Best online pokies in New Zealand for 2024

Best pokies for real money in NZ

With thousands of pokes available online, it can be difficult to know where to get started, which is why our experts have selected their top five picks:

1. Mega Moolah | 88.12% | Games Global

Games Global's Mega Moolah is loved by slots fans worldwide for its record-breaking wins and fun and immersive gameplay. The African savannah-themed slot features a simple 5-reel/25 paylines configuration, double-paying wilds, up to 30 free spins, and four progressive jackpots.

2. 9 Masks of Fire | 96.24% | Games Global

This popular African-themed video slot has a high RTP of 96.24% and medium volatility. Other noteworthy features of 9 Masks of Fire include 2,000x maximum win and free spins bonuses, making this a great choice if you're looking to boost your bankroll.

9 Masks of Fire

3. Sweet Bonanza | 96.48% | Pragmatic Play

This colourful, candy-coated slot offers an enticing max win of 21,100x your stake. Keep a look out for candy symbols that have the potential to sweeten your bankroll considerably, for instance, the lollipop scatter symbols and the rainbow bomb, which could boost your free spins winnings by 100x.

Sweet Bonanza

4. Bonanza Megaways | 96% | Big Time Gaming

You can anticipate up to 26,000x your stake maximum wins thanks to the 117,649 paylines on Bonanza Megaways. Better still, you can play with as little as $0.20 up to $20, making this perfect for pokies players of all budgets.

Bonanza Megaways

5. Buffalo | 95.96% | Aristocrat

You're in for a wild ride with Aristocrat's Buffalo slot. This classic slot is excellent for beginners as gameplay is easy to pick up, and the low volatility will help to build your confidence as you make regular but smaller wins. Meanwhile, seasoned slots players can enjoy Buffalo's higher bet limits and high-win potential.

Buffalo

Types of online pokies

There are slot games to suit all kinds of pokie players. Whether you're looking for simple gameplay or games loaded with bonus features, here are some of the most popular types of pokies on the market:

Classic pokies

Classic slots are the perfect introduction to online pokies, comprising straightforward themes and uncomplicated reel/row concepts. These games look and feel like classic mechanical slot machines found in NZ land-based casinos. 

Video pokies

Most of the best pokies these days are video slots and are noted for their crisp and clear graphics, catchy soundtracks and vibrant nature. These options work the same way as any online slot, except they're a little more interactive because they use computerised reels.

Progressive jackpots

Progressive jackpots are very similar to video slots, but the big difference is that the top payout is not fixed. Instead, it's a progressive amount that increases when players bet real money. This jackpot pool will continue to build until one lucky player bags the prize, which can be in the millions.   

Penny pokies

These budget-friendly pokies are playable for just $0.01. You can test your luck and practise your slots skills without risking huge amounts. Some penny slot games also come with progressive jackpot features, like Mega Fortune.   

Best payout pokies

New Zealand players can look forward to potential big payouts with high RTPs pokies. These games feature higher return-to-player percentages, usually over the 96% average, and you could expect to see more of your cash back over the game. 

Key features of online pokies

When playing online pokies in New Zealand, it's important to understand the gameplay mechanics to maximise your chances of success. Here are some of the most common features of online pokies and how they work:  

• Paylines

  The lines that cover the reels in a set pattern are known as paylines. You need specific symbol combinations to line up across the active payline to secure a win in slots. Even though different symbols may pop up on a slot grid, the payline stays constant.

• RTP

  An abbreviation of return to player, these percentages indicate how much of your wager you'll have returned to you throughout a pokie game over time. The standard pokie RTP is 96%, so if we use that as an example, you should expect to see around $96 back on average if you wager $100. 

• Symbols

  There are many different types of symbols in pokies games, for instance, wilds and scatters. Some need to line up on the payline to trigger wins, whereas others can appear on the slot grid and have the power to unlock bonus features.  

• Free spins

  You can earn a specific number of free spins in a slot game if you land particular symbols (typically scatter symbols) on the reels. These are great for boosting your bankroll without spending any more.  

• Wilds

  These are special symbols that can take the place of most other symbols with a view to creating winning combinations. 

• Scatters

  A scatter win typically requires a minimum of three symbols to match, and the slot game may offer increased prizes or jackpots depending on what lands. Scatters are commonly used to trigger bonus games, such as free spins.

• Bonus games

  Bonus games are additional rounds within a slot game that allow you to play for extra prizes, like free spins. Some can include progressive jackpots. 

Best pokie casino bonuses

Pokie bonuses can come in all shapes and sizes. The most common are free spins offers, which give you an allocated number of free spins on a slot game or a selection of slot games, and you still have the chance to win real money. 

However, most casino bonuses have terms and conditions attached, such as wagering requirements, time limits, and minimum/maximum deposits. Always read through the bonus T&Cs before opting in so that you fully understand how it works.

Free pokies vs. real money pokies

Most of the top online casinos in NZ offer you the chance to play slots for free in demo mode. You can also play 16,000+ slots for free right here at OnlineCasino.co.nz. Here are some of the pros and cons of playing for free versus for real money:

How to play pokies online

So, are you ready to start spinning the reels? To help you get started, here's a quick step-by-step guide on how to sign up and start playing free and real money pokies at an online casino in NZ:

1. 1

   Find a casino

   Check out our recommended list of pokies casinos in NZ and choose the one that best suits you and your needs. 

2. 2

   Register an account

   Click on the link provided on this page to navigate to your chosen casino and find the 'Register' or 'Sign up' button. To register, you must provide personal details like your name, date of birth, email, and home address. Agree to the casino's T&Cs and opt-in for the welcome offer (if available) to complete the process.  

3. 3

   Play in demo mode

   You can get to grips with how the game works by playing for free. If not, press the 'I' icon to open the info box for more details. 

4. 4

   Select your wager

   Use the buttons to select your preferred bet. We recommend wagering a small amount to start with.

5. 5

   Spin the reels

   Press the 'Spin' button and wait for the reels to stop spinning to see if you've matched any symbols. 

Top 5 tips for how to win at online pokies

Pokies are games of chance, and online casinos use random number generators (RNG) to ensure outcomes are always random. Still, there are always ways to improve your experience, so here are our experts' top five tips for how to win pokies:

1. 1

   Play in demo mode first.

   If available, practise online slot games using this free-to-play feature. You can brush up on your skills before committing your hard-earned cash.

2. 2

   Look out for bonuses and promos.

   These will help to boost your bankroll and familiarise yourself with promoted games.

3. 3

   Study the paytable before you start playing.

   Think of this as your online slot cheat sheet. It shows all the information about the game, including symbol values and combinations, details on bonuses and features, and potential payouts.  

4. 4

   Remember always to gamble responsibly.

   Only play with money you can afford to lose and don’t chase losses. If you’re not having any luck, walk away and come back another day.  

5. 5

   Read slot reviews.

   Our in-depth slot reviews offer helpful tips and advice. Discover which pokies titles offer rewarding bonus features and high payout potential. 

Playing pokies on mobile

As most modern NZ casino sites are built on HTML5 technology, top mobile casinos are intuitive and easy to navigate across all devices. Visit the casino via your browser and start playing today. 

Alternatively, many casinos now also offer casino apps that are downloadable for iOS and Android. Gamification will be tailored specifically to your device for an enhanced casino experience.

Top 5 online pokies sites in NZ

Our experts have checked our top slot sites in NZ and assessed crucial features, like games portfolios, bonuses, banking methods, mobile capabilities, and more. Here are the top sites in NZ that made the cut:

How we rate online pokies

There are a number of objective criteria that we use so as to decide which online pokies sites to recommend to our Kiwi readers. The list below gives more detailed information that you can use when doing your own research on NZ pokies sites:

1. 1

   Game variety & software providers

   Casino sites must have a strong selection of top-quality pokies machines. We look for classic slots, video pokies, progressive jackpots, Megaways titles, and more. However, we also love seeing casinos with plenty of table games, live casino titles and instant win options. 

2. 2

   Jackpots & bonuses

   Any casino site we feature must offer a range of online slot bonuses, such as welcome bonuses, free spins, cash reloads, and no-deposit offers. 

3. 3

   Security & licences

   It's essential that any online pokies New Zealand site is licensed and externally audited by legit gambling authorities to keep your data encrypted, and games maintain fair and random outcomes. Our experts will only recommend slot casinos that take player security as seriously as they do your entertainment. 

4. 4

   Mobile experience

   Modern gaming sites should be built using HTML5 technology so that you get a seamless experience regardless of whether you're playing on a desktop or mobile. 

5. 5

   Deposits & withdrawals

   To feature on our pages, online casinos must offer a robust selection of popular payment methods. Deposits should be instant, and withdrawals should be swift – without compromising safety. Our experts look for sites with effective banking options and tight security measures. 

Check out other real money game guides

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Real money roulette

Real money baccarat

Real money poker

Online pokies FAQs

• What are the best online pokie games?

  Ugga Bugga, Book of 99, All The Way Fruits, 9 Masks of Fire, Sweet Bonanza and Pixies of the Forest II have made our experts' top 10 online pokies NZ list. They all have high RTPs and are extremely fun to play.

• Which is the best online slot site in NZ?

  Rizk is our experts' current favourite – but there are many top online slot sites to enjoy in NZ, like Spin Casino, Ruby Fortune, Wildz, and more. Check out our recommendations in this guide.

• How do you win online pokies?

  Pokies are games of chance, so there's no way to guarantee wins. You can still read our expert guide on how to win online slots, which provides valuable tips on maximising your chances.

• Can you play online pokies for free?

  Yes. Most online pokies are available in demo mode, which allows you to practise slots for free. New Zealand players can also grab promotions that enable them to play for free, such as online pokies no deposit bonuses.

• Can I win real money playing online pokies?

  Of course, you can enjoy online pokies for real money, just like at brick-and-mortar casinos. If you're wagering real cash, you can expect real money wins.

• What bonuses can I get for playing online slots?

  Free spins, online slots no deposit bonuses, deposit matches… the list goes on! There are all sorts of online pokies bonuses up for grabs when you play at any of our recommended casinos.

Courtney Payne-Audsley

Verified expert

Global content writer

Courtney has an extensive background in creative and commercial writing across numerous iGaming verticals. As a self-professed lover of pokies, Courtney is passionate about the casino and gambling industries. While her writing covers a wide range of topics, slots and bonuses are arguably her favourite gambling subjects.