Online Pokies

Why are online pokies so popular?

Online pokies are the most played online casino games in the world and they can be found in the best casino sites as well as in the newly established casino platforms. Almost every casino game library is filled mostly with real money pokies from different software providers.

The slots have been around for over a century and their popularity was at a high level for its entirety. But, with the appearance of online casinos, online slots have become even more popular as they can now be enjoyed by even more players.

Their major popularity is mostly based on their simple gameplay that doesn’t require any special skills and can be mastered even by beginners with just a couple of spins on the online slot reels. Online slots are also providing instant payouts, just a couple of seconds after clicking the spin button, which is very much appreciated by NZ players.

Nowadays, the new video slots come with several bonus features that can make the gameplay much more interesting and provide some extra win money. The best online pokies also feature some incredible graphics and animations, which lack in the old slot machine games. The fact that the online slots are using a random number generator to determine every single outcome of the game makes them even more popular for the players.

Online casinos are regularly offering bonuses and promotions, which reward free spins or bonus money for online pokies games. That makes more and more NZ players try out the slot games with free spins or bonus funds before wagering with their real money.

The most popular real money pokies

Don’t know which online pokie to play? Check our list below which has information about the most popular online pokies that players from New Zealand like to play.

How to play online pokies with real money

Playing online pokies is super easy and straightforward, which takes just a couple of minutes to master. It doesn’t require any special skills to play online pokies with real money, which is why many players prefer them over other casino games.

In order to play online pokies with real money, you will first need to register an account at a decent online casino. Make sure to find an online casino that is licensed and regulated by a respected regulator and that features a variety of pokies. After registering and verifying your casino account, which is done by the customer support team, the next step is to make your first deposit and pick one of the featured slot games.

All video slots are played in the same way, which begins with choosing a bet amount and clicking on the Spin button. The main objective of the video slots is to form a winning combination on a payline on the slot’s reels.

Make sure to read the paytable before you start playing, as there you will find some crucial information about the slot machine such as the payouts of each symbol, the bonus features, the bet limits, the RTP rate, the volatility level, and the number of paylines.

The best online pokies in NZ

As we mentioned earlier, there are countless online pokies in the gaming industry and numerous software providers that are constantly releasing new video slots. With fierce competition such as this, it is very hard for many online slot games to reach NZ players. But, the best online pokies find a way to attract as many Kiwi players as possible with their amazing features. The best Online Pokies in New Zealand feature titles like:

1. Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
2. Gonzo’s Quest (Red Tiger Gaming)
3. Mega Moolah (Microgaming)
4. Queen of the Nile (Aristocrat)
5. Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)

Online casinos that offers online pokies for New Zealand players:

• Spinz Casino
• CasinoFriday
• Dolly Casino
• BitStarz
• Wildz Casino
• Wheelz

Different types of online pokies

There are several types of online pokies on the market, but all of them feature the same game concept, where the Kiwi players are spinning the reels with the intention to win some money. Below we will describe all types of NZ online pokies that can be found at online casinos.

3 reel pokies

The 3 reel pokies, also known as classic slots, are the first edition of slot machine games that first appeared in the land based casinos. Nowadays, there is an online version of the 3 reel pokies that come with almost the same features as their predecessors.

As the name clearly indicates, they come with only 3 reels where the players must match 3 identical symbols on a payline in order to receive a payout. The number of paylines for the 3 reel pokies goes between 1 and 10.

5 reel pokies

5 reel pokies come with two additional reels when compared to the 3 reel pokies, as well as with a bigger number of paylines that can sometimes exceed 1,000. These online pokies are also referred to as video slots and they are the modern version of the classic slots.

The 5 reel pokies often come with several bonus features such as free spins, respins, multipliers, etc, which make the gameplay much more interesting and rewarding.

Many of the best pokies that can be found online are actually 5 reel pokies that come with state-of-the-art graphics and some astonishing animations.

Modern video slots have revolutionized slot machine games with incredible features that the players can’t get enough of.

Progressive pokies

Progressive jackpots or progressive slots are among the most played slot games at online casinos, mostly because of the fact that they offer some of the biggest rewards of all casino games. Those rewards are provided by the progressive jackpot feature that can many times go up to a few million in real money.

The progressive jackpots are increasing every time a player places a wager and doesn’t win the featured jackpot. When a player wins the massive jackpot, their prize will be reset to a predetermined value. One of the most popular progressive jackpot games is the Mega Moolah from Microgaming, which we mentioned above as one of the best online pokies in New Zealand.

3D slots

As the name suggests, the 3D slots are online pokies that feature some incredible 3D graphics that will definitely provide a much more enjoyable online gaming experience. Most 3D slots come with themes that are inspired by famous movies or TV series, or even popular computer games. They tend to come with various additions such as mini-games and multiple paylines.

Megaways slots

A Megaways slot is a type of slot machine that comes with a large number of paylines that tend to vary on every spin of the reels. It uses the random reel modifier mechanic that determines the number of symbols that appear on the reels on every spin.

The number of paylines on the Megaways games can reach up to 117,649 on certain slot games. Nowadays, the Megways games are among the most played slot games as they are super fun to play and are offering some very hefty prizes.

Online pokies NZ bonus features

All video slots come with certain bonus features, which make the game much more interesting and some of them can provide more generous win prizes. The slot’s bonus features come in different forms and with unique preferences.

Nowadays, thanks to the bonus features, video pokies offer a better gaming experience than the pokie games that are available at land based casinos. Below we will list some of the most commonly used bonus features in the pokie casino games.

Free spins feature

The free spins bonus feature is one of the most used features in the pokies online, as it is greatly appreciated by the players. As the name clearly indicates, the free spins provide the players with additional spins on the online pokie free of charge. It can be said that the free games are basically no deposit bonuses for the slot games, in terms of getting bonus spins without the need to make a deposit.

In each of the free games, the active paylines and the player’s bet will be based on the initial spin that triggered the free spins feature. It is worth noting that the players can also receive free games from online casino bonuses such as welcome bonuses, which are given on the players’ first deposit.

Free spins are usually triggered by landing on 3 or more Scatter symbols on the reels. Some online pokies in New Zealand offer the players a chance to retrigger the bonus feature. You can also find online pokies that offer free spins with additional multipliers or enhancements.

Respins

Respins are another common bonus feature that can be found more and more in new slot games. You will either trigger a respin by landing on a Scatter symbol or you will receive a free spin after any win or cascade. Certain slot games are offering special respins where the number of spins resets after each win. The respin bonus feature will end once all respins have been used.

Wilds

A Wild symbol in the pokies online acts like a joker symbol that can replace any regular symbol in the game, except the Scatter symbols, so it helps the players to form a winning combination on the reels.

In most real money online pokies, the Wild symbols are the highest-paying symbols in the game. Some Wild symbols come with a multiplier attached to them, which will multiply the prize won by a winning combination where it also features. There are many different types of Wild symbols that can be found in the new pokies online such as:

• Expanding Wilds
• Sticky Wilds
• Stacked Wilds
• Wild Multiplier
• Walking Wilds
• xNudge Wilds
• Replicating Wilds
• Transforming Wilds

Every single type of these Wild symbols is unique in its own way and their main objective is to help the players to form one or more winning combinations. Also, it is very rare for several types of Wild symbols to be present in a casino slot.

Scatters

Almost all pokies in New Zealand feature a Scatter symbol, which is a special symbol that provides a certain prize whenever it lands on the reels. It doesn’t necessarily have to form a winning combination in order for a player to win money. However, landing on several Scatter symbols on the reels will most definitely trigger a bonus game or reward free spins.

Multipliers

Multipliers are a very popular bonus feature that can be found in many of the best NZ online pokies. They are designed to enhance the player’s payout rate on a winning spin. Typically, the multipliers will be applied to the Wild symbols.

The multipliers can range from x2 up to x1,000, depending on the casino pokie. In many online slot games, the multipliers will also apply to the featured free spins. Some will allow the players to choose the number of free spins and the multiplier that goes with them.

Bonus game

Bonus games are special mini-games that feature in the online pokies in NZ, which can be triggered by making various combinations on the reels.

There are all kinds of different bonus games at the online pokies such as completing a puzzle, winning a penalty shootout, spinning a prize wheel, navigating a maze, picking a box or number, etc.

Money wheel

The Money Wheel is a type of bonus game that can be found in many online pokies in New Zealand. This bonus feature appears mostly when a bonus round is triggered where you get to spin the wheel to determine the reward.

You can win real money prizes, a number of free spins as a reward, multipliers, or even jackpots. Once the money wheel is triggered you will usually get a set number of spins on the wheel.

Gamble feature

Many real money pokies come with a Gamble feature that is often found on the fruit slots. The Gamble feature can be activated after a player forms a winning combination on the reels. It provides the players with two options, to collect the payout or to gamble the real money.

The chances for winning or losing are 50/50 as the player gets to choose between two options. It usually involves correctly guessing the right color of a playing suit. If the player’s guess is wrong then they would lose their win money, while a correct guess provides a double payout.

Jackpots

A Jackpot bonus feature is possibly the most desired bonus feature in online slot games as it can reward the players with an enormous prize. An online slot might come with a single jackpot or multiple ones such as minor, mini, and mega jackpots.

The pokie jackpot can either provide a fixed amount or it can be a progressive one that keeps on rising every time a player fails to win it. With the fixed jackpot, the prizes are calculated by multiplying your bet with a fixed multiplier.

It is worth noting that the progressive jackpots can be increased by any player in the network that is playing the featured online pokie. The progressive jackpots can provide the biggest prizes that can be won in casino games, which can go into the millions.

Autoplay

The autoplay is also one of the most used features that can be found in almost any pokie game. By clicking on the “Autoplay” button the players can activate this feature, which allows them to spin the reels a number of times.

Pressing the same button after activating the feature will stop the spins. Some pokies allow the players to choose a number of spins that they want to spin with a certain amount of real money. This feature allows New Zealanders to avoid constantly clicking on the “Spin” button.

Cascading reels

Cascading reels are a unique payout model that is used by many top New Zealand pokies. This feature will remove the winning symbols from a winning combination and it will make new symbols drop from the top onto the empty potions.

The cascading feature continues with more symbols falling from the top, as long as new winning combinations are being formed on the reels. This feature can be responsible for some massive wins if the cascading continues a number of times.

 

Online pokies paytable

Every player must check the pokie’s paytable before playing online pokies for real money, as there they will find some very important information about the online pokie game. In the paytable, you will find information about:

• The featured symbols and their payouts
• Available bonus features
• Number of paylines
• RTP rate
• Volatility level
• Maximum possible win
• Bet limits

The first thing that you will notice in the paytable will be the featured symbols, which are visually presented with their featured prizes. Special symbols such as the Wild and Scatter symbols are also present in the game paytable, where their unique features are thoroughly described.

Further on in the game paytable, you will find the bonus features, which are explained in the slightest detail, so you know what to expect from each of them. Usually, on the last page of the paytable, you will find information about the number of paylines that are active in the pokie.

Some reputable software providers tend to reveal the RTP rate, and the volatility level in the paytable, which is another important piece of information that you need to know before playing with real money online. Additionally, the best online pokie games in New Zealand will feature the maximum possible win and the bet limits in their paytable.

Paylines in online pokies

In online pokies, you can find several types of paylines, where the only thing that all of them have in common is the fact that they show how a payout can be won in the casino game.

You can play pokies that feature between 1 and several thousand paylines, or you can play pokies that come with a unique game mechanic. Below we will reveal the most commonly used paylines in pokie games.

Left to right

Playing online pokies that feature paylines that pay from left to right is a very common thing, as the majority of slots are calculating the winning combinations in this way. It means that the winning combination must feature matched symbols from the farthest left reel to the farthest right reel.

Right to left

Slot games that pay from right to left are the opposite of the previous types of slots. These slots reward a payout for winning combinations that start matching from the farthest right reel to the farthest left reel. There aren’t many pokie games that feature this type of paylines.

Pay both ways

The pay both ways paylines are a combination of the previous two types of paylines, where the winning combinations are calculated from both ways, from left to right, and from right to left. This gives the players twice as many chances of forming a winning combination on the reels.

All ways

If a pokie game features the all ways paylines, then it means that the pokie has more than 100 paylines. The most common number of paylines that feature in these pokie games is 243 ways to win. These paylines will reward the player with a payout when they land on matching symbols on all reels, regardless of their position on the reel.

Cluster Pays

The cluster pays pokie games have become extremely popular in recent years, as they offer a unique way of rewarding the players that differentiate from the traditional paylines. In this pokie game, New Zealanders will win a prize by matching a group of symbols in adjoining spaces.

The matching clusters must consist of at least 5 symbols and they can run horizontally or vertically on the reels. When you play pokies and you match a cluster on the reels, the clusters will disappear from the reels and new symbols will drop into their place. This can create new clusters and provide extra rewards for free.

RTP rates in online pokies

Every casino game, including slots, comes with a certain RTP rate that can be crucial when it comes to choosing a casino game to play with real money.

RTP stands for Return to Player rate, and it indicates the amount of money a player will get back after wagering a certain amount of funds over a longer period of time on a casino game.

For example, if a pokie game features an RTP rate of 96.3% then you can expect to win $96.3 for playing with $100 over a longer period of time on the same slot.

It is worth noting that the average RTP rate for slot games goes around 96%, meaning that slot games that have a higher RTP rate than that are definitely worth playing.

The RTP rate of a casino game is calculated by dividing the win and turnover figures that are generated by the featured casino game. For instance, if a slot has accumulated a turnover of $1,000,000 and $965,000 in wins, then the RTP rate for the slot will be 96.5%.

Things can be very obvious when playing table games or live dealer games such as blackjack or baccarat, where it is known that you can win when you place half of the bets. But, the RTP rate that features on the pokies online can be very misleading as they don’t tell the players how often they can expect to win.

It is worth noting that the slot games that can be found at online casinos feature a much bigger RTP rate than the slot games at land based casinos. With that being said, it is more efficient and more fun to play at online pokies casinos. The information about the slot’s RTP rate can be found either in the paytable or in the Help section of the game.

Online pokies volatility

Apart from the RTP rate, another very important feature that can be found in the pokie games that feature at online casinos, is the volatility level. The volatility level in slot games indicated the frequency of the payouts, the amount that it awards, and the overall risk that must be taken on the game.

This is very important information for New Zealanders as it shows them what to expect from a certain casino slot game and it can also help them choose a game that best suit their preferences. There are five types of volatility levels that feature in the pokie games, which are the following:

• Low volatility slots
• Low-medium volatility slots
• Medium volatility slots
• Medium-high volatility slots
• High volatility slots

Low volatility slots

Low volatility slot games are providing players with low payouts when they form a winning combination on the reels, but they will do that more frequently. The small wins make these games much more exciting as the players won’t have to wait for a longer period of time to hit a winning combination on the reels.

These casino slots are ideal for players that are playing with a smaller budget. The low volatility slot games are also great for beginners who are just starting out with gaming on casino slots, as they can learn how to play these games without spending a lot of money.

Every player can play these casino slots for a longer gaming session with minimal investments, as the risk on them is much lower than on any other type of slots. Nowadays, there aren’t loads of low volatility pokies at online casinos, but you can still find numerous of them at the most reputable casinos.

Low-medium volatility slots

The low-medium volatility casino slots are games with a slightly higher risk and less frequent payouts than the low volatility pokies, but with slightly bigger payouts.

When compared to the medium and high volatility pokie games, they are less riskier, which can be more enjoyable for certain types of players.

With decent budget management, every player can enjoy a longer gaming session on the low-medium volatility casino slots. It might be slightly difficult to find such games at the casinos, but with good research, you will definitely discover some of them to play.

Medium volatility slots

Medium volatility pokies are possibly the most popular type of pokies, as there is often a large selection of these games at the casinos’ game libraries. The main reason behind it is the fact that these games have the best features from both the low and high volatility pokies.

Playing on these pokies at the casinos will come with smaller prizes than the high volatility pokies, but bigger ones than the low volatility pokies.

Also, the winning combinations will be formed much more frequently than on the high volatility pokies, but less frequently when compared to the low volatility casino pokies.

There are numerous medium volatility pokies that offer the players a chance to play for a massive prize provided by the progressive jackpots. Players will also get to enjoy a wide variety of bonus features, including free spins, that can help them win generous prizes.

Medium-high volatility slots

The medium-high volatility pokies are very popular casino pokies that can be found on every casino site. Their popularity is mostly based on the fact that they provide some very big payouts that can make every gaming session worth it.

Medium-high volatility pokies are more suitable for high rollers who tend to play at casino platforms with a bigger budget and are known for taking more risks. These casino slots are offering higher payouts than the medium volatility slots, but lower than the high volatility games.

As for the frequency of the payouts, on the medium-high volatility pokies, the players can expect slightly more frequent payouts than the high volatility pokies and less frequent ones when compared to the medium volatility pokies.

High volatility slots

High volatility pokies are casino games that come with high risk, but they are also providing the players with some very big payouts. These casino pokies aren’t suitable for impatient players with a low budget, or those who can’t cope with gaming on highly risky casino pokies.

Gaming on high volatility pokies can result in some massive payouts, but the players must accept the fact that the winning combinations on these slots won’t appear very often on the reels.

They are best suited for experienced players that can afford to make a few losses and wait passionately for a massive win.

There are many high volatility pokies at casino sites, so it won’t be a very hard task to find a decent casino slot that features a high volatility level.

It is worth noting that some of the best high volatility slots are developed by Play’n GO. Most of these pokies come with several bonus features that can help the players to boost their bankroll.

Random number generator

Reputable online casinos make sure to offer games that feature random number generators (RNGs), especially casino slots, as they are the most played games in the gaming industry. The random number generators are providing a totally random outcome after every spin on a featured casino slot.

It is because of the RNGs that the pokie games are referred to as games of luck. The RNGs in the casino pokies are generating thousands of random numbers per second.

When playing a casino pokie, as soon as you press the Spin button, the most recent random number will be selected to determine whether you lose or win online pokies prizes.

Mobile friendly pokies

Mobile gaming is a very popular trend nowadays and it keeps on rising by the day. For that reason, the software providers are making sure to optimize their online pokies for the use of any mobile device, regardless of the operating system that powers the featured device.

As there are many players who are gaming on online pokies in New Zealand from their mobile devices, online casinos are also optimizing their platforms so they can be mobile-friendly. This is done by using HTML5 technology when developing the online pokies and when creating the casino sites.

It is worth noting that the latest technology that is used to optimize the online pokies for mobile gaming are providing the same gaming experience as the desktop version of the pokies, which is a very important feature.

Some online casinos are even offering special mobile bonuses only to the players that are gaming from a mobile device.

Best pokies software providers in New Zealand

Every casino platform is supplied with slots, table games, and live dealer games from certain software providers.

But, it is worth noting that the majority of software providers that are operating in the gaming industry are developing and supplying casinos mostly with video slots, as those casino games are widely popular.

There are countless software providers that specialize in developing online casino pokies, but not all of them are worth mentioning.

Reputable software providers, such as Play’n GO, are creating the best casino pokies, which feature some stunning graphics and animations, as well as big payouts and very interesting bonus features. Below we have listed the best pokies software providers in New Zealand.

• Play’n Go
• NetEnt
• Microgaming
• Yggdrasil
• Playtech
• Aristocrat

Promotions for online pokies

As online pokies are known to be the most popular and widely played casino games in the gaming industry, online casinos are making sure to include these types of games in their casino bonuses that you will be eligible for either when you register or as an existing customer.

This action will attract even more players to the casino platform, as the majority of players are mostly gaming on online pokies.

Deposit bonus

Deposit bonuses are the most common type of casino bonuses that are rewarding the players with bonus funds or free spins, but only after they’ve made a certain deposit at the casino.

The bonus funds are usually given as a matched percentage on the deposit while the free spins are a fixed number.

Online pokies are almost always included in this type of bonus, as they tend to contribute with the highest percentage towards the wagering requirement. But, it is worth noting that the free spins and bonus funds from the deposit bonus are always restricted to several online slots.

No deposit bonus

A no deposit bonus is a type of casino bonus that doesn’t require any deposits to be made in order for the casino to reward the players with a generous prize. The only thing that the players must do to claim the no deposit bonus is applied for it, which at some casinos might include typing in certain bonus codes.

The no deposit bonuses are usually rewarding the players with free spins that they can use on certain slot games.

These casino bonuses are often used by online casinos to promote their newly acquired slot games. It is worth noting that the no deposit bonuses come with certain terms and conditions, where the wagering requirements tend to be high and the maximum win limit set at a low limit.

Welcome bonus

Welcome bonuses are the most common types of casino bonuses that feature in almost any online casino. The welcome bonus is used by the casinos to attract new players onto their casino platform, as they are only available to newly registered players.

A welcome bonus is usually rewarding the players on their first few deposits at the casino. The rewards from the welcome bonus often include a cash prize that is calculated as a matched percentage on the deposit and free spins.

The online pokies are widely used in this welcome bonus offer, as they contributed the biggest percentage to the wagering requirements.

Every player must read the terms and conditions for the welcome bonuses, as they contain some very important information. If the players have some kind of difficulties with the bonus, they can always contact the customer support team.

Free spins

We mentioned the free spins earlier when we were describing the slot’s bonus features, but there is another way to win these highly valued bonuses. The casino free spins are offered by almost any online casino and they are usually part of a deposit or no deposit bonus.

Newly registered players can get their hands on numerous free spins after they’ve made a casino account, as they are often part of the welcome bonuses.

These free spins usually come with a small list of terms and conditions, but they almost always include the wagering requirements.

The wagering requirements show the amount that a player must wager before they are allowed by the casino to withdraw any winnings made with the free spins.

You might find some casinos that are offering free spins without any wagering requirements, but those offers often feature a low winning cap and very low bet limits.

Final thoughts

Online pokies in New Zealand are by far the most popular casino games, as they are super easy to play and can provide some massive wins if luck is on your side. They come with a variety of themes that make every pokie game unique in its own way.

Gaming on online pokies is always a fun activity, but you should always be aware of the fact that they are games of chance and they can lead to gambling addiction. So make sure to enjoy them just for entertainment purposes.