Online Slots for Real Money – 2024 Online Pokies Guide for New Zealanders

How to Choose the Best Online Pokies Real Money – Tips from top-casinos.co.nz

Gone are the days when our choices of pokies are limited to fruit machines and 3-reel slots. Today, there are more slot games on online casinos that will take a player who is dedicated to playing all months to cover all. In addition to the hundreds of options that already exist, there are more releases almost every day from game providers. In the multitudes of these options, there are premium slots which have gained lots of fans as well as awards. These slots are so good that sequels or more than one version of them had to be released. Then there are slots that several players will agree are epic failures. Choosing an online pokie goes beyond selecting a slot with a catchy flyer and spinning the reels aimlessly to kill time. If you want to enjoy playing online slots while adding to your bankroll, there are things you need to know. Below are useful tips for choosing the best real money online pokies.

1.Choose Slots with RNG: The right time to read up on what an RNG (Random Number Generator) is, and how it contributes to how much profit you can make while playing pokie is before you start playing pokies online. The RNG is used by online casinos and game providers to make sure the outcome of automated games such as slots are as random as possible. Point is you are less likely to be cheated when you play games with certified RNGs. And yes, there are authorities in charge of double-checking RNGs.

2. Consider the Bonuses: The casino has its bonuses, and pokies also come with special features such as wilds, scatters, multipliers, bonus games and re-spins. These features come in various forms depending on the slot, but the ultimate goal is that you get more chances of winning. The best online slots come with bonus features that will help profit from them or enjoy more spins at least. Besides, no one likes playing complicated games without highlights.

3. Lookout for Structure and Layout: While some players belong to the school of thought that believes classic 3-reel slots are the best, others believe the more reels, the merrier. These things depend largely on the game and the mechanics involved. We would advise players to stick with pokies with plain layouts, minimal reels, and pay lines to help keep track of the game.

4. Check the Developer: Pokies on online casinos are not designed by the casino operator. These games are products of software studios, and some are more reputable than others. Look out for the big names like Microgaming and NetEnt when choosing pokies online.

5. Return to Player Percentage: The Return to Player percentage is the amount of wagered money that will be paid to players over time. This is calculated on average, and RTPs of 94% or lesser are considered as low. Slots with this percentage are to be avoided if you want to make money playing pokies. If you aim to make a profit from real casino slots, opt for slots with 97% and above RTP.

Top 5 Best Online Pokies for Real Money

We list the best online pokies real money New Zealand players can find on gaming websites. Pokies in this listed are top-shelf and guaranteed to offer quality gaming experience as well as a chance to grow your bankroll.

• Fruit Cocktail: A video slot developed by Igrosoft, this game comes with 5 reels and 9 pay lines. As the title suggests, it’s a fruit-themed pokie. With a retro style and vivid graphics, this game gives a refreshing vibe. The visuals are not the only thing this game has to offer. Some of the highlights of the pokie include scatters, bonus games, multipliers, and wilds. Reels symbols are apples, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, and lemons. Get ready to enjoy a fruity mix while getting a chance to win as high as NZD 5000.
• Avalon Slot: A premium slot by industry top-shot Microgaming, Avalon is a successful video slot that got a sequel years after its first release. Based on the Arthurian legend, Avalon boasts of medieval-themed symbols and characters. The slot machine has 20 adjustable pay lines, 5 reels, and an RTP of 96.01%. Bonus features include the Lady of the Lake scatter, Treasure of Chest wild, and the Crown multiplier. Other fun features of the slot are the free spins and gamble feature, which can double or quadruple coins won, in rare occasions.
• Crazy Monkey: A classic slot machine from the stables of Igrosoft, Crazy Monkey slot is as simple as a real money slot can come. With a vibrant theme and five reels, this slot offers you 1 to 9 pay lines, depending on how lucky you feel. The layout is pretty simple, with 5 by 3 reels that are less likely to confuse a beginner player. Bonus symbols are skulls as the wilds, pineapples as scatters, and Lions as multipliers.
• Thunderstruck: A 5-reel video slot developed by Microgaming, Thunderstruck is based on the Greek god of thunder Thor. The star of the game is Thor himself, who is also the wild symbol. Stand a chance to win up to NZD 750 by wielding Thor’s hammer. Thunderstruck has an impressive RTP percentage of 96.1%.
• Break Da Bank Again: Probably the most played online slot in the progressive category, Mega Moolah makes our list because we strongly believe it’s one of the games to be tried by every online slot gamer. Tropical-themed slots from Microgaming studio, Mega Moolah comes with 5 reels and 25 pay lines. With loads of bonus features, 94% RTP, nothing lower than 1,000,000 coins to win, get ready to get mesmerized by this mega video slot.

Best Real Money Pokies for Mobile Devices

Many online casinos now provide their players with the option of playing pokies on mobile devices. This way, you can always have hundreds of slot games at your fingertips without compromising the quality of the game. Mobile pokies are just as fun and rewarding and with lots of options available on online gambling platforms. Below we list the best real money pokies for mobile users.

• Cashanova Slot: Cashanova is an adventure-themed 5-reel slot with 30 pay lines. The game runs on a Microgaming software platform, and just most games from this game provider, Caashanova comes with a vibrant visual and thrilling features. The slot machine boasts an RTP of 96.4% and offers up to 750 coins when a jackpot is hit.
• Kings of Cash Slot: A luxury-themed 5-reel slot from Microgaming, King of Cash slot has 15 pay lines and a jackpot prize of 300 coins. Bonus features in this game include free spins, scatters, wilds, multipliers, and gamble features. King of Cash slot is a fast-paced game you definitely want to play on your mobile.
• King Cashalot Slot: A medieval-themed slot with 5 reels and 9 pay lines, King Cashalot is another successful progressive slot from Microgaming. There are a limited amount of progressives available to mobile users, and this slot title ranks high on the list. With clear graphics, several bonus features, and a huge jackpot prize, King Cashalot is one of the games you could get addicted to.

Bonuses in Real Money Pokies NZ

Typically pokie players tend to enjoy more bonuses from online casinos than table game players. Most casinos that prioritize on their New Zealand customers usually have an extensive list of slot games and generous bonuses to offer along with it. Online casinos don’t joke with pokie bonuses, and it has become a trend for these platforms to offer slot-specific bonuses alongside their welcome bonus. Nowadays, all casinos offer free spins with any type of bonus they are rewarding their customers with. Below are the common types of real money pokie bonuses you can find on online casinos.

• Welcome Bonuses with Free Spins: This is the first type of bonus a player is entitled to and usually comes in a multi-tiered package. Every online casino has a welcome bonus to offer its clients, and it is usually accompanied by a number of free spins. These free spins might be restricted to slots offered by a particular game provider or be used on all the slots on the casino selection. The bonus money offered can be used on any of the casino games listed on the casino gallery, but Playthrough quotas are placed on this offer before winnings can be withdrawn. The free spins also come with a separate wagering requirement.
• Deposit Bonuses: These are the kinds of bonuses you get for making a deposit in your casino account. It might be in the form of a reload bonus, weekly or monthly bonus. These bonuses have a minimum deposit amount that qualifies for the reward. Deposit bonuses are offered with free spins and they come with wagering requirements as well. The good news for a slot player is that slot games count more in the wagering process than most games.
• No Deposit Bonuses: Casinos randomly reward their customers without requiring a deposit. Slot players are not excluded from these offers. The value of the wagering requirements is usually high with this type of bonus, but the overall advantage is that the player gets to enjoy longer playtime. No deposit bonuses can be offered as free money to be used on real money pokies or as free spins to be used on slots.

Pros and Cons of Playing Real Money Pokies

Although pokies were originally played in land-based casinos and pubs, online pokies still became successful was able to steal the limelight from actual pokie machines. However, this success does not come without a downside. Below, we list the pros and cons of playing online slots.

№	PROS	CONS
1	Higher Payout Percentages and low house edge.	Takes longer to withdraw winnings at online platforms because of the various verification process.
2	Huge range of options with diverse themes.	Customer service is not instant. Even with the help of live support, online casino staff cannot always be at beck and call.
3	Bigger Jackpot Prizes.	Players are more at risk of identity theft when they share personal and financial details with gambling sites.
4	Convenient and More Flexible Playtime.	Easy to lose track of money spent and run into debt. Players are also at higher risk of problem gambling since they are not being monitored.
5	Access to more bonuses which can increase playtime and winnings.	Lack of casino atmosphere. Some players prefer the buzz of an actual casino hall.

Progressive Jackpots – Real Money Slots

If you’ve always dreamed of winning a fortune of money from casino games, then progressive jackpot slots are the game to play. You can win a lot of money from consistently playing games like blackjack and poker with low house edges, but nothing close to how much you can make when you hit a huge jackpot prize on a progressive slot. If you are new to gambling, you might be wondering what the fuss is about with progressive slots. Unlike regular slots, which the game provider places a cap on the limit of coins a player can win, progressive slots have now limit. Asides that, when you play a progressive slot online, several machines (of the same slot) on different are linked together. Each time players wager on this slot and don’t win, their wager contributes to the overall prize, which will eventually be won by one lucky player – which could be you. Progressive slots outcomes, just like regular slots outcomes, are totally random and determined by RNG (Random Number Generator).

The fun thing about these games is that no strategy or cheats can increase your chances, The downside is that every time you spin the reels of a progressive slot, you get a 1 in a million shot to win the prize. These slots machines have been the main attraction on online casinos recently, the most popular title being Microgaming’s Mega Moolah. The game is the most played progressive jackpot online, and it features multiple themes. Mega Moolah progressive network is the largest online, with a prize reaching over $1 million.

Real Money Pokies Terminology

Just like all casino games, slots come with its own rules and terminologies. Whether you are a rookie or already a pokie fan, it is important to know the basic terms used in the game.

• Multiplier: This is a prevalent bonus feature on many online slots. Multipliers increase the player’s chances of winning by multiplying the symbols they appear on. This feature is represented by a specific symbol on the various slots machine. They either randomly appear, or they are triggered by certain combinations.
• Pay Schedule: Also referred to as a paytable or pay chart, is a table representing the list of payouts for a particular slot machine. Each pokie comes with a paytable, and they are represented by an icon that displays the table when you click on it. By studying the paytable, you know how much you stand to win with each wager you place.
• Progressive Jackpot: A linked network of slot machines that increase jackpot prize each time a player wager on them. Progressives come in different types from classic reel slots to multiple pay line slots. Most progressives, however, come with multiple pay lines to sort of increase the amount players can wager and increase the chances of winning.
• Payline: Every slot has at least 3 pay lines. This refers to the lines that are displayed on the slot screen. Players can choose to bet on selected pay lines or all of them. The pay lines wagered on, are the only activated ones and capable of yielding winnings. The more pay lines a player wager on, the more their chances of winning.

The Best Online Slots Developers For New Zealand

Every slot player has a favorite slot machine. The choice might be made based on the theme of the slot, graphics, or the bonus features in the game. All these features of the slot were planned and brought to existence by a particular game provider. While there are many game providers in the gaming industry, some are known to be exceptional in the business. Below is a list of the best slots developers who are known for several successful titles they have released.

Aristocrat: The largest online game provider in Australia, Aristocrat has been responsible for hundreds of quality slot titles since 1953. A large number of slots released by this provider are adaptations of real-life slot machines, which are quite popular at pubs, clubs, and land-based casinos in Australia and New Zealand.

Microgaming: It is very unlikely to play at three online casinos at random without stumbling upon a Microgaming slot machine. This game provider comfortably sits at the top of the list of online casino game providers. Founded in 1994, Microgaming has managed to establish itself as the leader in the industry. Some of the popular slot games released by this software company include Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, and Break Da Bank slot.

NetEnt: Talk of the top 2 game providers and NetEnt will surface. The game company was established in 1996 and has bagged various awards for its tremendous success in the industry. By partnering with over 100 online casinos, NetEnt has penetrated the gambling market, and it is giving other top providers a run for their money. NetEnt hit slot titles include Gonzo’s Quest, Guns‘n Roses, and Mega Fortune.

Playtech: Founded in 1999, Playtech has been consistent with deliveries of several hit slot titles. The provider creates many casino games but known for creating top-shelf themed slots that depict the original idea fantastically. Today, the provider has over 500 game titles on the market with new releases every other month. Some of Playtech’s famous slot titles include X-men Slot, The Mummy, and Jackpot Giant.

Novomatic: A European gaming company that is gradually making a wave in the casino industry. Novomatic began operation in 1980 and now operates in more than 40 countries in Europe. Some of its popular slot titles are Sizzling Hot Deluxe and Dolphin’s Pearl.

Safe and Secure Playing Online Slots Real Money

Even though the online gambling world offers various options when it comes to casino games, safety is still a big issue with several scam websites roaming the internet and looking for prey. It is indeed a fact that New Zealand players have a plethora of options when it comes to casinos where they can play real money slots, but they are still at risk of falling into the hands of rogue casinos. It is thereby essential for players to know how to choose safe online casinos to play real money online slots.

Let’s assume you were lucky to find a safe gambling site the first time by reading random reviews. Subsequently, how do you navigate the online gambling realm on your own and ensure you don’t lose your bankroll to scam websites. There are a couple of things to consider when trying to choose a safe spot to play slots online. The first is the license of the casino and the security of the website. New Zealanders should only play at gambling websites with casino licenses from reputable and renowned regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Isle of Man Gaming Commission. These authorities are known for the strict measures they take to make sure a casino they are about to approve is compliant and safe to gamble with. Another thing you want to be wary of is the use of RNG and if the casino is regularly audited and declared fair and safe by eCOGRA. To ensure the safety of the financial and personal information which will be shared, players should only gamble at gaming sites protected with the latest encryption technology.

Best Casinos for All Real Money Pokies Types

SLOT TYPES	DESCRIPTION	BEST POKIE	BEST CASINOS WITH THIS TYPE	POKIE BONUS
3-reel classic slot machines	Also known as the classic slot, the 3-reel slot is an adaptation of the original slot machine. It is also the easiest slot to play and regularly recommended to players who are new to online slots. Win by making a match at the top, bottom, or middle reel	Break Da Bank Again Slot	JACKPOT CITY	100 SPINS
5-reel slots	A slight improvement from the 3-reel slot, 5-reel slots machines are also as simple as they come. Most themed slots come with 5 reels, and they are known for their visually appealing features.	Thunderstruck II	RIZK CASINO	50 SPINS
Progressive slots	Progressive slot machines are known for their incredibly high prizes. These slot machines feature a linked pool, which increases each time a wager is placed until the prize is won by a player. Progressive games come in many times but mainly as themed slots.	Mega Moolah	ZODIAC CASINO	80 SPINS
Mobile slots	Mobile slots refer to slots compatible with mobile devices. These slots are designed to run on small screens without compromising visual quality and functionality. Mobile slots may come with 3 to reels with various themes.	Dead or Alive 2	CASINO ROOM	25 SPINS
Mega spin slots	This type of slots combines multiple slots on one screen – each slot with its own reels, which can range between 3 to 7 slots. Mega spins slots are usually progressive.	Avalon 2	ROYAL VEGAS	NO DEPOSIT 10 FREE SPINS
Multipliers	These are slots with the multiplier function. Most slots come with bonus features, but only a selected few come with multipliers. Multipliers can increase the player’s winnings if the right combinations match.	Deck The Halls Slot	ALL SLOTS	40 SPINS
Multi-payline slots	Every slot comes with at least one payline. But multi-payline slots come with as few as 3 paylines to 30 paylines. The more the paylines, the more the chances of winning the slot.	Crazy Monkey Slot	CAPTAIN COOK	50 SPINS

How We Test and Rate the Real Money Pokies

Playing real casino slots is entertaining and rewarding at the same time. However, if the right gambling site is not chosen, one may not get to enjoy the quality game time. We know the importance of playing online pokies at top casinos, the advantage of it, and we are committed to helping NZ players to find the ideal spot to gamble. We at GreatCasino.nz are a team of expert online casino players with years of experience and profound research. With our expertise, we have put together a list of the standards we use to select the casinos on our list of “best casinos to play real money pokies”.

1. Safety and Licensing: The first thing we look at in the appraisal of an online casino, is the safety and licensing status of the gaming platform. We check if the casino is licensed in a reputable jurisdiction, is certified safe and fair by eCOGRA, and the website is locked with the latest encryption technology. This is important to keep the fraud casinos at bay as most of them cannot meet this requirement.
2. Acceptance of NZD: Casinos we rate have to accept NZD.
3. Provision of Various Credible Banking Options: It is important NZ players are offered several banking options at the online casino the gamble with. These include popular ones like PayPal, Visa, and MasterCard.
4. Generous offers: The casino must offer an attractive incentive program to both new customers and registered players.
5. Good Customer Support: We only choose casinos that offer impeccable customer support and respond to customers’ queries promptly.

How to Win Real Money in Pokies Online

It’s a known fact that playing online slots to win requires luck. Yet different strategies and methods are being used to lift it far beyond mere chance. It’s also about finding a way to win once you’ve settled on a certain game. Players should find a game they like to play and feel comfortable with it. This can take a few plays on different games to understand the gameplay’s subtle variations and the different wilds and scatters used to win.

Players are recommended to set a budget in advance before playing any game and stick to it vehemently. Money can be earned, or the opposite might be the case, but never lose anything that you can’t afford to lose.

Different slots machines have different odds. This often depends on how many players can win and how many pay lines there are to win. Also, slots are based on computer algorithms, so every time you play the same game, the odds of winning are the same. The chances can be difficult to quantify as it is an interactive system that depends on randomly generated spins. Once you know how to slot this basic rules, you know how to wager on slots.

Players need to know when to take a break as well as setting a budget limit. It can be very rewarding to play the games, and the excitement of winning will drive players to keep playing when they’re past their maximum focus. Knowing when to step off and recharge the batteries is part of an effective gameplay strategy and will increase long-term odds.

Real Money Pokies Myths

A large number of players are confident they know the secret to winning a regular slot machine or hitting a jackpot on a progressive slot. It’s the online equivalent of someone standing at the pub fruit machine over a player’s shoulder, offering ‘ helpful ‘ feedback on when it’s going to payout. So, is it safe for players to take on any of these ‘pieces of advice,’ seriously, or is they are just myths?

Are slot machines random?

Yes, they are. A slot machine is designed with RNGs (Random Number Generator), which ensure all outcomes are random.

Can machines be ‘due’ to pay a jackpot?

This is a big NO. Every time you place a wager on a slot machine, your chances of winning remains the same, which is still 1 in a million.

Do slots pay more at certain times of the day?

As stated earlier, all spins on a slot machine are independent of all factors. There is no special time in which the slot is more likely to payout.