Ready to set the reels spinning? We’ve handpicked the best online casinos to play pokies online. From the hottest new video pokies to old cult classics, these top pokies sites have games for everyone. All you need to do is compare, sign up and start playing!
"Premier live dealer games, free spins challenges, drop and wins, and table battle tournaments are just some of the exciting features for New Zealand players at Betamo."
New Customer Offer In order to get any of the deposit bonuses, you need to deposit at least $20. Max winnings will be $10000. When you play with active bonuses, the initial playing is done with real money and then with bonus funds. All deposit bonuses and free spins are subject to wager x40 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"With games from dozens of top-tier providers, huge bonuses, and a VIP club for approved Elite members, Casimba is fast becoming a fan favourite in New Zealand."
New Customer Offer Minimum deposit of $20 is required. Wagering is 35x the total of bonus money, deposit and extra spins. Wagering must be completed before any funds can be withdrawn. The maximum bet allowed whilst the welcome bonus is in play is $5. Deposits made by Skrills and Neteller are not eligible. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Jackpot City is one of the world's best known casinos, and it delivers a gaming experience to match. Play all your favourite Microgaming games, and enjoy daily promos."
New Customer Offer 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th Deposit - Match Bonus up to NZ$400 • New customers only • Min deposit NZ$10 • 70x wagering • 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Place your bets on the roulette wheel or go for a big jackpot on the slots; Megarush caters to all. With a range of promotions and a generous rewards scheme, you are guaranteed good value playing here."
New Customer Offer Make your 1st deposit and instantly receive a 200% Match up to a maximum of $500 Bonus PLUS 500 Loyalty points and 50 Free Spins on Book of Dead. Minimum deposit of $20 is required. Wagering is 40x the total of bonus money, deposit and free spins. Wagering must be completed before any funds can be withdrawn. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Playamo is unique in that it offers games that you can play using New Zealand dollars as well as Bicoin games. As one of the top crypto-currency casinos, it's worth checking out."
New Customer Offer The maximum bonus amount is $100. Depositing $100 will get you $200 to begin playing with. The maximum bet is $5. Then in the field that opens enter: FIRSTDEP. Also, in 24 hours after the deposit, you will get 20 free spins for the Lucky Lady's Clover slot, and in another 24 hours - 20 free spins more, and it goes on like that for 5 days! 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New Customer Offer 1st Deposit - Match Bonus up to 400$ • 2nd / 3rd Deposit - Match Bonus up to 300$ • New customers only • Min deposit 10$ • 70x wagering • 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New Customer Offer Min Deposit NZ$5, NZ$8 Max Win Per 10 Spins, Max Bonus Conversion Equal To Lifetime Deposits (Up To NZ$250), 65X Wagering Requirements And Full T&Cs Apply Here. *18+ Only Please Play Responsibly. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
New Customer Offer In order to get any of the deposit bonuses, you need to deposit at least $20. Max winnings will be $10000. When you play with active bonuses, the initial playing is done with real money and then with bonus funds. All deposit bonuses and free spins are subject to wager x40 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
"Look no further than Woo Casino for the best live dealer experience in the southern hemishpere. With over 140 tables, you can all the casino classics 24/7."
New Customer Offer Make your first deposit of at least €/$20 and get a 100% bonus up to €/$100 and 150 free spins for Wolf Gold* (your first 25 free spins will be added immediately, and then you will get 25 spins per day for 5 days.) To redeem your bonus, type WOO in your bonus code field, click 'Add' and then proceed with your deposit. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Playing pokies online
Pretty much every New Zealand online casino site boasts a range of top pokies for players to enjoy. This means pokies fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the best site. You’ll need to be clued in on exactly what a site has to offer before you sign up to start playing. Luckily for you, Compare.bet has everything you need to know about playing pokies online, from the very basics of how pokies work, to claiming a bonus at online pokies sites.
You can start playing online pokies in just a few simple steps:
Compare slot sites
You won’t be hard pressed to find an online casino with pokies, but it’s not as simple as signing up to the first site. From sign up bonuses to banking options and the titles on offer, there are a few factors to consider. We’ve made this easy, sifting through the pokies sites on the market to bring you a list of only the very best.
Sign up & verify your account
Settled on a pokies site? Time to sign up. The link on our list will take you straight to the registration page where you can create your account. You’ll need to wait for the casino to verify your identity before you can play.
Deposit
You’ll need to make a deposit to play real money games. Head to the cashier, select your deposit option and deposit amount and confirm. The very best pokies sites offer instant deposits, so you can start playing in next to no time.
Play
Now for the fun part! With the money in your casino wallet, you’re ready to play. Choose a game that suits your budget, make your bet and hit spin. Fingers crossed!
How Pokies Work
How do online pokies work?
Unlike other casino games, such as blackjack and poker, playing pokies online involves little skill. Luck alone determines whether or not you’ll hit a winning symbol combination when the reels stop spinning. Whichever symbols appear on the reals are determined by a random number generator (RNG), ensuring that the outcome of every spin is random and, as a result, fair.
This RNG technology determines which symbol will show on each reel at the end of the spin. The outcome of every spin is separate from the previous and next spin, which means you’re never ‘due’ a win. Likewise, if a game has just paid out the jackpot prize, there’s no saying it won’t pay out again on the next spin.
Certain online pokies have an ‘autospin’ feature, which allows you to set your wager for a specified number of spins until you’ve spent the assigned credit.
How to Play
How to play online pokies
Pokies are about as simple as it gets when it comes to online casino games- just set your bet, hit the spin button and wait to see if you get lucky. Even if you’re playing one of the latest video pokies with multiple paylines and bonus features, the basic premise is the same. Sure, you might need to set your coin size and select the number of paylines you want to bet on, but that’s pretty straight forward too.
The more paylines you bet on, the more ground you cover. Just remember that your bet will multiply by the number of paylines you bet on, increasing your overall wager for that spin.
If you do land a combination of winning symbols, you’ll know about it. Music will play and images will appear on the screen to let you know that you’ve struck lucky. You’ll then have the option to use your winnings to play again or to keep them in your casino wallet.
Online pokies might be simple, but there’s still plenty of variety when it comes to the games on offer. Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruit-machine style games, or prefer all-singing, all-dancing progressive jackpot pokies, the best online pokies sites have something for everyone.
Classic Pokies
These pokies hearken back to the days of fruit machines, though the symbols aren’t necessarily fruit, bells and lucky 7s. Most classic pokies have three or five reels, making it pretty easy to select your paylines, which are almost always in one direction. This simplicity makes them a popular choice among pokies newbies.
Video Pokies
Video pokies tend to have more going on than classic games. Expect crazy themes, tailor-made soundtracks and graphics that could give some video games a run for their money. These games offer players multiple ways to win, with some titles offering over 1,000 paylines in every direction you could imagine. Video pokies also tend to have more bonus rounds and in-game free spins than classic pokies. Video pokies are perfect for players looking to combine their love of online casino with their favourite films, tv shows and music genres, with software developers such as NetEnt and Playtech partnering with big production companies to create branded video pokies.
Penny Pokies
You don’t need to be a high roller to play online pokies, thanks to penny pokies. You can bet as little as a cent per spin on these titles, which is great if you want to play real money pokies but have a limited budget. But that’s not to say that penny pokies are a budget option, you’ll still get high-quality graphics, top-notch soundtracks and the chance to win big.
Progressive jackpot pokies
This is where real pokies enthusiasts get excited. Whereas most pokies have a fixed prize for winners, the prizes for progressive jackpot pokies just keep growing! However, even progressive games come in different shapes and sizes. Whereas some jackpots are specific to the online casino at which you’re playing, others are pooled between different casinos sites. Whatever the nature of the progressive jackpot, the size of the prize pool increases as players wager. These jackpots have been known to hit the hundreds of thousands, with titles such as Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune making players millionaires!
You may need to bet the maximum coin size to be in with a chance of hitting the top jackpot prize.
Mobile Pokies
Keep your favourite pokies in your pocket
With so many players choosing their mobile for online gambling, pokies developers create games with mobile players at the top of the priority list. This means there’s plenty of choice when it comes to mobile pokies. It goes without saying that virtually all online pokies are available on mobile, but some of the best new pokies have been created especially for play on a smaller touch screen. Not only does this mean you can benefit from improved usability, but the graphics are also designed for mobile, which makes for an improved aesthetic, too.
Every New Zealand pokies site on our list has a mobile-friendly website, but the best have developed mobile casino apps for Android and iOS, which makes playing mobile pokies a breeze. You can get from your home screen to your favourite title in just a couple of clicks. Pay by mobile pokies sites make it even easier, as you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.
We’ve picked out the top pokies sites for playing on your mobile.
Pokies Bonuses
Claim your bonus for online pokies
The best online pokies sites in New Zealand reward players for choosing their site. A welcome bonus is the most common offer, but there are also other pokies bonuses up for grabs through other promotions, such as happy hours and VIP rewards. You can get your hands on these bonuses at the top New Zealand pokies sites:
Free spins
Free spins are the ultimate bonus for online pokies. This bonus is as simple as it sounds: you can play real money pokies using these tokens- no need to dip into your own wallet. Some online casinos offer a set number of spins when you make a qualifying deposit, whereas others offer free spins in relation to how much you deposit.
No deposit free spins
You don’t even need to make a deposit to claim a free spins no deposit bonus. Simply sign up, verify your account and opt-in. Once the free spins are credited to your account, you’ll be in with a chance of winning real money on pokies, without spending a penny of your own.
Matched deposit
Matched deposit bonuses are one of the most common casino offers. You’ll receive a percentage of your first deposit as free casino credit. Percentage matched will vary between online casinos, ranging from 25% to as much as 200%, though there’s almost always a limit to how much credit you can actually claim. These bonuses are ideal if you’re interested in other casino games, besides pokies. Of course, you can play pokies with this credit, but you can also use it on the likes of online roulette and blackjack games.
Some online casinos spread the matched deposit bonus across your first two or three payments rather than in one lump-sum.
No deposit casino credit
These bonuses work in a similar way to matched deposit deals, but you won’t need to dip your hand into your own pocket first. Much like no deposit free spins, you have a chance to win real cash even though you’re playing for free. No deposit bonuses are usually more modest than matched deposit deals— usually $5 free no deposit at most— but you can play a whole host of casino games, including online pokies, with your rewards.
How to claim your bonus
Exactly how you claim the bonus will vary between pokies sites. While some simply ask players to opt-in during the signup process, others need a bonus promo code. Be sure to check the bonus terms and conditions before you sign up to make sure you don’t miss out on a deal.
Bonus terms and conditions
There will be terms and conditions attached to whichever online pokies bonus you choose and you’ll need to factor these in when comparing bonuses. Wagering conditions apply to pretty much every offer bar no wagering bonuses, and you can’t withdraw any bonus winnings until you complete these.
On top of wagering requirements, there are also other terms to consider. Some pokies bonuses may only be used for selected titles, such as the newest games. Sites may also restrict how much you can win with your bonus, how long you have to complete any wagering requirements and how much you can withdraw at once.
Online pokies are the most popular online casino games in New Zealand, attracting more players than roulette, blackjack or any other game type.
Free Pokies
Play pokies online without spending a cent
You don’t need to spend a cent to play online pokies. Pretty much every pokies game, with the exception of progressive jackpot titles, are available in free play mode. Free online pokies are ideal if you simply want to play pokies for fun or try out a new game before you put real money on the line.
Of course, you can’t win real money when you play free pokies, but you do get to sample all the same bonus features as real money games. Whether your title features expanding reels, walking wild symbols and scatter symbols, you get to see what all the fuss is about without dipping into your own wallet.
New Pokies
A fresh, new look on this casino classic
The great thing about online pokies is that there are always new titles popping up. There’s plenty to keep online pokies players entertained as multiple brand new games are released each month. With each new release, online pokies developers wow players, be that with bigger brand partnerships, higher definition graphics or bigger progressive jackpots.
Head over to our New Pokies page to find out more about the latest games and casinos to play at.
Microgaming announced the launch of Book of Oz Lock 'N Spin - the second chapter in the Book of Oz series - in September 2019
High RTP Pokies
Maximise your chances of winning with high payout pokies
It’s important to understand the return to player (RTP) percentage of a pokies game before you start playing, as this gives you an idea of how much you could theoretically win. These percentages are calculated over an infinite number of spins, which means you could win more or less than this percentage of wagers during your period of play.
When it comes to RTP, the closer to 100% the better. Most online pokies have an RTP of around 90% and those over 96% RTP are generally considered high payout pokies. However, some of the highest paying pokies offer even higher payout percentages.
Pokies Game
Return to Player (RTP)
Mega Joker
99%
Jackpot 6000
98.86%
Blood Suckers
98%
Starmania
97.87%
Jackhammer II
97.1%
Time to play!
Now that we’ve taken you through the ins and outs of online pokies, you’re ready to head to the casino and spin the reels! Not sure where to play? You’re sure to find your best bet from our carefully curated list of top New Zealand online casinos. It’s jam-packed with casinos that offer the best pokies, promotions and bonuses you’ll find online. Simply compare and sign up to claim your exclusive welcome bonus today!
Yes. If you’re playing at a New Zealand pokies site, you’ll need to create an account, and have the pokies site verify your identity before you can start playing. These rules apply whether you’re playing free pokies or real money games, though the exact account verification process will vary between sites.
Yes. All the pokies sites we recommend are licensed, which ensures they’re held to high standards when it comes to player protection. This means each site uses industry standard data encryption and provides secure payment methods and communication channels. It also guarantees that each pokies game you play is fair and uses RNG, so you can play in confidence at our recommended pokies sites.
Not necessarily. Of course, you could get lucky and hit the jackpot when you bet big on high roller pokies games, but putting more money on the line doesn’t increase your chances of winning. Choosing a high payout pokies game is your best bet when it comes to playing games online but, even then, you’ll need luck on your side. Unfortunately, there’s no strategy for how to win at pokies.
No, but you can play online pokies tournaments. You aren’t technically playing pokies against other players, but rather competing in a leaderboard. There are often prizes up for grabs for the most successful pokies players, but you should bear in mind that there’s usually a tournament entry fee.
Yes. The best pokies sites offer a wide variety of banking options, including PayPal deposits and withdrawals. Found the perfect new slot site but it doesn’t accept PayPal? Neteller and Skrill are good alternatives, offering instant deposit and fast withdrawals.
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