Best Online Pokies in New Zealand 2024
If you’re ready to start spinning the reels and hunting for jackpots, you’re in the right place to learn all about playing and winning at online pokies. Kiwis are well known for their love of pokies, and now that you can play online pokies in New Zealand, it is only growing in popularity. They’re much easier to learn than your typical table games, and you can win real money right away.
In our expert guide to online pokies for real money, we’ll show you the different types of pokies online you can play, tips on how to make your money stretch and where to find the best casino bonus codes!
Best Real Money Online Pokies Casinos in New Zealand
Whether you want to play pokies online for real money or practice for free, these are our favourite casino sites for New Zealand players:
- 550 free spins
- Min. deposit: $20
- 150 free spins
- Min. deposit: $25
How We Rate Online Pokies
When we prepare our New Zealand online casino reviews, we test the pokies games available on each online casino in NZ. Large libraries of pokies are fantastic, but they must be backed up with robust software which looks good and plays well. Pokies with exciting features like bonus rounds and jackpots are of particular interest. Variety in theme, type of pokie and bet size is important in order to cater to players of all interests, budgets and preferences. Last but not least, we check that all of the casinos we recommend have pokies with fair and varied return-to-player rates.
How to Play Pokies for Real Money
Register at a Casino
Find your perfect pokies site by reading our expert casino reviews then click through. The first thing you'll have to do is register for an account which will involve providing some basic information. Then log into your new account.
Make a Deposit
Head over to the cashier and select your online casino payment method of choice. If the site you've chosen requires casino bonus codes to be provided, be sure to enter them here. As soon as your deposit has cleared and the funds show in your account, you’re ready to play.
Choose a Pokie
Browse the casino’s library of hundreds or even thousands of pokies and choose a game which appeals to you. Spin the reels and keep your fingers crossed for some matching symbols. Good luck!
Types of Online Pokies
Whether you’re playing at an online casino for real money in NZ, or playing free online pokies in New Zealand, there is a wide variation of games that you’ll find.
You can choose by theme, but we recommend choosing by game type. There are three types that are the most popular in online casinos: 5-reel pokies, 3-reel pokies, and progressive jackpot pokies.
New Zealand’s Favourite 3-Reel Pokies
The original machine layout
As the name suggests, 3-Reel Pokies have 3 reels (columns). Players win big by getting three identical symbols lined up on those reels. Given the recent popularity of 5-Reel Pokies, 3-Reel Pokies are now slightly less common at online casinos, but definitely still have their place, especially for purists. Given the evolution of online pokies, there are now multiple ways to win, including betting on multiple paylines and wild symbols.
New Zealand’s Favourite 5-Reel Pokies
By far the most popular variant of online pokies in New Zealand.
These games – as you might expect – have 5 reels (or columns) that players can spin. 5-reel pokies offer players hundreds of ways to win, literally.
5-reel pokies generally come with multi-paylines (winning combinations), often more than 25. It’s with these pokies games that you’ll typically see the most bonus features, like a free spins casino bonus, wild symbols, scatter symbols, etc. (more on bonus features later). Because 5-reel pokies are more modern, they often come with world class, 3D artwork and smooth software.
If you like 5-reel pokies, you’ll love Wolf Treasure, Buffalo Hold and Win and Mr Macau at Bizzo Casino.
New Zealand’s Favourite Jackpot Pokies
The pokies type where you can win the big bucks
Another game type that’s appropriately named, progressive jackpot pokies are games where the jackpot grows each time a player spins.
As each player – those playing for real money, at least – spins the reel, a small portion of his or her spin contributes to the overall jackpot. Given the popularity of progressive jackpot pokies, these jackpots can quickly grow large.
The jackpots continue to expand until somebody wins, and then it starts all over again. Big wins on progressive jackpot games have paid millions of dollars.
New Zealand’s Favourite 7-Reel Pokies
Bigger is Always Better!
If 5 reel pokies aren’t big enough for you, why not try 7 reel pokies? With seven lucky reels to play, your chances of winning are greater than ever!
Although not as common as other types of pokies, 7 reel pokies have a growing fanbase in New Zealand due to their numerous paylines and chances of winning!
New Zealand’s Favourite Video Pokies
A Modern Twist on a Classic
Although we all love the classic pokies, we want our modern online pokies to really leap off the screen. Nowadays, video pokies bring cutting edge graphics to the latest and best pokies in New Zealand.
Rather than plain, unmoving graphics, video pokies feature dynamic symbols and bonus features. These make video pokies some of the most exciting games at the casino!
New Zealand’s Favourite 3D Pokies
Next Dimensional Play
Similar to video pokies, 3D pokies embrace the latest in graphical technology to bring fantastic visuals to players. With graphics rivalling the latest in console or PC gameplay, these pokies are fun to both look at and play!
Occasionally, you may also find 3D pokies which embrace stereoscopic 3D technology (using 3D glasses). Generally speaking, these pokies are harder to find as they have been superseded in recent years by VR pokies.
New Zealand’s Favourite Multiplayer Pokies
Have More Fun Together
Although rarer these days, multiplayer or community pokies are a fun way to enjoy your favourite pokies together with friends. As opposed to pokies tournaments, these games are designed to be player collaboratively: when one player wins, you all win!
Multiplayer pokies aren’t too common these days as pokie game developers have focussed their attentions on other, more lucrative pokies types.
New Zealand’s Favourite Interactive Pokies
An immersive experience
Interactive pokies offer more in-depth bonus games compared to standard pokies. When playing interactive pokies, you can enter special bonus rounds and mini games in which you take the role of a character in interesting storylines while winning rewards and cash prizes. For Kiwis seeking an immersive experience and extra bonuses, interactive pokies are an excellent choice.
New Zealand’s Favourite High RTP Pokies
The higher, the better!
High RTP pokies prove better value for players. Return to Player (RTP) rates refers to the percentage a player can expect to win back over long term. Land-based pokies usually provide mediocre RTPs while online pokies provide a significantly higher RTP.
New Zealand’s Favourite High Volatility Pokies
Higher the risk, better the reward
High Volatility online pokies have massive winning potential though landing these wins can be quite the challenge. While low volatility pokies are a great choice for regular players, high volatility pokies offer larger wins that are less frequent. Different volatilities allow developers to create games that cater to different players on a large scale.
Real Money Online Pokies Features
As you may have noticed, there are a variety of in-game features that you will see in nearly every online pokies game available. Each symbol changes the game in a different exciting way.
Scatters
Scatter symbols typically unlock free games and don’t have to follow paylines.
Bonus Games
Bonus games can be variations of the current game, or new games altogether.
Free Spins
Free spins cost you nothing but still allow you the chance to win cash.
Multipliers
These features multiply your win payout by whatever number they represent.
Wilds
Wild symbols can count as any symbol (except scatters and bonus triggers).
Online Pokies Strategy & Tips
Manage Your Bankroll
There is no “winning strategy” for online pokies – play for fun.
Hot vs. Cold Games
Manage your bankroll and make wagers that will allow you to continue playing for a significant period of time.
Know the Payout Percentage
Pay no mind when casinos advertise pokies games where players have recently won as ‘hot.’ Pokies are truly random and past wins are no indication of future ones.
Pokies Paylines and Ways of Winning
When playing real money pokies in New Zealand, it’s important to know how to win. In order to know this, you’ll need to learn about the game’s paylines. A payline is the line which will pay out when you land a winning combination along it.
This can be as simple as five matching symbols in a row, but modern pokies can as many as 100 paylines! Many pokies will also allow you to choose how many paylines to play per spin. Choosing the maximum number of paylines will give you the greatest chance of winning, but remember it will cost more per spin.
Generally, all online pokies will feature a paytable which will explain the various paylines and ways of winning in that particular pokie. Take a look in the game’s settings to learn more before playing online pokies for real money.
Tips on How to Win at Pokies
Tip #1
Progressive pokies are appealing thanks to their ever-growing prize pool but you will have a better chance of winning money if you play normal pokies.
Tip #2
Playing the maximum number of pay lines will give you the best chance of winning with every spin.
Tip #3
Always try free games first! You will learn to play the game without ever spending a dime with all the benefits of building a strategy.
Tip #4
Only play in reputable and trustworthy casinos. We will always recommend the best of the best for you.
Best Online Pokie Bonuses
No Deposit Free Spins
No deposit free spins in New Zealand is a crowd favourite. This bonus provides players with a set number of free spins they can use on selected pokies. The free spins will usually come with a wagering requirement, which means you will have to wager a certain amount before you can request a withdrawal.
Match Deposit Free Spins
In some casinos, you can get a match deposit free spins bonus if you make an initial deposit. The best match deposit bonus will provide more free spins the more you deposit. The free spins are usually available on the most popular pokies.
First Deposit & Reload Bonuses
First deposit and reload bonuses are the perfect kind of bonus for Kiwis looking the get the best value. Some online casinos will match your deposit bonus and provide you with a boosted bankroll. In some online casinos, you can find weekly reload bonuses to get a percentage of what you have lost over the week.
Different Types of Jackpots
There are four different types of jackpots in total. Each type determines how big the jackpot is going to get, which players contribute to the jackpot as well as how frequent the payout will be.
Progressive Jackpots
A progressive jackpot is where a small portion of bets goes directly to a prize pool. Multiple games can contribute to the same prize pool, thus making the jackpot rise to jaw dropping amounts.
Network Jackpots
Network jackpot consists of bets placed by players from several different casinos that ends in the same prize pool. Network jackpot is similar to a national lottery, everyone across the country buys tickets and the winner can be anywhere!
Fixed Jackpots
A fixed jackpot will have a set amount in prize money and it does not fluctuate depending on how many bets are placed. You might also see fixed jackpot be called cash pot jackpot and some pokies offer both a progressive jackpot and a fixed jackpot.
Local Jackpots
Local jackpots pool together with the bets made by players betting in the same casino. The pokies can be at different casinos, in which case the jackpot is individual for each casino. Local jackpot is like a raffle, the winner of the raffle be someone who is at the event.
Odds of Winning Pokies
It’s important to know that in the long term, the house always has an advantage in pokies. This ‘house edge’ is usually shown in pokies as the Return to Player (RTP) rate. This is a percentage value which indicates the amount of income the game pays back to players in the long-term. Most pokies vary from between 85% – 99% RTP, with the remaining 1 – 15% being the casino’s profit. We recommend playing games with the highest possible RTP rate at one of the top paying online casinos in NZ.
We also recommend only playing at casinos who are audited and regulated by third-party bodies, such as eCOGRA. Holding licences from the likes of the Malta Gambling Authority and Curaçao eGaming ensures that the casino is using Random Number Generator technology in their software, which keeps the game fair.
Mobile Pokies
Playing Real Money Pokies on a Mobile
Did you know that you can play all the best online pokies in New Zealand wherever you are? As long as you have a smartphone and a reliable internet connection, there is nothing stopping you from playing on-the-go. All of the sites we recommend at Gamble Online feature an amazing NZ mobile casino experience!
You’ll be able to use the same casino account on your phone as you would on a desktop. You will also see many of the same pokies and jackpots, and you may even come across some mobile-exclusive ones which have been made specifically for mobile users. Our top-rated mobile compatible casinos are currently:
- HellSpin
- Ricky Casino
Real Money vs Free Online Pokies
Many casino sites on the web allow players to test their games for free in demo/practice mode. This is great as you have the chance to see how each pokies game works, if the software is compatible with your device, and if they are fun to play!
We recommend always playing pokies for free at first, but there is nothing like the thrill of hitting the jackpot when playing for real money! Here are the main benefits and disadvantages of playing real money New Zealand pokies online:
Pros
- Larger variety of games available
- Casino bonuses to boost your bankroll
- More excitement
- Chance to win real money
- No strategy required, just spin the reels to win
Cons
- Risk to your own money
- Time needed to set up account and make a deposit
- Access to a strong internet connection required
How Real Money Pokies Work in New Zealand
Random Number Generators
Random Number Generators are built into the pokies software to ensure that the results of each spin are completely random.
Paytables
Each pokie has its own unique paytable. Match symbols along the paylines in order to receive a payout.
Automatic Payouts
In pokies games on the web, wins are automatically credited to your account. The funds should appear instantly.
Bet Limits
Each game has minimum and maximum bets. Pokies cater to players of all budgets, whether you're a penny player or a high
Best Online Pokies New Zealand Software Developers
The ability to play these real money pokies in New Zealand is made possible by the huge variety of casino software providers in the market. There are a large number of software companies in the space, which can make it difficult to know which are reputable, and which aren’t.
Luckily for you, the casinos we recommend at Gamble Online are all thoroughly vetted, and have partnered with the best software providers on the market to provide New Zealand players an excellent variety of games.
We’d recommend looking for titles from the following software providers:
RealTime Gaming
RealTime Gaming offers a large variety of good quality casino games. They are mostly known for their progressive jackpot games on both pokies and table games. With hundreds of pokies and video pokies options, RealTime Gaming is an excellent software provider.
BetSoft
Betsoft provides amazing pokies with the best graphics you can find in the online pokies genre. Along with great bonus features, big prizes, and impressive 3d graphics, BetSoft is a big name in the software providers list.
Rival
Rival is a casino software provider that offers a unique experience with every game they make. Though their pokies are traditional, they have a fresh look and feel. With countless pokies, video pokies, progressive jackpots as well as many other genres of casino games under their belt, Rival offers a wide range of games to casinos.
Microgaming
The creator of the world’s biggest and best pokies, everyone else aspires to be like Microgaming. Dating back all the way to 1994, Microgaming is best known for the progressive pokie, Mega Moolah, with the biggest jackpot.
NetEnt
The creators of some of the most famous pokies like Gonzo’s Quest, Finn and the Swirly Spin, and Starburst, NetEnt is an industry giant. With massive jackpots and unexpected twists, NetEnt is one of the best providers in the industry.
Playtech
Final name in the three giants of online pokies along with NetEnt and Microgaming, Playtech has been in the industry for a substantial amount of time. With the amazing progressive jackpot series, Age of the Gods, Playtech earns its place in the top three pokie providers.
Play n Go
You may not be familiar with the name Play n Go but for sure you have played one of their games before. Play n Go is most known for their Book of Dead series and free spins bonuses from various casinos. Other pokies they are known for are Wild North and Golden Ticket.
Aristocrat
As an Australian company, Aristocrat is best known for their land-based pokies. Aristocrat has converted their land-based games into online pokies and have found success in the online pokies category. Their most popular slots are Zorro, Lucky 88 and Queen of the Nile.
IGT
Though IGT is better known for their land-based pokies, they are also behind some of the biggest online pokies titles. Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds has become increasingly popular amongst pokie players for the excitement and huge jackpots they pack.
Online Pokies Glossary
Action or Play
Action or play is the total amount of money wagered on a pokie machine in a session or over a given timeframe.
Betting Units or Credits
A betting unit or credit is based on the size of coin you’re using and how much money you have in the machine. If you have $100 in the machine and are using a quarter coin size you have 400 betting units or credits.
Bonus Feature
A bonus feature is one of the new things that became available after the introduction of video pokie machines.
Bonus Multiplier or Bonus Modifier
A bonus modifier or multiplier is a symbol or series of symbols that multiply a win by a certain amount. Common multipliers are two times (2X) and three times (3X), but they can be any amount the game is programmed for.
Cash Back
Cash back is exactly what it sounds like. Some player’s clubs offer cash back on pokie machine play.
Cold Pokies
A cold pokie machine is one that hasn’t paid out in a long time. Many players believe machines run hot or cold, but mathematically machines simply pay out the percentage that they’re programmed to pay out over time.
Fixed Value Pokies
A fixed value pokies machine has only one size bet available. You can’t pick how many lines, coins per line, or the coin value.
Hit Frequency
Hit frequency is how often a pokie machine pays out a winning hand.
Line or Pay Line
A line is usually from left to right and is the plane or area where you need to line up matching symbols to win a pay out.
Loose Pokies
A loose pokie machine is one that is paying out more often than normal, or one that appears to be doing so.
Nickel Pokies
Nickel pokie machines are ones using a 5 cent coin size.
Payback Percentage
Payback percentage is the amount of money the pokie machine pays back as a percentage of the amount wagered trough a machine. This is also known as the Return to Player Percentage.
Pay Table
The pay table is the screen or card that explains which matching symbols pay and how much they pay.
Return to Player
The percentage of total wagers in a given machine or game that are returned to players. Also known as the payback percentage.
Secondary Jackpot
Some pokies machines have more than one jackpot. The highest jackpot is called a primary and all of the others are called secondary jackpots.
Wild Symbols
Wild symbols, usually found on video pokie machines, are used in place of other symbols to help you form winning pay line combinations.
Scatter
Scatters are symbols on pokies machines. Usually, if you land three scatter symbols, you will get a bonus spin. Some pokies may even have scatters that multiply your wins.
Re-Spin
Re-spin works differently than free spins. Re-spins will usually start at three or five spins and every time a symbol lands, the spin count resets. Re-spins provide longer gaming sessions.
Cascading Wins
Cascading wins is a unique payout type. You will see that the winning symbols disappear from the screen to make way for new symbols. The cascade continues until no more wins occur, allowing players to get massive payouts.
Online Pokies for Real Money: Safety & Security
Safety and security are a top priority for the casinos we review. All of the casinos that we recommend are licensed, use encryption software, and are regulated. The games at these casinos are reviewed to ensure fair gameplay.
This means that each game is tested and assessed thoroughly before being released. At Gamble Online, we have a group of casino experts that test and play each game. You can be assured that our staff will provide trustworthy and accurate feedback on all pokies games.
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