Pokie Games NZ
These days, Kiwis can play the real money pokies online anywhere, anytime.
Thanks to the magic of the internet, anyone from Kaitaia to Bluff can have a spin on all sorts of pokie games, either on their computer or mobile phone.
If you’re new to online pokies, never fear, because we’re going to go over the 10 best NZ pokie games available to Kiwis right now.
1. Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
Play’n GO created this modern-day classic nearly a decade ago, and since then, it’s been the inspiration for hundreds of similar ‘Book of’ pokies.
That’s mostly down to the extremely popular Expanding Symbol mechanic, which is randomly selected during the free spins bonus.
To trigger the bonus and receive 10 free spins, you need to land at least 3 Tomb Scatters. The Book is revealed, and a random Expanding Symbol is selected. The premium symbols pay more but are less likely to hit, while the lower ones hit more frequently but pay less.
Rich Wilde, the leading character, is ‘devilishly handsome with an innate sense of adventure’ according to Play'n GO. He’s so adventurous that you’ll find a whole series of Rich Wilde pokies of a similar theme, including Rich Wild and the Amulet of Dead, Rich Wild and the Shield of Athena and Rich Wilde and the Tome of Insanity, to name just a few.
2. Big Bass Splash (Pragmatic Play)
Hot off the heels of Big Bass Bonanza’s success comes Big Bass Splash which follows the familiar format, but with a number of significant upgrades.
First off, the theme is given a little makeover with the bearded fisherman now taking on a redneck persona. Driving a monster truck, our redneck fisherman opts for a less eloquent method of catching fish by firing launching dynamite to blow them out of the water
The updated game is given some radical features including the random Bazooka feature plus a respin opportunity to hook a 3rd Scatter when only two drop.
Once the feature bonus is triggered by landing 3 Scatter symbols, you’ll be given the chance to net yourself additional features including More Fish, More Fishermen, +2 Free Spins, Start at Level 2 and More Dynamite, Hooks and Bazookas.
Needless to say, the more of these you manage to collect, the tastier the bonus is likely to be!
3. Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Proving that you can take any subject and create a successful pokie by applying a little genius, Big Bass Bonanza became the launching pad for a highly successful series of ‘Big Bass’ pokies based around fishing.
Technically, Reel Time Gaming’s Fishin’ Frenzy was the first such pokie, having taken up residence on casino gaming floors around the world some years prior.
Although a popular game in itself, it’s Big Bass Bonanza that has stolen the limelight with clean graphics, immersive sound effects and engaging gameplay that keeps users coming back for more.
The feature bonus is where the ‘reel’ fun starts - land 3, 4 or 5 Scatter symbols to receive 10, 15 or 20 free spins respectively. During the free spins, you’ll bank any cash prizes that land if accompanied by the fisherman collector symbol.
The free spins bonus also offers a trail through which you progress with each Fisherman Wild symbol that lands. Every 4 steps awards a retrigger of 10 more free spins with an increased multiplier of up to 10x.
4. Starburst (NetEnt)
What can be said about the most iconic online pokie of all time that hasn’t been said before? NetEnt’s Starburst is where many online pokie players first cut their teeth.
Most of the online casinos in New Zealand award free spins on Starburst as part of their welcome bonus offers. This all-time classic is simple yet engaging with mesmerising graphics, animation and ethereal sound effects.
There is no complicated bonus round - the Starburst Wild symbol is present on reels 2, 3 and 4. When it lands, it expands to cover the entire reel and awards a respin. Landing an additional Starburst Wild awards another respin, but now you have two expanded Starburst Wilds, which is where the big wins can occur.
The reel symbols consist mainly of precious gems, but it’s the Red 7s and Gold Bar which top the pay table. With 10 fixed paylines paying both ways, it’s not hard to see how Starburst has remained in the Top 10 for over a decade.
5. Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)
Ancient Greek themed pokies will never go out of fashion, and Gates of Olympus remains the most popular of all in this genre.
With similar game mechanics to Sweet Bonanza (another Pragmatic Play pokie at #5), Gates of Olympus offers cascading symbols and Anywhere Pays when matching at least 8 symbols. The Tumble Feature removes any winning combinations while the remaining symbols drop down. The empty spaces are then replaced with new tiles, which can include win multipliers of up to 500x.
It’s entirely possible to hit many multipliers in a single spin, which can generate truly epic payouts of up to 5,000x your stake.
The Mount Olympus Free Spins Feature awards a minimum of 15 free spins with retriggers achieved by landing just 3 Scatters during the bonus.
Another interesting feature is the Ante Bet option, where you can increase the chance of spinning 3 Scatters by increasing your base game bet by 25%.
6. Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Sweet Bonanza offers the same game mechanics as its more popular clone, Gates of Olympus.
Featuring the same cascading reel symbols along with the Tumble Feature, it’s mainly the sickly-sweet candy theme and 21,100x Maximum Win that sets them apart.
Reel symbols consist of fruit and candy, set upon a sugar-coated backdrop that could be a scene from the next Wonka film.
The Free Spins Feature awards 10 free spins for landing 3 Scatters. Special reels are in play during the free spins which include multipliers of up to 100x. At the end of each winning spin, all the multipliers are added together and applied to the total win for that spin.
Just like Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza allows the player to increase their chances of landing Scatters by applying the Ante Bet for an additional 25% of their bet.
7. Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe
Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe takes the fan-favourite fishing theme and gives it a bright Vegas makeover.
Played on 5 reels with 10 paylines, it’s a high-volatility pokie where the Fisherman wilds can reel in instant cash prizes during the free spins round.
Landing 3 or more scatters unlocks up to 25 free spins, with chances to retrigger and boost multipliers as you go.
With a max win of 5,000× your stake and options like Ante Bet and Bonus Buy, this pokie is all about high-risk excitement and flashy rewards.
8. Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
Pragmatic Play’s dominance of the best pokie games list continues with the second iteration of its hugely popular Gates of Olympus franchise.
Gates of Olympus 1000 brings some significant upgrades on the original, the most obvious of which is the mammoth 15,000x maximum win potential.
This is mostly thanks to the increased multipliers which can boost your wins by up to an incredible 1,000x.
Otherwise the game mechanics and game assets, such as artwork, sounds and animations are largely the same, with only a few minor updates.
9. Fluffy Favourites (Eyecon)
Although not personally fond of this classic pokie from Eyecon, the numbers don’t lie.
Fluffy Favourites is somewhat long in the tooth and it shows. The artwork, sound effects and bonus round are as basic as you can get - even by 2016 standards. But it’s probably this simplicity that gives it the charm that appeals to many pokie players.
Reel symbols consist of cuddly toy type characters, particularly those that you’ll find in the claw machines found at the fair. Which is exactly why the Claw Scatter symbols trigger the Toybox Pick bonus where you’ll receive up to 5 grabs at claiming a prize.
Each successful pick reveals a random bet multiplier of up to 100x your bet. Up to 25 free games can be awarded when landing the pink elephant Wild symbol which also doubles any win.
Once you can get past the artwork and 8 bit sounds, the charm does eventually start to set in.
10. Eyes of Horus (Blueprint)
Eye of Horus is a timeless 5-reel, 10-payline pokie that brings Ancient Egypt to life with expanding wilds and a rewarding free spins feature.
Land Horus on the middle reels to expand and cover the whole reel, creating more winning chances.
Three or more scatters trigger 12 free spins, where Horus upgrades symbols and can also add extra spins to the bonus round.
With its straightforward gameplay, medium-to-high volatility, and max wins of up to 5,000× your bet, Eye of Horus remains a favourite for players who enjoy classic pokies with a touch of mythological flair.
Recommended Pokie Games
Playing Pokies Online
Thanks to leading online pokies, you can now spin the reels at any time and from anywhere. The best casino pokies in the world are now available on your computer or mobile device.
If you are an experienced pokie player who is familiar with the gameplay and settings, you will find in our Gambling.com guide insights that will take your pokie experience to a whole new level.
If you are new to pokies, our guide will teach you everything you need to know to jump into the exciting world of online pokie games.
Start today and play on the device of your choice. You just need to sign up with an online casino and verify your account.
Online pokies are simple, convenient, mobile-friendly and can pay millions in prizes and jackpots.
How We Review Pokies Games
Our pokie experts at Gambling.com review new pokie games every week. They have years of experience, having played thousands of online pokie games.
Although every pokie provides an entirely different gameplay experience, we put each game through a rigorous review process that allows us to bring you objective conclusions.
We also add to our reviews the subjective opinions of our experts and their likes and dislikes of each casino pokie.
Most Common Types of Online Pokie Games
Pokie games have come a long way from the early-day fruit machines. The move from pokie machine cabinets sitting on a land-based casino floor to online pokies on a website or app continues to push change and innovation.
Beyond the benefit of playing anywhere and at any time, players can now also enjoy many different online casino pokie options. For example, video pokies, 3D pokies, progressive pokies, 243-payline pokies, pokies designed to mirror popular video games, pokies based on popular TV shows and movies, and even virtual reality pokies.
Classic pokies are more traditional and usually offer three or five reels and follow the popular 25-playline structure with some variations.
Video pokies tend to come with five, seven and sometimes nine reels. They offer multiple paylines and bonus rounds, and players can enjoy 243 and, in newer pokies, even 1024 ways to win. Many video pokie developers license the rights to the use of characters from hit movies, popular TV shows, and even comic books. There are also many pokies with epic themes and storylines.
Most casino pokies are played individually, where the prizes depend solely on players' bets and spins. A progressive pokie is different, featuring a jackpot that grows with every bet that any player makes on that pokie. Although the odds of winning a jackpot are slim, the payouts are epic and can get to millions of dollars.
How Pokie Games Work Online
Understanding the features, game mechanics and logic of online pokie machines will help you create your own pokie strategy and better prepare for success when spinning those digital reels.
Read our Gambling.com guide further to better understand the ins and outs of online pokie machines, and for a hands-on learning experience, check free pokie reviews and try them out.
Understanding Pokie Reels
The virtual "reels" of online pokie games are generated by the software program that randomly delivers the symbols with each spin. The symbols of online pokies can appear in any random order.
Online Pokie RNG
Similar to land-based casinos, online pokie machines have a Random Number Generator (RNG), which, as the name suggests, makes sure that the symbols on the reels land in random positions with every spin.
All the online casinos we recommend on Gambling.com are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, which requires the RNG to be certified and tested regularly.
What are Paylines?
Being one of the core elements of any pokie machine, paylines mark all the possible winning symbol combinations. The number of paylines on a casino pokie will determine how many ways you can win while spinning the reels.
You can choose how many lines you wish to play and in which combinations, as well as decide how much money to bet on each line. For example, if a pokie offers 25 paylines, you can choose to bet on 10 and select any combination you want, like paylines 1-5 and 14-19, etc.
How Many Reels and Paylines Do Online Pokies Have?
The most basic pokie games usually have three reels and offer just one payline that typically goes through the centre of the reels. But technology has come a long way, and today’s game designers offer online video pokies that feature five, seven or nine reels and hundreds of paylines.
Five-reel pokie games have become the standard for many online casino pokies, and a game can offer anywhere between one to hundreds of paylines.
How Much Can You Bet On an Online Pokie Game?
The amount you can bet on a pokie game will depend on its min/max bet limits, number of paylines and other game rules. You must bet at least the minimum and remember to check the paytable and understand how winning combinations occur.
In standard pokie games, the winning combinations read from left to right, but many new and innovative pokies award wins for symbols clustered or grouped in multiple directions.
Every wager you make will deduct coins from your balance. And for every payline you select, you will need to make an extra bet. The minimum bet is 1 coin, so if you would like to bet on a pokie with 25 playlines, for example, you will need to bet a minimum of 25 coins. The value of coins changes from one pokie game to another.
While some pokies allow you to place a few cents per bet, others will require NZ$1 per wager. Payouts can range from 10x to 2000x. The ‘x’ figure is the number of times your single line bet will be multiplied. Match three, four or five symbols, and you’re a winner.
Pokie Games Bonus Features
Traditional pokie machines used to offer very limited features. You had to spin three reels with a handful of symbols on each reel, and if the symbols lined up in certain combinations, you would win.
In today’s online pokies, the reels and symbols are just the foundation for many more bonus features and special symbols that go beyond making gameplay a lot more exciting, giving you many more chances to win.
Pokie Machines with Bonus Games
One of the most popular features with pokie players in New Zealand is the bonus game. Various combinations you land on the reels will trigger a bonus game. Some of these will rely on your skill, for example, a spaceship needing to destroy asteroids, while others rely totally on luck, like spinning a prize wheel. If successful, bonus games will reward you with points, money or additional spins.
One pokie that our experts at gambling.com love for its bonus game is Top Trumps World Football Stars 2014 by Playtech. This game lets you gamble on any win by clicking on a gamble button that will take you to a screen where a dealer turns a card, and you need to pick a higher card to win.
Pokies with Wild Symbols
Similar to the way they work in card games, Wild symbols in pokies can be substituted for other icons and help you turn losing symbol combinations into winnings. Online pokie developers have invented different kinds of Wilds, such as Expanding Wilds that cover the entire reel, Sticky Wilds that stay on the reels for subsequent spins, Shifting Wilds that shift from one reel to another, Random Wilds, Stacked Wilds, Walking Wilds and more.
An epic online pokie brought by software developer Microgaming is Jurassic Park which features Stacked Wilds that, as their name suggests, stack on the reels and give more chances to win.
Scatter Pokie Games
You probably know by now that winning combinations on pokie machines usually contain identical symbols that are aligned next to each other. This isn’t the case with Scatter symbols, which do not necessarily have to appear on the pay line in a certain order. In most online pokies, the appearance of three, four or five Scatter symbols spread out across the reels will generate a bonus payment or even launch a bonus game or a free spins round.
Dead or Alive Pokie by NetEnt has a very impressive Scatter symbol, which is a pair of pistols with shiny bullets. What's more, the game pays a 2x multiplier if two or more Scatter symbols appear on a winning pay line.
Multiplier Pokie Games
Multiplier bonus rounds take various forms but ultimately lead to a player trying to progress through several rounds to increase their score. The score earned is often multiplied by the initial bet to reward a much higher cash prize.
Megaways Pokie Games
Megaways is an innovation that was created by software developer Big Time Gaming. When playing on a Megaways pokie, you never know exactly how many possible ways to win your next spin will have. The most common Megaways pokie games offer 6 reels, each displaying anywhere between 2 to 8 symbols, which have a different height on each reel. This provides for a dynamic set of combinations for each spin, with hundreds of thousands of ways to win (117,649 being the maximum).
Win Both Ways Pokie Games
Players sometimes get frustrated when they see three or more symbols aligning perfectly on the reels for a winning combination, just to realise that the spin is winless because the pokie only awards winnings on combos aligned from left to right. Win Both Ways pokies, as their name suggests, pay out for combinations aligned from left to right and from right to left – so you practically have twice as many chances to win.
Gameplay is pretty similar in Win Both Ways pokies, and pay lines don’t change and are not mirrored. You are playing for the same paylines, with the only difference being that they will be considered a win if aligned from either side.
Although you have more chances to win, Win Both Ways pokie games don’t pay twice in one spin for the same combination, and in most cases, the odds and RTP are adjusted to reflect the Win Both Ways feature.
Some of the most popular online pokie games in the world, like NetEnt’s Starburst, are Win Both Ways pokies. Another great Win Both Ways pokie is IGT’s Day of the Dead.
243 Ways to Win Pokie Games
Since the first coin-operated pokie machine was invented in 1894, pokies have pretty much worked the same way. You would deposit coins, spin the reels and cross your fingers for a winning combination, which in early days would come on a single payline across the centre of the reels.
243 Ways to Win pokie games are 5-reel pokies with three symbols on each reel, and you choose how many coins to bet before each spin. But you won’t be prompted to pick any paylines to bet on, and you will get paid for every possible winning combination of symbols from left to right. Note, however, that because there are so many ways to win, many of these pokies have low volatility and typically pay out small wins.
Two of the most famous 243 Ways to Win online pokie games come from leading pokies developer Microgaming. Immortal Romance online pokie features vampire love and dark desires, and Norse mythology-inspired Thunderstruck II is considered one of the most popular online casino pokies of all times.
1024 Ways to Win Pokie Games
This new breed of pokies takes the concept of more ways to win without selecting paylines, and as its name suggests, offers an epic 1024 ways to win on every spin. This, with one single wager and no need to select or follow any paylines. 1024 Ways to Win pokies are easy to play, and they follow most rules of a typical online pokie machine, except that there are no paylines.
You will need to get any combination of symbols in a row from left to right anywhere on the reels, regardless of respective positions on each reel – with one single bet on every spin and with every winning combination being paid out.
If you are looking to try this exciting type of online pokie game, we recommend Lucky Panda by Playtech, boasting a great Chinese theme and Free Spins, Multipliers and Wilds. Another great 1024 Ways to Win pokie is White Orchid by IGT, which is based on a beautiful rainforest theme and also offers some great features and bonuses.
Free Spins Pokie Games
Free spins are a bonus feature that allows you to spin the reels without betting your own money and can be triggered in different ways.
While some casinos offer free spins as a promotion on a pokie game, they are usually awarded when several scatter or free spin symbols show on the reels.
On many casino pokies, free spins will launch as a separate bonus mini-game session and will load a new screen with animation and dedicated features.
Cluster Pays Pokie Games
Cluster Pays is another type of pokie that doesn’t have a pay line. When playing this type of casino pokie, you will need to form a group of symbols that are attached (i.e. clustered) either horizontally or vertically anywhere on the reels.
Usually Cluster Pays pokies will require to form a cluster of four or more symbols for a win. It gives you many new and exciting ways to win. One of the popular Cluster Pays games is Big Time Gaming’s Star Clusters Megaclusters, which is a great high-volatility pokie with a 96.45% RTP.
Progressive Jackpot Pokie Games
The popularity of online casinos gave rise to progressive pokies that feature jackpot prizes. Unlike regular pokies that offer a prize based on individual gameplay, in progressive pokies, the casino puts up seed money for the prize, and a percentage of every wager that any player makes on the pokie is contributed to the prize pot. So, the jackpot keeps growing until it is won.
This makes progressive pokies popular all over the world, and the more players they attract, the bigger the jackpot is. Some of the most popular progressive online casino pokies in New Zealand include NetEnt’s Mega Fortune, Arabian Nights and Hall of Gods.
The most famous progressive pokie game in the world is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, which in 2015 earned a Guinness World Record for paying a British player NZ$17,879,645.12 (circa NZ$16.2 million). This record was broken in 2018 when Mega Moolah paid another jackpot of NZ$18,915,872.81 (over NZ$17 million).
Mobile Pokie Games
With mobile gambling becoming increasingly popular and common in New Zealand, all the new online pokies are coded in HTML5 technology, which makes them optimised for any mobile-browser device.
Nowadays, most software developers implement the mobile-first approach when building new online pokie games. Don’t worry if you are into online pokie classics, as most of the popular older games have been updated and made available for mobile too.
Most online pokies are available for instant play using any mobile device browser, and many casinos nowadays also offer pokies on mobile apps available on Android, iOS and Windows Phone versions.
Advantages of Playing Pokie Games Online
Beyond the obvious advantages of playing pokies online, which has to do with the convenience and ability to play from anywhere, there are a few more benefits that make online pokies grow in popularity with gamblers in New Zealand and beyond.
Pokie Game Variety
- Land-based casinos are limited in floor space, and each pokie game requires its cabinet on the casino floor. As online casinos don’t have this problem, at any given time, you have access to hundreds and sometimes thousands of pokies in the same online casino. Also, you can search and browse games swiftly and conveniently without needing to spend time walking around the casino floor looking for the best pokie game.
Higher RTP
- While land-based casinos need to pay for facilities, rent, employees, etc., their profit margin is lower than that of online casinos. Therefore, the RTP of online pokies, which averages between 97% and 99%, tends to be considerably higher than the RTP of land-based casino pokies.
More Innovation
- The digital format of online pokies enables them to provide a lot more new features and innovation than that of land-based casino pokies. Beyond new and exciting gameplay, there’s always something new to look for that gives you more ways to play and greater chances to win.
More Money to Wager
- Going to a land-based casino requires you to pay for travel and accommodation, and there’s food, drinks and many more expenses you incur before you even spin the reels. When you play pokie games online, every dollar you spend goes towards your bets. This means you have a lot more game time and, of course, more chances to win.
Quiet Game Settings
- A casino floor can be a very noisy place with thousands of people walking by, hundreds of pokie machines clinking, cocktail waiters serving drinks, etc. Playing pokies online lets you play from home in the most quiet and comfortable setting. This allows you to focus solely on the game, learn the features, odds and payouts, concentrate on your bets and game strategy and fully immerse yourself in the pokie machine's storyline with every spin.
Play Pokies on Your Mobile
- As most of today’s online pokies are optimised for mobile devices, you can play casino pokies from your home, on the train or even spin the reels at the pub with your mates. The latest and newest online pokies are literally in your back pocket, so as long as you have your tablet or smartphone with you.
Common Misconceptions about Pokies Online
There are myths and rumours about online pokie machines that come from common suspicions that people have about online activities. Are online pokies programmed to pay out at specific times? Do they pay out less after a player wins the jackpot? Are online pokie games rigged and fraudulent? Let’s have a look at some these misconceptions.
- Online Pokies are Easy to Win - This is an untrue myth. Although online pokies statistically give you a better chance to win in the long run due to a high RTP, this does not mean you will win. Every spin of the reels is entirely random, and while pokies may seem easy to play, that does not make winning more likely.
- Playing More Increases Chances to Win - Although, in theory, the more you play, the greater chances you have to win, that does not mean you will increase your chances to win per each spin, and winnings are never a guarantee. So, sadly, the length of your session won’t affect your chances of landing big wins.
- Online Pokies Don’t Pay Large Sums - Action speaks louder than words, and if this was the case, millions of people wouldn’t be playing online pokies. You can win huge amounts playing online pokies, with millions of dollars being paid in prizes throughout New Zealand every week, and progressive jackpots that pay tens of millions of dollars to individual happy winners.
- Online Pokies Are “Rigged” - There is a false myth about online pokie games being rigged, allowing casino operators to control the game outcome. Every casino we feature on Gambling.com is licensed by the New Zealand Gambling Commission, and as such, its RNG is fully certified and regularly tested to make sure that the outcome of every spin of an online pokie game is random.
Final Words on Online Pokies
Now that you know so much about pokies, why not try to spin the reels and dive into the exciting world of online casino pokies? While at it, don’t forget to claim the great bonuses available to players that come through Gambling.com.
FAQ
Can you win real money with pokie games online?
Of course! You can win cash prizes while playing the best online pokies. Spin the reels for a chance to win real money and play progressive pokies for jackpot prizes.
Are pokie games really random?
Pokie games are controlled by an RNG (Random Number Generator) which is certified and regularly tested by independent sources. This assures that the outcome of every spin on a pokie machine is random.
Are progressive jackpots better than regular pokies?
Every kind of pokie has its advantages. Progressive jackpot pokies pay millions of dollars in life-changing prizes. But these wins are extremely rare compared to regular pokies that although featuring smaller prizes, pay out more frequently.
Can I play pokies games online for free?
Yes you can. However due to New Zealand Gambling Commission regulations, free pokies can be played in New Zealand only once you have registered to the casino and verified your account.
Are all pokie games available on mobile?
Nearly all new online pokies are available on mobile and many of the older popular online pokies have been upgraded to provide mobile compatibility as well. But some outdated pokies may not be accessible on mobile devices.
Should I only play casino pokies with high RTP?
A high RTP is only one of several factors to consider when playing a casino pokie machine. You should also look at bonus features, free spins, pokie volatility and more things that can affect your chances to win.
What is pokie game volatility?
Game volatility is the definition of the pokies win frequency and payout size. High volatility pokies tend to have larger payouts that occur less frequently. Low volatility pokies typically pay out more frequently, but payouts are smaller.
How to win more on casino pokies?
As the outcome of every spin on an online casino pokie is random, it is difficult to intentionally win more. Statistically your odds of winning increase the more you play, but so will your odds of losing. So it’s best to set up limits and to manage your bankroll while playing.
Can I get a bonus when playing pokie games online?
Of course you can! Many of New Zealand's top casino sites offer generous bonuses to players who sign up through Gambling.com. So once you find the casino that’s best for you – sign up, claim a great bonus and start spinning the reels.
