We’ve tested the most popular progressive jackpot pokies available to NZ players and handpicked the best options based on gameplay and payout potential. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about playing progressive jackpots in New Zealand.
Progressive jackpots are a type of online slot game where the prize pool increases over time. Unlike regular slots that offer fixed payouts, progressive pokies grow their jackpots with every bet placed by players.
Each time someone plays, a small part of their wager adds to the jackpot. This continues until a lucky player hits the winning combination and takes home the prize.
These jackpots start with a base amount called the jackpot seed, which is funded by the casino or game developer. After a win, the seed resets and the jackpot begins building again.
Some progressive jackpots are linked across multiple games or even casinos, which can lead to truly massive prize pools.
NZ's online casinos aren't lacking in the progressive pokie department, with numerous top titles from valued game providers. The best part about these games is that you don't need to spend a fortune to win big, even though the prize pools may be massive. You can play New Zealand’s top progressive slots with a minimum bet of just $1.
Below are some of the best online progressive slots available to NZ players. Feel free to explore the games, compare them with other pokies, and click the links for direct access to each progressive jackpot pokie.
Progressive jackpots are one of the most famous casino games worldwide for two primary reasons: unparalleled gameplay and mouthwatering millionaire prize pools.
The fact that these titles are popular for the aforementioned reasons is unsurprising since few things matter more to gamblers than enjoyable gaming and massive cashouts.
Fortunately, some individuals have managed to hit the motherload of casino gaming jackpots while playing their favorite progressive pokies. Here are the top progressive jackpot wins of all time:
The highest progressive jackpot win of all time occurred in 2023 when a 25-year-old software engineer decided to kill time with a game of Megabucks at Las Vegas' Excalibur Casino. Bill Elfritz would eventually win a massive $39 million after a $100 bet.
Of course, you'd expect Mega Moolah to be on the list. Apricot's most popular slot game has the reputation for generating the casino industry's highest jackpots. As such, it wasn't surprising when it turned British soldier, Jon Heywood, into an instant millionaire at Betway casino. Interestingly, Mr. Heywood walked away with $20 million off a $0.25 bet.
NetEnt's Mega Fortune transformed the life of an unnamed Finnish gambler when the 40-year-old won $18.7 million at Paf Casino after placing a $0.25 bet to land all the symbols in the bonus round. He went on to smash all three rounds of the Mega Fortune's Mega jackpot to earn the prize money.
We can't talk about the best progressive slots without mentioning the software providers behind them. These developers create the immersive visuals, features, and jackpot systems that make progressive pokies so popular with NZ players.
Developer | Founded | Top Progressive Slots | Notable Features |
---|---|---|---|
Games Global | 1994 | Mega Moolah, Major Millions, Mega Vault Millionaire, Absolootly Mad, Wheels of Wishes | Record-breaking jackpots, vast slot collection, industry pioneer |
NetEnt | 1996 | Hall of Gods, Mega Fortune, Arabian Nights, Mega Fortune Dreams | Guinness World Record payouts, advanced mobile gameplay |
Playtech | 1999 | Age of the Gods, Gladiator, Jackpot Giant, Beach Life, Gold Rally | Huge jackpot network, diverse slot themes, industry leader |
Betsoft | 2006 | Greedy Gobbling, Good Girl Bad Girl, Mr. Vegas, Tycoons | 3D slots, mobile-optimised gameplay, cinematic graphics |
RTP (Return to Player) shows how much a slot pays back to players over time. It’s a key factor to consider when choosing a progressive pokie.
For example, a slot with a 97% RTP is expected to return $97 for every $100 wagered. But remember, this is based on long-term play, not single sessions.
Most progressive slots have an RTP between 90% and 97%. Some famous titles, like Mega Moolah, feature a lower RTP (88%) because of their huge jackpot potential.
Slot | RTP | Minimum Bet | Why Play It? |
---|---|---|---|
Mega Moolah | 88% | $0.25 | Low bet, massive jackpots |
Most Progressive Slots | 90-97% | Varies | Balance of payouts & prize potential |
Ijeoma Esther is an iGaming content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the New Zealand mobile casino industry. While initially diving into online casino gaming as a hobby, she soon found herself immersed in the enthralling world of mobile slot and live casino games.Through the years, she discovered that writing about her favorite pokies was just as fun as playing them.
As an iGaming content writer, ijeoma combines expert writing and research skills with her encompassing love for pokies and live casino games to put together some of the best and most in-depth reviews in the NZ mobile casino scene.When she’s not writing top-notch content about iGaming, she’s immersing herself in the thrills of her favorite pokies or researching the latest NZ latest online casinos to try out.