Entertainment is a significant part of many people’s lives. Gambling is a common pastime for many New Zealanders. Over 70% of Kiwis engage in some form of gambling each year, with pokies (slot machines) being among the most popular choices, both online and in traditional venues.
Initially, online gaming was limited to a small group, but today, over 90% of New Zealanders own a mobile, allowing them to play and gamble from these devices.
Before we dive in, let’s explore why pokies remain a favourite among New Zealand players.
What we cover
Popular mobile machines
Pokie machines are among New Zealand players’ most popular casino entertainment options because they are widely available and commonly played.
Here are some popular mobile pokies at online casinos in New Zealand:
| Pokies | Software | RTP | Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | 96.25% | Yes |
| Thunderstruck | Microgaming | 96% | Yes |
| Starburst | NetEnt | 96.09% | No |
| Immortal Romance | Microgaming | 96.8% | Yes |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.51% | No |
| Mega Fortune | NetEnt | 96% | Yes |
| Book of Dead | Play’N Go | 96.21% | No |
| Break Da Bank Again | Microgaming | 95.43% | No |
| Wolf Gold | Pragmatic Play | 96% | No |
| Gonza’s Quest | NetEnt | 95.97% | No |
Ways to Pick Mobile Pokies
How do you pick the games?
1. Check Software Developers
Choosing a mobile pokie online starts with knowing the software provider.
Picking games from reputable providers offers reliable play and features.
Here are some easy-to-understand details about the top software providers:
- NetEnt: offers premium gaming solutions to top online casinos worldwide. With over 200 active customers and 200 games, NetEnt has processed over 58.3 billion gaming transactions.
- Microgaming: Known for their responsible and adaptable casino platforms since 1994, Microgaming integrates with over 30 gaming operators. They serve 86 million+ players, processing 210 million bets per day.
- Aristocrat: A top-tier publisher for free-to-play mobile pokies, Aristocrat boasts 20 creative studios and operates in over 300 gaming jurisdictions.
- Playtech: The world’s largest online gaming software supplier, Playtech offers software solutions to leading operators. Since 1999, they’ve focused on developing high-quality gaming products and content.
- Betsoft: Known for its pokies content, Betsoft offers over 200 casino games, including slots, table games, and video poker. With frequent wins, bonus rounds, excellent RTP, and innovative features, Betsoft ensures a good gaming experience.
Many players appreciate Apricot (Microgaming) games as they load fast and they have demo mode.
2. Checking RTP
RTP, which stands for Return to Player, is a crucial factor when choosing a game, whether it’s for mobile or a casino.
RTP is the theoretical percentage of how much a pokie pays back to players. Higher RTP pokies mean pokies with higher returns.
Here are the top mobile pokies with high RTPs:
- Blood Suckers – 97.99%
- Jackpot 6000 – 95%
- Money Cart 2 – 98%
- Mega Joker – 99%
- Book of 99 – 99%
Players may find Mega Joker appealing due to its high RTP.
3. Look for Android and iOS Apps for Casinos
Here are the top Android Casino Apps that offer mobile pokies in New Zealand:
- Jackpot City: $1600, 97.6% RTP
- SkyCity Online: $100 Bonus + 70 Free Spins, 96.2% RTP
- Casino Mate: $1400 + 80 FS, 97.12% RTP
- Spin Casino: $1000, 96% RTP
- Royal Vegas Casino: $1200, 97.4% RTP
It’s worth considering casinos that offer apps compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. The casino will not restrict you if you play any online mobile apps, irrespective of your mobile platform.
This indicates that the casino prioritizes user accessibility and a modern gaming experience.
Although every casino and gambling club offers similar terms and conditions for games and game diversion, players may find platforms with additional rewards.
SkyCity Casino offers mobile-compatible games but doesn’t currently provide a dedicated app.
4. Mobile Compatibility
Most games today work on mobile devices, whether using an Android phone, iPhone, or iPad.
These games are designed using HTML5 technology, ensuring compatibility across different devices.
When you play mobile pokies, your device functions like a computer. You can enjoy these games for free or with real money at online casinos.
Android
- RAM: A minimum of 2GB is recommended for smooth gameplay.
- Minimum System Version: Android 6.0 Marshmallow or 7.0 Nougat recommended.
- Storage Space: 32GB to 64GB or more for app installation and updates.
- Screen Resolution: Minimum 720p (1280×720) recommended.
iPhone
- RAM: iPhone XR and above with 3GB or more RAM for good performance.
- Minimum System Version: iOS 10 or iOS 11 recommended.
- Storage Space: 64GB to 512GB or more for app installation and updates.
- Screen Resolution: Minimum 720p (1280×720) recommended.
iPad
- RAM: A minimum of 2GB is recommended, and 3GB or more is recommended for better performance.
- Minimum System Version: iOS 11 recommended.
- Storage Space: 32GB to 1TB or more for app installation and updates.
- Screen Resolution: 2048×1536 to 2732×2048 pixels or higher recommended.
Here are some high RTP pokies:
- Book of Time
- Retro Tapes
- Starburst Xtreme
- Sakura Fortune II
- Wild Swarm
- Joker Stoker
These games are available for both free play and real money modes at online casinos.
5. Checking Volatility
It is crucial to check the volatility of any mobile pokies device, just as important as checking its RTP.
Volatility refers to the variance that indicates how much and how often you can win. It’s helpful to consider games that align with your preferred risk tolerance and playing style.
- Low Volatility: These games offer more frequent wins, but the payouts are usually smaller. They’re like a gentle roller coaster with small, frequent ups and downs.
- Medium Volatility: A balance between high and low, offering moderate wins at a moderate frequency.
- High Volatility: These pokies have less frequent wins, but the payouts can be much larger, similar to a roller coaster with tall, intense drops.
Suggestion – Low volatility pokies typically offer frequent smaller payouts.
6. Reputation
With so many online frauds and casino sites with dubious names, reputation is crucial when choosing a casino site.
That is achievable through reading as many user reviews as possible.
Even though every user has their own perception, reading many reviews gives you a clear picture of the site; besides, “watchdog “websites will provide honest and detailed opinions regarding casino rules and regulations, policies, products, and customer service records.
PokiesMobile Suggestion – Checking Reputation ensures safety, the licensing information is available on the footer of onlince casino website.
7. Checking Gaming Varieties
Several online casinos in New Zealand provide a broad range of pokies compatible with mobile.
Exploring these websites, players can discover pokies with appealing themes, competitive RTP rates, diverse volatility levels, features, and reputable developers.
8. Banking & Pay-outs
Many sites offer various deposit and payment gateways, but they also offer uncongenial withdrawal systems.
That makes the banking and pay-outs factor crucial. Therefore, you must ascertain that you live in an area with a pay-out available.
Even if websites owned by large corporations are secure, strictly regulated, and have sufficient funds, you should not be deterred from choosing a reliable and trustworthy payment service provider.
A reputable site should direct you to a gaming establishment that offers many payment service providers, such as PayPal, NETeller, MasterCard, Visa, and Skrill.
Many players find e-wallets a convenient option for faster withdrawals.
9. Bonuses & Promotion
The growth of online casinos has made sign-up bonuses a common feature. Others offer free bets and exclusive VIP bonuses. Before participating, it would be best to review the rules and regulations for this promotion.
- Zodiac Casino – 80 FS with just $1
- Captain Cooks Casino – 100 chances with $5
- Jackpot City Casino – $1600
- Lucky Nugget Casino – 1st Deposit – 40 Bonus Spins (Min deposit NZ$1) • 2nd Deposit – 100 Bonus Spins (Min deposit NZ$5) • 3rd Deposit – 150% Match Bonus up to NZ$200 (Min deposit NZ$5)
- Casino Kingdom – 40 chances for only $1 plus $200
This approach allows players to understand rollover requirements before participating.
Some players prefer online casinos offering bonuses with $1 minimum deposits.
Editors Verdict
Mobile pokies are often designed using HTML5 technology for compatibility across various platforms. Software developers continually adapt their games to accommodate the growing mobile audience.
Before selecting any mobile pokies, creating a checklist of what to look for is essential. This checklist should include checking RTP, Volatility, Top Android Casino Apps, casino reputation, and more.
In my opinion, Blood Suckers is a commonly played machine with an RTP of 97.99%.
FAQs
Is there a trick to pick winning mobile pokies?
There’s no surefire trick, but checking factors like RTP, volatility, choosing reputable casinos, trying demo modes, and practising can result in fair outcomes and reliable play.
How can you tell when a pokie machine is going to hit?
There’s no way to predict when a slot machine will hit. Spins are random, determined by an RNG (random number generator) milliseconds after the player presses the button.
What are the pokie machines that pay the highest payout?
Some of the highest payout pokie machines include Mega Joker by NetEnt with an RTP of 99% and Blood Suckers by NetEnt with an RTP of 98%.