dragon Kings): Best variety of Lightning Link pokies
7Bit (3 Pots Riches Hold & Win): Best bonus-buy pokies
Bizzo Casino (Buffalo Power 2): Most generous bonuses
HellSpin (Buffalo Power Megaways): Top pick for buffalo-themes pokies
Ricky Casino (Crystal Scarabs): Best for free spins
Mirax (Hot Cash: Hold & Link): Top pick for crypto players
Katsubet (African King): Great mobile experience
The Lightning Link pokie games listed in this guide are for players 18+. Please play responsibly.
Pros:
Over 50 Hold and Win pokie games
5,000+ casino games
A$2,500 welcome bonus + 250 free spins
60+ game studios
Top VIP program for loyal players
Can play Lightning Link pokies for free
Cons:
Free spins are restricted to one game
No native mobile apps
Top Lightning Link Pokie Game: Coin Strike
RTP: 95.66%
Max Payout: 5,150x
Number of Reels: 3
Coin Strike is the best Lightning Link pokie alternative you'll find online as an Aussie – at least it was, for us.
Given that it's a Hold and Win pokie, Coin Strike has a 95.66% RTP and a maximum win of 5,150x. Even though the RTP might seem lower compared to classic pokies, it's actually amazing for a game with 4 in-game jackpots.
Coin Strike is developed by Playson, and it comes with a fruity theme, 5 reels, high volatility, and 5 fixed paylines.
The Pile of Gold feature is where things get exciting, as this is what triggers the Hold and Win feature. Once you get access to this feature, you'll be collecting Jackpot coins for any of the 4 prizes: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand.
Variety of Online Pokies: 5/5
On top of a bunch of real money Lightning Link pokies, players can enjoy one of the biggest casino lobbies at King Billy, with over 5,000 games, including jackpots, Megaways, Crash, Accumulating, exclusive, and Book of Pokies.
This means that you can play a variety of different game types and look forward to different bonus features.
We find it interesting that King Billy has added extra icons to the game thumbnails, showing you which games are new, whether they have any jackpots, or if they are full of bonus games.
Welcome Bonus: 4.9/5
The welcome bonus here is everything an Australian casino player could ask for – minus the game restrictions on the free spins. Every newly registered member can enjoy the following sign up bonus:
First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to A$500 + 100 free spins for Book of King Billy by BGaming. The WR is 30x, there are no maximum caps or bonus codes needed.
Second Deposit Bonus: 50% deposit match bonus up to A$500 and 50 free spins. The rules are the same, but you have to use the bonus code WELCOME2.
Third Deposit Bonus: The promo code WELCOME3 gets you 25% up to A$1,000.
Fourth Deposit Bonus: With the code WELCOME4, you get 75% up to A$500 and 100 free spins on your fourth deposit. Same terms and conditions.
In total, this gives you $2,500 bonus funds + 250 free spins to play with. As you become a regular player, you can take advantage of a top VIP program that rewards you as you play Lightning Link pokies online at King Billy.
Payment Methods: 5/5
Depositing and withdrawing at King Billy is smooth sailing. The minimum deposit is either A$10 or A$15, there are no transaction fees, and withdrawals are instant (except bank transfers).
The available methods include:
Visa
Mastercard
Neosurf
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Litecoin
Tether
Bank Transfer
As far as payouts are concerned, you can withdraw up to A$50,000 monthly.
>> Play at King Billy Casino with an A$2,500 + 250 FS welcome bonus
Pros:
Hold & Win Games by various providers
3,500+ online casino games
Pokies are available in demo
Active pokie tournaments
10+ fast payment methods
Cons:
The welcome bonus could be bigger
Few game filters
Top Lightning Link Pokie Game: Super Golden Dragon Inferno
RTP: 96.41%
Max Payout: 5,000x your bet
Number of Reels: 5
Betsoft is the name behind Super Golden Dragon Inferno – one of the very best Lightning Link pokies you can play.
With 243 ways to win, 96.41% return to player, and low volatility, this pokie is a great option for newbies and players with a limited budget. We were going after the maximum win of 5,000x, like any other player, but ended up enjoying the nudging multiplier wild reel feature.
Super Golden Dragon Inferno pays out frequently, and the Hold & Win bonus surely makes the game more exciting. You need at least six scatters to activate it, after which you get 3 re-spins. You then get 3 more re-spins for each new bonus symbol.
Variety of Online Pokies: 4.8/5
PlayAmo Casino has more than 3,500 games in its lobby, and about 3,000 of those are online pokies. Therefore, it's safe to say the variety aspect is satisfied, but we wish we could say the same for the game categorisation.
With so many games to pick from, there are only 2 basic pokie categories – Bonus Buy and Slots. This will make finding certain types of games a bit harder than it needs to be – but you can always search Lightning Link casino pokies by name to make it easier.
Other than that, we've got no complaints. All reputable providers are included, including KA Gaming, NetGame, and Felix Gaming, and everyone can try the games for free.
Welcome Bonus: 4.8/5
We'd have given the welcome bonus 5 out of 5 stars, only if it would apply to more of our deposits. But we took our chances and enjoyed the first two deposit bonuses, as such:
First Deposit Bonus: We deposited A$100 and used the bonus code FIRSTDEP to get our deposit doubled and receive 100 extra spins. You can get a maximum of A$500.
Second Deposit Bonus: Then, we deposited A$40 and got A$20 extra and 50 free spins with the SECONDDEP promo code. The official deal is 50% up to A$1,000.
Payment Methods: 5/5
PlayAmo is one of the best Australian online casinos when it comes to withdrawing winnings from Lightning Link online pokies.
The operator aims to process all withdrawal requests within 12 hours, which is at least twice as fast as the competition. The minimum starts at A$10 for UPayCard and goes up to A$15 for credit cards and $20 for Neosurf.
You can use the following payment options:
Visa
Maestro
POLi
Neosurf
UPayCard
Cryptocurrencies
Bank Transfers
>> Play at PlayAmo Casino with up to A$1,500 + 150 Free Spins Bonus
Pros:
7,000+ online casino pokies & Lightning Link games
Over 300 jackpot games
Huge welcome bonus with 400 free spins
Variety of payment methods
Near-instant payouts
Cons:
Must roll over every deposit three times
Can't claim the welcome bonus with crypto deposits
Top Lightning Link Pokie Game: 15 Dragon Pearls
RTP: 95.71%
Max Payout: 5,000x your bet
Number of Reels: 5
Out of all the Lightning Link pokie games you can play, 15 Dragon Pearls is the best choice if you join SkyCrown Casino.
15 Dragon Pearls is a Hold and Win game by 3 Oaks with a maximum jackpot prize of 5,000x your bet. The RTP is decent at 95.71%, but the high volatility is what makes this game exciting for us.
There are 25 ways to win on this Asian-themed slot and a lot of special symbols – wilds, scatters, and an extra bonus symbol. The re-spins feature is among our favourite things, as it gives 8 additional spins for free.
Variety of Online Pokies: 5/5
SkyCrown is definitely without competition when it comes to game variety. With over 7,000 games to pick from, you'd be hard pressed to find other online casinos in Australia with more games.
While Aristocrat's original pokies aren't available online, you can play a variety of Lightning Link slots that are very similar at SkyCrown. What's more so, there are over 300 jackpot pokies available – some fixed, others progressive.
Apart from jackpots, you can find some Bonus Buy gems like Wind Lion God by KA Gaming or 20 Coins Hold the Jackpot by Wazdan.
We'd love it if the casino updated its lobby with advanced gaming filters and unlocked demo modes for everyone, but we'll enjoy it as it is for now.
Welcome Bonus: 4.5/5
SkyCrown Casino has a varied promo section, offering weekly and special bonuses alongside a huge welcome offer.
However, we don't like the higher minimum deposit requirements of A$30 and the rollover of 40x (applicable for most bonuses). But if you don't mind these, here is what you can get:
First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to A$300 + 100 free spins with the code KNG1. The maximum bet is A$3.
Second Deposit Bonus: 75% up to A$500 + 75 free spins with the bonus code WLF2. The max cap for the FS is A$150.
Third Deposit Bonus: 50% up to A$700 + 75 free spins with the promo code 3DRG.
Fourth Deposit Bonus: 50% up to A$1,000 + 75 free spins unlocked with the code VGS4.
Fifth Deposit Bonus: 35% up to A$1,500 + 75 free spins with the code 5PWR.
Payment Methods: 5/5
The cashier is as good as the game library – there's everything you can think of. The minimum deposit is A$30, while the maximum goes as high as A$7,500.
Over 30 methods are supported, including:
Credit cards
E-wallets
Cryptocurrencies
Mobile payments
>> Play at SkyCrown Casino with an A$4,000 + 400 Free Spins Bonus
Pros:
Various Lightning Link pokie games
Bonuses on the first six deposits
Great game and provider filters
50+ prominent software providers
Most varied promo section
Cons:
Max bet per spin with a bonus is A$8
Limited payment methods
Top Lightning Link Pokie Game: Dragon Kings
RTP: 95.20%
Max Payout: 2,807x your bet
Number of Reels: 5
Dragon Kings Hold and Win is a Betsoft pokie that is simple yet rewarding to play.
Even though there isn't a progressive jackpot, you can win one of the 4 fixed jackpot prizes, which is a top feature of the Lightning Link casino pokies. The highest prize goes up to A$35,500, which is higher than most online games.
What players should know, though, is that the RTP is 95.20%. Are there jackpot pokies with bigger RTPs? A few. But are they as fun as this one? We don't think so. We also like that the variance is in the mid to high range, allowing for sizable yet frequent wins.
Variety of Online Pokies: 5/5
If you're looking for an Australian online casino with the biggest variety of Lightning Link casino pokies, then Stay Casino is your destination.
We are more than happy with its casino lobby of over 8,000 titles from prominent software providers, such as Betsoft, KA Gaming, Playson, NetGame, BGaming, and Slotmill, among others.
Besides the variety of pokies, which includes Megaways, Hold and Win, progressive jackpots, classic slots, and 3D games, we like all the options the lobby brings.
You can sort the games by name, popularity, or release date. What's more – you can use the provider's filter to see all games from your favourite software developer.
P.S. Demo mode is available, so you can play Lightning Link pokies for free as well!
Welcome Bonus: 4.5/5
A lot is going on with the promo section – and we're sure not going to complain about its variety.
However, we'd like the terms and conditions to be a bit more transparent, rather than buried in separate pages. So besides the higher WR of 40x, you can enjoy bonus funds on your first 6 deposits:
1st Deposit: 100% up to A$500 + 100 FS with a deposit of A$20+.
2nd Deposit: 75% up to A$300 + 50 FS with a deposit of A$20+.
3rd Deposit: 75% up to A$500 + 50 FS with a deposit of A$20+.
4th Deposit: 50% up to A$700 + 100 FS with a deposit of A$20+.
5th Deposit: 100% up to A$1,000 with a deposit of A$20+.
6th Deposit: 100% up to A$1,000 + 100 FS with a deposit of A$20+.
Payment Methods: 4.3/5
You can deposit as low as A$20 and as high as A$6,000 at Stay Casino, although the maximum varies depending on the method. The withdrawal section could definitely use some additions, as you can only use crypto and bank transfers. The available options include:
Mastercard
Visa
MiFinity
Neosurf
CoinsPaid
>> Play at Stay Casino with an A$5,000 + 300 Free Spins Bonus
Pros:
Over 500 Bonus-Buy pokies
Amazing game categorisation
Exclusive games
Top providers like Booming Games, Belatra, and Betsoft
Many pokie races and tournaments
Cons:
Must enter promo codes to claim offers
Deposit and withdrawal fees
Top Lightning Link Pokie Game: 3 Pots Riches Hold & Win
RTP: 95.76%
Max Payout: 16,746x your bet
Number of Reels: 5
3 Pots Riches Hold & Win is among the most popular Playson releases and one of our favourite ways to have a Lightning Link pokie online experience. The maximum win of 16,746x the stake is what drove us to this game in the first place, while the bonus features kept us playing.
We are talking about the Hold & Win bonus, but also the bonus jackpot games, the double features, collect features, as well as free spins and clover coins. The RTP is really close to the industry average, at 95.76%, while the volatility is high.
Variety of Online Pokies: 4.7/5
Out of the 7,000 available games at 7Bit, over 500 are Bonus Buy pokies, which is more than you'll ever find at Aussie online casino sites.
Besides Lightning Link online pokies, 7Bit Casino players can also enjoy jackpots, Megaways, high-risk games, low-risk games, Hold & Win, penny slots, fruit and diamonds-themed pokies, Book of collections, as well as Asian-themed reel machines.
The game categorisation is amazing – and so are the filters – but we would like to see more software providers. Currently, there are 15+ game studios, including Betsoft, Fugaso, GameBeat, BNG, Boomerang, Booming Games, and BGaming.
Welcome Bonus: 4/5
As the minimum and maximum bonus limits are presented in mBTC, it's confusing to tell what the exact requirements are. On the plus side, the wagering requirements are 35x, which is decent.
The welcome bonus spreads over the first four deposits as follows:
1st Deposit: 100% up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins with no code
2nd Deposit: 75% up to 1.25 BTC + 100 free spins with the promo code 2DEP
3rd Deposit: 50% up to 1.5 BTC with the promo code 3DEP
4th Deposit: 100% up to 1 BTC + 50 free spins with the promo code 4DEP
Payment Methods: 4/5
There are plenty of payment methods that you can use to deposit and withdraw at 7Bit, but most of them come with fees.
This is our least favourite thing about this Australian online casino – the 2.5% processing fee on fiat payments. What's more, if you withdraw through bank cards or e-wallets, you may have to wait up to 5 business days to receive your winnings.
That being said, crypto withdrawals are processed instantly and are fee-free. These are the available options:
Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Bitcoin
Neosurf
Litecoin
Binance
Ethereum
Dogecoin
BTC
Skill
Neteller
Rapid Transfer
PayZ
MiFinity
eZeeWallet
>> Play at 7Bit Casino with a 325% deposit up to 5.25 BTC + 350 FS Bonus
The first thing we check in an online casino is the variety of Lightning Links online pokies – or, more specifically, the Hold & Win and Hold & Link slots.
This is a quantitative marker that allows players to enjoy as many games as possible without having to create multiple accounts. Naturally, we also check the software providers responsible and assess the quality and fairness of the games.
Next up are the bonuses available. We're not just looking for shiny numbers – bigger is not always better when it comes to promotions.
Instead, we first check the terms and conditions and ensure the promos have flexible terms. We give priority to bonuses that have lower wagering requirements, low minimum deposit requirements, no game restrictions, and no maximum winning caps.
All Australian online casino sites require a deposit to play Lightning Link pokies online for real money, so we take it upon ourselves to check whether the payment methods are secure.
After confirming the safety of the available options, we proceed with min/max deposit and withdrawal limits, look for any hidden fees, and check the processing times.
Online casinos in Australia with faster or instant withdrawals are always on top of our list. Why? Because we don't like waiting, so we assume neither do you.
Our team finds the time frame of 24 hours for clearing wagering requests reasonable – but nothing longer than that. In fact, we prefer playing at online casinos in Australia which let us skip the queue if we have a VIP status.
Lightning Link pokies are a product of Aristocrat, the famous Australian creator of casino games.
These types of pokies are known for their 4 in-game jackpots and bonus rounds. We are talking about the games that share one of the 16 themes and are the most popular pokie machines in land-based casinos in the country.
However, as we mentioned right at the start, the original Lightning Link pokies are not available online.
That's why we've come up with the next best solution – pokies that also have 4 in-game jackpots and a hold & link feature but are available on the go, catering to both desktop and mobile players.
Playing real money Lightning Link pokies at top Australian online casinos comes with a variety of perks, including:
Four Jackpots: No matter which game you pick, you will stand a chance to win one of four jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major, Mega. These are in-game bonuses that you can win simply by spinning the reels like any other pokie.
RTPs and Volatility: The opportunity to play these games online comes with a variety of benefits, including transparency. A quick Google search or a scroll in the pokie settings will reveal the technical RTP of the game. You can also find the volatility, which should explain the frequency of the payouts.
More Variety: No matter how big Australian land-based casinos get, these venues will never be able to host as many Lightning Link pokie machines as online casinos. Just compare our recommended online sites with 7,000+ games with the choices in brick-and-mortar casinos, and you'll get the idea.
Better Bonuses: Land-based casinos have some special offers from time to time, but they don't match the promotions available in online casinos. The Lightning Link pokie sites we've discussed have a variety of promos – welcome bonuses, reload free spins, cashback offers, and VIP programs that grant extra funds to play with.
Always Available: The last reason why you should play real money Lightning Link pokies online is the most obvious one – there's no need to travel to your nearest casino venue or bother with if they are open or not. Online casinos are accessible on all devices, and they don't have working hours. Simply log in and play.
You can start playing Lightning Links online pokies in Australia within moments by following our simple step-to-step guide:
Pick one of the top 10 online casinos with Lightning Link pokies
Create an account by entering all necessary details.
Head to the Bonus section.
Pick a bonus and click on Deposit.
Select a payment method and mind the minimum deposit requirement for your bonus.
Head to the game lobby and find one of our Lightning Links pokie online recommendations.
Start playing!
These are the highest-RTP Lightning Link games available for real money play in Australia:
Super Golden Dragon Inferno – 96.41% RTP
3 Pots Riches Hold & Win – 95.76% RTP
15 Dragon Pearls – 95.71% RTP
Coin Strike – 95.66% RTP
Dragon Kings – 95.20% RTP
You can find the actual Lightning Link pokies in land-based casinos in Australia. But if you want to play online, you can check King Billy, PlayAmo, or any of our recommended sites for the best possible alternatives!
Absolutely! You can win real money playing Lightning Link pokies online, as long as you're playing in real money mode. Winning real money is possible with bonus funds, too, but you have to clear the wagering requirements first.
Aristocrat is the software provider creating Lightning Link Pokies. You can find the best options online by reading our guide.
A lot of players see RTP as just a statistical value, thinking it won't influence their gameplay. However, the RTP and volatility play a large role in the pokie's hit frequency – and this is something you should definitely take into consideration.
We always go for RTPs of over 95.5% when it comes to jackpot pokies and RTPs of over 96% when it comes to other games, and we advise you to do the same.
If you're looking forward to striking big – you must also bet big.
Placing bigger bets (sometimes even max) is the most probable (if not the only) way to trigger the Grand jackpot. However, if you're playing with a bonus, make sure you don't breach the terms, i.e., the maximum betting limit allowed.
We're all about bonuses and extra funds, but some promotions are really not worth it. To be able to determine whether a promo is good, check the terms and conditions.
The wagering requirements are OK as long as they are not over 40x (ideally, they'd be 30x or less). Moreover, anything below 24 hours for using the bonus funds is simply not enough time. You can also consider the min/max betting limits, as well as maximum winning caps.
If you thought that it doesn't get any better than playing Lightning Link pokies in land-based casinos, we've got some news for you.
Playing Lightning Link real money pokies online in Australia might just be even better!
We've had the most fun playing Coin Strike at King Billy, but the choice is yours to make – and it's all the better than you have the option to test each game for free before spending real money.
Thanks for reading and please play responsibly!
DISCLAIMER:
Gambling is risky. Bet at your own risk and never spend money that you can't afford to lose.
Gambling in Australia for underage players is illegal. This guide is informative and intended to present you with up-to-date information about the online casino landscape in Australia.
Some casino sites might not be available based on where you're located. Make sure to check your local laws before signing up with any site. If you think you have a gambling problem, reach out to www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or sign up for the Betstop program.
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Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
