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Top 100 Best Online Pokies
Want to know which slot games are all-time player favourites? Check out this rating of the best online pokie games. The scoring is done by combining multiple historical slot popularity reports provided by gambling sites.
The rating may change every year once casinos submit the latest data. The biggest advantage of this slot rating is that it’s based on actual data as we don’t just guess how games perform. With this rating, you can play online pokies with the best features and thrilling fun!
Want to know which slot games are all-time player favourites? Check out this rating of the best online pokie games. The scoring is done by combining multiple historical slot popularity reports provided by gambling sites.
The rating may change every year once casinos submit the latest data. The biggest advantage of this slot rating is that it’s based on actual data as we don’t just guess how games perform. With this rating, you can play online pokies with the best features and thrilling fun!
How to Choose Casino Pokies Online
Over the years, multiple studios have created thousands of online slots and many iconic titles. Uncomplicated or feature-rich, all kinds of games can end up in this rating as there’s no single recipe for designing a successful game. With so many choices available, it’s hard to decide which one to play, but that’s when this rating comes in handy. Look through this best NZ online pokies rating and test some of the games listed right on our site. Chances are, you’ll also want to play these online pokies for real money.
Volatility and Payout Percentages
These two are the key slot parameters. The payout percentage (RTP) shows how much gamblers win relative to their wagers. This is a theoretical number that is usually different from the short-term actual return. Millions and even billions of rounds must be played to test the accuracy of the RTP.
All best online pokies produced by legitimate game developers are tested by specialized labs to make sure the theoretical return specified by the studios is correct. That’s how players can trust that the outcomes are fair even when a game returns them much less than the theoretical value.
Note that many developers create multiple versions of the same title with every version offering a different RTP. This is a popular trend among slot studios, which is a disappointment for gamblers as they now have to check which version a casino offers every time before launching a game. The issue is that some developers don’t even specify RTP in the game files.
Volatility is one of the most powerful characteristics that explain the nature of the game. It tells players how evenly or unevenly the payouts are spread. In other words, it’s an indicator of the risk level. If we take two extreme volatility values, they will offer two completely different experiences even if they have similar RTP.
- Low Volatility. Payouts are spread relatively evenly. There are no long losing streaks as wins are regular. To balance off the frequency of payments, developers have to keep a rather small max win potential. Low volatility slots appeal to players who enjoy the experience of spinning the reels and the idea of winning and not chasing huge wins.
- High Volatility. Payouts are spread unevenly. Players will sometimes have no winnings at all for a long time and this bad luck can suddenly be interrupted by a massive win. Payouts are unpredictable and vary significantly in size. Some of the extreme volatility titles generally have mouth-watering max wins of 50,000x and even 100,000x and more. So, these are kinds of games for risk lovers.
Number of Paylines
This is another important slot characteristic. Similar symbols ensure payouts but these symbols can’t land chaotically on the screen and instead must be arranged on a specific payline from left to right and sometimes both ways. The paylines can be found in the game paytable.
Most of the casino games today have a fixed number of lines, meaning there’s no way to activate and deactivate some of them. Just a small number of titles offers adjustable paylines, which is the option to change the number of active lines. But in this case, fewer lines mean lower chances of landing a win.
Traditional win lines had long been the only available option before other solutions were introduced. Today, there are many alternatives such as Cluster and Ways to Win engines.
Bonuses
Apart from classic fruit machines, almost all pokies offer some sort of bonus rounds. Free spins are the most common option, but there are more features. To trigger bonuses, players usually need to land a certain combination of symbols, for instance, three scatters. Sometimes to activate bonuses, players need to collect certain symbols over time.
- Free spins often offer some extra features that make them more lucrative. For instance, multipliers, more wilds, expanding wilds, mega symbols, etc.
- Pick-and-click is another type of bonus. Players are offered a number of icons and have one or multiple picks. If lucky, their selected icons will earn them nice instant payouts. A win is usually guaranteed, but not always, and the wrong pick can sometimes lead to the round’s end without any wins.
- Bonus gamble is an option that is introduced in some New Zealand online pokies. Gamblers have a choice to get a better deal, but risk losing the bonus game, which adds more thrill to the game. It’s still quite a rare option.
- The welcome bonus is awarded to new players at most casino sites. It’s often a match bonus that multiplies the first deposit by a certain percentage. For instance, a 100% match bonus will double your initial deposit. The welcome bonus typically includes a match percentage along with free spins. These free spins typically can only be redeemed at specified casino games.
Note that online pokies bonuses come with wagering requirements. For instance, you can receive 20 free spins on a specific slot and this may come with a playthrough requirement of 40 times. That means that each win derived from exhausting the free spins will be subject to 40 more playthroughs before it gets transferred to your actual casino balance eligible for withdrawal.
These conditions ensure that online casino sites can sustain these offers to players, while still taking advantage of this marketing avenue. For instance, if the casino offered free spins that didn’t require players to make any deposits, it could soon lead them to financial ruin if the player utilised the free spins on a high RTP slot where they could easily win.
However, it’s important to consider that some wagering or playthrough requirements may be too hard to fulfil. When reviewing the best online pokie games, just check the playthrough conditions.
Special Features
Pokies are continuously evolving and there is no lack of features to entertain all sorts of players. Some unique features appear occasionally and only a few of them pass the test of time. We’ll discuss features that have made a significant impact on slot development.
Bonus Buy. It’s the feature that many developers have introduced over the last few years. It gives players a shortcut to the most exciting part of the game. To unlock bonus games at any time, slot fans will have to pay somewhere between 50x to 100x a bet. This is the most common price and it can be as high as 2,000x in some titles.
Once you pay for the bonus buy feature, you essentially get free spins with a near guarantee of securing a win. Typically, the more expensive the bonus buy feature, the higher the chance of securing a win. However, there is no assurance that you’ll recover the purchase price when playing online casino games with the bonus round.
The feature is prohibited in some countries because it’s believed to increase the danger of developing problem gambling. So, you need to be aware of the potential threat as this feature can indeed be addictive.
The feature is prohibited in the UK because it’s believed to increase the danger of developing problem gambling. So, you need to be aware of the potential threat as this feature can indeed be addictive.
Guaranteed Jackpots. It is another relatively recent phenomenon in the slots world. In the case of a traditional growing jackpot, it can be hit at any moment and no one really knows its limits. But guaranteed jackpots have a specific time or amount limit when it must drop. This feature was introduced by Red Tiger Gaming and has become incredibly popular.
Software Developers
Today, the competition among game providers is fierce. There are multiple mega-companies and they do not only have to compete with developers of their league but with many smaller studios that strive to innovate and draw attention.
Some of the best pokies developers have over a decade of experience in the industry and still retain the desire to push the boundaries. For smaller studios, it’s become much easier to deliver their products to the end customer as they often partner with big companies that help them with everything including providing extensive market reach.
You can easily pick the best games by knowing some of the most popular software providers. Their games are available at most casinos for New Zealand players. They include Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, and Play ‘n GO.
- Pragmatic Play. This multi-award-winning provider has been around since 2015 and has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Pragmatic Play is renowned for its visually stunning pokies, which often feature innovative gameplay mechanics and immersive bonus features. Titles like Wolf Gold, Sweet Bonanza, and the John Hunter series have become fan favourites.
- NetEnt. One of the true pioneers of the online casino industry, NetEnt has been creating high-quality games since 1996. This Swedish developer is credited with revolutionising the online casino experience with games like Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and the iconic Mega Fortune progressive jackpot slot. NetEnt’s portfolio also includes a diverse range of table games and live dealer offerings.
- Microgaming. Microgaming is another industry veteran, having launched the first true online casino software in 1994. This Isle of Man-based company has an extensive game library spanning slot game options, table games, video poker, and more. Some of Microgaming’s most popular titles include Immortal Romance, Game of Thrones, and the record-breaking Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot.
- Playtech. Founded in 1999, Playtech is a gaming technology company that offers a comprehensive range of products, from pokies and table games to live dealer solutions and sportsbook platforms. Its portfolio includes licensed titles like Age of the Gods and Top Gun, as well as innovative games like the Funky Fruits series and the innovative Quantum Blackjack.
- Play’n GO. This Swedish developer has been creating high-quality online casino games since 2005. Play’n GO is particularly well-known for its innovative pokies, which often feature intricate storylines and bonus features. Popular titles include Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and the Gem Drop series.
How to Play Pokies
You can play online pokies quite easily. Technically, it’s a matter of making a few clicks to set a bet and push the Spin button to launch the reels. But certain nuances must be considered to keep gambling a fun and safe experience.
Come Up with a Game Plan
That’s advice you definitely should follow as online gambling can make you spend more than you intended. There are a lot of attractions at the best online pokies sites from a wide range of games that you can try out. You’ll also find that making deposits has become instantaneous. These platforms do their best to replicate the atmosphere of land-based casinos, so you’ll even find an extensive collection of live casino games like poker and roulette.
However, don’t get lured in. Set the time and budget limits per session and stick to them. Play free slots before switching to the real money mode. That can help keep the costs down when you play online pokies at most online casinos.
Your game plan should focus on when to stop as this is the hardest thing to do. When it comes to betting systems and strategies, do as feels the most entertaining to you because there’s no way to increase the chances of winning anyway.
Remember That Every Win is Random
Game outcomes are random. Whether you win or lose is determined by a random number generator (RNG) and it doesn’t take into account previous games. For instance, you can win or lose several times in a row, and every time the chances of winning the next time will be the same. So the idea of Hot and Cold pokies is something you need to pay no attention to.
The RNG of every game produced by a licensed provider is tested for randomness. When delivered to multiple markets, games sometimes have to be tested multiple times.
Check the Machine’s Paytable
At some point before placing real wagers, you should check out the slot paytable. This document describes everything players need to know about a game: payouts, how to land wins, what bonus features are available, and how to trigger them.
Do it either before even testing a game or after a free slot has been played. But make sure you know the rules before risking any money when you play online pokies. Knowing the rules and payouts doesn’t improve the chances of winning, but it adds to the gambling experience if you know what to wish for.
Load Up Your Machine
After you’ve completed all of the above-mentioned steps, it’s time to get to the most exciting part. Play a game you’ve selected and get first-hand experience. You may read a lot about a game, but you’ll never know if you’ll like it or not unless you actually try it at a NZ online casino. Free slots are an excellent opportunity to test titles without any risk.
Types of Machines
Take some time to explore the best online pokies collection and consider all kinds of games from uncomplicated classic fruit machines to the most innovative and feature-rich games. It takes a while to get familiar with the available slot types as there are so many of them. Themes, different slot engines, volatility, features… There are many ways to deliver versatility.
Pokies with Bonus Rounds
Bonus features are often a characteristic of a video slot, which is the opposite of a classic online pokies game. Some players love bonuses, others don’t, and both have reasons to feel that way. Bonus games significantly increase entertainment value as they usually award more payouts thanks to extra features.
But to compensate for the generosity of those rounds, slots have to pay less during the base game, which becomes less lucrative. Considering you don’t trigger any features, your return will be lower than if you played slots without any features.
Many titles today feature some bonus games, whether it’s a round of free spins, a pick-and-click type of game, or a high-risk game. As mentioned above, there are even games that allow buying bonuses for a certain price. This way, there’s no need to wait before features get triggered randomly.
Progressive Pokies
Winning a life-changing jackpot when you play pokies online is a dream for many players. Some jackpot networks with over a million-dollar prize pools are now common. And at times, you can even get free spins to use on these progressive pokies when signing up at certain casinos or during promos.
However, the impressive, mouth-watering payouts don’t come often as competition is fierce along with the high odds of landing a win. But you can always opt for smaller progressive jackpot pokies and there are many of them available with many favourable odds.
Smaller jackpots drop regularly and some of them drop even multiple times a day, but the amount can be as small as a few hundred NZ dollars. You may try your luck several times on the smaller progressive jackpots, and less on larger jackpots.
Slot Machine Payouts
To land a win, slot players need similar symbols to land an active payline, form a cluster, or just stop on adjacent reels. The way payouts are spread is programmed by developers and can’t be controlled by online casinos or players. To ensure fair gambling, all games go through at least one testing by a specialised lab and only then appear on markets.
Despite numerous theories, you can’t know when slots are going to pay. Unless there’s some sort of a bug, game outcomes are random. But there’s a sure way to get better payouts, and it’s to remember that many studios have multiple versions of the same slot with different RTP settings. Make sure to choose the best deal. Playing online pokies games with great payouts means more fun and the best utilisation for your funds.
Return to Player Explained
Pokies are designed to pay back a certain share of the wagers to players. If, for instance, the RTP is 95%, that means players on average get back 95% of their total wagered sum. This return doesn’t apply to a single player as there should be a massive sample of the played game for the number to get close to its theoretical value. Millions and billions of spins must be played to make any claims.
The idea of RTP is sometimes misunderstood by gamblers as they expect to have 95% back in one or a few gaming sessions, which is wrong. One player is unlikely to spin the reels the number of times to draw accurate conclusions.
Actual and theoretical RTPs are generally different if a single gambler is considered. You can have 0% actual RTP, but at the same time, there’s a chance to have 1,000% back.
How to Find the Payout Percentage on Pokies
Return to player represents how frequently online slot games pay out prizes to players based on their deposit. The best online pokies tend to have high RTP percentages from 95%, which assures players can frequently win, Finding the RTP when playing pokies largely depends on whether it has been clearly specified, first, by the game developers. Some of them show the number right on the loading screen so that you can’t miss it. Others provide this information in the paytable or game description files.
The jurisdiction where the casino is licensed also plays a role. Some jurisdictions require this information to be available when the game is loaded whereas others don’t.
If no theoretical return is provided when you load a slot, another option is to access the developer’s official site and look for the information there. You can also find a game in our free slots catalogue and open a slot review page. We specify RTPs for all titles available for testing on Clash of Slots.
You can play online pokies for free as we provide access to the free demo versions. This gives you a chance to get a feel of the online casino experience and see how frequently the slot pays out before going to the actual online pokies casinos.
The House Edge Explained
The house edge is the advantage casinos have over gamblers. When speaking about pokies, it’s the opposite of the RTP. If the RTP is 95%, for instance, the house edge is 5% (100% – 95%). That’s how much on average players lose and houses win.
The commonly acceptable casino edge is around 2%-7%, which translates into 98%-93% RTP. Beware that sometimes titles have versions with RTP starting from as low as 80%, which is unacceptable for many gamblers.
It pays greatly to verify if the game is provably fair. You can consider checking if the software providers and real money casinos hold various licenses. They should ideally have a license to operate in a specific jurisdiction. Some of the most trusted licensing bodies include the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and the New Zealand Gambling Commission.
Opting for the best online pokies from our list also gives you an assurance that you’re playing fair games. These real money online pokies have been around for some time, and they have been thoroughly reviewed and tested!
Free Pokies vs Real Money Pokies
For most online pokies, players can try out free versions or play with real money. Both options are great and they each have advantages that are kind of obvious. With free pokies, you won’t feel the complete range of emotions but will have a free quality experience. The range of titles available in demo mode is unlimited except for a very few exclusive titles. Practice mode is perfect for exploring different choices and getting to know slots.
The real money option unlocks the full range of emotions from bad to good as real cash is at stake. Some games offer massive max payouts or huge jackpots and landing them while playing can bring a lot of money. But there’s a dark side to money gambling as you can lose a lot if you’re unable to control your emotions.
Why Trust Our Casino Pokies Rating
The scoring is done based on the actual data provided by casinos and online gaming sites. That’s why it’s an accurate representation of what thousands of gamblers choose to play. For this rating, we combine historical information with the latest data to create the ultimate top popular online pokies list.
There are thousands of online pokies and it’s hard to choose which ones to play. You might want to start with the most popular titles as they must be the most exciting ones. This rating gives a great insight into the preferences of the gambling community.
Don’t stop at knowing the top pokies! At ClashofSlots, we go a step closer by curating some of the best online casinos for our readers. Go through the list to see casinos that offer modern graphics, exciting game catalogues, and a full range of payment methods.
If you’re not ready to make a deposit, we carry demo versions of top slots, with virtually inexhaustible free spins. Additionally, you can take a look at our bonus tables to see casinos offering match bonuses and free spins.