Finding the best free pokies in New Zealand is no easy task, with thousands of excellent games available at online casinos targeting the country. Here, you can find out why free pokie games are useful, how to pick them, and what some of the best options are for Kiwi players.
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Table of Contents
Why you should play free pokie games
Playing free pokies might not give you the same feel as a paid version, but thatâs just if you enjoy the thrill of the risk of this type of casino game (and thatâs a dangerous reason for you to play a pokie). A free pokie is a perfectly fine option for a casual player who wants to have fun and unwind.
Another situation where itâs recommended to play free pokies rather than paid ones is if you have never played a particular game before. Going with the free version allows you to test it without any risk. You can load it up and see where 100 or 1000 spins will get you.
Pay attention to its volatility, how often you win, whether you enjoy its graphics and soundtrack (if that sort of thing matters to you), and how interesting the special features are.
A free pokie allows you to figure out all these things on your own and risk-free rather than paying a lot of money for the same information.
Ultimately, free games will have many of the same benefits as paid versions. If youâre a casual player who wants to have some fun and doesnât want to risk too much money, then this will allow you to enjoy yourself.
Those who want the excitement of gambling and canât get it from a free game can, at the very least, use this option to find out which options are best to invest real money in.
Free vs real money pokies: are they the same?
Are you wondering how do you know if the free pokies are the same as the paid versions?
The answer is that itâs a requirement of the gaming jurisdictions for which casinos have to sign up.
Before they can be published, the developer must have his games audited by local authorities in the countries they want to be available in. An organisation like Maltaâs MGA will test and approve these games. They require that the RTP be real and that free pokies have the same returns as the paid versions.
It is forbidden for them to release free versions of pokies that behave differently than the ones that casinos offer with real money.
đ Erik Kingâs Quick Tip: While jurisdictions like the MGA require parity between free and real-money pokies, some casinos host âpractice modesâ with outdated or altered game versions, especially for older titles. To verify you're playing the real deal, check the gameâs version number (often in the corner or help menu) and compare it to the live versionâs. If they donât match, youâre testing the wrong beast.
5 best online free pokies in New Zealand
Most countries have their own top 5 online pokies in terms of popularity, and New Zealand is no different. These are the top 5 best online free pokies that Kiwis seem to prefer. Theyâre also some of the more heavily promoted games at casinos that target this part of the world.
Itâs always a good idea to check out the popular pokies, as oftentimes there is a good reason for this. If you donât want to risk money on a new game, there is always the option to try out the free version for that pokie.
Book of Dead (Play'n GO)
Book of Dead is a more modern spin on one of the industryâs most popular pokies, Book of Ra. An entire category has formed around the concepts introduced in that older game, and Playân GO has built its own series of pokies that use it.
Theyâre using the classic 5×3 reels and 10 lines of the category, with winning combinations capable of paying up to 5,000x the stake (500x per line). Itâs the free spins that will typically end up paying that much.
Using a mixed wild/scatter symbol, this highly volatile pokie requires that you reach the free spins before you get the most out of it. A special symbol is selected and gains the ability to expand on its reels. It then pays even on non-adjacent positions on all lines (if it lands on 3 to 5 reels).
This can bring you 10 top-paying combinations in a single round, and it has happened plenty of times. Itâs a mechanic that players love and has made the Book pokies extremely popular.
Amazing Link Zeus (Games Global and SpinPlay Games)
Amazing Link Zeus is just one of the many pokies that Games Global has released in this series. Itâs a game for players who appreciate and enjoy the Hold & Respin mechanic thatâs at its core.
This particular release comes with 5×3 reels and 20 paylines, so the base game is simple enough. Nevertheless, wins of up to 5,000x the stake are going to be possible, thanks to the main feature and the jackpots that can be claimed there.
This pokie has medium-high volatility, and the RTP range will go as high as 96.33%. Itâs a common game type for Games Global, and Iâm talking both about its math and about the combination of Amazing Link respins, wild symbols, and a picking bonus game, which are responsible for keeping you busy.
đ Erik Kingâs Quick Tip: In Amazing Link Zeus, triggering the Hold & Respin feature often feels random, but manually stopping the reels (instead of auto-spin) subtly increases trigger frequency over long sessions. Itâs an unconfirmed quirk veteran grinders swear by, especially during âhotâ streaks. Use manual spins when chasing jackpots.
Legacy of Dead (Playân GO)
The Book category has a lot of pokies in it right now, each one trying to get as big of a piece as it can. Legacy of Dead, along with other Book-style pokies from Playân GO (such as Book of Dead, already covered above), is one of the more popular games available in this category.
It relies on the same Ancient Egypt theme as the majority of the pokies that offer the Book mechanics, but at least theyâve done a good job with its graphics. Using 10 paylines and 5×3 reels, it keeps the usual Book layout.
The same can be said about the pokieâs 5,000x jackpot, its high volatility, and the fact that its RTP will go up to 96.58%. Compare it on paper, and itâs similar to a lot of other games.
The feature that made it famous relies on a mixed wild/scatter symbol, which will lead to the free spins feature. This feature picks a random regular symbol and gives it the ability to expand on its reel. Get 3+ of these, and they form combinations regardless of where they land (the reels involved donât have to be adjacent).
Itâs even possible to retrigger the free spins and get additional special symbols (one extra for each retrigger). Up to 9 special symbols could be obtained, in theory, but getting that many retriggers is extremely unlikely.
Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play)
Another pokie that is part of a popular series, Gates of Olympus 1000, is available thanks to Pragmatic Playâs work. Itâs another gaming industry giant, with a huge number of new games released in their collection each year (on average, about one new pokie each week).
The gameâs theme is inspired by Zeus and Ancient Greek mythology, which is another very common choice that developers make. The design looks modern, but the choice of symbols is more likely to bring you a gemstone, than an actual mythology-inspired image.
One way that Gates of Olympus 1000 stands out, is through the Pay Anywhere engine available on its 6×5 reels. With a 15,000x top jackpot up for grabs, you can forgive the high volatility that you will find inside.
It impresses through its features as well. These range from basic tumbles to multiplier symbols (up to 1,000x), and free spins where multipliers are collected.
đ Erik Kingâs Quick Tip: In Gates of Olympus 1000, base game multipliers above 100x appear more often during bonus tease spins, the ones where 2 scatters land and a third nearly drops. Donât skip-spin these animations; letting them play out increases your odds of triggering a real bonus soon after. Pragmaticâs engine sometimes soft-leaks momentum.
Starburst (NetEnt)
Itâs no surprise that Starburst is a very popular pokie in New Zealand. This NetEnt pokie, which has already been around for over a decade (released in 2013) has been a popular choice worldwide, and is probably the most played pokie of all times.
With its simple look and similarly accessible mechanics, Starburst is a pokie that many players appreciate. It has low volatility and a 500x top jackpot, so itâs not promising a life-changing prize, but itâs proof that despite the rising popularity of high volatility pokies, games like these still have a chance.
The mechanics are simple. It has 5 reels and 10 paylines, which will pay both ways. The main mechanic revolves around expanding wilds that become sticky on the middle three reels for the duration of one or more respins.
A big part of its popularity comes from the fact that it is used as part of free spins offers, so players are likely to experience it at some point, as they sign up to new casinos.
Erik Kingâs analysis of the 5 most popular pokies from Kiwi casinos
According to Eric King: New Zealandâs best games are from some of the most popular pokie developers. These are games with mostly medium to high volatility, with fairly high prizes, and with a variety of mechanics that are popular right now.
Kiwis also seem to love a good Book pokie, and their preferences tend to be more towards games that use regular paylines. Itâs not as much about Cluster Pays or Pay Anywhere as in other cases, but there is some of that as well.
Letâs put it in a format thatâs easier to see:
- Four of the top 5 pokies found at Kiwi casinos will use regular paylines and three of those have only 10 lines. The fifth game has a Pay Anywhere engine.
- Most of these pokies will come with high or medium-high volatility, but there is one low volatility release as well (Starburst);
- The top payouts are all over the place. Low volatility games and smaller rewards are on the table, as are high volatility pokies that pay at most 5,000x. Only Gates of Olympus 1000 is above average in that regard, with a 15,000x jackpot.
- Kiwis love their Book pokies, and in general, they seem to appreciate the popular mechanics more. Two different Book-style pokies from Playân GO are in New Zealandâs top 5 most popular games.
- Good stories donât matter that much if we go by the combination of themes being used. From Ancient Egypt to Ancient Greece, or the generic stars/gemstones of Starburst, these are looks that thousands of other pokies use.
- The graphics are acceptable, but it doesnât seem to be a must. I didnât see any dated looks, but there are clearly many other pokies with much better designs.
New Zealand-themed pokies
If you want something familiar, perhaps a New Zealand-themed pokie would be the right choice. Itâs not something you will find easily, though. Endorphina attempted to release a pokie called Maori, which was inspired by the native people of New Zealand. The Maori community didnât appreciate it and called it an appropriation of their culture. The ensuing scandal was big enough to make Endorphina withdraw the game from the market.
Software providers
The developer working on a pokie matters a great deal. The game can be highly enjoyable, pay well, and be popular, or it can tick only some of those boxes. There are hundreds of pokie developers worldwide, and you can usually try their work for free.
From their design style to unique features that some invent from scratch, volatility, and various other decisions that they can make results in extremely varied games. Itâs the reason why most casinos offer thousands of pokies, as there are typically dozens of developers that contribute to this category of games.
đ Erik Kingâs Quick Tip: Some lesser-known software providers offer identical games under different names across casinos, but one version may have higher RTP or better bonus odds. Use the gameâs help screen to find its internal ID or version number, then Google it, you might find a clone with better settings hiding under a new skin.
Popular game developers in New Zealand
In New Zealand, certain developers seem to be heavily promoted by casinos, and as such, players get a chance to see their work and appreciate it. The three most popular pokie developers from New Zealand are the ones mentioned below, but theyâre not alone.
Pragmatic Play
Itâs one of the most prolific developers of pokies youâre going to see anywhere, with at least one new game released per week. It currently has over 600 pokies and is present at hundreds of casinos worldwide.
You will find Wolf Gold, Gates of Olympus 1000 and Sweet Bonanza among their most popular pokies in New Zealand.
Play'n GO
Another developer with an international footprint, Playân GO offers more than 400 pokies, and they are available at most Kiwi casinos. Founded in 1997, itâs currently one of your top choices for pokies.
New Zealandâs players are big fans of their work, particularly of pokies from the Book category. Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Fire Joker are three of the most-played Playân GO pokies in this country.
Games Global
Known in the past as Microgaming, Games Global is also part of most casinos targeting Kiwi players. About half of the top 10 most popular pokies in New Zealand originate from this company and from the independent studios that design exclusive games for them.
The pokies that Kiwis love from Games Global include titles like Amazing Link Zeus, 9 Masks of Fire, Gold Blitz, Wacky Panda, and Fire and Roses Joker.
Playing free pokies on a mobile device: no download vs apps
Playing the pokies on mobile devices is much more common today than using a desktop PC or a laptop. Modern casinos must offer the player easy access to their accounts and mobile-friendly games, all from a simple browser. Casinos have evolved to the point where most offer apps designed for the two main operating systems, Android and iOS, making it even easier to play on the go.
Which one should you choose? Ultimately, itâs a matter of preference, but if you play on your phone regularly, an app is the better choice. If youâd rather not have gambling apps installed, then a browser will work just as well.
An alternative to free pokies: bonuses with free spins
While we recommend you try out free versions of the pokies youâre interested in before you put money into them, there is one alternative you might want to consider.
Iâm talking about bonuses that offer free spins, either requiring a simple registration or a deposit.
No deposit free spins
Even better is if you find a registration offer that gives you no deposit free spins. In exchange for registering and verifying your account, the casino can give you free money to play or free spins for a particular pokie. This is called a no deposit bonus.
Deposit bonuses
Picking a welcome bonus that includes free spins will give you something extra when you make a deposit, such as access to one or more pokies that you can enjoy. They come with their own wagering requirements, but they donât make the regular bonus worse since theyâre separate.
Play pokies for free via no deposit spins in New Zealand casinos
Our list of recommended casinos for Kiwi players will include options that have no deposit spins for those who choose to register. You donât risk much that way; itâs just your time.
Below, you can learn a bit about the three pokies you can test out via no deposit spins at our best 3 casinos.
Gate of Olympus (Lucky Circus)
One of the more popular pokies these days, Gate of Olympus, is coming via Pragmatic Play. It comes with a theme inspired by Ancient Greece and by Zeus, and its game area 6×5 reels and a Pay Anywhere engine (8+ matching symbols pay regardless of where they land). It also has a jackpot of 5,000x the stake, high volatility, and an RTP range that could go even up to 96.50%.
Erik Kingâs thoughts: there are 50 no deposit spins for you to claim at Lucky Circus, a pretty good offer thatâs going beyond what many of our other recommended casinos have in store for you. The game is modern and highly appreciated, so you get to see what all the fuss is about.
Big Bass Splash (24 Casino)
Big Bass Splash is another Pragmatic Play pokie. This time, weâre looking at a fishing-themed game, something thatâs very common right now. The fish prizes get collected by the fisherman, and there are a few other features and modifiers to explore, such as free spins and multipliers. Wins of up to 5,000x the stake are on the line in a highly volatile pokie using 5×3 reels and 10 paylines.
Erik Kingâs thoughts: fishing-style pokies are popular for a good reason, and 24 Casino will give you 24 no deposit spins through which you can explore one such game. Itâs one of the more popular pokies around, particularly in the fishing category, so you have a good reason to sign up and claim those spins for free.
Ancient Egypt (Sky City)
Sky Cityâs offer consists of 50 no deposit spins at another Pragmatic Play pokie but an older one from 2018. Itâs called Ancient Egypt, and it comes with Book-style mechanics where special symbols get to expand during free spins. 5×3 reels and 10 paylines will be used for its combinations, and through them, wins of over 5,000x the stake are possible.
Erik Kingâs thoughts: this is another intriguing option, with 50 spins to be used at a Book-style pokie. Itâs another example of a huge category of pokies, with particular mechanics included, and which has become very popular with players thanks to its mechanics. Ancient Egypt, despite being an older-looking game, is worth checking out (particularly through an offer with no deposit spins).
Things to look for in a pokie
While itâs important to play the games and see how fun and profitable they are, you can take a look at some things and figure out if itâs something that youâd enjoy. Some things are important to everyone, while others may be a matter of preference and play style.
RTP (Return to Player)
The RTP, or the Return to Player, refers to the amount that gets paid back to the player as an average. It is calculated through extensive testing over millions of spins, so it doesnât apply directly to your own sessions (which can pay a lot less or more than that number).
For example, a 96% RTP would tell you that the game is expected to pay back $96 to players for every $100 wagered on it.
Volatility
The pokieâs volatility can be low, medium, high, or a mix of these. It might also be expressed as a number (a 1/5 would be low, while a 5/5 would be high).
This tells you how the game tends to play out. Low volatility games will pay often, but smaller amounts, so your overall budget usually doesnât vary too much one way or another.
A high volatility pokie may pay very little for long stretches of gameplay, but then it may bring you a huge jackpot that can even be life-changing (though the odds are extremely low of that happening).
Top jackpot
Each game will have a cap on how much it will pay. It can be a cap placed on its potential winnings by the developer, limiting how much it can deliver. Other times, itâs the pokieâs own limit that is low enough that the developer doesnât have to intervene.
The top jackpot tends to vary depending on how volatile a game is. Low volatility pokies often pay up to 1,000x the stake, medium volatility might go up to 3,000x, and high volatility can allow a game to pay 5,000x or more (some even go beyond 100,000x the roundâs stake).
Special features
While some players prefer simpler games, others appreciate having something extra to keep their sessions fun. We discuss some of the more popular mechanics and features below.
Megaways pokies
These are pokies that usually have 6 reels, and each of those reels will have anywhere between 2 and 7 symbols. You might have all of them with 2-3 symbols, in which case you have only 64 ways to win, or you can have 7 symbols everywhere, for a total of 117,649 ways.
There are also examples of Megaways pokies with 4-5 reels or a different number of symbols per reel. Itâs Big Time Gamingâs innovation, but they licensed it to dozens of developers, and hundreds of pokies use it at this point.
Hold & Win
Hold & Win (or Link & Win, etc) is a feature that usually comes with 3 respins or free spins, during which you use only bonus symbols and blank positions. Each additional bonus symbol becomes sticky when it lands, resetting the number of respins. The bonus symbol can bring you smaller prizes, fixed jackpots, or modifiers.
Itâs a hugely popular feature right now, to the point that some developers seem to release games that use it almost exclusively.
Cluster Pays
This is a type of game engine, and it describes the way you form combinations inside. Usually, itâs a bigger game area (5×5 to 7×7), and you are required to get a group of 5+ matching symbols connected.
Pay Anywhere
The Pay Anywhere pokies will also have larger setups and will require a number of matching symbols somewhere in view (8 or more matching symbols is typical). They donât have to be connected in any way.
Avalanches/Cascading Reels
Following the formation of a combination, some games will trigger a mechanic called Cascading Reels (or Avalanche, Exploding Reels, Drops, etc). This removes winning symbols, and new symbols are dropping down in available positions.
Theme
While players donât usually pick pokies based solely on the stories they tell, sometimes that also matters. Whether youâre more of a visual player or want something holiday-themed to fit the season (Halloween, Christmas, etc.), plenty of pokies are interesting in ways beyond the usual payouts and features.
Very common themes for pokies are classic fruits, Ancient Egypt (and other ancient civilisations), the Wild West, Irish leprechauns, pirates, sweets, wildlife, and many more.
Design quality and style
A good story has to be implemented well in order for it to matter. A pokie that mentions royalty and then adds a single Crown symbol to a line-up of fruits and Royal icons is not even trying.
From retro to modern, there are many choices for a player to make. There are comic book-style designs, 3D cartoons, 2D graphics, and even some with actual photos of celebrities.
Betting range
A typical pokie betting range would be between $0.20 and $100. Some may go lower (even to $0.01 if it allows you to change the number of active lines), and others go much higher (a $500 bet may be possible in some cases).
Usually, the bigger the possible return, the more limited the maximum bet. Players with small budgets or a more casual approach may prefer a game with a $0.10 minimum bet to one that requires at least $0.50.
Bonus buy
If you enjoy playing the bonus game or the free spins, you may be able to buy access to such a feature directly. Some pokies allow you to pay a larger amount (perhaps 50x to 100x the usual bet) in exchange for triggering the free spins immediately.
Overall gameplay experience
Itâs a good idea to play a pokie for yourself, even if itâs a free version. It will tell you much more than what you can get from the pokieâs overall numbers (those apply to all its spins, not to a single session).
You will find out if you enjoy its graphics and features and how fun it is. Some pokies donât offer anything extra during the paid spins stage, while others have modifiers and smaller features to keep things interesting.
Remember, the free spins or the bonus game may trigger once every 100-300 paid spins, so there are long stretches where nothing happens with the exception of some smaller wins.
How to play online pokies: step by step
Playing online pokies is possible at any casino, though some have a larger collection than others. In some cases, including at some of the casinos we recommend to Kiwi players, there are collections of thousands of such games offered by dozens of different developers.
1st step: decide on a new casino youâd like to play at. We have a list of New Zealand-facing casinos that we recommend and stand by. They have up to 10,000 games in their collection, massive numbers that keep getting bigger each month as new pokies are released.
2nd step: visit the casino and sign up for an account there. Verify your email and the rest of the information required.
3rd step: make your first deposit, and make sure you use the bonus code provided on our site. It will give you extra money and/or free spins to play with, but some obligations come with that kind of promotion.
4th step: choose whatever pokie you want to play at, set the wager, and start spinning the reels. You can often try these pokies in their free version before you actually place a bet.
5th step: play to cover the requirements of the welcome bonus. Use wagers that are not too big, and spend the bonus amount the number of times specified in its terms and conditions.
6th step: once youâve covered all requirements, and if itâs within the given time, you can cash out your winnings (if they exist).
Playing responsibly: tips and resources for Kiwi players
Playing pokies can be dangerous for players, as itâs a gambling activity without skill or strategy requirements, and itâs all about luck. It also has a lower RTP (Return to Player) than many other table games.
Add to this the possibility of a high-volatility game, and itâs understandable why some players might end up with a gambling issue and serious problems as a result.
If you find yourself in such a situation and you have problems with a gambling addiction, there are a couple of steps you can take to mitigate it and some resources you can call on to get help (links to such resources are below).
First, here are some tips on playing responsibly and making sure gambling doesnât become a big issue:
- Pick a strategy for managing your bankroll and respect that decision. Play it safe, and donât spend money you donât have and canât afford on entertainment.
- Set limits on how much you can deposit and lose in a single day. Donât reload your account if you lose that money.
- Limit the amount of time you spend gambling. It shouldnât become something that consumes all your time and money. If necessary, use timers to figure out when you should stop.
- When you feel like you have issues with gambling or after a big loss, walk away from the casino.
- If you have any issues gambling, get help from organisations that specialise in this. It will not cost you anything.
As for the organisations that you can get help from, these are some of those available in New Zealand:
Gambling Helpline:
- Phone: 0800 654 655 (available 24 hours a day)
- Text message: 8006
- [email protected]
- www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
New Zealand also has several culturally specific services, so there are options available for Asian, Pacific, or Maori people:
- Problem Gambling Foundation: 0800 664 262
- MÄori Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 656
- Pasifika Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 657
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342
- Debt Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 658
All our Slots
NetEnt
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- Narcos
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Blueprint Gaming
Relax Gaming
PG Soft
Habanero
Gamomat
Pragmatic Play
- Big Bass Bonanza
- Big Bass Splash
- Buffalo King Megaways
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- Gates of Olympus
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Big Time Gaming
Red Tiger Gaming
Yggdrasil
IGT
Spribe
Spadegaming
Smartsoft Gaming
Push Gaming
Barcrest
Play'n GO
- Big Win 777
- Book of Dead
- Fire Joker
- Fruit Bonanza
- Gemix
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- Legacy of Dead
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- Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness
- Rise of Dead
Microgaming
Quickspin
Novomatic
Nolimit City
Betsoft
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Wazdan
Playtech
Aristocrat Gaming
BGaming
Erik King
Editor in Chief - Zamsino.com
I always loved gambling and probably always will, spending my time reviewing gambling sites to help people save time.
Department of Internal Affairs | Gambling Helpline | Responsible Gambling Council | NZGC | Problem Gambling Foundation | Gambling Act 2003
Last updated 16/04/25 by Erik King