Online pokies, a.k.a slots, have become a staple of online gaming in New Zealand. From a simple mechanical slot machines to the advanced and complex digital pokies we know today, the popularity has never stopped growing. You are spoilt for choice if you want to spin some reels. Our guide will present the basics of slots and how to maximise your gaming experience. To do this, we’ll go over the following:

  • Types of pokies, from classic three-reels to advanced five-reel or more gaming slots
  • How to play pokies online
  • Where to find the best online pokies sites
  • What Wild, Scatter and Multiplier symbols do
  • How to make the most of your real cash bankroll by playing free online pokies
  • Finally, how to find the best real money pokies in NZ with jackpots

Land-based casinos have vast numbers of pokie machines, while platforms tend to have even more online real money pokies for NZ players. So, online casino gamblers in North or South Island will always have a rich choice whether online or on land.

Online Pokies - New Zealand

Best Online Pokies in NZ

  CASINO NAME Games
Pokies
WELCOME BONUS PLAY CASINO T&C
1 560+ Games
400+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1000
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
2 1800+ Games
140+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1000& 2000 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
4 3000+ Games
1000+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$2810 & 200 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
5 1500+ Games
1350+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1200& 260 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
6 1915+ Games
1300+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$2000& 200 Free Spins on Wolf Gold
20+ LeoSafePlay.com, Promotional T&Cs apply. Please play responsibly.
7 6500+ Games
1000+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$4000 & 300 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
8 460+ Games
300+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1250
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
9 3000+ Games
2500+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1500 & 150 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
10 1500+ Games
530+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1100 & 125 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.

How We Rate Online Pokies in New Zealand?

While analyzing the recommended online pokies sites, we used a set of expert criteria we would like to share with you. For example, every online player wants to make sure that online casinos are safe and trustworthy. That’s why we assessed the licensing and certification of each included operator. Here are the other key factors used in our rating of the best online pokies in NZ:

  • Licensing & Regulation of the Operators – Legitimate offshore operators show various logos and seals of approval in their footers. Those include logos of internationally recognized licensing authorities, such as the MGA.
  • Quality & Variety of Software Providers – The better the software platforms, the higher the rating of the online casino operator. The same logic applies to the quality and reputation of the software companies behind the offered online pokies.
  • Number & Types of Online Pokies Games – That is among the most important factors because, after all, we all visit an online pokies site to play games. The most modern and higher rated sites offer hundreds of online pokies to their NZ customers.
  • Options to Play Pokies Online with a Bonus – That is another essential that attracts more new visitors to an online pokies casino website. However, the specific bonus terms and conditions determine whether playing with a bonus is worth it or not.
  • Availability of Mobile Pokies – Each legitimate operator offers a flawless mobile gaming app that is compatible with most modern devices. Android and iOS users can play pokies everywhere on the go, but not always the best games are available on mobile.
  • Customer Support Quality – If an operator offers multiple ways to contact customer support, it receives a higher rating. However, it is also important to offer fast and professional bits of advice in a polite and explicit manner.
  • Access to New Zealand Pokies – As you can play at legal offshore pokies sites from New Zealand, it is important to consider your options to register quickly and safely. It comes down to factors like user identification, age verification, difficulty in registering, and more.

As you can see, there are many things to be considered. Remember, the best Kiwi online casinos come with various bonus offers for new players. That’s why it is important to consider all factors mentioned above at the same time. The perfect combination of all these factors is what is required for an online operator to get a higher rating.

Why Play Real Money Online Pokies?

We highly recommend any player to play slots online for real money because of the thrill, excitement and fun they provide. Online slots are easy to play, and you only need luck to win. That appeals to a massive number of players. Most titles today have plenty of amazing features like Wilds, Scatters and Multipliers. These make the games more fun and boost your chances of winning big.

Speaking of winning, many online slots have amazing jackpot payouts. Even if you don’t get that lucky, there is still a good chance you’ll walk away with a nice win. Many of the best pokies online are filled with features and offer numerous ways to win. They’re a lot of fun, easy to play and give the player great chances to win.

How to Play Real Money Online Pokies in NZ

While free online slots are straightforward to play, they can still seem complicated and difficult to understand for new players. We’re here to provide you with some important information and guidelines on how to get the most out of your time playing pokies online. Follow this information, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

  1. Find a legitimate site with online pokies and open an account.
  2. Check the game portfolio and select online pokies for real money.
  3. Choose the betting sum according to the game limits and your budget.
  4. Adjust the paylines if available, and press the “Spin” button.
  5. Watch the animations and see the winning combinations.
  6. Repeat with a new bet or withdraw your real money winnings.

Overall, it is very easy to play pokies online in New Zealand, as long as your new account is valid and confirmed. Of course, you will need to make a deposit and claim a welcome offer if you want. If you do so, you can pick a game that is valid for playing with the bonus and enjoy it for free.

Types of Online Pokies

While most people know there are hundreds of different pokies online out there, they sometimes don’t realise that there are three main types of slots in NZ. Remember that all three of these are quite different. Here are more details on the topic:

  • Three Reel Slots – The first type of online pokie is the three-reel slots. That is typically a more basic type, aimed at people who want to avoid all the complexities and different modes of contemporary titles. Even the most modern three-reel slot is trying to mimic the original one. That is known to be armed bandit machines that started the whole pokie industry.
  • Five Reel Pokies – These are your most famous New Zealand online pokies. Typically, these five reels slots push the limits of graphics and are full of content, normally offering several bonus game modes. There are some titles out there that have even more paylines, like six or even nine.
  • Progressive Jackpots – The progressive jackpot pokies gameplay isn’t much different compared to the other main types. Progressive NZ slots can have three or five reels, but what sets them apart is the jackpot. A number of games will be connected together, and every time a player places a bet, part of it is transferred to the jackpot pool. The number of connected games could be hundreds or thousands.
  • Video Slots – Usually, the selection of video slots at the best casino sites is excellent. It comes down to hundreds, and even thousands of video slots of all kinds and varieties, including those mentioned above. This type of game is very similar to online pokies, but it is also different in that it is more modern, advanced, and full of unique features.

Getting to Grips with Paylines

One aspect of online pokies that tends to confuse new payers relates to paylines. How do they work, and does it matter how many there are? It is an imaginary line across the reels. The software will check what symbols land on each and determine whether there is a winner. In the past, there was a single payline. Today, there are huge varieties of real money slots with numerous lines running all over the reels.

Some of the most popular numbers of paylines include 3, 5, 9, 15, 20, or even more. There are titles where the type of landed symbols matters more than the number of paylines. These types of slots can have 200+ or even over 1000 ways to win. Typically, slots online with more paylines will pay out more often but smaller amounts.

Bet Sizes for Online Pokies

Betting options in pokies online can also be quite confusing. In the past, a coin would have a set size and that was it. However, today it is far more accommodating. Kiwis can choose how big they want their coin to be. That can range from 0.1 coins up to 1 coin.

Players will also be able to decide how many coins they want to bet on each payline. They can also determine how many of the paylines they want to be active. That gives gamblers a wide range of wagering options, making online slots suitable to players of all budgets.

No Deposit Online Pokie Bonus

When online casinos first started appearing, no deposit bonuses were a big thing. These days, this is no longer the case. That is unfortunate because many players loved getting a no deposit bonus with NZ online slots. It gives you extras without first deposits. The good news is, while rare, they’re not gone completely.

Play Real Money Online Pokies NZ

Pros and Cons

When you play online pokies in New Zealand, you will come across a ton of benefits and some little setbacks as well. Examples include low betting limits that are suitable for low-stakes players, nice welcome bonuses at your first deposit, regular promotions for the most serious players, etc. Here are the main pros and cons of playing online slots:

  • Advantages of Playing Online Pokies:
    1. Simplified Animations
    2. Very Low Betting Limits
    3. Legitimate Software Platforms
    4. Great Game Diversity
    5. Interesting Storylines
  • Drawbacks of Online Pokies:
    1. Numerous Games with Low RTP
    2. Free Demo Games Are Difficult to Find
    3. Jackpot Pokies with High Volatility
    4. Lack of Socialization when Playing from Home
    5. Waiting Time on Withdrawal

Without a doubt, you can find other advantages and disadvantages. There is no perfect casino operator even when it comes down to land-based establishments. Every operator has its strengths and weaknesses, and each of them excells in certain areas. That’s why it is important to pick an operator that perfectly matches your own preferences.

Best Online Pokies in NZ – Tips and Tricks

Many gamblers wonder if online pokie strategies work. The truth is slot machines are a Random Number Generator designed to be completely random and ensure that New Zealand players can’t benefit from observing any patterns. So, no strategy is going to work. However, there are some things you can do that might help limit the losses, as well as make your pokie gaming experience more enjoyable.

Set Limits

The limits should be set for every aspect of the game. Do it on how much money you’re going to spend. How many consecutive losing spins you’ll make, before walking away, and how much times you’ll play the game. It ensures that you keep any loses in check and steer clear from trouble. Or, play free pokies online in NZ for the same thrill without the losses.

Choose Wisely

Make sure you choose a pokie that works for you and your budget. Ensure that you enjoy the game, the visuals, and the theme. Still, it should within with your gaming bankroll. If you only have NZ$50 to play with, you’re probably not going to have a good time playing a pokie with a NZ$10 minimum wagering requirement.

Understand the Game

Make sure you have a good understanding of the game before you start spending real money on it. You can explore the rules, betting ranges, and more. Here are the main pinpoint:

  • Does it have Wilds, Scatters or Bonus symbols?
  • How do the bonus game modes work?
  • Are there special triggers or paylines?

It is essential to understand all of this first before playing for real money. Most online casino sites will offer free versions so use this feature to learn the game first. It also allows experimenting with bets and bonus rounds.

Know the Rules

This point is similar to the previous one but slightly differs. For instance, many progressive titles require you to place the maximum wager on all paylines to be eligible for the full progressive jackpot. If you don’t know this, you could end up winning the jackpot but not being eligible for the whole thing because you didn’t know all the rules.

Use the Free Play Option

Make sure to use the free play option that many online casinos offer. It will allow you to try out many online slots without having to spend any of your money. By doing this, you’ll be able to locate a selection of slot games that you like and start learning their gameplay.

Sober Up

We recommend that you keep your mind clear and stay away from alcohol while gambling. Getting tipsy could lead to poor decisions and significant losses. Also, take regular breaks from online gambling. Get up, stretch your legs and try to keep your mind fresh.

Top NZ Online Pokies – Tips and Tricks

Play Online Slots for Free

There are several good reasons to play any online casino game for free. It is a great way to learn how to play a new casino title. You’ll be able to get used to the gameplay, as well as discovering its bonus features and rules without risking any cash. Once you feel comfortable with the specific pokie, then you can start wagering real money.

Playing demos is also a great way to test or develop new strategies. Some might want to see how long they can make an amount if increasing the bet after every win. Testing wagering strategies can be costly if you do it while playing for real. Gambling for free enables you to try things out and see how they work.

For many people out there, playing demos can be just as fun as doing it for real money. Some people really enjoy just hopping onto their online casino of choice and having a few spins on their favourite online pokie.

Top Rated Online Pokie Developers in NZ

They say variety is essential, which is certainly true when it comes to the diverse selection of online pokies that are available at online casinos in New Zealand. That is largely thanks to the long list of developers creating these titles. Each and every software company has its own style and flavor.

Some are known for their amazing quality, others have great visuals, and third, even manage to combine all aspects together in a thrilling innovation. Below, our experts have highlighted some of the best online slots NZ real money developers. We advise that you find an online casino that offers their products.

Each of these companies has a fantastic selection of gambling options available, including countless slot machines and other classic online casino titles. The Microgaming variations are among the most famous ones, because almost every casino online includes them in their portfolios. We recommend trying different software houses to make an informed decision.

Top Online Pokies New Zealand

Online Pokies Expressions

If you want to be a pokie pro, you’re going to need to know how to talk the talk. These are some of the most important terms relating to the top NZ online pokies and games in land-based establishments.

Top Terms for NZ Pokies Online

  • Coin Hopper – That is something we don’t really see anymore. Back when most pokies would dispense coins when a player won, this was the container that held them.
  • Fruit Machine – The term Fruit machine typically refers to an older type of slot game, usually one with three reels. They were called like this because many used images of fruit as symbols on the reels.
  • One-Armed Bandit – It is another term that is not used as much anymore. The name relates to old slot machines requiring a pull of a lever to spin the reels. These days, the term has largely disappeared as you just need to push a button. Many miss the tactile feel of having to interact physically.
  • Payline – That is one of the most important terms in the industry. It is an imaginary line on the reels. The software will check which symbols have landed and determine if there is a winning combination or not. They can be straight or zig-zag. Today, online slots offer a wide choice regarding the number of paylines. It can be just one or as many as 25 or more.
  • Rollup – That is the sound that a pokie machine makes when a player wins. It is used to make the event more dramatic.

General Terms for Pokies Online for Real Money

  • Scatter – That special symbol within the pokie normally gives NZ gamblers access to free spins or bonus rounds. Players will have to land a set number of these on an active payline in order for them to reward the player. Scatter symbols don’t always appear as often.
  • Stakes – Another term used to describe your wager while playing online slots for real money.
  • Symbols – Symbols are the images that players will see on the reels. They have different values, with the more common symbols being worth less. The elements can be anything the designers want them to be. Most of the time, the symbols relate to the theme of the online pokie.
  • Wild – A special symbol that have the ability to substitute for almost any other character to help create a winning combination. The pokie will automatically determine if it will provide any wins. The more Wilds you land, the better your chances of some big payouts.

Winning at the Best Real Money Online Slots

There’s still plenty of mistrust even regarding the best online pokies in New Zealand. Many still wonder if you can win real money when playing an online pokie. The answer is yes, you definitely can. The results will be fair if you’ve chosen a legit platform that is licensed, regulated and tested by third-party organisations.

These days, online pokies use sophisticated Random Number Generators. They ensure that the results are unbiased and completely random. That means every time you spin, you have consistent odds. However, these are still games of chance and luck is needed to win.

Payment Methods to Use for Playing Pokies Online

From e-wallets to the classic bank transfer method, there are plenty of payment options available at the top online pokie websites in New Zealand. The most modern methods offer very fast transactions and wide limits, but you should also consider their safety and reliability. The recommended offshore operators are licensed with strong SSL encryption of their cashiers.

However, it would be best if you considered whether your favorite payment method is available. For example, if you prefer using Neteller, it may not be available at every operator. That’s why you should check the available alternatives or go in a completely different direction. Also, remember to double-check the mobile billing methods if you want to play online pokies on the go.

Enjoying Mobile Pokies

There has been a new revolution in the gambling industry. Now, people can enjoy gambling wherever they go by playing their favourite online casino games on their mobile phones or tablets. That includes a wide range of mobile pokies that have been optimized to play on smaller touch screens.

While most mobile casinos won’t normally offer as many games as their desktop counterpart, there is a very healthy selection of mobile games to keep you occupied. There will be mobile casinos that will require you to download an app. Others will allow you to play directly from your phone’s web browser.

So, you can find unbiased and diverse pokies no matter where you are and what device you’re using. You should have no issue enjoying your favourite mobile titles on the go.

Best NZ Online Pokies FAQs

The following Q&A section is for players who want to learn more about playing online pokies in New Zealand before they register a new account. So, please read these questions carefully and consider reviewing the complete guide if you have additional queries.

Are online pokies fair?

The only way to know for sure is do your research before you choose an online casino. Safe and respectable online casinos are licensed, regulated and tested by third party organisations to ensure Kiwis are protected from any dishonest online casinos. Provided that you can verify the online casino is regulated by organisations like the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission or eCOGRA, then you’ll be safe.

Can I play online pokies for free?

If you had asked this a few years ago, we would have told you that it is possible, but not many online casinos allowed it. This has shifted dramatically in recent years with almost every online casino offering players the option to play free slots. This will give you time to learn a new game or develop strategies, but you obviously won’t be able to keep any of your winnings until you start betting real money.

What is a progressive jackpot pokie?

These are some of the best online pokies for real money NZ players can enjoy. Unlike other pokies, which have a fixed jackpot, a progressive jackpot is always growing. Every time a player places a wager, a small portion of this is transferred into the jackpot. With hundreds or thousands of machines contributing to this jackpot, it can grow quite large, quite quickly. Winning the jackpot on one of these could win you millions of dollars and change your life forever!

What is a random number generator in real money pokies in NZ?

This is the part of an online pokie, or even a video pokie in a land-based casino, that ensures the results are fair and unbiased. This is the part of the pokie that is responsible for randomly generating the outcome of each spin. It has been developed to be as random as possible, meaning no one will be able to identify a pattern.

What is a wild symbol?

A Wild is a special symbol in a pokie that has the ability to stand in for another symbol to create a winning combination. Often, if it is used to make a winning combination, it will offer a multiplier and increase the player’s winnings. These are fairly common these days and most, but not all, slots will have a Wild. Wilds will still appear while playing slots for free.

What is a scatter symbol?

Like the Wild, this is another special symbol. This is typically used to trigger free spins or entry into bonus game modes. These online slots free spins and bonus games can often offer impressive multipliers so New Zealanders would do well to try and land as many Scatters as possible.

What is a progressive jackpot?

A progressive jackpot is a special type of casino game that does not have a fixed jackpot. Instead, every time a player places a bet, a portion of this is transferred to the jackpot. There could be a handful or thousands of games all linked together, all feeding into this jackpot, which is why they get so large. When someone wins the jackpot, it will reset to a specified minimum amount and start the process over again.