New Zealand is undeniably the sports capital of the southwest Pacific region. It’s home to world-leading talent in rugby, cricket, soccer, basketball—and, unsurprisingly, a huge sports fan base. With such a strong following for their competitive teams, it’s no surprise that Kiwis are also avid sports betters.
In addition to punting on sports, local gamblers love their gaming machines (pokies), lotteries, and casinos—both online and in-person. In fact, New Zealand gamers spent an incredible $332.6 million on gambling online in 2022 alone. This number is expected to grow to almost $700 million by 2027.
Luckily for these enthusiastic gamblers, there are plenty of pokies to choose from. In this article, we list the most popular slot games in New Zealand.
Mega Moolah (Microgaming)
Most slot players have heard of Mega Moolah, and for good reason. Released by Microgaming, this slot offers some of the highest progressive jackpots in the world. It is also one of the most successful slot games in history.
Featuring simple graphics that depict an African safari (including fun wildlife like lions and monkeys), the slot is simple to play and remains enjoyable in the long run thanks to plentiful free spin bonuses and wilds. The Mega Moolah Wheel, offering four progressive jackpots, also brings players back for more, again and again.
Book of Dead (Play’n Go)
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead is one of Play’n Go’s most popular offerings. This slot follows the popular character Rich Wilde into the ancient tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs as he tries to uncover hidden treasure. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular graphics and sound effects.
With wilds that help boost profits each time you win, the central icon you’ll need to find is the coveted Book of Dead. Get three or more of these, and you’ll be given a free spin bonus and a much bigger bang for your buck.
Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play)
Heading from New Zealand to the plains of America couldn’t be easier with Pragmatic Play’s Wolf Gold. The game features uniquely American symbols, such as the eagle and buffalo, along with high-quality animations that add to the game’s visual appeal. This popular game is among the top slots mentioned in the ultimate guide to Spinpug Casino rewards in NZ.
The best part of this game is undoubtedly the free spin bonus. Activated by landing three scatters, this bonus offers higher chances of landing more scatters. With no limit on how many times your free spins can be triggered, this slot makes it easier than ever to strike gold.
Legacy of the Dead (Play’n Go)
Another top slot for New Zealand punters is the Rich Wilde-inspired adventure Legacy of the Dead. Although this title doesn’t feature the beloved character, it is said to take place after his travels in Egypt, as seen in the Book of Dead. This time, however, you’ll be heading through the gates of the Egyptian underworld to find your treasure.
With ancient Egyptian-inspired graphics and a similar theme to the Book of Dead, this game offers the same exceptional gameplay and adventurous ambiance. With wilds that help increase wins and a free spin bonus, exploring the underworld has never been more fun.
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
With almost 31% of New Zealand’s population engaging in fishing activities annually, it’s no surprise that Big Bass Bonanza is a massive hit with local players. In addition to stunning graphics and the chance to reel in a heap of cash, the game offers excellent gameplay that any fishing fan will love.
The wilds are fantastic, but the best part of the game is the free spin bonus that can be triggered by three or more scatters. Each time a fisherman appears on screen during the free spin, he casts out to catch a fish valued at impressive cash amounts.
Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming)
Jammin’ Jars by Push Gaming takes players back with its vintage-style fruit symbols and fun graphics. The reels sit on a shimmering disco background with great visuals, all set to an upbeat soundtrack that will have you jamming along with the beat.
Unlike other slots, this game operates as a symbol match. You’ll need some luck to get the same symbols together and form combos to award wins. The jam jars work as wilds, scatters for free spins, and multipliers. They move around the reels, bringing randomness and more chances to win with every spin.
Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)
Bonanza uses Megaways’ unique randomly generated pay lines and offers over 100,000 ways to win. With the number of lines changing with each spin, the game brings a real-time risk and reward experience to its gem and gold-studded Wild West theme.
While the base game is already great fun, the free spin bonus is what to really look out for. Triggered by spelling out the word gold, this bonus offers 12 free spins with an unlimited multiplier that increases each time you win. You can gain additional free spins by landing more scatters during this bonus.
Starburst (NetEnt)
One of NetEnt’s leading titles among New Zealand players is Starburst, which takes you on an unforgettable ride into space to discover riches among the stars. The game glitters with jaw-dropping depictions of precious gems and animations that bring them to life, seemingly close enough to touch.
Starburst operates slightly differently than regular slots. Rather than offering a free spin bonus, the game grants a respin each time a wild lands on the reels. When this happens, the wild remains in place—leading to wins that are truly out of this world.