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Why do Australians call them pokies?
It appears to have come from the fact that there was a time when video poker machines or “Cardies” were in pubs and clubs as well as the slots – they were all called poker machines. This like most slang was broken down to pokies probably due to people saying things such as “I’m off to the pub to play the pokies”.
What does the word pokies mean?
poker machine
/ (ˈpəʊkɪ) / noun. Australian and NZ informal short for poker machine.
When did pokies come to Australia?
Poker machines were imported to Australia as soon as they appeared in the United States of America around 1900. In 1956, NSW became the first Australian state to permit the use of poker machines in registered clubs.
Who invented the pokies?
The first slot machines in the modern sense were invented by Bavarian-born American inventor Charles August Fey, at the time a mechanic in San Francisco, who built his first coin-operated gambling machine in 1894.
Where did the term pokies originate?
The term “pokie” comes from the ‘pok’ in ‘poker machine’. Since you might know that Australians love to abbreviate everything already – relative into “rellie”, surfer into “surfie”, mosquito into “mozzie”, etc. – it probably makes sense for the long-to-say ‘poker machine’ to be shortened into “pokie”.
When did pokies start in Victoria?
1991
Victoria is on track for record pokies losses in the 2018 calendar year. The machines were introduced into pubs and clubs in 1991 by Joan Kirner’s Labor government.
What are pokies on a girl?
plural of pokie. plural of poky. (slang) A woman’s nipples when protruding, e.g. from cold or arousal.
Why is jail called the pokey?
In the 19th century, the word came to mean “cramped or confined,” as a small room might make a resident feel “poked at” by the walls. Since jail cells are not known for their generous elbow room, this is probably the connection between “poky” (cramped) and “pokey” (jail).
Who owns pokies in Australia?
Endeavour is the third-largest gaming operator in Australia after Crown and The Star but the largest owner of poker machines, with 12,364 machines in 293 hotels.
What is a pokie in Australia?
In Australia “poker machines” or “pokies” are officially termed gaming machines. Australian-style gaming machines frequently use video displays to simulate physical reels, usually five. These machines have additional bonusing and second-screen features such as free games and bonus levels.