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Progressive Pokies – Guide to Progressive Jackpots in New Zealand

28 August, 2024

There aren’t a lot of casino games that can provide you with the same level of entertainment as progressive pokies. These games have jackpot exposures that often exceed millions of NZ dollars.

Although you may think that jackpot slots are the same as standard online pokies, that’s not entirely true. Yes, the gameplay is more or less the same, but certain features differentiate them.

That’s what BestCasino will help you figure out in this article. We’ll focus on progressive pokies in New Zealand and explain what you should know about them. Not only that but we’ll also list the top-rated progressive jackpot pokies.

Top 11 Progressive Jackpot Pokies in New Zealand

These days, there are plenty of online casinos that offer games with massive progressive jackpot prizes. This is a major advantage for Kiwi players as they have plenty of options at their disposal.

Of course, we cannot list all progressive pokies as the list grows with each passing day. Providers release new games regularly. We can, however, provide you with a list of the top 11 progressive jackpot slots in New Zealand.

1. Mega Moolah

There’s no denying the fact that Mega Moolah is the best NZ progressive pokie. Its cash prizes are second to none. This game has 4 jackpot levels. To win one of them, you must trigger the Jackpot Bonus Game.

Mega Moolah

Then, you will uncover identical symbols on a special grid. The Mega Jackpot is the most rewarding one and it guarantees a win of at least NZ$1 million. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest payout of this game is £13.2 million (NZ$25.8 million).

On the technical side, Mega Moolah features 25 fixed paylines, an extremely high volatility rate and an RTP of 88.12%.

2. Major Millions

Next up, we have another Microgaming slot known for its massive payouts. Major Millions is a 5×3 game with 15 fixed paylines. It features a military theme and before you spin the reels, all you have to do is set your bet.

Major Millions progressive

There aren’t a lot of bonus features here as the main focus is on the progressive jackpot. Statistics show that the average win here goes over NZ$700,000. So far, its biggest payout is over NZ$3 million. To trigger the progressive jackpot in Major Millions, you must land 5 Wilds on the 15th payline.

3. Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune is a common pick for NZ players at multiple online casinos. The main theme of this progressive slot is Ancient Greece. The low-paying regular symbols are the Royals – J, Q, K and A.

Divine Fortune

On the other hand, we have the high-paying symbols – the phoenix, medusa, Minotaur and the Nemean lion. The Pegasus is the Wild symbol in this slot and it substitutes all regular symbols. What’s even more impressive, is the fact that Divine Fortune has a free spin mode. To trigger it, you must land at least 3 Scatters. In terms of the jackpot, there are three levels:

  • Minor
  • Major
  • Mega

Unlike other progressive pokies, the RTP rate of Divine Fortune is above-average. It stands at 96.6%.

4. Aztec’s Millions

Just like the name itself suggests, Aztec’s Millions has the historical Aztec theme. This game features 25 fixed paylines. To form a win, you must land at least 3 identical regular symbols. A Wild, which substitutes regular symbols is also present.

To make things even more interesting, Aztec’s Millions features a free spins mode. You trigger it by landing 3-5 Scatters. The possible outcomes are the following:

  • 3 Scatters – 5 free spins
  • 4 Scatters – 15 free spins
  • 5 Scatters – 25 free spins
Aztec's Millions

To win the progressive jackpot in Aztec’s Millions, you must land the game’s logo on all 5 reels.

5. Hall of Gods

NetEnt is known for creating some of the best NZ online pokies. The case is no different with Hall of Gods. This game is available at almost all of our recommended online casinos. You can wager up to NZ$50 per spin and there are 20 fixed paylines here.

To make the gaming experience a bit more exciting, NetEnt added a few bonus features in this game. First up, we have the free spins mode, which you can trigger by landing at least 3 Scatters. Then, there’s the bonus game, which is the key to winning the progressive jackpot.

Hall of Gods

Once you trigger this mode, all reel positions are covered in shields. Your task is to uncover all shields and reveal the jackpot logos. The lucky player that unveils the Mega jackpot can win more than NZ$1 million. The highest recorded win in Hall of Gods is NZ$13 million.

6. Mega Fortune

Mega Fortune

Mega Fortune is yet another online pokie machine with an above-average RTP (96.6%). You can wager between N$0.20 and NZ$80 here. To trigger a win, you must land at least 3 matching symbols on its 25 fixed paylines.

There are three progressive jackpot levels in Mega Fortune – Mega, Major and Rapid. They are part of the bonus round. The bonus round has a set of several bonus wheels. The jackpot grows constantly and the highest payout here is NZ$4 million.

7. Cash Splash

Cash Splash is one of the simplest progressive pokie machines. This game is developed by Microgaming and it features 5 reels and 3 rows. This slot is all about simplicity. Even though there are Scatters, they do not trigger any bonus.

Cash Splash

Instead, they will provide you with a cash prize. The Cash Splash logo symbol, which is the Wild, is the key to winning the progressive jackpot. To trigger it, you must land 5 Wilds on the 15th payline.

8. Cleopatra’s Gold

Moving on, we have a progressive jackpot game by RTG. Cleopatra’s Gold features 5 reels and 20 paylines. Just like the name indicates, its main theme is Ancient Egypt. The minimum bet is NZ$0.01 and the maximum is NZ$20.

Cleopatra Gold

Its bonus features include a free spins mode, a Wild symbol and of course, the jackpot itself. Regular symbols are divided into two categories – low and high-paying. The Royals represent the low-paying end. The high-end symbols are various elements related to Ancient Egypt.

9. Leprechaun’s Luck

Ash Gaming is not too focused on creating progressive pokies, but Leprechaun’s Luck is a major exception. This slot has 5 reels, 3 rows and 20 paylines. There’s also a free spins mode. You trigger it by landing a minimum of 3 Scatters.

Leprechaun's Luck cash collect

Interestingly enough, there are 2 ways to trigger the progressive jackpot in Leprechaun’s Luck. The first one is to light all the colours of the rainbow during the Rainbow Wealth bonus. The second is to find the god in the Wishing Well bonus mode.

10. Beach Life

Beach Life is one of Playtech’s most popular jackpot pokies. Its RTP rate is 93.25% and the game takes you on a tropical beach adventure. Even though it is more than 15 years old, it remains a common pick for many players in New Zealand.

Beach Life

Unlike most progressive slots, the jackpot in Beach Life is triggered randomly. A Scatter symbol is present here, but it does not trigger free spins. Instead, it will provide you with cash prizes. A Wild symbol, which substitutes regular symbols, is also present.

11. King Cashalot

King Cashalot is undoubtedly a legendary progressive jackpot pokie. It has an RTP rate of 90.59% and 9 paylines on which you can form winning combinations. Its jackpot can cross NZ$1 million.

King Cashalot

Apart from the rewards, NZ players are attracted to this online casino game due to its simplicity. To win the progressive jackpot here, you must land 5 King symbols on the 9th payline.

Where to Play Progressive Pokies?

Knowing what the top progressive jackpot slots in NZ are is a major advantage. That way, you will know which titles have entertaining gameplay. This is not enough, though. Knowing the best games doesn’t mean much if you don’t know where can you play them.

Considering the fact that their rewards are substantial, you must make sure that you register at a very secure online casino. That’s exactly what BestCasino is all about. We are adamant about providing NZ players with security and entertainment.

After thoroughly reviewing countless online casinos that offer their services in New Zealand, we found the top 3 platforms. Let’s give them a look.

Dream Vegas

Visa
Mastercard
Skrill
+8
Dream Vegas 4/5
200% match bonus up to NZ $2500 + 50 FS

First up, we have Dream Vegas. This NZ online casino holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority. It also uses the latest SSL encryption software. These features solidify the fact that you will enjoy massive security when playing progressive jackpot games.

To access these titles, you must go to the “Must Go Jackpots” category. Once you open it, you will have dozens of variants at your disposal. Some of the most popular progressive pokies here are:

  • Blobsters Clusterbuster
  • Peggy Sweets
  • Bloodsuckers Megaways
  • Doggy Riches
  • 10,001 Nights Megaways
  • Cash or Nothing
Lottie animation Click to edit

Lucky Wilds

Visa
Mastercard
Jeton
+2
Lucky Wilds 4/5

There are over 5,000 games at Lucky Wilds. Many of the world’s best providers create them. Each progressive slot game here is HTML5-powered. Thanks to that, you can enjoy them on pretty much any device.

In terms of security, Lucky Wilds uses the latest SSL encryption software and holds a license from the government of Curacao. As for its most popular online progressive jackpot pokies, a few honourable mentions are:

  • Mega Moolah Lucky Bells
  • Dragon Kings
  • Gunslinger: Reloaded
  • 40 Hot and Cash
  • Absolootly Mad: Mega Moolah Jackpot Game
  • Rainbow Luck

Yako Casino

Visa
Mastercard
Skrill
+8
Yako Casino 5/5
100% up to NZ$ 99 99 free spins

Our third and final listing is Yako Casino, an NZ online casino that accepts tons of payment methods. It holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission and Spelinspektionen. In other words, few casino sites are as secure as this one.

Once you visit the games menu at Yako Casino, you will get a clear view of every progressive jackpot game in the “Jackpot” category. Once you access it, you can play various titles, all of which have entertaining gameplay.

What is a Progressive Jackpot?

Of course, if you want to play progressive games, you must know what their jackpot represents.

A progressive jackpot is a reward that continues to grow as players play the game. When you make real money bets in progressive games, a part of the wager goes to the pot. Hence, the maximum exposure of the jackpot increases.

The best part about them is that the jackpot meter does not have a limit. Its value constantly increases and it stops when a player wins it.

Types of Progressive Jackpots

Whenever you think of progressive jackpots, you’d think that there’s just one type. That’s not entirely true. There are actually three types of progressive jackpots:

  • Standalone jackpots
  • Local jackpots
  • Global jackpots

A standalone jackpot is a part of slots in brick-and-mortar casinos. It applies to one specific game and that is why its maximum exposure is not that high.

Local jackpots are specific to online slots. These jackpots are not linked to one pokie, but to multiple. That is why its value can reach great heights.

Finally, a global jackpot is a combination of standalone and local jackpots. They apply to land-based online slots but are not tied to one game. Instead, several venues are connected and hence, all bets made in them influence the pot.

How Big Can Progressive Jackpots Get?

One of the most common questions of those that play pokies is how big can a progressive jackpot get. The answer is that it depends on the game. Some titles, such as Mega Moolah, are extremely popular among players.

The more players enjoy a progressive slot, the higher its jackpot is. As we explained earlier, each time someone makes a bet, a portion of the amount goes to the pot. In the case of Mega Moolah, the highest recorded jackpot win here is over NZ$25 million.

Newest Progressive Slots

Thanks to the fact that progressive pokies are popular among Kiwi players, providers are constantly looking to exceed their expectations with new releases. Below, we listed a few of the latest and most popular slots with progressive jackpots, so let’s have a look at them.

1. Beellionaires Dream Drop

Beellionaires Dream Drop

Beellionaires Dream Drop slot is created by Relax Gaming. It has an RTP rate of 94% and apart from the progressive jackpot, you can enjoy the Wild symbol and the free spins mode. Its volatility rate is high and the main theme is the land of bees.

The progressive jackpot here has 5 levels – Rapid, Mini, Maxi, Major and Mega. To trigger any of them, you must first activate the Dream Drop Bonus.

2. Paddy’s Pot Mega Moolah

Paddy's Pot Mega Moolah

Next up, we have a progressive pokie by Just for the Win. Paddy’s Pot Mega Moolah has an RTP of 92.03% and a very high volatility rate. The theme of this game is the well-known Irish luck.

If you manage to land 3 jackpot symbols, you will trigger the jackpot wheel. This wheel has several random prizes, including the 4 jackpots.

3. Rainbow Mania

Rainbow Mania

Habanero is not too popular for creating progressive pokies, but you will have a fun time playing Rainbow Mania. There are 17 fixed paylines in this game, as well as a grid containing 5 reels and 3 rows.

Apart from the progressive jackpot, there are several extra features that you can benefit from. Free spins, Pot of Gold and the Buy feature are at your disposal and they will make your experience much more entertaining.

Progressive Pokies Features

In the beginning, we mentioned that even though progressive pokies share similarities with standard slots, some features differentiate them. Well, it is time to dig a bit deeper into these features.

High Volatility

Exclamation mark inside a rhombus.

First up, we have the volatility rate of the best progressive slots. These casino games have extremely high volatility. Yes, the volatility level of standard slots can be high, but not on the same level as progressive pokies.

Just a reminder, the volatility rate indicates how rewarding the jackpot of a slot game is and how often it drops. The higher it is, the higher its maximum exposure is, but it drops rarely.

That’s exactly what most progressive slots are about. Their jackpot usually drops a few times a year, but its reward is massive and it can exceed NZ$1 million.

Average RTP

These days, you can find slots with pretty high RTP rates. Some pokies even have an RTP of 99%, which is truly impressive. That is not the case with progressive jackpot pokies, though. In most cases, their RTP is either average or below average.

Take Mega Moolah as an example. The RTP rate of this game without the progressive jackpot is 88%. With it, the RTP rate goes to 94%, which is still decent but below the average. The standard RTP rate of slot games is 96%.

High Bet Limits

To win major rewards at a progressive pokies game, you must wager high. Standard slots don’t have a high maximum bet limit. On the other hand, progressive pokies do. You can wager hundreds of NZ dollars when playing these games.

The Jackpot is Usually Won in A Bonus Game

Jackpot

Each progressive pokie has certain in-game bonuses. Some have more, some less. Free spins, re-spins, unique symbols and bonus games are some of those special features. In most cases, if you want to win the jackpot at great progressive slots, you must trigger the bonus game.

Once you do, you will have to uncover certain fields. If you manage to reveal at least 3 or 4 identical fields, you will win the corresponding reward.

Top Progressive Slots Providers

Some providers are known for creating the best online slots and some are known for creating the most legendary jackpot slots. If you are looking to play progressive pokies at NZ online casinos, you must know which providers supply the best games of this character. That is how you will make sure that your gaming experience is at the highest level.

Microgaming

Microgaming logo

Not only is Microgaming one of the oldest game providers in the online casino world, but it is also known for creating the best progressive slots. Take Mega Moolah as an example. This game has several variants and each one is as popular as the previous one. Treasure Nile, Major Millions, Cash Splash and King Cashalot are a few additional honourable mentions.

NetEnt

NetEnt logo

NetEnt is just as reputable as Microgaming when it comes to pokies that have progressive jackpots. Hall of Gods, Mega Fortune, Divine Fortune Megaways, Irish Pot Luck and Happy Panda are a few of its most popular releases. Not only that but this provider is known for including breathtaking graphics and fast-paced gameplay in its products.

Real Time Gaming (RTG)

Real Time Gaming (RTG) logo

Finally, we have Real Time Gaming, an absolute monster of a provider when it comes to progressive pokies. Some of its most notable titles are Aztec’s Millions, Jackpot Piñatas, Spirit of the Inca, Cleopatra’s Gold and Megasaur.

Frequently asked questions

What is a progressive pokie?

A progressive pokie is a type of slot whose jackpot amount keeps increasing as players place real money bets. In many cases, the maximum amount of the jackpot can exceed NZ$1 million.

Is there a difference between progressive jackpot and progressive pokies?

A progressive jackpot is a reward that you can win in progressive pokies. This is just one feature of the game. A progressive pokie may feature several other in-game bonuses, including free spins, bonus rounds and Wild symbols.

What does progressive mean on slot machines?

Progressive means that the jackpot does not fixed maximum limit. It will increase as players feed the game. It also means that the game likely has a high volatility rate and that the jackpot does not drop often.

What triggers a progressive jackpot?

There are different ways to trigger a jackpot. In some slots, the jackpot is triggered randomly. In others, you must activate the bonus round. The third option is to land a certain symbol on the last payline.