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Free Pokies NZ – Play Slots for Fun

28 August, 2024

Free pokies is the best way through which NZ players can get familiar with the rules of these games. Even though they do not provide you with any real money rewards, you will not risk your real money balance when playing them.

BestCasino.com is always adamant about providing you with all the details related to online casino gaming. That is why we feel obliged to share everything that you should know about free online pokies. So, without any further ado, let’s break down the details.

Mafia Gold

Play'n Go 3.5/5

Gold Blitz

Games Global 4/5

Granny vs Zombies

Games Global 4/5

Danger High Voltage

Big Time Gaming 4.5/5

Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways

Blueprint Gaming 3.5/5

The Goonies

Blueprint Gaming 5/5

What Are Free Pokies?

Just as the name suggests, playing free pokies online comes without any risk to your cash balance. Many NZ online casinos offer demo versions of their games and they don’t even require Kiwis to register an account.

This is the best way through which a certain player can get familiar with pokie games and determine whether they are a good fit for their preferences.

Once you give them a try and like them, you can proceed to register at the casino site and play online slots for real money.

How to Play Free Pokies Online

The gameplay of free pokie games is the same as their real money versions. The first thing that you need to do is study their paytable. The paytable features the following information:

Regular Symbols & Rewards

Number of Paylines

Trigger Bonus Features

RTP & Volatility

Jackpot Exposure

Bet Amounts

Once you get familiar with them, you can play free slot games. All you have to do is set your preferred bet amount and spin the reels. Keep in mind that you will not lose, nor win real money rewards when playing them.

Where to Play Safe and Fun Free NZ Pokies?

There are two potential solutions to this. The first one is to play free pokies at our recommended sites and the second one is to play them on our official website.

All of our listed online casinos feature demo versions of their games. All of these platforms are secure and supplied by the best providers in the business. Thanks to that fact, you can access and play the best titles. Some of the top-rated operators in New Zealand are:

Yako Casino 5/5
100% up to NZ$ 99 Bonus 99 Free Spins
Wildz 4/5
Up to NZ$ 1000 Bonus 200 Free Spins
Yeti Casino 4/5
100% up to NZ$ 333 Bonus 100 Free Spins
18+ New players only | No restrictions while playing with cash | Min. refund bonus is £10 | Wagering on bonus is 60x | Bonus based on 1st deposit lost | Max bet with bonus is £5 | Skrill and Neteller excluded | T&Cs apply
Casumo 4/5
110% up to $1100 Bonus 60 Free Spins
18+ New customers only. 110% Deposit Bonus up to $1,100 on the first deposit 30x wagering Deposit Bonus (game weighting applies) + 60 Free Spins (selected games only) of $0.20 – $0.40. Min. deposit $10. | T&Cs apply
Viggoslots 4/5
100% up to NZ$ 1000 Bonus 170 Free Spins

Just as we mentioned at the start, BestCasino.com wants to provide you with information on everything online casino-related. That is why we feature demo games in our comprehensive reviews. Not only can you get familiar with the theoretical part of a game, but you can also play free slots on your desktop or mobile device.

10 Best Free Slots to Play Online

These days, there are thousands of online pokies. All of them feature interesting mechanics and bonus features. Determining which ones are the best is subject to personal preferences. But after careful research, we managed to find some of the best candidates for “best play free online slots.”

SlotGame ProviderRTP
5 DragonsAristocrat and Wazdan95.17%
Money BearsInspired96.50%
Dolphin TreasureAristocrat94.88%
50 LionsAristocrat94.71%
Queen of the NileAristocrat94.8%
Heart of VegasAristocrat96%
Mega MoolahMicrogaming88.12% (94.1%)*
Mega FortuneNetEnt96%
Gonzo’s QuestNetEnt95.97%
Wolf GoldPragmatic Play96.01%
*88,12% for base game. 94.1% for progressive jackpot

5 Dragons Slot

5 Dragons is an online slot game by Wazdan and Aristocrat. It features 243 paylines and several bonuses will make the gameplay all the more exciting. These feature free spins, multipliers, and more.

bear-money-slot

Money Bears

Inspired Gaming lifts standards with Money Bears. This game comes with a medium volatility rate and a fantastic RTP of 96.50%. You can win decent rewards by collecting picnic baskets and bears. Its unique gameplay is what makes it such a popular choice for NZs.

Dolphin Treasure

Dolphin Treasure is a free online pokie that takes you on an underwater adventure. Thanks to the fact that this Aristocrat slot features a gamble mode, you can quadruple your winnings. Free spins here are accompanied by multipliers, meaning that you can expect decent payouts.

50 Lions

50 Lions

If you’re looking to explore the wonders of Africa, then 50 Lions is the perfect fit. It features 50 paylines and a 5×3 grid. You can always expect decent payouts from this title, as well as free games.

Queen of the Nile

Queen of the Nile

Aristocrat pokies always deliver when it comes to entertainment and Queen of the Nile is no exception. Free spins are included in this game and you will come across Wilds, multipliers and adjustable paylines.

Heart of Vegas

Heart of Vegas is one of the most popular free pokies in New Zealand. It is compatible with mobile devices as it has its own app. There are 11 variants that you can enjoy, all of which have fantastic in-game bonuses.

mega moolah

Mega Moolah

Playing free pokies online goes to the next level with Mega Moolah. This is the most rewarding progressive jackpot slot and it is created by Microgaming. Its rewards often exceed millions of NZ dollars, even though its RTP rate is way below the average.

mega fortune slot

Mega Fortune

Speaking of progressive jackpot slots, Mega Fortune is also one of the most popular free pokies in this section. It is created by NetEnt and it features 5 reels and 3 rows. Wilds, free spins and the bonus wheel, which features the progressive jackpot are the main features here.

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s Quest is without a doubt one of the best online pokies in the world. It was released in 2011 and remains a common choice for NZ players. Its main feature is free spins and this title is mobile-friendly.

Wolf Gold - Bestcasino

Wolf Gold

Pragmatic Play never fails to disappoint with its online pokies. Wolf Gold is no exception to this rule. NZ players that are looking for free games online are fond of trying out this title. Stacked Wild symbols, Blazing Reels and Money Respins are just a few of its bonus features.

Free Pokies Apps on any Device

These days, mobile gaming is on the rise. New Zealand players are fond of playing free online slot games on their smartphones. To make sure that their expectations are met, many operators create free pokie apps.

They are usually free to download and are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It doesn’t matter if you are accessing them on your mobile phone or smartphone. The overall gaming experience does not differ.

When downloading pokie apps on your iPad or mobile device, remember that you need to have a stable connection to the Internet and free storage.

Free Pokies with No Download and No Registration

You don’t need to register at New Zealand online casinos to play free pokies online. All you have to do is visit the official website of gambling site and then, access its demo games.

Many online casinos don’t even require you to download certain software. The only thing that you must make sure of is that you are connected to the Internet. To make things even better, a majority of these sites utilize the latest HTML5 technology. That means that you can play free slots on your mobile devices.

Top Software Providers

At BestCasino, we often say that the software providers indicate the quality of the pokie game. The more reputable the provider is, the better the will be. So, let’s see which brands are among the top-rated ones in New Zealand.

Pragmatic Play

First and foremost, we have one of the most versatile providers in the online casino industry – Pragmatic Play. This brand is known for its high RTP games, diverse themes and tons of bonus features within the pokies.

Not only that, but it has its casino promotion called Drops&Wins. This is basically a tournament at online casinos. It always has massive prize pools and rewards tons of players.

Aristocrat

Aristocrat

When it comes to creating classic fruit machines and slots that have extremely simple gameplay, Aristocrat is the number 1 provider.

This company is created by gamers, for gamers. That is the reason why it always pays attention to details and makes sure to exceed expectations with every release.

relax gaming provider

Relax Gaming

Relax Gaming opened its doors in 2010 and quickly rose to fame. This provider is all about differentiation in its free online pokies. It wants to set standards, not chase them. That is the reason why its titles feature breathtaking graphics and have decent payouts.

Elk Studios

ELK Studios

ELK Studios has it all – from classic slots to both ways pays slots, Megaways, etc. Considering the fact that it holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Malta and the UK, you can rest assured knowing that its games are fair and secure.

netent provider

NetEnt

NetEnt is without a doubt a global leader in online pokies. Throughout the years, this brand created several iconic slots. They are usually the most popular games at NZ online casinos and are always eligible for the available promotions.

Take Gonzo’s Quest as an example. This free online pokie game is dominating the industry for over a decade now. It is a testament to NetEnt’s dedication to remaining an industry leader.

Free Pokies vs Real Money Pokies

One of the biggest questions that NZs want an answer to is whether they should opt to play free slots or real money slots. Both of these choices have their own pros and cons, let’s have a look at them.

Free Pokies Benefits

Allows players to familiarize themselves with games without financial risk.

No registration required on many casino sites offering free slots.

Real Money Pokies Benefits

Opportunity to claim real money rewards.

Eligibility for casino bonuses and promotions upon registration

Let’s start by explaining what are the benefits of playing free online pokies. The biggest advantage is the fact that you can get familiar with the game without losing money. Hence, you can easily figure out whether you like it or not.

Furthermore, casino sites that offer free pokie games often don’t even require you to register to play for free. The biggest downside is the fact that you cannot win real money rewards. Since players often don’t register at NZ casinos to play free pokies, they are not eligible for their bonuses and promotions.

Free Pokies Drawbacks

Inability to win real money rewards.

Exclusion from casino bonuses and promotions due to lack of registration.

Real Money Pokies Drawbacks

Loss of cash balance with unsuccessful rounds.

Potential for significant financial loss, especially for inexperienced players.

On the other hand, playing online slots for real money means that you can claim real money rewards. You also need to register to play these games, hence you can claim promos and reap other benefits of the casino site.

The downside is that when you lose a round, your cash balance also declines. So, playing for real money can have a major cost if you’re unfamiliar with how pokies work.

NZs ought to remember that when playing real money games, they must limit their time and budget. Some players get caught up playing for real money and end up developing a gambling addiction.

New Zealand authorities are always keen on protecting its residents and that is why there are plenty of organizations that help players with gambling problems. Some of these agencies include Gambling Help Online, the Office for Problem Gambling, GambleAware, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and Lifeline.

Best Free Online Slots Features

Earlier, we mentioned that one of the reasons why you should play free online pokies is to get familiar with their features. There are tons of features that you can come across when playing these games. Let’s have a look at some of the best ones.

Free Spins

This is without a doubt one of the most common features in free pokies. Often, you will trigger free spins by landing at least 3 Scatters anywhere on the reels. Once you do so, you will receive a certain number of spins.

Depending on the game, you might even be able to re-trigger them. Free spins are played with the same bet amount that triggered them. In the end, all of the winnings are combined and transferred to your current balance.

bonus (2)

Bonus Rounds

Bonus games come in various shapes and sizes. They may unlock re-spins, multi-level jackpots, free spins, cash rewards, etc. One of the most popular forms of bonus rounds is the bonus wheel.

When you trigger this feature, you will come across a big wheel with various prizes. All you have to do is spin the wheel and wait to see what type of reward you will claim.

64px-pink-icon-diamond

Wild Symbols

The Wild symbol is a special symbol in online slots. It substitutes all regular symbols. Thanks to that fact, it can help you form wins. In some free online pokies, it can even form wins on its own and provide you with cash rewards.

Keep in mind that the Wild cannot substitute other special symbols such as Scatters and Bonus symbols.

Progressive Jackpots

High rollers are always after the biggest rewards at NZ online casinos. To receive them, they access free pokies with progressive jackpot prizes. A progressive jackpot is a type of jackpot whose maximum exposure keeps increasing as players keep feeding the game.

Cluster Pays

Cluster Pays is a new payline mechanic created by NetEnt. It provides players with a new way to form wins. Standard slots have the following payline mechanics:

  • Left to right
  • Right to left
  • Both ways

This option works on a completely different principle. Instead of the symbols being in a certain payline, they must touch horizontally and/or vertically. Most commonly, you need to have a cluster of at least 5 symbols to form a win.

Furthermore, Cluster Pays slots often have the Tumbling Reels mode. This means that when you trigger a win, winning symbols disappear from the grid and the ones above drop down. As a result, you can form multiple consecutive wins.

Megaways

Speaking of new payline mechanics, it’s also worth sharing a word or two on Megaways pokies.

These games usually have a 6×6 layout and one extra reel above the main grid. It adds extra symbols and as a result, the number of paylines on each spin can go as high as 117,649. Each spin results in a different number of paylines.

Infinity Reels

Just as the name suggests, Infinity Reels slots can feature an infinite amount of reels. Each time you form a win, one extra reel is added to the main grid.

When you manage to add at least 12 reels, you will receive a one-time cash reward.

Mystery and Expanding Symbols

Wilds and Scatters are not the only special symbols that you will come across when playing pokies. Mystery symbols are locked and they reveal themselves when the reels stop spinning.

On the other hand, expanding symbols increases your chances of winning your favourite games. They do not have the standard 1×1 layout. Instead, they have a 2×2, 3×3 and in some cases, even 4×4 size.

Moving Symbols

Even though they are a rare sight in NZ casinos, moving symbols are an extremely cool feature.

As the name indicates, they switch positions and can move to the next reel. In doing so, they can open the pathway to forming wins.

Gamble Feature

This is one additional bonus feature that high rollers like to use. Basically, it allows you to go double or nothing. When you trigger a win in a certain free play pokie, the gamble mode allows you to double your winnings.

However, that comes at a cost. If you lose the bet, then you won’t even have the amount that you originally won.

Buy Bonus

If you are having problems triggering free spins or whatever the main feature of the slot machine is, you can also use the Buy Bonus feature. It allows you to purchase a certain feature at a given price.

One thing that is worth knowing about buy bonuses in slot machines is that when you use them, the RTP usually increases.

Locked Reels

Locked Reels is not a bonus feature that you will come across often. Some new online pokies feature it. To lock a reel, a certain event must happen. For example, some slots have a mechanic in which the reel will lock into its position if it reveals a Wild symbol or a Scatter.

Hence, the symbols will remain in their position for the next one or a couple of spins. The rest of the reels will continue spinning, though.

Multipliers

Finally, we have multipliers. They can increase your overall winnings at your favourite casino games. The best free pokies can have multipliers of over 500x. You can trigger them in various games, depending on the games.

Some slots feature multipliers during free spins. If you are playing free pokies with tumbling reels, each consecutive win will likely increase the multiplier by 1. Bonus rounds can also feature certain multipliers.

Playing the demo mode of the pokie will help you realize how can you activate these boosters and use them to your benefit.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best online pokies NZ?

Finding the best online pokies is subject to personal preferences. However, our team managed to find some of the top-rated titles. These include Money Bears, Gonzo's Quest, Queen of the Nile, Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune, Wolf Gold, 50 Lions, Dolphin Treasure, 5 Dragons and Heart of Vegas.

What are free pokies?

Free pokies are online slot games that you can play without risking real money cash. They do not provide players with real money rewards, though,

What slots can I play for free?

All of the listed slots at BestCasino are available for free. Additionally, the full slot libraries of our partner casinos have demo versions of the available games.

What casino apps give you free money?

BestCasino's listed online casinos will provide you with free money casino bonuses. Check our reviews to determine what are their exact amounts and whether they are a fit for your preferences.

Can you play free pokies for real money?

Free pokies online also have real money versions. To play them, you must register at an online casino and make a deposit. Then, use the funds to access and play real money pokies.

Can I play pokies without downloading?

Yes, many pokies are available without downloading. All you need is a stable connection to the Internet.