Did you know that approximately 46% of the whole population of New Zealand play online pokies? They owe their popularity to several factors. There are so many different varieties and themes; they are easy to play and fun, but they can also be challenging. Choose the right games, and the RTPs are high, and you also have the chance of winning by playing progressive online pokies in NZ.
Finding the Best Online Pokies
Everyone has their own tastes, but there are some fundamentals when it comes down to finding the slots in New Zealand. They are:
- Choosing slots that are safe. The best way to do this is to choose online casino with pokies that have been tested by independent auditors like eCOGRA and iTech Labs,
- Finding games with great bonus offers. You can claim some excellent bonuses – welcome, low deposit, no deposit and match deposit bonuses. Many come with free spins.
- Choosing the games with the highest RTPs. The higher the RTP (Return to Player), the further your bankroll will stretch.
- Playing slots when you’re out and about. Being able to play games anywhere, anytime, is a fantastic convenience. You can game online on most mobile devices if you choose the right casino.
How to Start Playing New Zealand Online Pokies
If you are looking to play pokies online for the first time, here are the steps to follow.
Choose an Online Casino and Create a Player Account
There are several ways you can find the best NZ online casinos with pokies; ask a trusted friend, join a chatroom that focuses on online gambling, or check out some casino review sites. When you find a site that appeals:
- Click on the “sign up” or “register” button.
- Provide all the information requested.
- Chose a username and password
- Select your preferred currency and payment method
- Make a deposit (if one is needed)
Redeem a Bonus
If you are claiming a welcome bonus, enter the details in the appropriate box when you create your new account. If the deal has a bonus code, you will need to enter it.
Choosing Which Slots to Play
If claiming a bonus, it probably specifies which online pokies you can try. If not, why not choose one from the hotties trending now, as shown in the table shown below?
Is There a Free-Play Option
When choosing a game you haven’t tried before, it’s a good idea to try the free-play demo game if your chosen casino offers the option.
Playing for Real Money
Free play is great when testing a game for the first time. But the real fun and excitement comes when you play pokies online for real money. Who knows? You might land one of the mega progressive jackpots.
The Best NZ Online Casinos with Pokies
The best casinos with top online pokies work with world-leading software providers. We are talking about the likes of Big Time Gaming (BTG), Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Playtech and Pragmatic Play.
Top casinos are also licensed by reputable authorities like the Curacao eGaming Agency, the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission.
It is not sure where the word “pokies” originated in the gambling scene. One theory is that Kiwis playing conventional slot machines used to try and poke their fingers into the slots to make the machines pay out. True or not, one thing you can be sure of is that playing New Zealand online pokies is one of the most popular hobbies and pastimes today.
The Hottest Trending Online Slots in New Zealand
Below is a table of the hottest real money slots in New Zealand right now. If you want the best fun experience from titles that stretch your skill, pick any one and give it a try.
| Game | Software Provider | Reels | Paylines | RTP |
| Book of Dead | Play’n GO | 5×3 | 10 | 97.1% |
| Jack Hammer 2 | NetEnt | 5×3 | 50 | 97.1% |
| Immortal Romance | Microgaming | 5×3 | 243 | 96.86% |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | 5×3 | 25 | 94% |
| Piggy Bank Bills | Pragmatic Play | 6×3 | 9 | 96.5% |
| Starburst | NetEnt | 5×3 | 10 | 96.1% |
| Wolf Gold | Pragmatic Play | 5×3 | 25 | 96% |
The slot with the lowest RTP above (Mega Moolah) holds the world record for the biggest ever single jackpot payout – $21.7 million.