Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a total novice, there are tons of benefits to playing free pokie games. Lucky for you, our experts scour the market to find the best free pokies sites for NZ players.
You’ll find hundreds of the best free online pokies from some of the industry’s top software providers within this guide. We’re talking all-time classics, progressive jackpots, and Megaways from big names like NetEnt, Games Global, and more.
Stay tuned to discover how you can spin the reels of some of the best free slots in NZ without ever spending a single dollar.
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The top free pokies sites where you can win real money
Our team of dedicated experts have hunted high and low to find the best online slot sites in NZ with hundreds of free pokie games. You can learn the ropes before putting your bankroll on the line. Ultimately, free pokies and free slot games are the best way to brush up your skills and test out strategies before you play for real money.
So, why not spin the reels for free at one of our top free pokies online casinos today?
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If you’re an NZ player wanting to play free pokies, follow our expert’s simple step-by-step guide below. You’ll soon discover everything you need to know about how to play online pokies while keeping your bankroll protected.
1
Check out one of our recommended free online pokies casinos
Pick your favourite, then click the links on this page to head to the site and register an account for free. You’ll need to input your personal information, like your name, date of birth, email, and phone number.
2
Choose your game
Choose a free slot game you want to try and hit the “Demo Mode” option. Most free pokies are available in instant play mode, ready to enjoy at the touch of a button. We’ve listed tons of free pokies within this guide if you’re unsure where to start. We even have free game demos to play on this page!
3
Research your game
Before you spin the reels of free-to-play slots, you’ll want to read the game’s description and paytable information. Doing so will help you to understand the mechanics of the game, especially when its a new online pokie.
4
Lay down your bet
Once you’re happy, you can make your first bet. The beauty of free pokies is that you’ll be given a generous amount of virtual credits to work with. If you run low, refresh the game window to restart gameplay with a boosted virtual bank balance.
5
Bonus tip: Pick your paylines
Some slots ask you to pick how many paylines you want to play with. Once you’ve decided, adjust the size of your wager, and hit the “spin” button to begin demo-play.
What are free online pokies?
Free online pokies are slot games that you can play for free without wagering any of your own money. You can play slot titles at most of our recommended real money New Zealand online casinos in demo mode. There are hundreds of free online pokies out there for you to enjoy, with all ranges of themes and game mechanics available.
Both seasoned players and newbies can take advantage of free pokies. For one, you can practise for free before placing a real money bet. That way, you can get to grips with the rules and understand the game’s basic mechanics without risking any financial losses.
You can also test out betting strategies before putting your own money on the line and get your head around any bonus rounds that may be available during gameplay. Bonus rounds tend to be unique to a slot, so there's often something to learn.
Top free pokie games to play online
With so many free online slots out there, knowing where to start can be tricky. That’s why our experts have listed some of the best free pokies below.
These games are jam-packed with all sorts of exciting features, such as cascading reels or expanding multipliers, to keep you on your toes.
Free NZ slot
Reels
Paylines
RTP
Max win
Software
Cleopatra
5
20
95.02%
10,000x
IGT
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead
5
10
96.21%
5,000x
Play’n Go
Triple Diamond
3
9
95.06%
1,199x
IGT
Immortal Romance
5
243
96.86%
12,150x
Games Global
Big Bass Bonanza
5
10
96.71%
2,100x
Pragmatic Play
Cleopatra
Cleopatra is an ancient Egyptian-themed slot by IGT with 20 paylines. It is played on a five-by-three grid and has medium volatility, alongside being packed with winning symbols like Cleopatra Wilds, which can double your winnings. Also, landing multiple sphinx symbols can trigger an exciting free spins bonus round, one of the main attractions of this game. Not only can you bag 15 free spins, but all winnings are also subject to a 3x multiplier. It also has a fixed jackpot of 10,000 coins. Cleopatra is one of the most famous pokies of all time, making it a top choice for beginners who want to play free slots online to learn what games are popular.
Book of Dead by Play’n Go is loosely based on Book of Ra, one of the most popular land-based slot terminals of all time. During gameplay, you join Rich Wilde on an exciting mission as he uncovers ancient Egyptian artefacts. The highlight of this high variance slot is the free spins bonus game, which you can trigger by landing 3 Book of Dead Scatter symbols or more. Doing so can bag you at least ten free spins; even better, it can be re-triggered. There's a whole series of Riche Wilde slots, so if you're starting to play free pokies online, this can lead you to more titles.
Triple Diamond by IGT is a classic-looking online slot with a few unique twists. It is a sequel to the Double Diamond, but instead of a single payline, there are three rows and nine paylines. This medium variance classic slot has a max win of 1,199x your bet. It’s the perfect game for new players, as the rules are pretty straightforward. Plus, there’s only one bonus feature to access: the Multiplier Wilds. These can increase your wins by a whopping nine times.
Immortal Romance, available at Jackpot City casino, is a vampire-themed slot by Games Global offering an impressive 243 paylines. It has a high volatility and an average RTP of 96.86%, so if you’ve got a thirst for big wins, this video slot could be for you. Although the main game has plenty of exciting features to keep you on your toes, the Chamber of Spins bonus round is where it’s at. Not only can you win up to 12,150x your stake, but you can also access four free spin features as bonus games.
Ready to hunt a whopper of a prize? Big Bass Bonanza is the pokie to do it on. This game became an instant classic when it hit New Zealand casinos for the first time back in 2020. There have been several sequels since and it has had its fair share of imitators, but the original is always the best. Boasting an above-average RTP, 2,100x max win potential, and a simple but lucrative bonus game, Big Bass Bonazna is the catch of the day any day of the week
When you play free pokie games, you can look forward to a whole range of exciting in-play features to keep things fresh. These mechanics help ensure games are unique and exciting, but if you’re new to online casino gaming, they can be a little tricky to get your head around. Below are some of the most common slot features you may run into at online pokies sites, along with a brief description and a few recommendations from our experts.
Free pokies with bonus Spins
Almost all free-to-play slots will offer a free spins bonus round during play. These are usually activated after you land a specific number of scatter symbols. The amount of free spins you can grab when playing free online pokies can range anywhere between 1 and unlimited, but many games cap out at around 200.
Megaways is a slot game mechanic first developed by Big Time Gaming. Since then, other providers have jumped on the bandwagon and created their own Megaways-style slots. Megaways slots are incredibly popular because they offer hundreds, if not thousands, of different ways to win. More specifically, up to 117,649 ways to win
While traditional slot machines offer a fixed number of paylines, Megaways work on a random reel modifier system. So, each spin when you play online slots with Megaways creates a different combination of symbols across the reels. This creates the potential to land multipliers and, with it, huge win potential.
Suggested game
Provider
RTP
Volatility
Wheel of Fortune Megaways
Big Time Gaming
96.46%
High
88 Fortunes Megaways
Shuffle Master
96.27%
Medium-high
Euphoria Megaways
iSoftBet
96%
High
Free online pokies with tumbling reels
Some online slot machines feature cascading or tumbling reels. This mechanic works differently depending on the game but usually involves winning symbols disappearing and being replaced by newer symbols dropped down from above. These new symbols can then take the form of winning symbols and increase your odds of winning.
Suggested game
Provider
RTP
Volatility
Jungle Jim El Dorado
Games Global
96.31%
Medium
Bison Bonanza
Blueprint
96.5%
High
Sugar Rush
Pragmatic Play
95.5%
High
Free slots with progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot pokies are popular with Kiwi players as they have the potential to pay out life-changing sums of money. These titles put aside a small percentage of each real money bet to create an ever-increasing prize pool. This jackpot gets bigger and bigger until one lucky player hits a specific payline combination and bags it all. The jackpot is then reset to its original starting value.
Suggested game
Provider
RTP
Volatility
Ace of Gods, King of Olympus
Playtech
94.95%
High
Mega Moolah
Microgaming
88.12%
High
Divine Fortune
NetEnt
95.59%
High
Free pokies vs free spins — What’s the difference?
NZ players sometimes confuse free spins with free pokies. Free pokies allow you to test out a whole game in demo mode without making a deposit or spending any money. Free spins, however, refer to either in-play bonuses or promotions offered by a casino. Let’s take a closer look at the main differences between the two:
No deposit free spins – In some cases, a casino will reward new players with a certain number of free spins on all or a select few slot machines. You won’t have to spend any money, but you will have to complete the wagering requirements attached to the bonus before you can withdraw your online pokies free spins winnings.
Match deposit free spins – Some casinos will offer a match deposit cash bonus to entice you to place a deposit and play specific games. To encourage you to spend more than just the minimum amount, you may be able to claim a handful of free spins alongside a deposit match promo.
Free spins rounds – Most free pokies will feature some sort of free spins bonus round. You can usually activate this by landing several scatter symbols across the reels. The amount you can unlock entirely depends on the game. So, always read the game description before you play.
Should you play free pokie games online?
Although you can’t take home any actual winnings when you play free casino games NZ, there are plenty of other benefits. For instance, you can get your head around the rules, so you’ll be in a better position when it comes to playing for real money. We’ve outlined the pros and cons of both in the table below so you can decide what’s right for you.
Free online pokies vs real money play
Free online pokies
Real money pokies
Familiarise yourself with the rules and game mechanics before wagering
Claim generous bonuses and promotions
Great way to unwind and enjoy risk-free gaming
Win actual cash prizes
You can test out a casino before registering to see if it’s right for you
Mobile users will be pleased to know that many online casinos offer a native app, meaning you can play your favourite free mobile slots while on the go. Sites like Spin Casino and Tonybet have their own dedicated mobile app that NZ players can download for free from either the Apple App or Google Play Stores. In some cases, you can directly download the app from the site.
Apps tend to offer a bespoke mobile gaming experience, featuring enhanced connectivity, superior usability, and notifications you can turn on. Still, if your casino doesn’t have an app or you want to save on storage space, don’t worry. Most modern casino sites are built on HTML5 technology, making them optimised and responsive for mobile play. You can access all the same games and keep playing free pokies online while on the go via your mobile browser.
Best software providers for free pokies
There are hundreds of software providers out there. Most develop games with free demo modes, allowing you to spin the reels without spending a cent. Below, we’ve listed some of the most renowned developers so you know what to look out for when finding a free slot to play.
IGT
IGT has been around since the 1970s, originally developing slots for land-based casinos before branching into the digital realm. The provider is now one of the largest suppliers of pokies in the world. The company is also the mastermind behind popular slot machines such as Cleopatra and Siberian Storm.
Microgaming, recently acquired by Games Global, is one of the oldest and most recognised iGaming software providers in New Zealand. It is primarily known for its lucrative progressive jackpot slots, including Mega Moolah, which paid out a record-breaking $18,000,000 in 2018.
Founded in 2015, Pragmatic Play is an award-winning game provider that regularly adds new titles to its jam-packed portfolio. Wolf Gold and Gates of Olympus are among the most popular Pragmatic Play slots online.
NetEnt is a Swedish-based software developer established in 1996. The company is responsible for some of the most loved online slots in New Zealand, including all-time classics such as Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.
Play’n Go has been around since 1997 and was named the Mobile Supplier of the Year in the 2019 EGR Awards ceremony. It is renowned for supplying mobile-friendly games and is the developer behind the popular pokie Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness.
Browse our full library of slot reviews
Beginner’s dictionary for online slots NZ
Paylines: The invisible line on which a payout will be awarded based on winning symbol combinations.
Reels: Each column on a slot grid is a reel. Each reel holds a certain number of symbols that can form part of a winning combination.
Volatility: Refers to how often a pokie triggers a win and the average size of prizes. High volatility slots usually have lower win rates, but bigger prizes.
RTP: An average percentage that predicts how much you can expect to win from a game over time.
Symbols: The picture icons in a slot. They tend to be themed to the slot and represent different rewards. Line them up along paylines to claim victory.
Autoplay: A setting that enables you to spin the reels automatically, so you don’t have to press any buttons.
Progressive jackpot: Every time a real money bet is placed, the jackpot gets bigger until one lucky player bags it all.
Scatters: These symbols are found in most pokies and usually trigger different bonus features if three or more are landed on one screen, such as free spins.
Multipliers: Offer players the chance to multiply their winnings by a set value.
More free games that pokies players love
Free blackjack
Try your luck at popular table games, like blackjack, for free. You’ll find everything from old-school classic versions like American Blackjack to more unique variants like Classic Blackjack with Perfect-11.
Discover multiple free roulette offerings. Play for fun while brushing up on your skills. You can choose from the likes of European, Multifire, or three-wheel Roulette.
Play free pokies and other popular casino games from top software providers like IGT and NetEnt. Follow the link to discover all the best free games for NZ players.
Of course, you can. There are hundreds of online pokies sites in New Zealand offering free-to-play slots. Check out our top recommended casinos so you know exactly where to start.
What are the best free online pokies in New Zealand?
You’ll find hundreds of free pokie games listed within this guide, and we highlight some of the best pokies available. We regularly update our pages, ensuring we stay up to date on the most popular titles on the market.
Where can I play free pokies with no download?
Most free pokies require no download. Our top slot casinos allow you to play hundreds of titles in instant-play demo mode.
Are there free pokies apps?
Absolutely! Most new pokies sites also offer a dedicated app for iOS and Android devices, meaning you can play free pokies while on the go. Read more about mobile pokies.
Are free pokies the same as the real versions?
Yes, free pokies are identical to real money pokies, and there are plenty of pros and cons to both. You can experience everything you would if playing for real money, including any in-game bonus features and rounds. Yet, you can’t win real money in return.
Can you win real money with free pokies?
No, unfortunately not. Winnings are only withdrawable from online slot machines if you wager actual money.
Are NZ free slots safe?
Absolutely. If you're not putting in any actual cash to play with, then you're as safe as you are playing any other internet game.
Written by Ramona Depares
NZ casino expertUpdated 12 Jun 2024
Ramona Depares is an award-winning journalist focused on cultural and entertainment related content. Based in the Mediterranean gaming hub of Malta, she has taken a deep interest in gambling related news since the earliest days and has seen the global landscape evolve. Ramona specialises in the legal and regulatory aspects of gaming across multiple jurisdictions, with specific interest in NZ and US markets. She is also a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction books.
