It's never been easier to play online pokies in New Zealand, but with so much choice it can be difficult to decide which site to choose. Not only will we suggest what we think are the best online pokies sites in NZ (so you can get straight to playing) but, we'll also tell you all about how we find the best pokie sites, so you can find your own. After that, we'll teach you all about how to play online pokies, from what RTP means to how to work out what level of volatility is right for you. Don't worry, we've not forgotten bonuses! We'll let you in on the best pokies bonuses in NZ right now, along with how to spot a good one, with fair terms. By the end, you'll have all you need to know to play online pokies for real money (or even for free) with total confidence.
18+. | New players only. | Available for the first six hours after registration. | Must be claimed from the Rewards Page. | Automatically rewards 15% rakeback for the following seven days. | Gamdom reserve the right to edit this promotion without notice. | Full terms and conditions apply. | GamblingTherapy.org
1st Deposit – 50 Bonus Spins on Blazing Bison™ Gold Blitz™ (Min deposit $1) • 2nd Deposit – 80 Bonus Spins on Atlantean Treasures Mega Moolah (Min deposit $5) • 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th Deposit – Match Bonus up to $1000 (Min deposit $10) • New customers only • Wagering & Terms apply • GamblingTherapy.org
18+. Bonus will be granted to deposits ranging from $20 to $500. Deposits between $500 and $1000 will be awarded a 100% bonus. GamblingTherapy.org
18+. New Players Only. 1st Deposit – 25 Bonus Spins on Arena of Gold (Min deposit $1) • 2nd–4th Deposits – 225 Bonus Spins on Atlantean Treasures Mega Moolah (Min deposit $5) • 5th Deposit – 150% Match Bonus up to $200 (Min deposit $10) • New customers only • Wagering & Terms apply • GamblingTherapy.org
18+. New Players Only. GamblingTherapy.org
18+. New Players Only. GamblingTherapy.org
18+. | New players only. | Minimum deposit of $1 required. | Free spins valid on Aloha King Elvis only. | Bonus code 1BIT required to claim. | 45x wagering requirements. | Full terms and conditions apply. | GamblingTherapy.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
18+. | New players only. | Min. deposit required is $20. | 35x wagering requirements on bonus. | Must be used within seven days. | ecoPayz, Neteller, and Skrill are excluded from offer. | Terms and conditions apply. | GamblingTherapy.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
18+. Please Play Responsibly. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.org GamblingTherapy.org
1st Deposit – Match Bonus up to NZ$400 • 2nd / 3rd Deposit – Match Bonus up to NZ$300 • New customers only • Min deposit NZ$10 • 70x wagering • Terms apply • BeGambleAware.org • GamblingTherapy.org
We're a pretty tough bunch to impress.
Lots of slot sites try, but only a handful make it to our ‘best of' lists.
We have stringent criteria and if a pokies site doesn't make the cut, we don't include it.
Considering looking for your own site to play real money pokies in NZ? There are lots of options out there and not all of them deserve your attention.
To help you weed out the not-so-good pokies sites, here are some guidelines that we stick to when looking for the best pokie casinos to recommend to you.
You should always look for a valid licence before signing up to a site. The Malta Gaming Authority is an excellent one, offering a remote licence with stringent rules, designed to keep you safe. Curaçao is also popular and well recognised, but perhaps less stringent than the MGA.
Slots, pokies, whatever you call them, you need to make sure the site you choose has a great game selection. Look for a selection of around 1,000 (or more if you can find it). Checking through for top providers is a good idea too, and casinos that update their pokies selection on a weekly basis.
Everyone loves claiming a welcome bonus, but not all of them are created equal. Look for bonuses you can use on pokies that have player-friendly terms. Make sure there are plenty of promos for existing customers too, so you can keep that value coming long after the welcome bonus is finished.
Hopefully you land a big win playing pokies. If you do, how do you make sure your winnings get to you as quickly as possible? Look for pokies sites that offer a variety of fast payment providers (ideally under 24 hours) including e-wallet options, that let you withdraw your winnings safely – and for free.
Hopefully you never need them, but if you do, you want to know there's a helpful customer support team on hand any time day or night. Look for live chat (preferably one that is available 24/7), as well as a phone number or email address – or a social media team that can help.
Whenever we recommend a slot site for NZ players, we always take a look at what other pokie fans think. If a site gets great reviews across the board from other players, then we know it's delivering on its promises. When doing this, however, it's important to balance helpful reviews with those that are just based on winning or losing.
Ready for our pick of the best pokies casinos in New Zealand?
Below are our top 5 choices, each with its own specific reason that we think it stands out.
Whether you're looking for the largest number of free spins, the easiest wagering requirement, or just the biggest selection of pokies we can find, we guarantee one of these pokie sites will fit the bill.
Have a look at this list, chosen by our experts.
Mirax offers over 3,000 pokies from top-tier providers, a super solid welcome bonus, fair wagering requirements, and a variety of ongoing promotions. In terms of payments, you've got a choice of 18 providers, almost all with $10 minimums. Better still, withdrawals via crypto are instant.
It's hard to compete with a selection of over 9,000 pokies, which is why 7BitCasino takes our top spot for having one of the biggest game selections around. Bit Casino also excels at fast payments, crypto is instant, while other methods take under 24 hours – one of the fastest casinos on the market.
Choosing a crypto pokies site is always a good way to make sure you get the fastest withdrawals possible. But, at KatsuBet, it's not only crypto users who benefit from lightning fast withdrawals. At this pokies site, you get instant withdrawals using crypto and all other payment methods in under a couple of hours!
We love Spin Casino for its super flexible approach to pokies bonuses. At the moment, if you're a new player, you can claim up to $1,000 in deposit match bonuses, or you can just claim $10, it's up to you! This bonus is spread over your first three deposits, giving you plenty of time to explore the massive catalogue.
JackpotCity Casino offers a minimum deposit of just $5 across almost all payment providers. As well as this, you only need to deposit $10 to be able to claim the welcome bonus. Plus, the loyalty program kicks you off with 2,500 free points from the get go, great for earning you an instant bit of extra value.
Playing online pokies should first and foremost be fun.
But, it never hurts to start playing with the right strategy.
Before you get too excited, we don't have the secret to winning at pokies all the time.
However, we do have some tips and tricks to make sure you play the pokies that:
So, let's kick things off by learning about what RTP is and how it affects every pokie you play.
Return to Player (RTP) is a crucial concept in the realm of online pokies.
It represents the percentage of wagered money a slot machine will pay back to players over time.
For instance, a video slot with an RTP of 96% pays back $96 for every $100 wagered.
Remember: RTP is calculated over a long period and across numerous plays. This means not each gaming session where a $5 deposit is made will result in the exact RTP paid back.
Even though it won't tell you exactly what you'll get back each spin, choosing online pokies with higher RTPs is still recommended. These pokies are statistically more likely to return a higher portion of your bets over time.
RTP is important, but isn't everything!
Think about other factors like the game's volatility, theme, and bonus features, ensuring that you're playing online casino games that not only offer a better theoretical return, but also align with your preferences and playing style.
Volatility (often referred to as variance) describes how frequently and how much a pokie pays out.
This should be considered hand in hand with RTP when choosing an online pokie to play.
In the context of online pokies, a game with high volatility will offer larger payouts, but these payouts will be less frequent. A low-volatility pokie will provide smaller wins, but these wins occur more regularly.
Medium-volatility pokies strike a balance between the two, offering moderate wins at moderate frequencies.
Understanding the volatility of a slot game is important because it can help you choose the right online pokie for your bankroll and playing style. If you prefer a more cautious approach or have a smaller bankroll, low-volatility slot games are a better choice.
On the other hand, if you're a high roller or seeking the thrill of a big win, then you might gravitate towards high-volatility slot games.
Whichever camp you're in, choose online pokies with a volatility level that matches your risk tolerance and playing objectives.
Bankroll management doesn't guarantee you'll win.
However, if you do it properly, you should be able to keep playing pokies for longer with the same amount of money.
Our experts have put their heads together and came up with some tops tips for how to stay in control of your money.
Read our tips below on managing your bankroll effectively while playing real money pokies.
Setting a budget for online pokies means you'll never spend more than you expected. Using online pokies sites with deposit limits makes this tip really easy to implement thanks to responsible gambling features. Set your weekly deposit limit and you won't be able to bet over budget.
Many of us bet too big too soon and ended up burning through our bankroll way too quickly. Instead, use the 1% rule, where you only bet 1% of your bankroll per spin. This means if you've got $100 to bet with, you'll bet $1 per spin. Some players prefer to use a 2% rule, but you can adjust to suit your own pokie playing budget.
Choosing pokies with the right level of volatility and a good RTP will seriously help your bankroll along. If you play high volatility pokies with poor RTPs you know you'll burn through that bankroll quicker than you might want to, so if you want to avoid that you should consider lower volatility options.
A great way to get a bit more bang for your buck at pokies online sites is to make use of demo mode.
All the best pokies sites offer demo mode on most (or sometimes all) of their slots.
So make use of it!
This mode allows you to play the full version of the game for free.
Sure, you can't win real money, but you get to find out all about the game and see if you enjoy it, without spending any money.
The first step is to choose the right online pokies site for you. Whether you're after a big bonus, instant crypto payments, or just the largest selection of online pokies available, we've got the perfect site for you. Click on the ‘Claim Bonus' link to head straight to the site.
Registering a new account is a five minute process. Click to sign up and complete all of your personal details including your name, residential address, and date of birth. At this point you can choose whether to sign up for marketing – this can be handy if you want the latest pokies bonuses delivered right to your inbox!
If you want to claim a welcome bonus to use on pokies then now is your chance! Choose your welcome bonus and check out the minimum qualifying deposit to secure it. It's a good idea to look at the bonus terms now too, to make sure you'll be able to complete the bonus in time to withdraw your winnings.
Choose from one of the online pokies site's trusted payment providers. Make sure you reach the minimum qualifying deposit for your bonus and click to confirm. Your deposit (and any bonus funds or free spins) will appear in your account instantly.
With your deposit and bonus secured, you can scan the catalogue to find your favourite online pokies to enjoy! Always remember to play responsibly, only gamble with money you can afford to use, and take advantage of the responsible gambling tools on offer.
Claiming a pokies promo is one of the best ways to score a little extra value at an online casino.
We've already told you about the pokies welcome bonuses we think are the best in New Zealand right now.
But, if you want to find out more about the other bonuses you can use on pokies then we've got you covered there too.
Read some more about these below.
Free spins bonuses let you play pokies without staking your own money. Sometimes you'll need to make a small deposit to claim them – at some of our top pokies sites it's just $1, other times, you'll be able to get them with no deposit at all. These pokie bonuses come with a set spin amount and are often assigned to one game.
You'll often find a deposit match bonus as part of a welcome offer. These match your deposit by a certain percentage, up to a certain amount. These bonuses are great for playing pokies, but can often be used on other casino games too, giving you the best flexibility possible. As always, remember to check the wagering requirement.
A reload bonus is one of the ongoing rewards you'll want to claim if you've been playing pokies at the same New Zealand casino for a while. These bonuses are designed to reward loyal customers and tend to come as a deposit match bonus, or a bundle of free spins – perfect for fans of pokies.
Many of our top pokies sites offer crypto bonuses. These tend to be a little more lucrative than fiat currency pokies bonuses, so if you're already a crypto user they're worth claiming. Most often crypto pokies bonuses will come as a deposit match, giving you the same amount of crypto in bonus funds to use on pokies.
You already know about the best sites to play pokies in New Zealand, but which actual pokies games do we think are the best?
Thankfully, we've got the answer to this too.
Alongside reviewing the best casinos in New Zealand and beyond, our team review the latest pokies.
Within these written reviews you’ll find our thoughts on the features, mechanics, maths, art, sounds, animation, and much more.
Check out some of our highest rated pokies below.
The quality and variety of online pokies are all down to the online casino software developers behind them.
These studios are the backbone of the online gambling industry, creating the real money games that we love to play and pouring over every little detail to ensure that we have releases that spark joy in us.
They are responsible for the innovation, creativity, and fairness in the best online pokies and progressive jackpot pokies.
The world of online pokies sees each game studio bring their unique style and innovation.
Some of the industry's leaders, like Relax Gaming and Pragmatic Play, are renowned for their diverse portfolio of games, whilst others like Push Gaming and Print Studios are known for their extremely volatile bonus features.
These studios continuously push the boundaries in terms of winning combinations, themes, graphics, and bonus features, offering an array of choices for New Zealand players.
Selecting online pokies from reputable studios guarantees a superior gaming experience with state-of-the-art features, all with the security of knowing you're guaranteed fairness.
It's clear that online pokies in New Zealand offer an unparalleled blend of entertainment, convenience and variety, which is why more and more online casinos designed to play pokies keep cropping up.
The importance of choosing the right online casino to play these pokies is massive. It affects everything from your game selection to security and overall enjoyment.
Thankfully, independent review websites offering online pokies bonuses, like ours, can help.
As experts in the field, we understand the intricacies of the online pokies landscape in New Zealand. Our expertise and attention to detail make us the ideal guide for navigating this exciting world, where you can play with deposits as low as $1.
We meticulously analyse information on all aspects of online pokies, from game features, bonus features and bonus rounds, and software providers to strategic tips and responsible gambling tools.
Our commitment to providing accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive information ensures that you can make informed choices, whether you're a novice or a seasoned player.
Choosing the right online casino to play pokies through us means benefiting from our in-depth knowledge and unbiased advice. We focus on the details that matter, from game fairness and RTP to bonus terms and customer support quality, ensuring that our recommendations align with the highest standards of the gambling industry.
Trust us to guide you to the best NZ casino experiences where fun, safety and quality are paramount.
The best online pokies to play are those with a high RTP – that is to say, ‘return to player'. Whilst not a black and white determination of what will happen, RTP serves to help you to understand what you should expect to see when it comes to the results of your play. By playing the highest RTP online pokies in New Zealand, you give yourself the best possible chance – especially if you are wagering a bonus.
You can! There are a number of bonuses you can expect to use to play online pokies games, including cash bonuses, free spins, no wager free spins, no deposit bonuses or welcome packages. You should always be rewarded for signing up to a casino in order to play online pokies New Zealand, so ensure you look out for the best casino bonuses possible – most of which you can find at our recommended casinos.
Of course – our testing process is meticulous, which enables us to stand firmly behind the recommendations we make. Our team consists of a group of experts, with years of experience in the gambling industry, who thoroughly vet each casino we recommend. When you sign up to one of our recommended casinos in order to play real money online pokies, you can rest assured that it has been rigorously tested by us, and as a result has earned our seal of approval.
We understand better than anyone that you don't want to be faced with a long wait when you win money. Your withdrawal wait time will depend on a number of factors – including the casino you have signed up to in order to play real money online pokies, but also the payment method you have chosen. By visiting the banking page, checking FAQs, or speaking to live chat, you can determine which payment method will be the fastest, and ensure you never have to wait on your withdrawal again.
You can, and you should! There's nothing to say rewards have to stop after you've signed up, which is why many casinos in NZ will now offer ongoing perks and rewards as you build up loyalty by playing real money online pokies. Each casino in New Zealand has its' own version of rewards, but generally speaking you can expect to find cashback, cash bonuses, free spins, no wager free spins, no deposit bonuses, refer a friend bonuses, and loyalty rewards including loyalty schemes, where you can progress through levels and unlock additional perks, such as bigger bonuses or faster withdrawals.
Author
