How We Rate the Best Mobile Pokies
Before we list online pokies, we make sure to check all of their features. We don’t just list random games that we come across at online casinos in New Zealand. Then, we compare the results and see which of these casino games can give you the ultimate pleasure. We are even more than happy to expand on this topic. Here’s how BestCasino checks online pokies.
Return to Player
First and foremost, we take a look at the RTP of online mobile pokies. RTP stands for Return to Player and it signifies the overall returns over a longer period. The average pokie RTP is 96%, so anything within that range will meet our standards.
Desktop vs mobile
In many cases, your favourite games may feature fantastic visuals, but only when you play them on your desktop. When taking a closer look at pokie games at online casinos, we make sure to compare the desktop and mobile versions. There’s shouldn’t be any difference between the two.
Payouts
Playing casino games shouldn’t be about winning big rewards. It’s all about having fun. However, decent wins do not harm. That is why we take a look at the payouts of the title. First, we check whether we’re dealing with progressive pokies. Then, we look into the symbol rewards and volatility rate.
In-Game Features
One of the best features of pokies games is the fact that they have tons of in-game bonuses. These include free spins, bonus rounds, multi-level jackpots, re-spins, special symbols, tumbling reels, etc. We take a deeper dive into these features. We check whether you can trigger them easily, what can you expect from them and what’s their influence on the gameplay.
Game Providers
One old saying says that the better the game providers are, the better the mobile pokies are. After all, reputable brands are known for meeting the highest industry standards. They also use Random Number Generators and thus, contribute towards a safe game environment.
Demo vs real money
Before we form our conclusion, we play free mobile pokies to test their features. Of course, we also give the real money versions a few spins. This is where we test the payouts and see what’s the hit frequency and how often you trigger the bonus features.
Best Mobile Casinos to Play Pokie Games
Of course, not all mobile casinos in New Zealand are reputable. Many scam sites roam the region. Our top priority is to make sure that our clients remain safe while they play the best online mobile pokies.
After a thorough search of the market, we were able to find the top NZ online casino operators. They are known for providing players with immaculate security. Additionally, they have tons of online slot machines and offer bonuses and promotions that can boost your potential winnings.
Rizk Casino
Best for: High Volatility & Modern Video Pokies
Rizk Casino is the home of modern, high-variance games that offer huge win potential and unique mechanics (like cascading reels and buy-features). Some of the best high-action mobile pokies titles that you can play for real money include:
- Gates of Olympus (Famous for high volatility)
- Sweet Bonanza (Popular “Tumble” mechanic)
- Reactoonz (Grid-based alien slot)
- Money Train 4 (Massive max-win potential)
- Captain Rizk Megaways (Exclusive branded game)
In terms of security, Rizk utilizes highly sophisticated SSL data encryption algorithms and holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Some of the software providers that supply its library are NetEnt, Play’n GO, Quickspin, Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play, and Yggdrasil.
LeoVegas Casino
Best for: Progressive & Exclusive Jackpot Pokies
LeoVegas Casino is the home of the world’s biggest jackpots, including their own exclusive “LeoJackpot” that adds multi-million dollar prizes to standard games. Some of the best jackpot and mobile pokies titles that you can play for real money include:
- LeoVegas Megaways (Exclusive)
- Mega Moolah (The world record jackpot holder)
- Book of Dead (Often available with the “LeoJackpot” feature added)
- Gold Blitz (Popular for instant cash collection)
- Divine Fortune (Top local jackpot game)
In terms of security, LeoVegas utilizes 2048-bit SSL certification to protect player data and holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and the Danish Gambling Authority. Some of the software providers that supply its library are Games Global (Microgaming), NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Play’n GO, IGT, and Blueprint Gaming.
Yeti Casino
Best for: Classic Pokies
Yeti Casino is the home of classic games, specifically catering to players who enjoy the nostalgia of fruit machines and 777-style slots. It is one of the few modern sites that prioritizes these simpler, high-speed games for mobile play. Some of the best classic mobile pokies titles that you can play for real money include:
- Allways Win (Classic fruit machine style)
- Diamond Strike (Modern visuals with classic gameplay)
- Bells on Fire HOT (Traditional slot popular in land-based casinos)
- Coins on Fire (Retro theme)
- 777 Burn Em Up (High-speed classic action)
In terms of security, Yeti utilizes the latest SSL encryption protocol (GoDaddy verified) and holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Some of the software providers that supply its library are Blueprint, Games Global (Microgaming), Novomatic, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, and Hacksaw.
Casumo
Best for: Secure and Safe Online Pokies
Casumo is the home of the “world’s first casino adventure” and “Reel Races” (fast-paced slot tournaments). It specializes in Megaways and story-driven slots where your gameplay helps you “level up” your character to unlock rewards. Some of the best adventure and Megaways mobile pokies titles that you can play for real money include:
- Book of Dead (The flagship game for Casumo’s “Reel Races”)
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Classic adventure with the Megaways engine)
- Reactoonz (Grid-based slot popular in tournaments)
- Jammin’ Jars (High energy, cascading wins)
- Fire Joker (Classic feel with modern mechanics)
In terms of security, Casumo utilizes SSL encryption and splits player funds into separate bank accounts for safety. It holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Spelinspektionen (Sweden) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Some of the software providers that supply its library are Play’n GO, NetEnt, Big Time Gaming (creators of Megaways), Quickspin, and Thunderkick.
Top 7 Best Mobile Pokies for New Zealand Players
Playing mobile pokies at an NZ online casino is fun if you access the best titles. Now, we are aware that the term “best” is subject to personal preferences. However, after comparing countless games, we were able to come up with a shortlist of games that you might want to take into consideration.
All of them boast unique features and offer a decent experience. That is why you should consider them when you are looking to play online pokies for mobile phone.
1. Gonzo’s Quest
NetEnt is one of the most popular providers in New Zealand and Gonzo’s Quest is arguably its biggest release. Kiwi players can enjoy it on iPhones and Android smartphone devices. Each tumbling win here comes with multipliers that can go as high as x15.
2. Big Bass Bonanza
If you’re looking to play mobile pokies and explore the depths of the ocean, then Big Bass Bonanza is the best pick. It comes with an above-average RTP of 96.71% and you can trigger up to 20 free spins in this game.
3. Book of Dead
Book of Dead is one of the most legendary mobile pokies titles. An interesting fact about it is that many NZ pokie apps consider it the only eligible game for free spin bonuses. Simplicity is the key here. You can bet up to NZ$50 and you’ll enjoy free spins, Wilds and multipliers.
4. 9 Masks of Fire
Speaking of legendary games for smartphones, 9 Masks of Fire is worth a mention. This is a classic pokie and hence, it only has one bonus feature – free spins. The Wild will help you form wins on any of the 20 fixed paylines.
5. Wolf Gold
Next up, Wolf Gold is a standard 5×3 mobile pokie by Pragmatic Play. There are 25 paylines on which you can form wins. The minimum bet amount is NZ$0.25 and the maximum is NZ$125. Since Wolf Gold utilizes the latest HTML5 technology, NZ players can enjoy it on all mobile devices.
6. Mega Moolah
For the fans of progressive pokie games, Mega Moolah is by far the best choice. This game is responsible for some of the highest payouts in the history of online gambling. The highest jackpot won in New Zealand was in 2020 – NZ$13,615,861.49. Interestingly enough, this Microgaming has a low RTP, but don’t let that fool you.
7. Sweet Bonanza
Sweet Bonanza is one of the most popular New Zealand mobile pokies by Pragmatic Play. It comes with an RTP rate of 96.51% and boasts several bonus features. These include free spins, bonus rounds, tumble wins, multipliers and ante bet. Its layout features 6 reels and 5 rows and you can win up to 21,100x your stake.
Free Pokie Games vs Real Money Mobile Pokies
One major dilemma for New Zealand is whether they should start playing at the best mobile casinos for free or real money. Well, the answer to that question lies in your intention.
If you intend to get familiar with a certain pokie game, then you should try its demo version. When you play for free, you don’t have to worry about having a negative balance. You can determine whether you like a certain title or not for free. You can call this good money management. The downside to this type of gaming is that you cannot win real money rewards. You also can’t claim bonuses and promotions.
On the other side, playing for real money means that you will lose money every time you lose a round. However, you will also win real rewards. Once you register at an NZ casino, you can deposit and claim the welcome bonus or any other promotion. Here’s what BestCasino has to say on this topic. It all depends on what your goal is. If you are already familiar with a certain mobile pokie, you can play it for free. But if you are unsure if the title can provide you with entertainment, you ought to try it for free first.
What is the Difference Between Mobile Pokies and Pokie Apps?
The difference between mobile pokies and pokie apps is simple to understand. A mobile pokie is a game, whereas the best pokies app is the platform where you can play mobile games. Of course, you also need to download an app to access the best NZ mobile pokies.
In most cases, these apps are listed on Google Play Store or AppStore, depending on which type of mobile device you’re using. They are free to download and all you need to make sure of is that your Internet connection is stable.
Most Popular Devices for Mobile Pokies
When Kiwi players register at mobile casinos to play pokies, they either access these games from Android or iOS devices. Most players enjoy these games on their smartphone, but tablet gaming is also popular.
iPhone
One of the biggest advantages that come with playing from iPhones is security. iOS protects players while they enjoy at NZ pokies app. Moreover, the system itself has a native e wallet – Apple Pay. One thing to remember when playing from an iPhone is the battery.
Android
Android is not as secure as iOS, but that doesn’t mean that they are unsafe. On the contrary, they are as secure as you can imagine. Numerous developers create Android phones specifically for gaming purposes and that is why NZ players can have a unique experience while playing on a phone with this OS.
Tablets
If you want to experience the full might of the graphics of online pokies, then tablets are the best pick. There are both Android and iOS tablets. The gaming experience is more or less the same. It all comes down to which operating system you like more.
Playing Responsibly at NZ Mobile Casinos
Apart from entertainment, the top priority when playing at the best sites is responsible gaming. The best mobile casinos are partnered with numerous RG organizations and that is how they help you stay safe.
The Gambling Helpline Service operates nationwide. You can call it at 0800 654 655. Other organizations that are worth mentioning are: