Who designs and produces pokie machines? It’s a question that players in New Zealand rarely ask themselves. After all, who the big pokies software providers are doesn’t matter much to the average SkyCity visitor. All that matters is that when they show up to play, there are fun and exciting (and potentially lucrative) games there for them to try out.
In reality, though, pokies don’t just magically appear on gaming floors. Instead, they are the work of top casino software companies that specialize in creating games for casinos, both in the physical world and on the internet.
The best online slot software providers create countless new games every year, and each company in the industry has their own style, strengths, and weaknesses.
We've compiled an exhaustive list of online casino software providers below. Whether you're into classic pokies or love some progressive jackpot action, we have a top selection for you.
The number in green to the right of each indicates the number of games we have from that software provider. Simply click on your favourite pokie machine maker and get instant access to their full library of games.
Looking for the best online slot software providers? We’ve found that in New Zealand, the casino software providers below are the most popular of the lot.
Many of the companies below are Las Vegas giants and you’ll find their games at land casinos all over the world, including NZ casinos. They were also some of the first pokies software providers to take their games to the online gambling world, and that’s why so many people love them for their online slots too.
On the other hand, a few of our listed casino software providers are a lot more modern and are mostly known for their online games. These are providers that Kiwis turn to when they want innovative bonus features and all sorts of reel combinations that classic slots just don’t offer.
Are you looking to play pokies online for free or at casinos? Then these are the best online slot software providers for you:
Playtech is the #1 provider for New Zealand players. Since 1999, Playtech have been creating top internet pokies making it one of the oldest and largest online pokies companies around the world. Playtech is also a player in the land-based gambling world.
Aristocrat is one of the giants in the gambling industry, and their games are favourites among Kiwis. They provide hundreds of land-based and online pokie machines to the casino market.
WMS (Williams Interactive) has been a pokies giant around the world for decades. WMS was recently acquired by Scientific Games. However, the WMS pokie style is unmistakeable. WMS games are noteworthy for their exciting bonuses and reel layouts. You can try top online gambling software by WMS in New Zealand here.
Once the single most dominant name in online gaming, Microgaming is still one of the industry leaders. It’s one of the most prolific too - Microgaming produces new slots every month ranging from quirky games to massive progressive jackpots.
Globally, IGT might be the biggest name in casino software providers. IGT have some of the biggest ranges of land-based pokie machines even in New Zealand, but you can also play IGT games online.
This Swedish firm has created a mix of original and licensed titles that have proven extremely popular, including some of the biggest progressive jackpot machines you can play at New Zealand casinos. You’ll also often find NetEnt software at the best live dealer casinos.
Another neighbour to New Zealand, Ainsworth is one of the top casino software providers Down Under. They produce pokies for casinos and clubs, but the biggest online casinos in NZ stock their games too.
The companies we’ve listed above are some of the biggest casino software providers in New Zealand. However, that doesn’t mean that’s all there is. If you’re looking for great pokies software providers that offer something completely different, you can also find a good selection of alternative companies that supply games to the Kiwi market.
There is truly something for everyone nowadays, especially when it comes to online casinos. Perhaps you’re looking for specific software features, a particular aesthetic or even left-field bonus games.
Whatever it is you’re looking for, these top casino software providers might have it, like trusted licences and audited games. Our recommended casino software in NZ also provides slick games that have verified payouts and good RTPs (Return-to-Player percentages).
Check out this list of even more online software providers that we recommend for NZ players:
Bally is a champion among online slots software providers. They are mostly known for their extensive live output, which date back to the late 1970s. However, Bally also offer hundreds of exciting online pokies too.
Japanese company, Konami, are known outside the gambling world for their legendary video games. However, Konami are also making a name for themselves as one of the best online slots software providers in the world.
Founded in 1968, Barcrest started out life as a UK fruit machine manufacturer. They still provide new games to betting shops and casinos but they also supply online pokies through their Scientific Games parent group.
High 5 Games is a huge Vegas firm who often release games in conjunction with IGT and Bally. Their games are most popular at land-based casinos, though they are also a hit at social casinos too.
Euro Games Technology (EGT) is based in Bulgaria, but they supply games to casino around the world. EGT also offers online gaming products through its interactive wing.
Formed in 1980, Austrian company Novomatic began life supplying its Gaminator machines to European casinos. Novomatic now has a thriving online pokie machine business too.
Based in the UK, Ash Gaming offers a small number of games that are particularly popular in their home market.
This online casino software company was founded in 1999, but has only became a major player over the past decade, following the release of their now famous 3D slots.
Since 1996, Cryptologic has been developing software for virtual casinos, making it one of the true founders of the Internet gaming industry.
Primarily known for their social games, Gamesys has also made a number of machines that can be played at casinos.
A smaller casino software developer based in Argentina, Leander’s game collection is small but highly regarded throughout the industry.
This developer has been successful not only in creating their own games, but also in porting other companies’ titles to the Internet market.
Mostly known for their mobile gaming development, Play'n GO games have been showing up at more and more NZ gaming sites in recent years.
Rival Gaming is one of the smaller companies on our list. But while Rival Gaming only offers a small number of titles, their games tend to be fairly innovative and popular on the sites at which they can be found.
Also known as RTG, RealTime Gaming are one of the biggest pokies software providers around. Though mostly known in the US, you can also play RTG pokies in New Zealand at selected casinos online.
Founded in 2007, Topgame has developed a wide number of products for various gaming companies, ranging from slots to complete casino software solutions.
Yggdrasil have only been around since 2013, but they have wasted no time in creating some of the most beautiful online pokie machines for casinos.
If you want to find the right software for you online, it's important to know what to look for. You have to select the right games and only pick the best online slot software providers who are properly licensed.
Try out pokies for free first: The best way to decide whether you like a game is to try out our online slots for free at VegasSlotsOnline. We supply over 16,000 slot games by most of the software providers we’ve mentioned above, and even more. Alternatively, you can also try out online casino games for real wins by claiming a no deposit bonus. You won’t need to risk your own money.
Look for the best software features: The top casino software companies consistently push the boundaries in pokie design. Games feature interesting bonuses and the latest animation to keep NZ players interested.
Only trust licensed providers: The best pokie software providers should be licensed by an approved gaming jurisdiction. The conditions of having an online gambling licence include proper auditing of games and verified payouts via secure casino payment methods.
Try developers who produce for land-based and online: Online pokies using the most popular casino software in NZ can be also found at good land-based Kiwi casinos.
Find a multi-software providers casino: Not all online casinos are available in New Zealand. But it's good to sign up to one that offers a range of competing developers. Having a choice of providers, games, and software is great for variety. Discover our online casino reviews for New Zealand to check out your options.
A good Return to Player percentage: All pokies have an RTP (Return to Player percentage). It's the long-term expected payout made to players. Good online NZ casinos will feature slots with high RTPs, usually over 95%.
A mix of low and high volatility: Pokies can be low or high in volatility. It's the frequency with which the game pays out. The top casino software companies will have a range of low and high-volatility titles.
Which casino software providers make online slots?
There are hundreds of software providers that make online pokies. Keep track of active slots providers by checking our full list of reviews. You’ll also find free-to-play games for most providers so you can figure out which ones you like.
Why should I care about online casino software providers?
For lots of reasons! Playing pokies online is about having fun, so it’s important that you know which software providers make the slots that you really enjoy. When you check out different software providers, you’ll judge them based on graphics, theme, reel-and-payline options, game and bonus features, and minimum and maximum betting limits. These criteria are even more important if you want to play slots for real money. If you’re spending money to gamble, then the experience should be exactly what you want.
What is the most popular casino software in NZ?
Some of the biggest providers in New Zealand have been around for decades and include names like Playtech, NetEnt, and Microgaming – but there are so many more that you can explore. Many newer slot providers like Yggdrasil and Rival Gaming are just as good as old-school online casino software providers and offer unique gameplay. If a provider is getting the spotlight at online casinos, it means they’re probably doing something right.
Where can I play pokies from my favourite software providers?
At VegasSlotsOnline, you can play free online slots from most casino software providers. We have 16,000+ games, and we’re always adding new free slots to our lobby. Playing free games is the best way for you to test out different software providers and figure out which ones make the games that you like best. Enjoy thousands of classic fruit machines and modern pokies with all kinds of features and configurations.
How can I tell if a slot provider is good?
Reading our casino software provider reviews is the easiest way for you to get a professional opinion on any pokie provider. However, there are a few tell-tale signs that you can use to evaluate slot providers. A slots company should have games that load well on mobile, have good graphics and fun themes, and have reasonable minimum and maximum betting limits. Games by good software providers will have high RTPs and will test positively when audited for fairness. The rest is subjective. Do you like progressive jackpots, low or high volatility games, a certain number of reels/paylines or specific game features? Test out a few casino software providers online and you’ll soon find your top options.
Play the best real money slots of 2024 at our top NZ casinos today. Be in the chance to win big on your favourite pokies games.
Our best online casinos make thousands of players in New Zealand happy every day. Sign up to get a top gaming experience in 2024.
From welcome packages to reload bonuses and more, discover what bonuses you can get at our top online casinos for New Zealanders.