Where's the Gold pokies have a cheeky gold rush cast, a lot of dynamite and one of the most fun feature openings on any Aristocrat classic. Released in 2003 on the MKVI platform, it became a fixture in Aussie pubs and clubs and was one of the earlier Aristocrat games to make the jump online.
What sets it apart is that there are no wilds at all in the base game. The wilds only show up in the free games, and how many you get depends on which prospector you pick. This guide covers how it plays, how the feature works step by step, the symbols, the backstory and where to play it for free.
How Where's the Gold pokies play
The game uses a 5-reel, 3-row window with 25 paylines. Wins pay left to right on active lines, and the dynamite scatter pays anywhere on the screen.
The thing that surprises newcomers: the base game has no wild symbol. Every line win has to be made from matching symbols. That puts a lot of weight on the free games, which is where the gold wilds appear.
- Dynamite (scatter): three, four or five anywhere pays a multiple of your total bet and starts the feature.
- Gold symbols (feature only): during the free games, chosen symbols turn into gold versions that act as wilds.
The pick-a-prospector free games
- Land three or more dynamite scatters in any position to start the feature.
- Pick one of the characters on screen. A spotlight lands on your choice and reveals a window of symbols under them.
- The number of nugget symbols in that window is the number of free games you get, up to a maximum of 10.
- The other symbols revealed in the window turn gold on the reels for every free game. Gold symbols are wild and substitute for everything except the dynamite. You can get up to three gold symbols.
- Three or more dynamite during the free games triggers the feature again, with a fresh pick.
The pick is what gives the game its personality. Some features are short with lots of gold wilds, others are long with only one. Fans of the game have their favourite characters and swear by them, though the outcome of the pick is random either way.
Some later versions, such as the Where's the Gold Plus release found in social apps, can tweak the presentation, so check the help screen on the version you are playing.
Symbols and pays
Pays depend on the version and bet, so check the paytable before you play. The symbol set is classic gold rush:
- Gold digger: the top line pay.
- Dynamite: scatter, pays on total bet and starts the feature.
- Mining gear: the mine entrance, a cart or wagon, pickaxe and shovel, and a lantern.
- Nuggets: they show up in the feature windows and decide how many free games you get.
- Low pays: card values J, Q, K and A.
History and trivia
Where's the Gold came out in 2003 on Aristocrat's MKVI hardware, the same platform that carried games such as 50 Lions, King of the Nile and Pompeii. Online versions followed years later, and it was among the first Aristocrat games many people ever tried on a computer or phone.
The cast of prospectors is part of the appeal. Reviews name characters such as Nugget Ned, Prof. Gold, Winnie Fortune, Happy Lucky and Findo the dog, and the animations give each of them a bit of comic timing that older players still remember.
The game also has a cousin in the Aristocrat app world called Where's the Gold Plus. If you want to know where all these classics fit in the company story, our Aristocrat history page has the timeline.
What to expect when you play
Because the base game has no wilds, expect plenty of quiet spins between line wins. Most of the excitement is packed into the feature, and that feature can land anywhere from a handful of games with lots of gold to 10 games with very little. That range is what keeps people coming back, but it also means a session can end without anything memorable.
As with every pokie, results are random and the return is set by the venue within state limits. No character choice, bet pattern or time of day changes that. Our Aristocrat pokies tips page covers sensible ways to manage a session.
- Play all 25 lines so the gold wilds have the most ways to connect during the feature.
- Enjoy the pick, but do not read meaning into it. It is a random outcome dressed up as a choice.
- If it stops being fun, see our play-safely page.
Where to play Where's the Gold free
Two official Aristocrat social casino apps list this game on their store pages. Heart of Vegas from Product Madness lists Where's the Gold Plus, and Cashman Casino lists Where's the Gold. Both use virtual coins only, with no cash prizes.
Rosters change, so search inside the app if it is not on the front page. See our Heart of Vegas guide, the Cashman Casino guide or the full free Aristocrat pokies page.
Original Aristocrat titles are generally not offered at offshore online casinos. Our play online explainer covers why.
Heart of Vegas · Cashman Casino
Can't find it online?
Look for 25-line gold rush pokies where a pick-a-character bonus sets your free spins and extra wilds. We explain the honest situation, and which mechanics to look for, on our can you play Aristocrat pokies online page.
If it stops being fun, read our play-safely page.
