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Why You Should Play Online Pokies for Real Money

Some gamblers prefer playing on free online pokies since there’s no chance of losing money. Still, only gambling with real cash will give you the chance to win for real. Playing online slots for real money also comes with a lot more benefits, and we list some of these below.

❗ Before gambling with your own funds at one of our suggested NZ casinos, make sure you have a clear idea of the dos and don’ts of online gambling. Plan your bankroll in advance and only play with money you can afford to lose. And most importantly, never chase your losses.

Real Pokies, Real Money

Real money play means real wins! Real stakes can lead to rewards, and the prizes vary depending on the type of games you pick. Low-volatility slots will give you satisfactory yet more frequent wins, whereas high-volatility pokies have bigger payouts which are less frequent.

Our top tip is to always remember that it’s all down to chance and having fun is your first priority.

Claim Your Pokies Bonus

Online casinos give bonuses for two main reasons: to attract new players, and to keep existing players loyal to the site. By claiming pokies bonuses, you’ll have extra chances of winning real cash through bonus money.

When you first join an NZ casino site, you can claim a welcome bonus. Usually, this is a deposit offer, where the casino site matches your deposit up to a certain amount. The casino can also pre-select a series of pokies which you can use your bonus on. The most featured video slots include Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and Book of Dead.

Or, if you want to play online pokies for free, you can look for a no deposit bonus. This means that you won’t need to risk your own cash to try pokies for real, since the casino gives you no deposit bonus credits or bonus spins.

Choose From Hundreds of Varieties

Our favourite casinos have hundreds of real money online pokies in their lobbies, so you’ll find a game you love for sure. Most slots on offer include amazing graphics and plenty of exciting bonuses that increase your winnings. You’ll also enjoy an authentic pokies experience with special features like multipliers, multi-ways to win, and expanding wilds that can lead to considerable wins.

Not sure where to start from? Our top tip is to have a look at the slot providers featured at our suggested gambling sites. You’ll figure out whether there’s a specific style of gameplay you enjoy more than the rest, or whether there are enough online pokies NZ with the features you like.

Be in the Chance to Win the Jackpot

When playing pokies online for free, you can enjoy the mini games and bonus rounds, just like you would if you had placed your own cash. The difference to real money gambling, though? You won’t be able to try progressive pokies and take part in big money jackpots.

Microgaming’s Mega Moolah has the biggest progressive jackpot win at a record $20,057,734, set in 2019. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll win, when you play online pokies for real money you set yourself up with the chance of getting big prizes.

Spin Top Progressive Jackpot Slots and Learn How They Work

Progressive jackpots are a favourite among real money pokies players because of the potential for big wins. In progressive slots games, multiple players contribute to the jackpot for a selected game. Whenever a player spins the reels, a percentage of their bet goes towards the jackpot pool.

The winnings are huge because the longer it takes for someone to win, the bigger the amount gets. Also, when someone does win the jackpot, the number does not reset to 0 - it restarts from a predetermined amount, usually 1 million. Another factor for big wins is that some progressive pokies are connected between a lot of casinos, so tons of players are adding to the jackpot. And if you’re wondering, the top-paying progressive jackpot slot of all time is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah!

Check out our list of the best progressive pokies below, many of which you can play for real at the best online casinos in New Zealand.

❗ Remember that it’s very difficult to land the jackpot, so make sure to stick to your budget and avoid the risk of gambling money you don’t have.

Mega Moolah

No other jackpot pokie has paid out as much as Microgaming’s Mega Moolah. Trigger the Mega Moolah Jackpot Wheel randomly on the reels, spin, and you might win one of 4 jackpots.

Hall of Gods

You can be in the chance to win one of 3 jackpot prizes in this NetEnt video slot: Mini, Midi, and Mega. Land 3 bonus symbols to activate the Jackpot Bonus Game.

Buffalo Grand

Land 5 wild symbols on the 20th payline to be in the chance to win the progressive jackpot. This Playtech slot also features a Sunken Treasure Bonus for more wins.

Divine Fortune

This is another NetEnt pokies machine where you could potentially win one of 3 jackpot prizes: Minor, Major, and Mega. Trigger the Jackpot Bonus Game by landing 3 bonus symbols.

6 Tips on How to Win at Online Pokies for Real Money

While spins on online pokies are random and there is no real strategy to these casino games, there are still a few things you could do to improve your chances of winning at slots. Have a look at our top tips below.

Familiarise yourself with different slot mechanics
Every slot has a set of symbols, and normally when 3 or more land on a payline they form a winning combination. While some pokies have fixed paylines, such as the 10 winning lines you can find in Netent’s Starburst, some of the latest pokies have done away with the traditional payline and introduced 243 and 1024 ways to win. This means that you win if you simply have identical symbols on adjacent reels, such as in Aristocrat’s Buffalo.
Find the paytable
If you want to understand how a real money slot pays out, you must study the paytable. Here you’ll find what the highest and lowest paying symbols are, how many of these you need on a line to trigger a specific win, which symbol is wild and what other symbols it substitutes for, if there’s a free spins bonus round triggered by the scatter symbol and how many extra games you can win, and so on.
Check the Return to Player percentage (RTP)
The RTP tells you how much the pokie gives back to its players for every bet made over time. This means that the higher the percentage, the higher the chance of receiving cash back as you play. Look for pokies with an average payout of 96% and over to reduce the house edge—this is what you’re left with if you subtract the pokie’s RTP from a 100%. This means that in a pokies machine with 96% RTP, the casino will have an advantage of 4%.
Try your favourite pokies for free
Now that you understand more about slot mechanics, paytables, and RTP, it’s time to compare different online pokies before playing with your own funds. Practicing with free pokies is a great way to find the themes and features you like and know the game before playing online pokies for real money. Choose from a library of over 22,546 free pokies here at VegasSlotsOnline.
Manage your bankroll
Decide how much money you’re willing to bet and set yourself daily, weekly, or monthly limits. Any trustworthy casino will have this functionality available as part of their Responsible Gaming tools. If you go over that amount, it’s time to take a break. Only play with funds that you’re sure you can spend. If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend joining a good minimum deposit casino for Kiwis.
Don’t just aim for the jackpot
While pokies which have big wins sound great, the frequency at which they pay out is quite low. If you want to improve your odds on a small bankroll, opt for online pokies which pay out smaller wins more frequently. It’s also a better way of managing your funds, since to be in the chance of winning the biggest of jackpots you must play for much longer. If you’d like to learn more about picking the best pokies tailored to your bankroll, read our guide below.

The Top 5 Real Money Online Pokies by Payout

One thing that you should look out for when spinning on online pokies NZ for real money is the RTP. This percentage allows you to theoretically work out how much you could win on a given pokies machine. Higher RTPs improve your slots odds. Still, keep in mind that there are other factors which can affect the online pokies payout, such as slot volatility.

Discover our top 5 high-paying pokies for New Zealanders below:

Rainbow Riches Pick ‘N’ Mix by Barcrest

This online pokie is the sequel to the Rainbow Riches original, and you’ll find many classic Barcrest bonus features in the Pick ‘N’ Mix version too. You can also land a max win of 500x your stake.

RTP: Up to 98%

Features we love: Bonus Choice, Road to Riches Bonus, Magic Toadstool Bonus

Big Bad Wolf by Quickspin

Join the Wolf in one of Quickspin’s first online pokies and help him blow down all three pig houses! Big Bad Wolf has low to medium volatility which means that wins are less frequent, but the slot pays out well when you land a winning combination.

RTP: 97.34%

Features we love: Free Spins, Multipliers, Swooping Reels

Guns n’ Roses by NetEnt

Rock your real money pokies play with this iconic NetEnt title. It features a low to medium volatility and is jam-packed with bonus features, which include re-spins, random multipliers, and even a Pick and Click game.

RTP: 96.98%

Features we love: Appetite for Destruction Wild, Solo Multiplier

Reel Rush by NetEnt

Reel Rush features a special grid, where you’ll find locked and unlocked reels. There are up to 3125 ways to win and a medium volatility. You can also win up to 962.4x your total bet.

RTP: 96.96%

Features we love: Multi-ways to win, Re-spins

Cleopatra Plus by IGT

There are 8 levels to move through in this IGT online pokie, and you can level up by getting followers from the reels. Some levels award permanent payback boosts, while others unlock new features.

RTP: Up to 96.50%

Features we love: Level Up Plus, Deity Picker

A Brief Introduction to Real Money Pokies Features

When playing online pokies for real money, bonus features can increase your chances of landing a winning combination. Which means that if you want to maximise your opportunities, you should be aware of recurring pokies features.

We’ll guide you through the most common ones below:

Wild Symbols

Wilds are symbols that can substitute for any other symbol to complete a winning combination, with a few exceptions. For example, usually wilds cannot substitute for scatter symbols. You’ll also find many different wilds in real money pokies online, like expanding wilds, stacked wilds, and sticky wilds.

🎰 Sticky wild symbols stay on the reels for the next spin, and can also remain there for a number of future spins, depending on the slot. You can try this feature in NetEnt’s Dead or Alive pokie, where the wilds stick to the reels for the remainder of the Free Spins round.

Scatter Symbols

Scatters are those symbols that trigger extra spins and mini games when you land 3 or more of them, usually. However, have a look at the paytable of your chosen real money pokie online to confirm exactly how many scatters are needed to activate the bonus round.

🎰 In Microgaming’s Game of Thrones slot, 2 scatters will get you a random cash prize. But 3, 4, or 5 scatters will trigger the Free Games bonus. There are 4 free spins options to choose from, which include the Baratheon, Lannister, Stark, and Targaryen ones. Depending on which one you get, you’ll be rewarded with up to 18 extra spins and a 5x multiplier.

Bonus Rounds

Bonus rounds come in 2 shapes: free spins and bonus games. They’re usually triggered by wilds or scatters. When it comes to bonus games, you’ll find a variety of options, including click-to-pick bonuses, wheels of fortune, and arcade bonuses with interactive mini games.

🎰 When playing the Pink Panther online pokie for real money, you can randomly trigger a bonus game from the main game. There are 5 options, which are: Crack the Pink Code Bonus, Pink Trail Bonus, Pink Pow Bonus, Wheel of Pink Bonus, and Color Pink Bonus. You’ll be rewarded with free spins, respins, multipliers, and cash prizes, among others.

Boosters

As the name suggests, these features boost your chances of winning. Examples of boosters include respins and multipliers. Respins occur at the end of a base spin, where you can spin one reel again while the rest are locked into place. Multipliers increase your payout by a set amount, such as a 2x multiplier where your win is doubled. You can find multipliers in the base game, in free spin rounds, and even during respins.

🎰 In Microgaming’s Book of Oz pokie, you’ll find a Respin feature present on all 5 reels. You’ll be able to choose which reel to spin again at the end of each base spin, which gives you an extra chance of forming a win. Play this pokie at your favourite NZ real money casino, choose from $0.01-0.38 respin bets, and respin as many times as you like!

Choose The Best Real Money Online Pokies for Your Budget

One of the most convenient things about online pokies real money is that there are games for all budgets. It doesn’t matter if you have $20 or $20,000 in your bankroll. Chances are that you’ll find a game you like.

We’ll go into more detail about the differences between low and high stakes slots below. Have a look at our table to decide which slot limits are best suited to your needs:

Low Stakes

Low limit Kiwi players can play for as little as $0.01 on penny slots such as Book of Dead, by betting 1 coin with a value of 0.01, and adjusting the number of paylines to 1. You can stretch a $10 or $20 bankroll for a while on that. However, keep in mind that penny slots can cost more than a cent, since there is a fixed number of paylines on some pokies. For example, if you play on pokies such as Vikings Go To Hell, the number of paylines is fixed at 25, and you can only adjust the coin value. This means that a $0.01 bet will now cost $0.25 per spin (which is still a good bet for low stakes players).

High Stakes

Usually, high stakes pokies are the ones which have a minimum bet of $5 per spin. While this might not sound like a big amount at first, if you play a couple hundred of spins the numbers will start adding up. High limit pokies also allow for maximum bets of $1,000 and over, which is why they cater to high rollers. What’s more, these types of pokies usually have a bigger Return to Player percentage (RTP). This means you’ll have the chance to win bigger by placing larger bets. Keep in mind that there’s a risk of losing more money here, and that these pokies are best played by professionals.

Play Real Money Pokies with Trusted NZ Payment Methods

Now that you can spot fair pokies games, it’s time to look for reliable banking options for your real money play. Have a look at our recommended payment methods below.

Our Expert Tip: Look for gambling sites that allow you to cash out using the same method you used to deposit, and casinos and crypto casinos that process your funds quickly, with winnings paid out within 24-48 hours. You should also check for low withdrawal limits which allow you to cash out more frequently, and sites which do not charge you extra fees for processing your deposits and withdrawals.

Credit & Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are extremely secure since they’re issued by banks. In fact, some like VISA also have extra safety features such as Fraud Protection. However, if you’re not too keen on sharing gambling activities with your bank, you can check out other top options such as e-wallets.

E-Wallets

There are so many trustworthy e-wallets in New Zealand to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Top names include Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. If you’re looking for an option that doesn’t share your personal details with a pokies site, this might be the one for you.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards like Paysafecard are great if you’re looking for a cash option. Simply go to your nearest local store, buy a card, and top up your casino account using a 16-digit PIN. Note that not all NZ casinos will allow you to withdraw using prepaid cards, though.

Pay by Phone

Pay by phone options like Boku and Payforit are ideal if you want to spin on your top pokies on the go. If you’re playing from an online gambling app, for example, all you need to do is deposit money to your account using your phone balance. Keep in mind that you can’t withdraw using this method, though.

3 Reasons to Try Real Money Pokies Apps

We want you to enjoy your favourite real money pokies games from wherever you are, which is why we only suggest New Zealand casinos optimised for all devices. Our sites feature a mobile casino which you can use in browser, but not just. You’ll also be able to access slots apps compatible with iOS or Android phones.

Here are the top benefits of spinning online pokies NZ from an app:

User Experience
Since pokies apps are installed to your mobile device, you’ll get a much smoother experience than playing through your mobile browser. Your favourite real money pokies games also load much faster.
Efficiency
With a pokies app, you can easily continue from where you left off in your last real money gambling session. You won’t need to log in again, unlike playing from a mobile browser.
Portability
Play real money pokies online whenever you want, and from wherever you are with an app. All your favourite slots are just a tap away.

Our Favourite Real Money Pokies Providers for Kiwis

One reason why we recommend our best pokies is that they’re developed by leading slot providers in the industry. These include well-known names like IGT, Aristocrat, and Microgaming which constantly release fun slots covering hundreds of themes and have fantastic game features. Some such as IGT and WMS have also adapted their Vegas pokies real money for online play.

Discover some of our favourites, and what they’re best known for, in the table below:

Slot Provider

Known For

IGT

💰 Best for MegaJackpots pokies

WMS

🎰 Best for Colossal Reels feature

NetEnt

🎮 Best for unique game mechanics and bonus features

Microgaming

🏆 Best for progressive jackpot slots

Playtech

🔱 Best for Age of the Gods series

Summary: How We Pick the Top NZ Sites for Real Money Pokies

While it’s important to us that New Zealanders have access to a great selection of real money pokie machines while also being secure online, there are more criteria which we take into consideration when choosing the best real money casinos.

Here’s an overview of the things we look out for:

Safety and Security

We check the background of every casino we review to make sure your funds are safe. We ensure these sites hold a license from reputable gambling authorities, like the MGA. Secure payouts are also a sign of safe online casinos that care about their players, which is why we will give points to a gambling site for having reliable banking transactions. We also make sure that our recommended sites carry out Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, which verify the identity of players.

Fair Games

Spinning the best online pokies NZ should be a fun experience that can lead to exciting cash prizes. So how do you avoid unreliable casinos with rigged games altogether? Our recommended sites have their software regularly tested by independent testing companies such as eCOGRA, to make sure this is fair. Others such as iTech Labs test Random Number Generators (RNG) in casino games to verify that the results are random. Check for the eCOGRA and iTech Labs logos before playing real money pokies online, which you can usually find on the casino footer.

Other Real Money Casino Games

The number of pokies for real money is important at any gambling site, but as casino game lovers we also check that there's a varied selection. We appreciate a well-rounded game lobby which includes table games, live dealer games, game shows, online poker, and online bingo. We also value sites that keep up with the latest games, trends, and providers, which is something you’ll find at the newest online casinos in New Zealand.

Quality of Casino Bonuses

We only recommend our best online casinos because they're generous with Kiwi players, and we want you to get your money’s worth. Whether it’s a welcome offer, free spins, or a weekly promotion, it’s important that players with different budgets have a choice of pokies bonuses. When a casino offers both deposit and no deposit bonuses, for example, it’s a sign that it values all players. We also look out for loyalty points and VIP clubs as we know you do too.

Variety of Banking Options

A trusted site should have a range of the most used NZ deposit methods and withdrawals. We make sure that all the casinos we choose have different debit card and e-wallet options and pay by phone methods. We also recommend casinos with fast payouts, low minimum deposit and withdrawal limits, and little to no processing fees so that you get the best deal possible. If your withdrawals are taking weeks or more to process, then you should take your money elsewhere.

Instant Customer Support

We want you to have a smooth experience, and if any problems come up while playing real pokies for money, you should have access to instant support. We only approve casinos that have multiple customer support options available 24/7. Live chat and email are essential, though it’s a plus to see other contact methods like a phone number. We communicate with support agents to see how quickly they reply and how ready they are to assist us.

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Online Pokies NZ FAQs

Do online pokies NZ pay real money?

Yes! If an online casino offers a title in its lobby, then you can win real money on it. All our recommended casinos for Kiwi players will let you keep what you win.

Why play online pokies real money?

The main advantage is that you get the chance to win real cash. Plus, when playing at real money pokies casinos, you’ll get extra perks such as bonuses and VIP rewards.

Are real money online pokies rigged?

Online slot machines at licensed casinos have random number generators. These make sure the result of every spin is unpredictable. An independent tester also checks the RNG regularly to confirm the real money games are fair.

Is it safe to play real money games in New Zealand?

Yes, it’s safe to play for real money in NZ as long as your chosen casino is licensed by a reputable gambling authority. Our experts also vet our recommended casinos to offer you the safest experience.

How can I deposit to play online pokies for real money?

Real money casinos have many deposit options available, including debit or prepaid cards and e-wallets. You just need to find a site that offers your favourite method.

How do I know if a pokie is worth playing?

The first thing to check is the Return to Player percentage (RTP). This shows how much of the money you bet the slot will give back in winnings, where a bigger percentage means the chance of making a return is higher.

Which real money pokie machines have the best payouts?

The largest jackpots come from progressive slots, where wins can go up to millions, but the odds of winning are low. Look out for the best return to player percentage for other online pokies, where a high RTP means the game pays back more to its players.

Which are the best software providers for real money pokies in NZ?

Your choice of providers depends on what games you like. If you prefer pokies games with bonus features, special symbols and storylines, NetEnt and Microgaming are great picks. Providers like Amatic and Bally are big among fans of classic pokies. And if you enjoy Vegas firms that have adapted their Vegas pokies real money for online play, check out IGT and WMS.

What are some pokie game features I should know about?

You’ll come across reels and paylines first. Reels are the columns in a slot that spin to make symbols land on the screen. Paylines refer to the possible lines of winning combinations, made up by different bonus symbols.

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