Pragmatic Play has rapidly become one of the most popular game providers at New Zealand online casinos, known for its diverse range of pokies and innovative casino titles.
Since launching in 2016, the studio has consistently delivered engaging games with solid RTPs, exciting bonus features, and varied themes that appeal to all types of players.
Whether you’re chasing big wins or just after fun gameplay, Pragmatic Play offers something for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore what makes their pokies stand out, highlight top titles, and share tips to help you get the most from their games at NZ casinos.
Pragmatic Play Key Info
Pragmatic Play has been developing slot machines since 2016. Since then, the company has also launched its Live Casino studio and bingo rooms in selected markets.
The studio holds licences from various gaming authorities, including the UKGC, the Gibraltar Gaming Commission, Ontario, Greece, Spain, and more.
In New Zealand, you can find 600+ online pokies and casino games by Pragmatic Play at sites licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and other international iGaming regulators.
On average, Pragmatic Play releases 5 to 10 new games each month, ensuring players always have something new to try.
Best Pragmatic Play Online Casinos in New Zealand
The following NZ online casinos host games from Pragmatic Play and other leading studios:
- SkyCity Online Casino
- Wildz
- Wazamba
- SkyCrown
- Christchurch Online Casino
There are over 200 pokies sites in New Zealand featuring Pragmatic Play slots, but these are our top picks thanks to their solid reputation and generous bonuses.
My Thoughts on Pragmatic Play Online Pokies: Pros & Cons
Around 80% of pokies by Pragmatic Play look and feel similar in most respects. You’ll typically find wilds, scatters, and free spins on 5×3 or 5×4 layouts. The themes span all genres, including Wild West, Animal, Eastern, and Irish. The RTPs of Pragmatic Play pokies usually hover between 96% and 97%, while volatility tends to range from medium to high. Maximum wins are typically capped between 5,000x and 10,000x your bet.
What has helped Pragmatic Play break through and become one of the most popular iGaming studios in New Zealand is their consistent innovation. They’ve experimented with alternative mechanics, new bonus features, and sequels that breathe new life into older releases. I genuinely enjoy playing Pragmatic games, and here are a few key reasons why:
- Mechanics – Megaways, Cluster Pays, All Ways Pay, Multiline, Classic 3×3, and more systems have been used repeatedly by Pragmatic to offer a variety of gameplay styles.
- Stats – While the typical 5,000x max win isn’t revolutionary, Pragmatic Play pokies hit big more often than expected due to their high variance. Plus, the long-term RTP is almost always above average, typically around 96.50%.
- Bonus Features – Unlike other studios that stick to Hold & Win or basic Free Spins, Pragmatic Play combines features like tumbling reels, progressive multipliers, gamble rounds, expanding wilds, and other innovations to create games that are genuinely fun to play.
10 Best Pragmatic Play Online Pokies in New Zealand
Pragmatic Play doesn’t have many bad games, but most top lists still highlight their classics – Wolf Gold, The Dog House, and Chilli Heat.
In my opinion, the studio’s newer releases are far better and offer more engaging gameplay. Here’s my top 10 list of Pragmatic Play online pokies to play in New Zealand:
1. Sweet Bonanza 1000 – Easily the Most-Played Pragmatic Slot!
Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza 1000 is a vibrant, high-volatility slot that builds upon the beloved original.
The standout feature is the introduction of Multiplier Bombs during the Free Spins round, which can carry values up to 1,000x. These multipliers accumulate and are applied to the total tumble win, significantly enhancing payout potential. The game retains the classic Tumble feature, allowing consecutive wins from a single spin.
With a maximum win of 25,000x your bet and an RTP of 96.53%, this slot offers the best of both worlds.
2. Gates of Olympus Super Scatter – 50,000x Max Win!
Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus Super Scatter elevates the original with an exciting new twist.
The standout feature is the introduction of the Super Scatter symbol, which, when combined with regular scatters, can award instant cash prizes ranging from 100x to a staggering 50,000x your bet. This addition significantly boosts the game’s potential payouts.
The slot retains the popular scatter pays mechanic, tumbling reels, and multiplier symbols up to 500x, ensuring dynamic gameplay.
With a 96.5% RTP and high volatility, it’s a thrilling choice for players tired of the original Gates.
3. The Dog House Megaways – Best Megaways slot from Pragmatic!
Pragmatic Play’s The Dog House Megaways offers a delightful canine-themed adventure with up to 117,649 ways to win. The standout feature is the Free Spins round, where players can choose between two exciting options:
- Sticky Wilds: Up to 20 free spins with sticky wilds carrying multipliers of 1x, 2x, or 3x.
- Raining Wilds: Up to 30 free spins with up to 6 wilds appearing randomly on each spin.
With a 96.55% RTP and high volatility, this slot offers thrilling gameplay and the potential for significant rewards.
The charming graphics and engaging features make it a top choice for players seeking both fun and big wins.
4. Big Bass Bonanza 1000 – Exciting Update to a Much-Loved Series!
Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza 1000 offers an exhilarating fishing adventure with the potential for massive rewards.
The standout feature is the introduction of the 1,000x Money Fish symbols, which can significantly boost winnings. During the Free Spins round, Wild Fisherman symbols collect these Money Fish values, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Additionally, every fourth Wild Fisherman retriggers the Free Spins and increases the collection multiplier up to 10x.
With a high volatility and a maximum win potential of 20,000x your bet, this slot is perfect for BBB slot fans looking for higher jackpots.
5. Gates of Hades – The Most Unique Slot by Pragmatic for a while!
Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Hades immerses players in the fiery depths of the underworld, offering a 6×6 cluster-pays grid with high volatility.
The standout feature is the Wild Multiplier, which can appear with values up to 100x in the base game and up to 500x during free spins. These multipliers accumulate above the reels and are applied to winning clusters, enhancing potential payouts.
Triggering the free spins requires landing 3 or more scatters, awarding 10 to 20 spins, with the possibility of retriggers. With a maximum win of 10,000x your bet, this slot offers thrilling gameplay for high-risk, high-reward enthusiasts.
6. Bandit Megaways™ – Everything I Ever Wanted From a Slot Machine!
Pragmatic Play’s Bandit Megaways™ immerses players in a Wild West adventure with up to 117,649 ways to win.
The standout feature is the Dynamite Multiplier, which can appear with values up to 500x, significantly boosting winnings. These multipliers accumulate during the Free Spins round, enhancing the potential for substantial payouts.
The slot offers a maximum win of 5,000x your bet, appealing to high-risk, high-reward enthusiasts.
With an RTP of 96.55% and high volatility, it’s ideal for players seeking dynamic gameplay and the chance for significant rewards.
7. Blitz Super Wheel – Classic Slot Gameplay with Wheel Prizes!
Pragmatic Play’s Blitz Super Wheel offers a nostalgic 5×3 grid layout with 20 paylines, reminiscent of traditional fruit machines.
The game features classic symbols like cherries, lemons, grapes, watermelons, and bells, combined with modern electrifying visuals and upbeat music.
The standout feature is the Super Wheel, which can randomly activate during any spin, awarding modifiers such as wilds, mystery symbols, and jackpot prizes up to 10,000x your bet.
With a 96.52% RTP and high volatility, this slot appeals to players seeking a blend of classic charm and contemporary excitement.
8. Brick House Bonanza – Great Huff ‘N Puff Slot Alternative!
Pragmatic Play’s Brick House Bonanza offers a whimsical twist on the classic Three Little Pigs tale.
The standout feature is the Free Spins round, triggered by landing six or more scatter symbols. Each scatter marks its position with a straw square; subsequent scatters upgrade these squares to wood and then to brick, increasing their value. At the end of the free spins, the Big Bad Wolf blows down the houses, revealing cash prizes or jackpots up to 10,000x your bet.
With a 96.50% RTP and high volatility, this slot offers engaging gameplay and substantial win potential.
9. Vampy Party – 1,024x Multipliers at Play!
Pragmatic Play’s Vampy Party invites players to a funky, vampire-themed disco with a 3-4-5-5-4-3 reel layout and 3,600 ways to win.
The standout feature is the Tumble Multiplier, which doubles after each consecutive win, reaching up to 1,024x. This mechanic, combined with Highlighted Symbols that transform into wilds, enhances the game’s potential for significant payouts.
The Free Spins round, triggered by 3 or more scatter symbols, starts with a multiplier of 8x and can be gambled up to 256x.
With a high volatility and a maximum win of 5,000x your bet, this slot offers thrilling gameplay for adventurous players.
10. The Catfather – 98.10% RTP!
Pragmatic Play’s The Catfather offers a unique gangster-themed experience with a 5×3 reel layout and 9 paylines.
The standout feature is the Random Stacked Wilds, which can trigger randomly on reels 2, 3, or 4, potentially covering entire reels with wild symbols.
Additionally, the Free Spins feature, activated by landing 3 or more scatter symbols, awards up to 25 free spins with a 4x multiplier on all wins.
With a high RTP of 98.10% and a maximum win potential of 2,251x your stake, this slot offers the best odds ever seen on Pragmatic Play pokies.
How to Select Games to Play From Pragmatic Play
- Try games in demo mode to find one that suits your taste and expectations
- Keep an eye on the official Pragmatic Play website for their latest releases
- Check each game’s stats, such as RTP and volatility, to find a good fit
- Use my top 10 list of Pragmatic Play slots as a helpful starting point
Are Pragmatic Play Games Legit or Scam?
Pragmatic Play holds licences from some of the world’s most respected iGaming authorities. Since 2016, the studio has won multiple ‘Best Of’ awards each year, and its games are regularly tested by independent bodies like BMM Labs, TST, and eCogra. As long as you’re playing at a reputable Pragmatic Play casino that offers original, certified games—not fakes—you don’t need to worry about the games being rigged.
Insights into RTP & Volatility
A slot game’s RTP (Return to Player) reflects the theoretical returns you can expect over the long term. While Pragmatic Play slots always have a negative RTP—ensuring the casino makes a profit—players can still win in the short term. Volatility shows how big the swings can be, both up and down.
The typical RTP for a Pragmatic Play slot is around 96.50%, with variance mostly geared towards players chasing bigger, less frequent wins.
Highest Paying Pokies List
Pragmatic Play doesn’t offer any progressive jackpot slots yet, but many of the studio’s games can still pay out millions—if you’re betting big enough. Here are the best Pragmatic Play pokies ranked by max win multiplier:
- Peking Luck – 180,000x
- Mahjong Wins Super Scatter – 100,000x
- Buffalo King – 93,750x
- Extra Juicy – 60,000x
- Gates of Olympus Super Scatter – 50,000x
Highest RTP Pokies List
Almost all Pragmatic Play pokies are considered high-RTP games, as most exceed the 96% mark. However, the following titles sit at the very top of the scale:
- The Catfather – 98.10%
- Caishen’s Gold – 97.08%
- Diamond Strike – 96.96%
- Irish Charms – 96.96%
- Diamonds are Forever 3 Lines – 96.96%
Keep in mind that RTP can vary across Pragmatic Play casino sites, depending on the configuration the operator chooses. Additionally, buying the feature or activating the Ante Bet may improve your long-term odds.
Pragmatic Play Competitors at New Zealand Casino Sites
I usually play the same 2–3 Pragmatic Play pokies at online casinos – Buffalo King Megaways, 5 Lions Megaways, and the now-classic Starlight Princess. Other favourites I used to play a lot from this studio include The Dog House Megaways, Gates of Olympus, and Sugar Rush 1000. It’s hard to find a more prolific provider at NZ online casinos, and Pragmatic has definitely delivered some of the biggest hits to date.
That said, the studio lacks the truly original features, sky-high max wins, and standout graphics that some other providers are known for:
- Nolimit City – trademark ‘x’ features, horror-themed graphics and scenes, with max wins regularly exceeding 100,000x.
- Hacksaw Gaming – games that frequently pay over 10,000x, innovative bonus features that evolve with each new release, and quirky graphics that really resonate with players.
- Yggdrasil – this studio owns several smaller developers that consistently produce original games, something Pragmatic Play can’t quite match. Alongside launching select progressive jackpot pokies, this has helped Yggdrasil become a popular name.
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