New Zealand’s best mobile pokies in April 2024
Nothing beats playing on the go. Whip out your phone and wave the boredom away thanks to the best mobile pokies. Nowadays, players in NZ can access a formidable selection of slots from wherever they are, both for real money and to try out for free.
If you’re looking for the best mobile pokies apps, you’re in luck. Our experts have gathered together a selection of the best classic and new mobile slots to keep the fun times coming, while helping you choose the best sites for a smooth gaming experience.
Let’s kick things off with a look at the top mobile casinos where to play real money pokies.
Try real money mobile pokies at these top slots sites
Or play free online mobile pokies first!
Keen on getting some practice before moving on to the real deal? We’ve got you covered with a selection of online mobile pokies that you can play for free. Just click on any of the below links to play casino games on mobile without the need to put down a deposit.
The best mobile pokie games – trending titles
We’ve got just the right inspiration to help you pick your next mobile pokie games. Our experts have listed the best online pokies that are trending right now in the world of mobile online casinos.
1. Starburst
The eternal fan favourite from NetEnt, it comes as no surprise that this is equally popular at mobile pokies casinos. Its simple, but colourful design reels you right in, while the Expanding Wilds feature keeps you there.
With an RTP of 96.1% and 20 ways to win, it delivers the potential for big payouts. The gameplay is easy enough even for those who are new to mobile pokies and, coupled with low volatility it’s the perfect to play on your device for free or real money.
null
2. Mega Moolah
Looking for the best progressive jackpots to play at mobile pokies casinos? Welcome to the one that rules them all, Microgaming’s million maker. The RTP in the base games is nothing to write home about at 88.12%, but it more than makes up for it with the massive potential in the bonus rounds.
The majority of our recommended mobile casinos offer this pokie because if you don’t land the huge jackpots there are other bonus features, like the 15x multiplier free spins, to keep things thrilling.
null
3. Thunderstruck
Another Microgaming success that goes on our list of classic pokies available on the best dedicated mobile pokies apps. Thunderstruck was one of the first online mobile pokies to feature the popular Nordic god theme, and its design is such that it translates very well to most mobile devices.
Volatility is low, and there are frequent, decent payouts thanks to a range of multipliers that go up to 500x. Moreover, there are 20 paylines to improve your odds. These features make it very popular with casual players who want to get a taste of winning without committing too much money.
null
4. Sweet Bonanza
Mobile users will definitely find this to be one of the best mobile slots in terms of visuals and gameplay. Pragmatic Play is bringing an explosion of colour to your iOS and Android devices, not to mention a max payout that’s a sweet 21,000x your bet.
There are Tumbling Reels and potentially unlimited free spins thanks to the Rainbow Bomb symbol, so the excitement is guaranteed and you certainly won’t be needing any additional sugar highs after this adventure in candyland.
null
5. Book of Dead
One of the best mobile pokies you can spin if you’re a fan of Egypt themed slots. Play ‘n Go’s hit is still going strong with a cool RTP of 96.21% and the potential of hitting a big jackpot during the bonus games.
There’s actually a dedicated mobile slots version with instant play for quick and easy access from your mobile devices. The gameplay is also improved thanks to a reworked interface that makes it easier to access the betting options from your chosen mobile casino.
null
6. Age of the Gods
Playtech has done the mythology theme full justice with this 5x3 reeler that delivers wins on 20 paylines. You can try your luck on four progressive jackpots right from your mobile device. And even if you don’t strike it big, the five gods can still align to gift you a 200x multiplier.
The visuals reproduce beautifully on mobile devices, and there are optimised controls for Android and iOS phones to make the gameplay nice and easy without the need of downloading anything.
7. Jackpot Giant
Another Playtech favourite, Jackpot Giant comes mobile ready for you to try your hand at nabbing the giant progressive jackpot. This is an excellent choice for players who are just starting to try out mobile online pokies, as it offers low bet stakes for all the thrills and minimal risks.
You can use both manual and auto mode from your mobile device, and you can also trigger the bonus game, as well as the stacked symbols that push payouts to a new level.
null
8. Wolf Run
This IGT classic may be getting on in years, but it’s still an excellent mobile pokie. The game has been optimised for mobile play, with a smaller screen area and simplified controls that let you get in on the action without any glitches. All the betting options are available on all smartphones and tablets.
Wolf Run comes with a base game jackpot of 1000x, and there are also stacked wilds and free spin rounds to uncover. Visuals are somewhat dated, but nonetheless this one remains a fan favourite both on mobile and desktop.
null
Features of a top mobile pokie casino
When playing mobile pokies for real money, there are certain features that you should expect to find at your chosen NZ online casino. Keeping an eye out ensures that you’re really getting the best online gambling experience possible when playing pokies from a mobile app.
App store rating | 4.2 to 4.8 |
Device compatibility | Android, iOS |
Popular mobile pokies | Book of Dead, Starburst, Wolf Gold |
Average RTP | 95% to 96.5% |
Download speed | 5 - 10MBPs |
Pokie app features | Free spins, autoplay, multipliers, wilds |
Best NZ pokie app |
How we rate casinos for mobile pokies in New Zealand
When choosing which mobile pokies casinos deserve a place on our ‘best of’, our experts follow a data-driven process to ensure that all ratings are objective and based on transparent reasoning. This process includes all those elements that spell the difference between mobile pokie casinos that are okay, the spectacular ones, and those that are to be avoided.
Let’s take a look at each of this criteria in detail, so you can start using them when searching for the best mobile casinos.
Range of mobile pokies & software providers
It’s all about online mobile pokies, so of course we prioritise the number available and which software providers are present. For starters, we expect any NZ site to offer all the leading names like NetEnt, Microgaming and Play ‘n Go, for example.
As the saying goes, the more the merrier, so a site like JustCasino with more than 4,000 mobile pokies scores higher than, say, Winawin, which offers some 700. Bonus points for sites like Lucky Wins and Casino Days, which have a specific section dedicated to new online slots that is continuously updated.
Device compatibility & mobile responsiveness
Most of the best mobile casinos are designed using HTML5 technology, so mobile players can access the games no matter which mobile device they’re on. That said, this doesn’t mean that you’ll enjoy the same superb experience anywhere you’re playing mobile pokies, whether you’re playing on an app or via the mobile browser.
Moreover, some sites like Leovegas and Betway offer dedicated apps that are compatible with any modern mobile phone you can think of to ensure the smoothest gambling experience. These score higher than, say, the BetandPlay casino app, which can only be downloaded to Android devices.
App store ratings
Even when we’ve been assured that a mobile pokies New Zealand app is compatible across multiple devices, we want to know more. Our experts test it on different phones and tablets to determine just how smooth an experience it delivers both on Android and on iOS.
We also take a good look at what other players are saying about the app. Thus, an app like LeoVegas real money casino, which has a stellar 4.8 average rating and has actually won awards, scores higher than, say, JackpotCity, which still has no ratings on iOS despite being around for quite a while
Mobile pokie free spins & other bonuses
Everyone likes a generous welcome bonus, especially if this consists of a no deposit free spins offer so you can try out your favourite mobile phone pokies without spending any money. These aren’t that easy to come by, of course, but plenty of our top-rated NZ mobile casinos offer a sign-up package that includes mobile pokie free spins.
One of our best online casinos in this regard is definitely Winawin, which rewards new players with 1,800 free spins, although its sister brand BetandPlay is more within the New Zealand norm at 150 bonus spins. We also look at a generous match deposit, and in this regard the Winawin casino welcome bonus scores high yet again with a match deposit up to NZ$6,825.
Overall mobile casino rating
What other features make up an excellent mobile pokies casino? Our experts look at things like safety, so that all our recommended sites are not only licensed but also offer a high level of platform security and responsible gambling tools for player safety.
The ability to make deposits and to cash out easily and securely also plays a strong role in determining a great gambling experience, and we look for sites that offer New Zealand favourites. JackpotCity, for example, has popular credit and debit cards like Visa and Mastercard, alongside e-wallets available, hitting all the banking options preferred by Kiwi Players.
We also check out the customer support options, with our highest scorers being those that offer fast replies via 24/7 live chat, such as JustCasino. Sites that only offer support during specified hours, like EnergyCasino, score a bit less.
Popular devices for mobile phone pokies
Nowadays you can play mobile pokies pretty much from any modern mobile device. Whether you’re an Apple fan or an Android aficionado, your favourite real money mobile slots are ready and available. Let’s take a look at the most popular mobile devices for gambling right below:
Mobile slots casinos vs pokie apps
You can play free pokies and real money ones on your mobile both via a dedicated online casino app or simply by using your regular browser. You may be wondering which method offers the best overall experience. This depends on your preferences, on the mobile site you’re playing at and even on your mobile device.
To make it easier for you to decide which option suits you best, let’s take a detailed look at some pros and cons for each approach.
| No download mobile pokies | You don’t take up space on your device | You get access to new mobile pokies in real time | No device compatibility issues | Signing in can be lengthier | Dependent on smooth connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native pokie apps | Faster sign-in via touch or facial recognition | You can enable personalised notifications | Enhanced visual experience due to app design | Will require occasional updates | Not always compatible with all devices |
| No download mobile pokies | Native pokie apps |
|---|---|
| You don’t take up space on your device | Faster sign-in via touch or facial recognition |
| You get access to new mobile pokies in real time | You can enable personalised notifications |
| No device compatibility issues | Enhanced visual experience due to app design |
| Signing in can be lengthier | Will require occasional updates |
| Dependent on smooth connection | Not always compatible with all devices |
Other casino games to play on mobile
Mobile pokie FAQs
Which are the best mobile pokies online?
The best online mobile pokies are those that have been designed in HTML5 so that they’re automatically compatible with any mobile device you’re using. All modern video pokies fall within this category, and the list includes titles like Starburst, Book of Dead, Mega Moolah and thousands more. To discover which mobile slots are currently favourites with Kiwi players, check out our section about trending mobile pokies.
Where can I play mobile pokies in New Zealand?
Our experts have rated scores of mobile pokie casinos, and currently recommend Jackpot City Casino as our most recommended site. This is because after rigorous testing it has been found to offer the best overall gambling experience, with an excellent choice of pokies, a smooth mobile performance, good payment options and more. If you’d also like to check out our other recommendations, we have also put together a curated list of best mobile pokies casinos.
Can you win real money on mobile slots?
Yes, you can certainly win real money on mobile slots, if you get lucky. However, this is not possible if you’re playing free mobile pokies, as you won’t be able to withdraw any winnings in this case. In order to be able to cash out your winnings you need to play real money mobile pokies. You’ll find an extensive selection at our top-rated mobile pokies casinos.
Written by Ramona Depares
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.
