Online Casino Game Preferences: Aussies vs Kiwis
These vibrant, high-octane slots sit at the heart of both countries’ gaming culture. While Aussies and Kiwis may share a love for pokies, the way they engage with these popular games reveals a few key differences.
Pokies: The Undisputed Favourite
Australia
Australians practically grew up with pokies. The “poker machine”, or slot game, is a cultural touchstone that can be found in Aussie pubs, clubs, and on the internet. A pokie that offers many paylines, a progressive jackpot, and a bonus round is an instant hit with Aussie players.
It is not unusual to see games that feature Koalas for wilds or kangaroos for jackpots. The sights, sounds, and speeds of classic Australian pokies games are all about energy. Players want a game that reflects their style, which is a go-big-or-go-home gaming brand.
New Zealand
Kiwis, on the other hand, are a whole other breed of player. As much as they love their pokies, New Zealanders are discerning gamers. They know what they like, and they know what they want to play. A 2023 survey of players revealed that 98.99% of New Zealand players prefer to play online pokies, and 67% of them don’t play anything else.
That is more than a player base. It is a fan base, and New Zealand players are at their pokies-loving best when the game has a high Return to Player rate, a crisp visual appeal, and a layout that is easy to use. A lot of Australian players jump for triple-line pokies games, but Kiwi players prefer one, clear line that takes them from A to B.
While players in each country have their own unique approach to pokies gaming, both can agree that, in the end, a good pokies game is worth a thousand spins.
Game Preferences and Features
Australia
Australians want to see a game that is exciting and fun, and they want to feel as though they have some sense of control when they are spinning the reels. As such, pokies are likely to include numerous paylines, exciting bonuses, free spins games, and other fun features, like pick and win rounds.
Of no surprise, too, many of the most popular casino games on the market have been designed around themes that appeal to Australian punters. These might include outback-style games, Australian wildlife and even Aussie slang and culture.
New Zealand
Meanwhile, Kiwis tend to look for slightly more strategic games, again with plenty of paylines and bonus rounds to keep them entertained. However, rather than getting sucked in by the excitement, the feature that will attract most Kiwis is the game’s RTP (Return to Player) rate. Games with a higher RTP rate include Dazzle Me with 96.9% RTP or Vikings, with great graphics and bonus rounds that add high volatility.
Mobile Gaming Trends
One trend that appears in Australia and New Zealand is the rise of mobile casinos. Both countries see people switching from desktop to mobile, favouring being able to log onto the best online casinos on the way to work or at home on the couch.
Bonuses and Loyalty Programs
Australia
Australian online casinos are known for their attention-grabbing promotions, helping them to capture players’ interest and retain them. One of the methods used to achieve this is the welcome bonus, which is typically a large sum of bonus money, free spins, or a combination of both. In most instances, bonuses are targeted at new players and are used to leave a positive first impression on them.
Along with bonuses available to new players, many Aussie-geared platforms boast loyalty programs and VIP schemes. These reward plans are often set out in different levels, with players able to accumulate points and unlock incentives like cashback, birthday gifts, priority customer support, and even invites to special events. The more a player bets and wagers, the greater the level of rewards and the more value for the long term.
New Zealand
Kiwi-geared platforms often have the fairest loyalty programs on the market, as they are targeted towards the retention of customers, rather than targeting new ones. Weekly cash back and free spins are just a couple of the incentives available at many New Zealand casino sites.
For example, VegasLounge gives 10% cash back on all wagers – a no-brainer for those looking for consistent value. Another great program comes from iBet, which gives 5% cashback to all slot players, regardless of level status. It’s not all about the extravagant bonuses – New Zealand punters prefer consistent value, with loyalty programs that clearly state how players can benefit in the long term.
Regulatory Landscape
Australia
Australia has some of the strictest online gambling laws on the planet. The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001 makes it illegal for Australian-based companies to offer online casino games to Australian residents. But while the IGA means you can’t play at a casino online based in Australia, it doesn’t prohibit Aussie players from playing at overseas sites. There are plenty of international casinos (and casino game providers) that will happily take your business. You just need to make sure the site you play at is safe, reputable, and follows the legalities of providing overseas gambling.
New Zealand
New Zealand is somewhat different in its approach. You see, for as long as the online casino is based offshore, Kiwis can play there. It’s an open field, and it’s one of the reasons why the casino industry in New Zealand has taken off so prolifically, as they can play at any number of online casinos in New Zealand and further afield, at the casinos that offer the best NZ pokies.
Top Picks for Online Pokies
For many online gamers seeking the best NZ pokies, the most rewarding experience can be had through a platform that offers a variety of benefits. Look for generous bonuses, frequent jackpots, or solid loyalty rewards. Some popular recommendations include Neon Vegas and VegasLounge, destinations famous for the wide variety of pokies and player-friendly features.
Both Australian and New Zealand players love their online pokies, and this beloved pastime is often one of the few things they have in common. Their gaming habits actually make them quite different.
A typical Australian will usually focus on games with numerous paylines, interactive features, and products that are often tailored towards their own local culture. New Zealand pokies players, however, appreciate the best return to player rate games, highest quality graphics, and interactive features.
