Land-Based Pokies vs Online: Which are Better?

The gambling experience is worlds apart. Playing live and in-person is stimulating in a way that can’t be replicated, but playing at online casinos from the comfort of your own home has its own charm.

In the comparison between land-based and online pokies, it’s important to consider different features. For example, many online pokies offer an autoplay option that allows you to automate spins, which could enhance your experience. However, there are also pros and cons of using autoplay that you should know before deciding to use it.

You can often get free spins deals at land-based and online casino games. You can get a smaller number of spins when you want to understand the game or the platform. But if you’re interested in cashing out real money, you might want to get 50 rotations deals.

Getting free spins with pokies allows you to extend your bankroll without taking on any additional risk. You can try the best mobile casino no deposit offers as well. We’ve got you covered with top recommendations and reviews.

6 Online Pokies You Can Play at Land-Based Casinos

If you’re looking for a selection of games you can play at online casinos and land-based ones, there’s no need to go searching. We’ve got you covered. Below are the top 10 online pokies you can play at online casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos.

#1. Cleopatra

Cleopatra is a video slot game developed and released by IGT in 2012. The Egyptian-themed pokie game has 5 reels and 20 paylines. It has low-to-medium volatility and a 10,000 x stake maximum win.

Pros:

• $0.01 minimum bets make this game suitable for all budgets.
• It’s available in demo mode at online casinos.
• Wilds and multipliers enhance the gaming experience.

Cons:

• The 95.02% RTP is lower than the average for the industry.
• The $10 max bet could be improved.

Our recommendation to play Cleopatra

SkyCity Auckland is the best spot to play if you want to make a day out. If you’d rather stay at home to play Cleopatra at an online casino, try FreeSpino Casino.

#2. Buffalo

Buffalo is one of the most popular online pokies among NZ casino-goers. This classic video pokie was created in 2008 by Aristocrat and utilises the Xtra Reel Power system. The aim of the game is to get a row of Buffalo symbols across the five available reels, but there are plenty of ways to win with symbol combinations. Also, the multipliers, bonuses, wild, and scatter symbols, add an element of random surprise to keep things interesting.

Pros:

• 1024 paylines.
• Easy to play and win.
• Inclusive $0.01 minimum bets.

Cons:

• The graphics are slightly dated.
• lower-than-average payout percentage of 94.85%.

Where Can You Find This Game?

For online gaming, try Conquestador Casino. To play Buffalo at a NZ venue, we suggest Christchurch Casino.

#3. Wheel of Fortune

Developed by IGT, Wheel of Fortune’s history harkens back to 1996. This pokie assumes the theme of the classic TV game show. The triple extreme bonus is the highlight of this video pokie title. It features high volatility, modern graphics, five reels, and five paylines.

Pros:

• The 96.46% RTP is higher than the average.
• The multiplay interface lets you play three games at once.
• $0.01 bets make this game accessible.

Cons:

• The $5 maximum bet could be improved.

Can you play Wheel of Fortune online?

For any NZ players looking to play Wheel of Fortune, we recommend SkyCity Auckland for land-based play and Playdingo Casino if you want to play pokies online.

#4. Monopoly Megaways

Monopoly Megaways is one of many leading pokies in the Monopoly family. It combines the familiar setting of the family-favourite board game with novel gaming mechanics. The game was developed in 2019 and boasts modern, dynamic graphics and sound effects. The M wild symbol is the key to unlocking the top prizes on this six-reel megaways slot.

Pros:

• Plenty of modifiers are available.
• The 96.39% RTP is decent.
• It uses interesting game mechanics.

Cons:

• Big wins can be hard to come by.

Where Can You Find This Game?

Online gamers can play Monopoly at Betandplay Casino. If you’re looking for a real-life casino in NZ, try SkyCity Hamilton.

#5. Zeus

Zeus is a five-reel pokie with an Ancient Greek mythology theme created by WMS. This medium-volatility video pokie offers five reels and 30 pay lines. Zeus uses scatter symbols, and wilds, and features bonus games. You can win up to 2,500 times your stake by aligning five Zeus symbols.

Pros:

• Demo mode is available.
• The game dynamics are easy to follow.
• It’s easy to get free spins.

Cons:

• The 95.97% RTP could be improved.

Where Can You Find Zeus slot game?

Check out Betcoco Casino if you want to play Zeus at an online casino. Alternatively, NZ players can play at the SkyCity Wharf Casino venue.

#6. Starburst

Starburst is one of the most popular games offered by online casinos and their land-based cousins. It’s also a common feature in welcome bonus offers and free spin deals at NZ casino sites. The flagship title from leading software provider, NetEnt, has a low volatility, so you can win often, but the big payouts are rare on this 3D video pokie.

Pros:

• You get a decent 96.01% RTP.
• The 50,000 max payout is high.
• $0.10 minimum and $100 max wagers suit all budgets.

Cons:

• It’s difficult to get the jackpot.

Where Can You Find Starburst?

You can find Starburst at SkyCity Auckland and online at SpinPug Casino.

Other Amazing Online/Offline Slot Games

Besides the ones presented above, you can also check these awesome titles. The difference is their popularity, RTP, and theme. These are all great titles

Da Vinci Diamonds

If you enjoy mobile games like Bejeweled and Candy Crush, Da Vinci Diamonds is certainly worth a go. This low-volatility slot is simple, but engaging, thanks to the tumbling reels feature. Released in 2012 by IGT, this pokie title is a favourite in many online and land-based casinos.

Pros:

• The tumbling reel feature enhances gameplay.
• You can get up to 300 free spins.

Cons:

• The graphics are a little dated.
• It can be challenging to trigger bonus rounds.

Where Can You Play Da Vinci Diamonds?

If you want to play Da Vinci Diamonds at an online casino, check out Lucky Wins Casino. Anyone in the Christchurch area can play this game at Christchurch Casino.

88 Fortunes

88 Fortunes is a three-wheel, high-volatility pokie created by Scientific Games in 2006. The graphics are crisp and modern, and the interface is easy to navigate.

Pros:

• It has 243 paylines.
• There are several adjustable parameters.
• It has progressive jackpots.

Cons:

• The Fu Bat Jackpot is difficult to win.

Where Can You Play 88 Fortunes?

Try Bluechip Casino if you want to play 88 Fortunes online. Our recommendation for playing at a brick and mortar casino is Grand Casino Dunedin.

Double Diamond

If you like playing simple, high-volatility pokie games, Double Diamond is among the best ones available. It was released by IGT in 2005 and has claimed a place in many of the leading NZ casinos.

Pros:

• The $250 max wager is larger than the average.
• Demo mode is available.
• It’s easy to pick up for newbies.

Cons:

• The 95.44% RTP is lower than some other pokies.

Can you play this game online?

When it comes to playing Double Diamond, we recommend Lucky7even for online slots and SkyCity Queenstown for land-based play.

Book of Dead

Book of Dead is a players’ favourite throughout the gambling world. This Play’n GO video pokies title was released in 2016. Book of Dead is an Ancient Egyiptian-themed five-reel pokie with 10 pay lines and high volatility.

Pros:

• Diverse wager sizes from $0.10 to $100.
• Mobile-friendly.
• Modern graphics.

Cons:

• There are no multipliers or re-spins.

Best casinos to try Book of Dead

Slot Paradise Casino is a great option for playing online. If you’re in the Dunedin area, we recommend Book of Dead at Dunedin Casino.

Physical to Digital Pokies

Many of the leading pokies available online are also available at land-based casinos. Real-life casinos and online casinos offer various pokie games to meet all budgets and playing styles. When transitioning from physical to digital pokies, players may find themselves overwhelmed by the different terms and gameplay options available online. If you’re new to online gaming, check out our guide on pokies terms for online gamblers to get familiar with the lingo and improve your experience. Remember to check out the wagering requirements for each game and always gamble responsibly. You can have the real experience if you want to learn tricks for other players, or stay loyal to online pokies and learn expert tips.