Updated by Matt Bastock
Editor
Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam
Senior Vice-President
Pokies might just be New Zealand’s favourite form of online gambling. And it’s easy to see why. Online pokies in NZ offer endless opportunities for fun, and best of all, you might even bag a real money win. These online slot games come with progressive jackpots, Megaways features, and hundreds of themes. They definitely appeal to every sort of player.
So, are you looking for the best online real money pokies? We’ve got a complete guide for you right here, on this page.
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Believe it or not, there are hundreds of different sites where you can play real money pokies online in New Zealand. From household names to brand-new gambling sites, there’s no shortage of choice out there. But deciding which online casino in NZ works best for you can be a bit of a daunting task.
The team at Casinos.com is here to help! We’ve done a whole lot of research into the best real money pokies sites, to help you find your perfect match.
In the next sections, we'll share our top picks for the best sites. We’ll let you know which casino has the best progressive jackpots and, most excitingly, our top casino for this month.
If you want to play online pokies with real money, Sushi Casino is our top recommendation. The site has a unique Japanese theme and a modern vibe. Expect lots of graphics and animations for an immersive experience.
All of our top 10 online pokies NZ players love are here, like Big Bass Bonanza, Majestic King, and Sugar Rush. Sushi Casino also has bonus buy games, progressive jackpots, and a great selection of Megaways games.
Sushi's Best features:
Spinaro Casino is our top casino for the best real money pokies. The game selection here is better than we’ve seen pretty much anywhere else. There's something for everyone, from top Bonus Buy games like Book of Ra Deluxe and Bill & Coin to massive jackpots. Spinaro also has regular promotions, a VIP program, sports betting and live casino sections.
Spinaro's best features:
Progressive jackpots are some of our favourite types of games. Where else could you stand a chance to win up to seven or eight figures on one spin? NetBet has the best selection of progressive jackpot pokie machines we’ve seen at any NZ online casinos.
There are “10 Minute Jackpots” like 777 Strike and Bass Boss, which drop all the time. Plus, bigger jackpots like the Mega Moolah and WowPot series are available, too. Or you can try pokies like Book of Mega Moolah and Mega Moolah the Witch’s Moon.
NetBet's best features:
Bet365 is a household name, so it should come as no surprise that it’s our top pick for the fastest transactions. Except for bank transfers, which take up to two days, all deposits into your Bet365 account are instant.
If you withdraw to your bank card, you can get your money within as little as one hour. Plus, Bet365 hosts all of the best online pokies in NZ for real money. There are jackpots, exclusive games, and so much more.
Bet365's best features:
Playing top NZ online pokies is even more fun when you can bag a great bonus to help boost your balance. When you sign up, you can get deposit match offers at Casimba. Plus, there’s more to look forward to every day.
From boosts to free spins frenzies to prize drops, there are plenty of reasons to keep coming back. And it doesn’t hurt that Casimba offers a range of thousands of pokies, including jackpots and new releases.
Casimba's best features:
Mr Vegas is home to lots of online NZ pokies with high payouts. We’d recommend you have a go at high RTP pokies like 1429 Uncharted Seas and Blood Suckers. We were also thrilled to see that Mr Vegas offers the Mega Moolah games, where you could stand a chance to win huge prizes.
These progressive jackpots can go up to seven or even eight figures. Plus, you can spin the special Wheel of Vegas, to see if you can bag an exclusive progressive jackpot.
Mr Vegas's best features:
Neptune Play is home to some of the latest real money online pokies, like Spartan Spirit, Valley of the Dead, and Break the Piggy Bank. In fact, there’s an entire section in the lobby for new games, and you’ll see titles from the likes of Yggdrasil, Pragmatic Play, and many other providers.
But don’t worry, Neptune Play doesn’t only have new releases. There are plenty of classic games, live casino games and even a sports betting section.
Naptune Play's best features:
If you enjoy playing real money pokies online or want to get the hang of it, this guide is for you.
You’ll find lots of helpful info here on the different types of slots, who makes them, and other useful stuff. Plus, I’ll share my favourite pokies to help you kick things off.
Check out the list of the best online pokies sites in New Zealand above. They come with great online casino bonus offers, so you can pick the one that suits you best.
The world of online pokies has come a long way in recent years! If you’re a player in New Zealand, you'll find a fantastic range of real money pokies, many with fun themes. To help you navigate this selection, let's break them down into categories!
These are the original online slots, and they’re so cool that they still rule the online pokies scene today. Video pokies come in two main styles: classic 3-reel and more detailed 5-reel versions. They usually offer fun features like wild and scatter symbols; some even have bonus games. Plus, the live-action backgrounds and animations really keep things entertaining!
Check out my recommended top three video pokies:
Starburst has been a fan favourite since NetEnt released it in 2012. What I love most about this game is that it's simple but still has some cool features to keep things interesting. You've got a win-both-ways setup, expanding wilds and respins. It’s not too risky either, so small wins roll in pretty often, plus the RTP is a nice 96.05%.
Get ready for a serious sugar rush with Sweet Bonanza from Pragmatic Play. This fun slot has six reels and five rows, plus it features tumbling wins and free spins. You could win over 21,000x your bet, which is jaq-dropping! If you love sugary themes, this game is worth a spin. It has medium to high volatility, so there are some exciting times ahead.
Reactoonz is crazy but so much fun to play! It has a 7x7 grid filled with alien-like critters and uses the Cluster Pays mechanic. When you hit a winning cluster, the matching symbols disappear, and new ones drop down to give you even more chances to win. Plus, there’s an explosive meter and some wild bonus features. You definitely need to give it a spin to get the full experience!
With the arrival of 3D pokies, online slots have gotten a fun upgrade. The gameplay is pretty much the same as regular video pokies, but the graphics look way cooler. Plus, there's often a fun storyline, and everything feels much more engaging.
Here are my top three 3D pokies for you to try:
Tombstone R.I.P. is an eerie pokie that explores a death-by-hanging theme. Set in the Wild West, it offers high volatility and has an RTP of 96.08%. If luck is on your side, you could win an incredible payout of up to 300,000x your stake in just one spin!
This game comes loaded with innovative features like xWays, xSplit, and xNudge. You won't find these in games from other developers. Plus, it has a great pack of bonus rounds, including the 'Hang 'em High' free spins and El Gordo’s Revenge.
Get ready to hop on the Money Train 3, a wild post-apocalyptic adventure! This online slot has a 5x4 reel setup, multipliers and four bonus buy options. It’s high volatility, with a max win set at a fantastic 100,000x your bet! If you love futuristic graphics and immersive sounds, jump aboard - this slot is totally for you.
I love vampire-slaying slots, especially when they’re upgrades of NetEnt's Blood Suckers. Blood Suckers Megaways keeps that spooky vampire vibe while giving you more ways to win - up to 117,649! Plus, you can potentially win a crazy 20,521x your stake. There are also some great reel modifiers, like wilds, multipliers, free spins, and bonus buys.
These slot machines are just like the classic ones you’d find in bars and arcades. The older ones usually have three reels and a single payline down the middle. The newer ones have five reels and multiple paylines to spice things up. They all share symbols like fruits, bells, and lucky sevens. Some even let you hold or nudge the reels, which makes them more fun to play.
Here are my top three fruit machines that you can find on online slot sites:
NetEnt took the classic fruit slot and gave it a fun, fresh twist with Fruit Shop. It's packed with juicy fruits, big wins, and superb bonus features. The standout is definiteley the free spins round with 4x multipliers, making this game a timeless favourite among players.
Get ready for the fun and flavour of Fruit Party from Pragmatic Play! This juicy 7x7 Cluster Pays fruit machine has medium volatility and lets you win up to 5,000x your bet. You’re in for a treat with random multipliers and a round of free spins to keep the party going!
Fruit Fiesta is a nine-line slot machine that's fun and easy to play. Landing five-of-a-kind bells, watermelons, and bananas gives you the biggest payout. Just keep in mind that the RTP can be a bit all over the place, ranging from 96.94% to 91.89%. Since it’s a low volatility slot, you can hit wins pretty often, with the biggest prize going up to 555x your bet.
The popularity of themed pokies has really taken off lately. These branded slots are all about the stories from well-known movies, TV shows, or bands. Here some of my favourite branded pokies:
The Game of Thrones Power Stacks is a 40-payline slot game that came out in 2021 based on the TV show. It has an atmospheric vibe and can be pretty unpredictable, so don’t expect to win all the time. But if you love the show, you’ll enjoy the theme and the fun bonus features. It’s definitely worth spinning the reels for a bit!
The theme of this slot game is pretty obvious just from the name - Jurassic Park Gold! Created by Stormcraft Studios, this game brings back all the giant dinosaurs we love. You’ll get to explore Isla Nublar with some familiar faces like Ian Malcolm, Sarah Harding, Alan Grant, and, of course, the T-Rex. There are plenty of cool bonus features, plus four jackpots to chase, and you can win up to 8,000x your stake! Just a heads up, it’s a high-risk game, so watch your budget.
Inspired by the hit TV drama, the Vikings slot drops you right into the wild world of Norse mythology. The game has a classic 5x3 layout with up to 7,243 ways to win in the base game, which is pretty awesome. When you hit free spins, that number skyrockets to 78,125 ways to win on every spin! You can win up to 10,000X times your stake, but just like these Vikings riders, this slot can be pretty volatile!
Jackpot slots are a fun type of online pokies that give you a shot at winning big prizes without having to bet a lot. When you play a jackpot slot, a tiny part of your bet goes towards the jackpot. So, the more players join in on the same game, the bigger the jackpot gets. It keeps climbing until someone finally wins it.
Here are the different types:
The casino builds up the jackpot by taking a small cut from each bet placed on these slot games online. Local jackpots tend to grow quicker and bigger than standalone ones. But they aren’t quite as massive as global or network jackpots.
Finding sites where you can play top online pokies NZ isn’t too difficult - after all, there are hundreds of sites out there. But how do we ensure the casinos we recommend are worth your time? Well, each site goes through our strict rating process, which works like this:
Most sites offer slot bonuses in a bid to attract new customers. These are varied and come with different wagering requirements. So, it always pays to shop around for the best offers.
Here are some of the bonuses you’ll come across at the best online pokies sites in NZ:
The welcome bonus is meant to tempt new pokies players to give the casino a shot. There are lots of different deals out there, but they usually include a matched deposit, free spins, or a mix of both. Just check the fine print before you sign up for any of these offers.
Free spins are a player's best friend. Casinos often throw them in with starter packs or as a slots bonus for regular players. They’re a fun way to keep playing pokies longer, and you might even snag some winnings! Keep an eye on the terms and conditions, though. Despite their catchy name, they aren’t always free. You'll need to deposit cash to get them and meet wagering requirements to withdraw any winnings.
Online pokies sites in New Zealand sometimes give bonuses where you don’t have to make a cash deposit. They call it a no deposit bonus. But while it sounds tempting, it doesn’t mean it’s all free and clear. Unless you’re lucky enough to find a wager-free bonus, you'll likely need to meet some wagering requirements. Still, these are good bonuses to claim, and you could use them to try out some of the slots I mentioned earlier.
While talking about bonuses, I've mentioned wagering requirements several times. These are super important. They refer to the number of times you need to play your bonus before you can make a cash withdrawal. For example, you might have a 35x rollover rule attached to the 200% welcome offer up to $500
A 35x rule is pretty standard in the industry, while anything above 45x is considered high. Some casinos can be tricky and apply wagering requirements to the bonus and your deposit.
So, if a casino says there's a 35x requirement, they might mean 35x the bonus plus 35x the deposit, which ends up being a total of 70x. A lot of newcomers miss this detail and think the requirement is just 35x. So it really pays to read the fine print carefully.
Top online pokies sites often run special tournaments, where you could bag special prizes by playing your favourite games.
Some sites run tournaments as often as every week or month, and to get involved, you only need to wager on selected games. These games might all be related to a theme, like summer or Christmas, or they might be the site’s most popular games.
When you wager on the games, you’ll earn points, and work your way up a leaderboard. When the promo ends, the players at the very top will get some excellent prizes as a reward. So, what can you win? Well, that depends entirely on the casino. Everything from casino bonuses, to tech gadgets like iPhones could be up for grabs.
The best online pokies sites in NZ also run tournaments in conjunction with software providers. In some cases, you’ll need to wager on selected games from the provider to be in with a chance of winning prizes. The Spinomenal Tournament is one such example. Other tournaments like the Pragmatic Play Drops & Wins promo give you the chance to win random cash prizes on any spin.
You can't have pokies without the developers who make them! A few times a year, these studios drop some really fun games for us to enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the coolest ones out there.
When playing pokies online, one thing you need to know about is RTP, which stands for "Return to Player." You'll usually see it represented as a percentage.
The RTP tells you how much money you can get back from a pokie over time. For example, if a game has an RTP of 94.75%, that means, on average, you'd get back about $94.75 for every $100 you bet.
But keep in mind, pokies are games of luck. In some sessions, you'll walk away with winnings; at other times, you might lose a bit. So, while RTP gives you a ballpark idea of what to expect, it doesn't guarantee results.
A lot of the best slots out there have high RTPs; for instance, Mega Joker from NetEnt has a solid RTP of 99%.
Now, where can you find this RTP info? Check out the paytable! That's where developers usually list important details about the game, including the RTP.
The paytable shows the prizes you can win in cash or as multipliers. So if you see "100x," you could win 100 times what you bet on a single line. It also shows you any bonus rounds and the minimum and maximum payouts. Use this info to figure out what to expect when trying out new online pokies!
If you are new to the online pokies scene in New Zealand, I have compiled a list of games you can play for real money. These slots feature beautiful graphics, exciting bonuses, and generous payouts. Here they are:
Mega Moolah is a great pick if you're after some simple yet rewarding real-money fun. The wild animal theme is nice, and the gameplay isn’t too complicated. What stands out is the four-tier progressive jackpot network.
It can trigger randomly, which adds an exciting element to the game. The base game RTP is 88.12%, which isn’t the best, but those progressive jackpots more than make up for it. The Mega Jackpot can grow to multi-million dollar amounts, so it’s no wonder Mega Moolah is a favourite among jackpot hunters.
You can find NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest at most online casinos in New Zealand. Set in the Mayan jungle, it's a pretty popular pokie. And I’m sure I am not the only one who loves this game for its stunning graphics and smooth animations. On top of that, it has a five-reel setup with 20 paylines, and you can play it for $0.20 a spin.
My favourite part has to be the Avalanche feature, which lets you rack up wins with multipliers up to 5x. The Free Falls round is also pretty cool, giving you multipliers up to 15x. Plus, you can win up to 2,500x your stake, so playing for real money can be both fun and rewarding!
Rainbow Riches is an absolute classic when it comes to online pokies. Since its release in 2009, it’s been one of the top picks out there. This Irish-themed game is packed with fun bonus features, and I always get a buzz out of triggering them!
It has a 5x3 grid, 20 beltways, and a medium volatility level, so it keeps things interesting. but don’t be fooled by how simple it looks; this game has a way of pulling you in and keeping you spinning
If Indiana Jones had an online slot game, it would definitely be like Book of Dead! Since it came out in 2014, it made a name for itself in the adventure-themed slot category. With a solid RTP and high volatility, it gives you a chance to land some impressive wins.
The ultimate goal is to unlock the free spins round, where you can earn up to 20 re-triggerable spins. During this feature, watch out for a special expanding symbol. It'll help you chase even bigger payouts.
With Great Rhino Megaways, you can win in up to 200,704 different ways on every spin! There's also a Tumble reel feature. Here, winning symbols get replaced with new ones for more successive winning combinations. As you stack winning combinations, the prizes can get large, even in the base game.
But it's the free spins round where the massive wins await, with up to 15 spins on a 10x multiplier available. In this round, you also have Unlimited Win Multipliers, which increase with each win in that round!
Like all casino games, online pokies for real money have specialist features and vocabulary that you will see bandied about from time to time. But never fear, because this list covers the most important of them.
Term | Description |
---|---|
RNG (Random Number Generator) | A software program that generates random outcomes for each spin on a pokie machine. It ensures fairness and unpredictability of results. |
RTP (Return to Player) | The percentage of total bets a pokie machine pays back as winnings over time. |
Payline | A line on the reels determines a winning combination when symbols align. |
Wild | A special symbol that can substitute for other symbols to form winning combinations. |
Sticky Wild | A type of wild symbol that remains in place when you spin and helps you form winning combinations. |
Expanding Wild | A type of wild symbol that expands to fill an entire reel for more winning combinations. |
Scatter | A special symbol that triggers bonus features or payouts if it appears a certain number of times. |
Bonus Round | A special feature that you can trigger by landing certain symbols or combinations. It offers extra ways to win. |
Multiplier | A bonus feature that increases your winnings by a specific factor, such as 2x, 3x, or more. It can be applied to a win or, sometimes, to your total bet. |
Free Spins | A bonus feature that gives you a certain number of spins on the pokie machine without having to bet. |
Re-spins | A bonus feature that allows you to spin the reels again, increasing your winning chances. |
Progressive Jackpot | A type of jackpot that grows over time with a percentage of each bet placed on the machine. |
Volatility | A measure of the frequency and size of payouts from a pokie machine. Low volatility means you can win small but often. High volatility means fewer but larger payouts. |
Cluster Pays | A slot mechanic where you win by grouping matching symbols together instead of lining them up on paylines. |
Pick 'Em Bonus | A type of bonus round where you choose from a selection of items to reveal instant cash prizes or bonuses. |
Megaways | A pokie with a dynamic number of different ways to win, up to 117,649. |
A random number generator, or RNG, works out what happens every time you hit spin on a pokies game. When you click spin, the RNG generates a random number through the game’s software. It then produces a real result, meaning you win or lose. This setup keeps things fair and random, so there’s no way to cheat the system.
The only way to have an impact on the outcome is by playing skill-based games like blackjack or online poker. If you want to sharpen your card game skills, look out for these games at some of the best blackjack sites or poker casinos.
As you probably know by now, when you play online pokies to win real money, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get lucky. Pokies are luck games, and there’s nothing you, as a player, can do to influence whether or not the symbols will land in your favour. That said, there are a couple of things you should always do before you play.
Lots of great pokies sites in New Zealand have a good range of online casino payment options. Most of the time, deposits are instant, but how long withdrawals take can depend on the casino and the method.
Generally, e-wallets are your best bet for fast casino withdrawals, while bank transfers can take a few days. If you're looking for quick payouts, check out our guide to NZD casinos - it’s got all the info you need!
Matt Bastock is a Content SEO at Casinos.com. He has years of experience researching, writing and editing articles about sports and gaming, including the world of online casinos and sports betting. Matt enjoys playing many casino table games, especially poker and blackjack. He also loves watching professional sports, particularly English and European football, as well as US football, rugby and cricket.
Read Full BioPokies are easy to play. To begin, register with a casino, deposit cash, claim bonuses and head to the games lobby. Pick a slot you like, place your bet, and hit the spin button. If there's a demo mode, give it a whirl first to get the hang of it. Also, check out the paytable for the rules and payouts.
Finding the right game comes down to what you like. Do you have a favourite theme? Do you like games with certain bonus rounds o mechanics? A great way to discover your perfect game is by trying it out in demo mode. Head to our free pokies section, where you can play over 1,000 pokies for free
Yes, many pokies sites in NZ have pokies bonus offers for new players and those who come back. These often include free spins or deposit matches. But remember to check the rules. Some casinos don't give bonuses if you deposit using e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller
If you want to chase some of the highest payouts, definitely give Mega Joker, Book of 99, and Blood Suckers a shot. But remember, it's all about luck when playing online pokies. Thanks to the RNGs (Random Number Generators), these games are very unpredictable
You can play demo versions of pokies on some pokies sites in NZ. On some of them, you don't even have to sign up - just hover over the thumbnail and see if demo play is available. If it is, go ahead and have fun! Unfortunately, not every site has this option, so you might have to create an account first
Picking a winning game can be tough since it all relies on the RNG. These RNGs help make sure everyone has a fair shot at the game. To increase your odds, choose a game with a solid Return to Player (RTP) percentage. Anything over 96% is good, but you can go lower if it’s a progressive game
You can win real money when you play pokies with real-world cash. Set up an account, verify your ID, and put some money in. Once that's done, you’re all set to go for the chance to win! Remember, though, there are some rules to keep in mind, like wagering requirements and a few other limits if you win
All the sites we suggest here have legit licenses from trustworthy licensing organisations. These licenses make sure the casinos play by the rules and keep you safe. If you find pokies sites in NZ that are not regulated, it's a good idea to stay away from them
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