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The History of Online Pokies in New Zealand
As an online player, you probably never stopped to think about the history of pokies that you've come to love so much. Don't worry, you are not alone. However, to truly appreciate the game that brings you so much joy, it's important to understand how pokies became so popular in New Zealand. Hence, the need for this section in our Top10Casinos.kiwi guide. Even though online pokies weren't around until the late 20th century, the game has always been a global phenomenon. The first pokie machine was invented by Charles Fey in 1895 called the Liberty Bell and it was an instant hit among gamblers in America. It soon spread across the world and quickly evolved into the classic 3-reel and modern 5-reel pokies we know today. However, before we discuss why online pokies are so popular among Kiwi players, let's take a look at the origins of the word pokie.
The Origins of the Word 'Pokie'
Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries in the world that refer to slots as pokies. When the game was first invented, it wasn't called a pokie. Instead, it was known as the Liberty Bell machine. At first, players enjoyed the game with real money, but it didn't take long for state laws to ban casino gambling for cash. This altered the Liberty Bell machine to pay in fruits, gums and other valuable items instead of real money. Before long, most of the symbols on the reels represented different types of fruit and this is where the word pokie (fruit machine) first surfaced. It's safe to say that Kiwi players started the trend. Furthermore, the word pokie likely grew in popularity because players had to poke at buttons to set the reels in motion. While there have been loads of innovations over the years, the poking element has remained even when clicking the spin button online.
Why Pokies are so Popular Among Kiwis in New Zealand
New Zealand's introduction to gambling occurred during the 1980s. In 1988, electronic gaming machines were legalized in the country and pokies quickly gained popularity across the country. The leading software provider at the time was none other than Aristocrat. Players could enjoy titles from the renowned software provider in hotels and licensed casinos across NZ. By 1989, the parliament in New Zealand agreed to the legalization of gaming clubs, making it even easier to enjoy pokies in the country. In 1994, the first online casino by Microgaming introduced Kiwi players to online pokies, allowing them to play games like Cash Splash and Fruit Fiesta in the comfort of your own home. In 2003, six major gambling machines were made available to the most popular land-based casinos situated in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown. Fast-forward to 2009 and New Zealand impressed with more than 20,000 pokies in both land-based and online casinos.
The Evolution of Online Pokies in 2024
Online pokies have come a long way since they were first introduced to New Zealand players in 1994. These days, players can choose from thousands of online titles, each providing unique payline structures, plenty of bet options, incredible bonus features and endless choice when it comes to themes and storylines. Kiwi players can also look forward to exceptional graphics and animations along with the ability to play on mobile and tablet devices for added convenience. What's even more impressive is that NZ players can enjoy VR slots as well as leading live dealer pokies for a more immersive betting experience and ground-breaking features that will take online pokies to new heights. These games of chance continue to evolve with each passing day and there's no way to predict what the next milestone will be for these incredible games. All we can do is sit back and wait to see what happens next.
How We Review Free Slots Online for Players in New Zealand
Online pokies are the most popular real money games in the world with an incredible array of features, themes and styles. What makes them even more attractive is the ability to play the best pokies for free before wagering for real money. These games hold massive appeal to players in New Zealand, offering phenomenal flexibility for all budgets and preferences. However, with so many options at your disposal, it can be difficult to settle on a specific pokie or software provider. Other factors come into play when browsing through the game selection at the best NZ online pokie casinos. Not sure what they are? Don't worry, we at Top 10 have got you covered. To review and rank the best ones for Kiwis, we look at the primary characteristics that set each title apart from the next. Below, you'll find the fundamentals that will help you make a more educated decision while exploring our list of the best New Zealand online casinos in 2024.
- Software Provider: All New Zealand slots casinos are powered by software providers but not all of them offer the same quality. It's vital to learn about the history and reputation of different software providers to get a better understanding of their game libraries. Some of the best online real money slots providers in the business include Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Play'n GO, Yggdrasil Gaming and Thunderkick. However, there are loads of others that are just as good. The most prestigious software developers in New Zealand will often come with the best features, biggest payouts and most striking graphics and animations to enrich your gaming experience.
- Return to Player Percentage: The RTP is a term used by casinos to describe the percentage a pokie will pay back over time. For instance, if you make a hundred x $1.00 bets on a title with an RTP of 90%, you can expect to receive $90.00 back in winnings. The higher the RTP, the better it is for you. Therefore, we at Top 10 always look at the Return to Player Percentage to determine if the game holds any value for our NZ players. Best nz pokie sites often feature titles with an RTP ranging from 93% to 98%.
- Themes and Storylines: The most attractive aspect of all the best online slots is the ability to embark on just about any storyline or theme you can imagine. The best NZ online pokie casinos will give you the freedom to choose between movies, television shows, adventure, sports, music, space and more. You can venture to ancient Egypt or experience Norse mythology like never before. We look for the most captivating stories and themes to ensure you have an unforgettable reel-spinning adventure with every title you launch on desktop or mobile devices.
- Bonus Features: The popularity of this game lies behind the fact that they offer some of the most remarkable bonus features in the industry. You can look forward to free spins, multipliers, jackpots, wild symbols, extra reel structures, colossal symbols and more. It's these features that continue to draw the attention of players across New Zealand. We look for the most fascinating features that can provide the best entertainment and highest payouts before we recommend them to our loyal readers.
- Minimum Bet Amount: Online slots in New Zealand come in all shapes and sizes and the same can be said for their betting limits. Some titles cater to high rollers, while others are geared towards beginners who want to enjoy the same thrill and excitement without breaking the bank. We categorize all the available options based on bet limits to make it even easier to find a name that best suits your needs. All our reviews will feature minimum and maximum bet limits to help you decide before playing the pokie for free or for real money.
- Maximum Payout: Apart from the above, we at Top 10 also take into account the maximum payout for each title at the best slots online casino we recommend. Some will feature a fixed jackpot, while others come equipped with progressive jackpots. Some will only release the maximum payout during a bonus round, while others will provide the maximum payout during the base game. We include this in our reviews, giving you a clear overview of how to unlock the pokie's maximum potential before you even launch the game on your desktop and mobile device.
Understanding Slot Mechanics While Playing Free Slots in New Zealand
In New Zealand, online slots are some of the most enjoyable and easiest entertainment products offered at top casino sites. Yet, underneath the simplicity, several complicated mechanics make these captivating games tick and this is exactly what we'll be looking at in this section of our Top 10 guide. To understand how they work, you need to assess the core build of the game. These days, you don't have to visit a land-based casino to access thousands of video pokie or slots titles, review their gameplay, and evaluate their pay tables. You can simply browse through titles in the comfort of your own home and get familiar with their payback percentages, gameplay, bonus rounds and volatility. Admittedly, your chances to win will always depend on luck as opposed to skill but having a clear picture of the mechanics behind the curtain will give you an edge.
Random Number Generator
All NZ online pkies work with a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is essentially a microchip that generates random numbers. These numbers are generated even if no one is playing the game and are produced at a rate of several billions of times per second. Whether it's a classic, video or progressive jackpot pokie, the generated numbers assist in determining the position of the reels within the game. Every time a button is pushed or a lever is pulled, the video pokie will show the location of the generated numbers that were created. The RNG can be seen as a microprocessor and is considered the brain of any game. No one can influence the outcome of the RNG. The RNG also doesn't affect the hit frequency, payout rate, volatility or anything a player does during their gaming sessions.
Payout Percentage
Payout percentages are very easy to grasp. They are simply a measure of how much a player can expect to receive in winnings on average. In other words, payout percentages indicate the amount of money that your best online slots site will payout in winnings versus the amount wagered by a player. Payout percentages are also referred to as RTP % or Return to Player Percentages. If a title has an RTP of 98%, the casino will payout $98.00 for every $100.00 wagered on average. However, you must understand those payout percentages are measured over time and not on individual sessions. Depending on the title, it could take over 10 million games for the RTP % to be as advertised.
Volatility
When it comes to online casino gaming for New Zealand, volatility is a term used to evaluate the risk of losing a bet or wager. In other words, it indicates how often or seldom players can expect to win and how small or big the prizes will be. These online casino games are categorized into three volatility levels - low, medium and high. Below, we included a table of each volatility level along with a brief description of each to help you understand the volatility and why it's so important to keep this in mind when browsing through titles at the best NZ online pokie casinos.
Volatility Description Low Volatility Low-variance pokies provide players with more winning opportunities but with lower prize values, ranging from 250 to 500 times the bet amount. Low volatility pokies aren't as exciting as high volatility titles but offer a steadier payout that makes them more appealing to players. There are also other benefits to low volatility pokie games, such as longer gaming sessions, smaller losses, and easier bankroll management. However, these games don't offer massive jackpots and won't make you rich either. Medium Volatility Medium-variance pokies make a fine compromise between high volatile and low volatile machines. Even though they can be frustrating to play, they do provide highly anticipated wins for your efforts. In addition, these games tend to have loads of bonus features. Therefore, they remain a fantastic choice for players who are interested in playing for fun but still want to enjoy the thrill and excitement of decent wins from time to time. High Volatility For those who are interested in becoming millionaires while playing online, high-variance slots are the way to go. Also referred to as high-risk machines, highly volatile games are removed for rarely paying out winnings. However, once they do, you can expect massive jackpots to come your way. These games are preferred by those who have large bankrolls and enough patience and time to chase a jackpot prize. With high volatility pokies, players can expect to receive 3,000 to 10,000 times their bet amount.
Types of Free Slots You Can Play at New Zealand Casino Gambling Sites
Now that you understand the slot mechanics and how they work, it's time to take a closer look at the types of free pokies and real money titles you can play on a budget at our Top 10 minimum deposit casinos in NZ, offering deposit limits of $1, $5, and $10. They cater to all types of players, whether you want a simplistic reel-spinning adventure or a feature-rich video pokie packed with exciting bonus features. There are even titles with seven-figure prizes up for grabs when you venture into the realm of progressive jackpot and VR pokies that can provide a more immersive betting experience in the comfort of your own home. Below, you'll find the most popular types of pokies you can play online along with a brief description of each to make your decision-making process more convenient in 2024.
Classic Slot Machines
Classic pokies, also referred to as one-armed bandits or traditional pokies, are some of the most simplistic games you'll find at the best NZ online pokies casinos. These games only come with 1, 3 or 5 paylines and will usually feature fruit symbols resembling the first mechanical machines like the Liberty Bell. These games come with basic rules and don't offer complicated bonus features either. Simply line up 3 matching symbols to be a winner. It's that simple.
Modern Video Slots
Modern video pokies, also known as 5-reel, offer better graphics and animations when compared to traditional pokies along with excellent bonus features to keep you captivated with every spin you initiate. Modern video pokie games also provide an endless variety of themes and storylines coupled with larger payline structures and bigger betting limits to accommodate a wider audience. You'll find them with 10 to 50 paylines and unique symbols that perfectly relate to the theme of the game.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive jackpots come with all the same features as modern video pokies with one added incentive. New Zealand players get the opportunity to play for a life-changing sum of money. The only downside to progressive jackpot pokies is that the RTP is usually lower and you'll need to bet the maximum amount to qualify for the progressive jackpot once triggered. A small percentage of your bet will be added to the overall jackpot until one lucky player triggers the massive prize, usually through a bonus game or when you line up specific symbols on the reels.
Megaways Slots
Megaways pokies are popular games that use a mechanic known as a random reel modifier. First developed by Big Time Gaming, an Australian software provider, the random reel modifier mechanic alters the game with every spin. It changes the number of symbols that appear on each reel and offers far more ways to win when compared to other games. The ways to win in Megaways can vary from 15,625 paylines up to 248,832 paylines. Big Time Gaming has licensed Megaways pokies to other software providers, so you'll find loads of these titles at the best New Zealand online slot casinos.
3D Slots
3D pokies are essentially video pokies that have been designed to offer immersive graphics and animations that look like the screen is in 3D. New Zealand players don't have to wear any special glasses in the same way as going to see a 3D movie. However, the software providers developed these games with the hopes of rivalling that experience. The primary goal of 3D pokies is to make the experience as real and lifelike as possible. One of the best examples is the 3D series developed by Betsoft.
Vegas Slots
Vegas pokies are immensely popular games in the online gaming industry centred around the most popular one armed bandits located in land-based casinos across Las Vegas. This can range from traditional to video pokies that have stood the test of time on the Las Vegas Strip. Popular titles include Cleopatra, 88 Fortunes, Centurion, Reel King Mega and Rainbow Riches. These games remain popular in Nevada to this day and it should come as no surprise that online adaptations have been made of these popular titles for players to enjoy at home.
Penny Slots
Penny pokies are incredibly popular among inexperienced players who want to enjoy the excitement at a low cost. These titles offer the kind of carefree entertainment that used to see players flock to land-based casinos back in the day. In theory, players can bet as little as one cent per line to set the reels in motion. Although you won't win big with penny slots, you can still look forward to a prolonged gaming session without running through your bankroll. It's the next best thing to playing for fun in demo mode.
Mobile Slots
With technological advancements and the popularity of mobile and tablet devices in 2024, players in New Zealand can enjoy classic, video, progressive jackpot, penny and 3D pokies while away from home. Mobile games provide all the same themes and storylines coupled with the same betting limits, payline structures and bonus features as their desktop counterparts. The only difference is that you can play your favourite titles while sitting in traffic, enjoying a well-deserved vacation or while walking from point A to point B.
VR Slots
VR, or virtual reality, pokies are the next best thing to emerge in the online gaming industry and Kiwi players can already take advantage of these incredible games. VR technology is still in its infancy but it can already track and respond to your hand movements along with a full 360-degree field of vision for a truly immersive playing experience. Not only will you be able to play, but you can also explore an entire casino floor while wearing a headset. This will be accompanied by crystal-clear sound effects, 3D graphics, terrific animations and plenty of winning opportunities.
Features of Top Real Money Slots in New Zealand
The features are the core elements that make pokies so exciting. They are designed to boost your winning opportunities and make your gaming sessions more exciting. Think of random triggers, free spins, avalanche reels, jackpot symbols, scatter icons, and wild symbols. These are just a few of the common features you'll come across while exploring titles at the best NZ online pokie casinos. These games with multiple features can look intimidating at first, especially if you've never played a video pokies before. However, they are often easy to understand once you get familiar with the game. The more you play them, the quicker you'll recognize the various features that make these games of chance so engaging.
How To Understand Features When Reviewing the Paytable
Every online game will come equipped with a paytable that will display the symbols and their corresponding payouts along with bonus features you can unlock in the game. We at Top 10 highly recommend that you review the paytable first before setting your bet limit and spinning the reels. You'll have a better understanding of the symbols that provide the biggest payouts and how to activate all the bonus features in the game. Bonus features will be explained in detail, so you'll know exactly what to do when returning to the base game. The paytable will also provide additional information, such as paylines, maximum win, volatility, hit rate and return to player percentage.
How Slot Features Enhance Your Reel-Spinning Adventure
Now for the best part - playing slot games online! All games are activated when you place a bet and press the spin button. The reels are set in motion, and when they stop, you'll get the outcome of your spin. Your primary objective is to line up matching symbols that correspond with the pay table. Bonus features provide an added level of excitement for NZ, over and above just matching symbols. The features will make your experience more entertaining and boost your chances of winning. There are numerous features you can unlock while playing online. Let's take a look at some of the most popular features in the next section of our Top 10 guide.
Types of Slot Machine Features at the Best New Zealand Online Casino Websites
With thousands of online real money casino games available at the best NZ online casinos, you'll discover a plethora of unique features to further enhance your online gaming experience. Some will be available in the base game, while others will be embedded in bonus rounds that you'll need to unlock. To help you understand the types of pokie features in the online gaming industry, we included a list of the most popular features below.
Paylines
One of the first features you'll come across while playing a pokie online in New Zealand is the payline structure. Classic or traditional titles provide the most simplistic payline structures, usually offering 1 and 5 paylines across the reel set. When it comes to video pokies, the payline structures can vary wildly, allowing you to take advantage of 10 to 100 paylines on any given spin. The most recent development in the industry is Megaways brands. These games provide ways to win instead of paylines and can range from a minimum of 15,625 ways to win up to a maximum of 248,832 ways to win.
Wild Symbols
A wild symbol is the most common feature you'll find in online casino pokie titles. They are primarily designed to substitute for other symbols to help with winning combinations that would otherwise be impossible. Wild symbols don't usually substitute for other special symbols, such as jackpot symbols or scatter icons. However, they do come in a variety of unique variations that make them extremely valuable to players. Apart from the standard wild symbol at NZ casino sites, you can also look forward to sticky wilds, spreading wilds, walking wilds, multiplier wilds and jumping wilds. Each provides an additional feature when triggered, leading to more explosive winning opportunities.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are considered a player's best friend when it comes to slots online in casinos for New Zealand. You might not come across scatter symbols while playing traditional pokie games but they are very popular with modern video pokies, especially those that are packed with features. Scatter symbols are primarily used to trigger or activate bonus rounds, such as free spins. You will usually need to display 3 scatter symbols anywhere in view on the reels to trigger the associated bonus round. You can also receive a cash prize, depending on how many scatter symbols you display on the reel set.
Free Spins
One of the most popular features that continue to draw players to New Zealand online pokies is free spins. When free spin in-game bonuses are activated, players receive a set number of spins that are completely free. This means you don't have to wager your own money. Simply sit back and enjoy some complimentary spins while benefitting from real money payouts. Players will often receive between 10 and 100 free spins, depending on the number of bonus symbols or scatter symbols displayed on the reel set. You can also re-trigger free spins by displaying 3 additional scatter symbols during the round.
Multipliers
Multipliers are unique features in that carry the capacity to multiply your win by a predetermined figure. The primary objective of multipliers is to double, triple, quadruple or even increase your winnings by 100 times. Some multipliers are tied to specific symbols, while others are activated in bonus rounds. Some will multiply your overall winnings, while others can count towards your total bet size and line bets. This will all depend on the New Zealand casino game you play, so make sure to review the paytable to understand how to take advantage of multipliers.
Win Both Ways
As you get more familiar with online pokies at New Zealand casino sites, you will soon realize that payouts are predominately calculated from left to right on the reel set. You will often need to create a winning combination that starts on the first reel. However, several titles will come with a Wins Both Ways feature. This means that winning combinations are calculated from left to right as well as right to left. This will greatly increase your chances of winning as you have more opportunities to create a winning combination when it's calculated from both sized of the reel layout.
Bonus Rounds
Bonus rounds are special features that can be activated from the base game. This will usually occur when you display specific symbols, such as scatter symbols or bonus symbols. Alternatively, they can be randomly activated on any spin, depending on the game you play. With bonus rounds, you can expect to have the opportunity to land the biggest win in the game. Bonus rounds will function in one of two ways. They can be played on top of the base game, giving you additional multipliers, sticky wilds, special symbols or extra reels. On the other hand, you'll be taken to an entirely new set of reels with unique modifiers to further increase your chances of winning.
Other Special Features
Apart from the special features mentioned above, there are loads of other modifiers, booster symbols and reel transformations that you can enjoy while playing at the best NZ online pokies casinos. Players can also enjoy colossal symbols, locked reels, reel swap, reel sync features, pick a bonus, bonus wheels, cluster pays, avalanche reels, wild overlays, random features, win boosters and expanding symbols. New features are created regularly and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest advancements when it comes to the world of online pokies in New Zealand.
How to Choose Free Slots with the Best Features in NZ
Choosing the best New Zealand pokies is never an easy task, but there are a couple of ways we can help you to narrow down the choice and select games that are worth your while. Our Top 10 review experts have years of industry experience and know exactly how to evaluate an online pokie for kiwi players. Below, we included some helpful tips that will assist you in choosing the best free pokies with phenomenal bonus features that are sure to improve your gaming sessions on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Review the Paytable: We also discussed the importance of reviewing the paytable to better understand the game. The paytable will tell you the rules of the game, the payouts for each symbol, how to trigger special features, the return to player percentage and the number of paylines embedded in the game. Reviewing the paytable is the fastest way to figure out the maximum win, betting range and other key factors to decide if it suits your playstyle and budget.
- Play in Demo Mode: Most of the best NZ online pokies casinos will allow you to play pokies for free with free spins before playing for real money. This is one of the best ways to discover a new pokie. You will have the ability to familiarize yourself with the pace of the game, how often wins are triggered, the symbols, bet limits and how to activate special features. You essentially get the same experience without spending your own hard-earned money at the best New Zealand online casinos.
- Read our Slot Reviews: This is one of the most important tips from our Top 10 review experts. By reading our comprehensive pokie reviews, you can get a quick overview of the maximum win, symbols, special features, payline structures, themes and software providers. We also include the Return to Player percentage, hit frequency, volatility level and bet limits. You can save yourself loads of time by reading our honest and unbiased pokie reviews before playing for real money.
- Search by Software Developer: Online casinos rarely create or develop their pokies, and it's for this reason why it's vital to choose a title based on your favourite software provider instead. If you like a specific bonus feature, style of graphics, mechanics or payline structure, look for other pokies created by the same software provider. It's also beneficial to stick to the most prestigious software providers in the industry and they tend to release the latest features and the most captivating graphics in their titles.
Popular Casino Software Providers Behind the Best Free Slot Machines
Modern-day New Zealand casinos online are almost unrecognizable from those that were operating in the early days of real money online casino gambling. Those who have played at the first online casinos will know exactly what we are talking about. However, if you've only started playing in recent years, you'll only be familiar with the high-quality NZ slots sites offering the top NZ slots of today. The fact is that the software used by online casinos nowadays is far more advanced than before. With technological advancements, there have been loads of enhancements in audio and visuals as well as innovation. Your overall experience with gameplay functionality is way better these days and there is a wider selection of games to choose from too. Apart from slot mahcines, players in New Zealand will also find a plethora of excellent blackjack games, video poker titles, progressive jackpots, top roulette games, specialty games, and more that have evolved significantly over the years.
One of the primary reasons why software at the best NZ online pokies casinos has improved so much is because it's developed by specialist gaming companies instead of the casinos themselves. Some operators still create proprietary software, but the majority of new pokie sites use third-party software providers. Some casinos will use a single software provider, while most of them use multiple software companies to offer a diverse selection of games to their customers. Some of the giants in the industry that provide the best free slots include Microgaming, Yggdrasil Gaming, NetEnt, IGT, Big Time Gaming, Play'n Go, and Playtech. In the following section, we'll compare these software giants to help you make a more informed decision before playing for real money online.
Comparing the Top 10 Software Providers of Free Online Slots in New Zealand
If you want to play the best online slots and pokies, it's vital to understand the difference between a casino software provider and a casino operator. When you register a new account and make a deposit with a casino operator, you need to understand that they are not responsible for creating the incredible online pokie games that you'll likely play as a customer. This comes down to the casino's partnership with software providers. There are hundreds of software providers in the online gaming industry and it can be challenging to figure out which ones provide the best experience. Therefore, we at Top 10 decided to compare the most prestigious software providers in the industry available to Kiwi players in New Zealand to help you on your journey. Below, you'll find comparisons between the best casino software providers that you'll find while gambling at the best NZ online casinos.
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Microgaming vs NetEnt
Microgaming is regarded as the undisputed champion when it comes to supplying gaming software online. The company launched the first online casino in 1994 and currently offers over 800 games on desktop and mobile devices. They are also behind the world's largest progressive jackpot network and are the recipient of countless awards for their products and services. Some of the most popular titles from Microgaming include Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Avalon II, Immortal Romance, Jurassic Park and Jungle Jim El Dorado. The Mega Moolah series has managed to payout more than $1.2 billion in prizes to date.
NetEnt, on the other hand, started operating in 1996 with an emphasis on original content and creativity. The Swedish-based company offers more than 200 games and processed over 58 billion transactions in 2019. The software giant has expanded into a wide range of territories around the world and has formed partnerships with some of the biggest operators in existence, including LeoVegas Casino, Paddy Power, and Betfair. The company also acquired Red Tiger Gaming in 2019 and is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Some of the most popular titles from NetEnt include Starburst, Jacks and the Beanstalk, Gonzo's Quest, Dead or Alive and Piggy Riches.
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Big Time Gaming vs Pragmatic Play
Big Time Gaming was established in 2011 and is situated in Sydney, Australia. What truly catapulted this software company to the forefront of the online gaming industry was the Megaways pokie mechanic which has proved to be a smash hit with both pokie enthusiasts and operators alike. They have licensing agreements and partnerships with the likes of Dunder Casino, Royal Panda Casino and OpenBet. They also offer loads of branded pokies, such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Monopoly, and several games based on songs and bands. Some of the most popular titles from Big Time Gaming include Bonanza Megaways, White Rabbit Megaways, and Extra Chilli Megaways.
Established in 2015, Pragmatic Play is one of the leading software providers in the iGaming industry and provides plenty of casino action with video, bingo, video poker, table games, classic pokies and live dealer titles. With a focus on mobile, Pragmatic Play pokies can be enjoyed on smartphones and tablet devices, filling the entire screen in vertical mode. You'll find more than 250 titles from this software provider and all their games are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Some of the most popular pokies from Pragmatic Play include Sweet Bonanza, The Dog House Megaways, Wolf Gold, The Curse of the Werewolf Megaways and Peking Luck.
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Playtech vs Play'n GO
Playtech has been around since 1999 and is currently providing more than 200 gaming operators with their exclusive software. Because of this, the software giant is the largest publicly traded software provider in the world. When it comes to Playtech, you'll have hundreds of options at your disposal. The company is behind the immensely popular Age of the Gods series featuring a Greek mythology theme along with progressive jackpots as well as the Kingdoms Rise series with enhanced free spin and other bonus features. They also have loads of branded titles, such as Robocop, Ace Venture Pet Detective, Gladiator, Top Gun and The Flintstones.
Play'n Go is considered a veteran in the online gaming industry having been established by a group of tech-loving specialists in 1997. Renowned for offering content combining volatile gameplay and existing features, their catalog of games includes games inspired by superheroes, secret agents, ancient deities, lost civilizations, graffiti artists, and gemstones. Fully licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, Play'n Go is best-known for the Book of Dead. They are also the first software provider to provide no download mobile pokies to the industry and have received several awards over the years for its excellence. Other notable titles include Legacy of Egypt, Reactoonz, 24k Dragon and Testament.
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WMS vs IGT
WMS, also known as Williams Interactive and WMS Gaming, was established by Harry Williams in 1943. The company initially started with pinball machines before developing slot machines during the early 90s for land-based casinos. By 2013, the company became a subsidiary of Scientific Games and also owns other software providers like NextGen Gaming, Barcrest and Bally Technologies. WMS was a bit late to the party but currently offers hundreds of excellent titles at the best NZ online pokies casinos. Some of the most popular titles from WMS include Medusa, Black Knight II, Amazon Queen, Frozen Inferno, Elvis the King and Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers.
IGT has been around since the 1950s but it was only in 1981 when it became a public company. IGT has a massive presence in land-based casinos with pokie machines found across the globe. They are behind some of the most played pokies of all time and can even be enjoyed online by kiwi players in 2024. Cleopatra is undoubtedly the most popular title from IGT followed closely by Pharaoh's Fortune and Da Vinci Diamonds. You'll find more than 1,000 games from this software provider in land-based casinos and many of these titles are now available at online casinos and on mobile devices. Some of the other popular games from IGT include Siberian Storm, Red Hot Tamales, Kitty Glitter, Golden Goddess and Pixies of the Forest.
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Thunderkick vs Yggdrasil Gaming
Thunderkick has been creating online gaming content since 2012 with their creators coming from NetEnt. The company's focus is to create pokies that enhance your overall experience at the best NZ online casinos. The company is completely independent and has offices in Malta and Sweden. Licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, Thunderkick strives to provide high-end productions with a unique look and feel. Some of the most popular titles from Thunderkick include Riders of the Storm, Midas Golden Touch, Divine Lotus, Carnival Queen, Pink Elephants, and Esqueleto Explosivo 2. They also provide the title with the highest RTP in the industry called 1429 Uncharted Seas.
Yggdrasil Gaming is a renowned software provider offering casino pokies and lottery products to the online gaming industry. As a newcomer to the scene, the company is well funded and produced some incredible video pokies since launching in 2013. Their gaming concepts are primarily odd and cryptic with unusual themes compared to other software providers. Most of their games fall into the medium to high variance category with games like Chibeasties and Cazino Zeppelin. Other notable titles worth playing include Vikings Go to Valhalla, Golden Fish Tank, Brawl at the Red Cap Inn, Vikings Go Berzerk, Nitro Circus and Time Travel Tigers.
Top Mobile Casino Apps for Free Online Slots in NZ
Mobile casino apps take your online gaming experience and give it to you while on the move. By using your mobile device, you can enjoy your favorite games at best NZ pokie sites from your smartphone or tablet device. Our lives are extremely busy, so you might not have the time to always sit in front of your desktop computer to play online pokie games for free. It's for this very reason that the best NZ online slots or pokies casinos have dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. They don't sacrifice quality for convenience either as all the games have been perfectly optimized for smaller screens using HTML5 technology. Even if you don't plan on playing at the bar or on the bus, you can always cozy up with your smartphone while cooking in the kitchen, sitting on the porch, or lying in bed.
Trusted Android Mobile Casino Apps
You'll be pleased to know that all our Top 10 recommendations offer support for a wide variety of Android devices, giving you the ability to register a new account, claim promotions and bonuses, contact support, manage your account and play the best pokies online while away from home. You will also have the flexibility to use your mobile web browser to access your account if you don't feel like downloading a dedicated mobile app. Simply browse through our Top 10 list and choose a casino that best suits your needs. There's no need to check if Android devices are supported as we've already done the hard work for you.
Legit iOS Mobile Casino Apps
Whether you want to play on your iPhone or iPad, you'll appreciate the fact that all the best NZ online pokies casinos from our list support iOS devices. The majority of our recommendations will offer a mobile app that you can download directly from the App Store. Alternatively, you can use your mobile's web rowser to access your account and still enjoy the same features and services. The New Zealand mobile casino apps for iOS will give you the power to log in to your account while on the road as well as the ability to claim bonuses, play a wide selection of slots and other casino games, make safe and secure online transactions, contact support, and more.
Tips and Strategies on How to Win with Slots in NZ
Pokies are categorized as games of chance which means there's no real way to get an edge over the casino. However, we at Top 10 believe that you can increase your chances of winning by incorporating the following tips and strategies while playing your favorite titles at the best NZ casinos. Not only will you be able to win more often but you'll also have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with features, betting limits, symbols, payline structures, and themes when you play in demo mode or while using a no deposit free spins casino bonus before playing for real money.
- Find High RTP Pokies: The best way to prolong your gaming experience and increase your winning opportunities is to look for pokies with high Return to Player percentages. We recommend that you avoid progressive jackpot pokies as these games will usually have lower RTPs to compensate for the jackpot prize. We at Top 10 include all RTPs in our pokie reviews but you can also do a quick Google search to find titles with the best payout percentages.
- Bet Enough to Enable Features: As you dive deeper into the world of pokies, you'll soon realize that some games will require a higher bet amount to activate all the special features in the game. This is why it's important to review the paytable before you start spinning the reels. To take advantage of progressive jackpots or the highest payouts in the game, you will usually need to bet the maximum amount. You also need to make sure to enable all paylines to give yourself the best opportunities at winning big when a certain combination is present on the reel set.
- Choose Your Volatility Level: As you should be aware by now, there are three volatility levels when it comes to online pokie games, including low, medium and high. Do you want small and frequent payouts or are you chasing massive prizes that only come around on rare occasions? You will need to decide what variance is best suited for your play style and look for pokies that can accommodate this before you start spending your hard-earned money.
- Claim No Deposit Bonuses: If you want to play for fun but still want to win real money in the process, we highly recommend that you claim no deposit bonuses. The best NZ online pokie casinos will usually offer no deposit free spins or no deposit free cash casino offers that you can use to evaluate a new casino site. These exclusive bonuses can also be used to play a handful of pokies to get familiar with the game to see if it's to your liking.
- Play for Fun in Demo Mode: If you are interested in winning at pokies, you can't go wrong by first playing the game in demo mode. This gives you the opportunity to get better acquainted with the symbols, features, payline structure, and bet limits. You'll get a feel for the payout frequency, how often bonus features come around and the potential winnings you can earn by playing for an hour. There is no better way to build your confidence with a new pokie than playing in demo mode.
Perks and Benefits of Real Money Slot Tournaments in New Zealand
Online slot casino tournaments provide a competitive component that makes these games even more appealing to players in NZ. Instead of playing your favorite pokie and racking up prizes by matching winning symbols on your own, you can enter tournaments to unlock even more exclusive prizes and rewards as your climb the leaderboard. There are several reasons why tournaments are so popular in New Zealand. The buy-ins are extremely low, the prizes usually include complimentary bonuses, free spins or free entries, and there are numerous tournaments daily to keep you entertained. Leaderboards will also keep you up-to-date on where you are ranked and you can even re-enter the same tournaments for another chance at winning big. The best tournaments will also include the most popular titles in the industry, allowing you to explore the hottest New Zealand online casino slots titles as you compete for the biggest prizes.
Free Slots vs Real Money Slots
Even though there are distinct differences between free and real money online casino pokies, they both have loads of similarities. For instance, both versions use the same game rules and the average RTP is the same regardless of whether you play for real money or pokies for fun. The animations and graphics remain unchanged and the bet limits are also identical. So, what are the differences then? Well, with real money slots or pokies, you'll be required to register and verify your account before you can start wagering real money. You'll also need to register a payment method and make a deposit. Furthermore, if you decide to claim a bonus, you will need to meet playthrough requirements before you can withdraw your winnings with Visa, Bitcoin, Neosurf, or Paypal, even if you find the online casino best payouts site. With free pokies, you don't have to register a new account or verify your account. You can simply use demo credits to learn the game and play for fun without risking your own money. The only downside is that you won't be able to cash in your winnings.
How to Play Free Slots and Keep Your Winnings with No Deposit Bonuses
One of the best ways to evaluate new or popular titles at the best slots online casinos for NZ is to take advantage of no deposit bonuses. Whether you claim no deposit free spins or no deposit free cash bonuses, both provide the unique opportunity to play for free and win real money in the process. If you want to keep your winnings more often with slots no deposit free spins bonuses at online casinos, we highly recommend that you look for no deposit online casino bonuses with low playthrough requirements, extended expiry dates, and high maximum withdrawal limits. While using the free spins no deposit online casino bonus, make sure to play pokies with high payout percentages and low volatility pokies with small but frequent payouts. We have a comprehensive guide on the best no deposit online casinos in New Zealand where we go into great detail on how to best use these generous free spins offers to your advantage at the best paying online casino sites in 2024.
Top10Casinos.kiwi Verdict
Although online casinos seem to be sprouting every day in New Zealand, it's safe to say that not all of them deserve your time and money. Since it's extremely important to us that you don't fall prey to blacklisted and rogue gambling NZ slots sites, our Top 10 team strives to ensure that you are only exposed to the best NZ online pokies casinos. When you browse through our list of recommendations in this guide, you can rest assured that you'll only find the best online bonuses with fair terms and conditions while you enjoy online real money slots. You'll also benefit from the biggest variety of online casino titles from the world's most renowned software providers coupled with safe and secure payment options and high levels of security to provide the best possible experience on both desktop and mobile devices. Now that you have all the information you need, it's time to explore the world of top slots online, take a look at the best slots to play and sign up with the top New Zealand online casinos!
Frequently Asked Questions
Although we do our best to provide as much information as possible when it comes to our all-inclusive top10casinos.kiwi guides for the best online slots sites in New Zealand, we still receive questions from our loyal readers that deserve to be answered. It's for this reason that we always include a section for frequently asked questions where we discuss the most common questions relating to the topic. In this guide, we'll look at your questions surrounding online slots NZ casino sites, free spins no deposit bonuses and more.
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Can I play free slot games and win real money online?
This will depend on several factors. If you are playing in demo mode, you will not be able to win real money from free pokies. However, if you are playing pokies with a no deposit bonus, you can win real money and withdraw your winnings if you meet all the requirements.
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What are the best free online slot games?
If you are looking for the best free pokie games online, we highly recommend that you review titles from your favourite software provider followed by the volatility level that best suits your playstyle. You can also take into account the payout percentage and the maximum win amount to narrow down the selection.
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How do I win at slots?
There is no real science to winning. However, you can incorporate a few tips and strategies to increase your chances of winning. As we've discussed in this guide, look for high RTP pokies, study the paytable, practice in demo mode, claim bonuses and aim for smaller jackpot prizes.
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What is a megaways slot?
Megaways pokiesare online games that utilize the random reel modifier mechanic. This mechanic changes the number of symbols that appear on each of the reels, providing more ways to win when compared to other online pokie games.
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What is RTP in online slots?
RTP stands for Return to Player which is the percentage the game will return to you. It indicates how much the machine will pay back over time based on the money a player wagers. For instance, if the RTP in a slot is 98%, it will pay back $98.00 for every $100.00 you wager.
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What are the best free online slot features for Kiwi players?
This will depend on your play style and the features that you wish to activate while playing online. The best Nz online slots casinos come equipped with a wealth of unique features, ranging from wilds, free spins and scatters to colossal symbols, avalanche reels and reel modifiers. You will need to determine which features you like most and search for pokies based on those results.
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Can I play free slots without registration?
Yes. This can be achieved through demo mode. The majority of gambling sites will allow you to play pokies in demo mode before playing for real money. Alternatively, you can play free pokies at Top 10 to familiarize yourself with bet limits, features, symbols and paylines before registering a real money account.
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Do I need to download software to play slots for free?
Not necessarily. Online casinos do give you the option to download the software but it's no longer a requirement. You can easily enjoy free pokies through a web browser on your desktop or through your mobile's web browser on both Android and iOS devices. You can even enjoy pokie titles without registering a new account.
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Can I play the latest slots for fun at casinos?
Yes. The majority of our recommendations at Top 10 will give you the freedom to play the newest pokies for free. Once the title is released, you can head over to your favourite casino and enjoy the game in demo mode before playing for real money. We also try to add the game to our catalogue where you can play for fun to understand all the mechanics before signing up for a new account.
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Can I play free slot games on my mobile device?
Yes. The best part about online casinos is that they are available on Android and iOS mobile and tablet devices. You can access your casino account while on the move and play for fun or real money while away from home. Apart from playing these games, you can also make online transactions, manage your account, claim promotions and bonuses and contact support.
Written by
Bonnie Gjurovska Managing Editor With a master's degree in business law, Bonnie ventured into the world of online gambling in 2015. Starting out as content writer, she rose through the ranks to eventually manage her own team of writers while planning and structuring content for readers. Visit Bonnie's author page to find out more.
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