Progressive Jackpot Pokies in NZ

Top Progressive Jackpot Pokies in New Zealand 2023

Few things compare to the thrill of playing progressive jackpots in the online gaming world. 

Not only do these games offer the immersive gameplay of slots, but they also provide opportunities for massive wins thanks to their million-dollar prize pools. No wonder they're such a favorite among kiwis. 

However, like most online casino games, progressive jackpots aren't in short supply. Millions of progressive pokies exist, with varying odds, prize pools, and bonus features. 

With such a vast catalog, how do you know which titles offer the best chances of making you an instant millionaire? In this article, we've reviewed the best progressive pokies you can play at New Zealand's online casinos. 

What Are Progressive Jackpots? 

Progressive jackpots are more or less like online slots in terms of gameplay. However, prize pools are where both categories of online casino games differ. Online slots feature fixed winnings that depend on your wager. 

In contrast, progressive pokies don't have fixed prizes. Instead, potential winnings continue to grow with each wager placed by different players. 

In other words, progressive slots feature jackpots pooled from the bets gamblers make as they play. 

That said, progressive slots' winnings aren't built by wagers from players alone. At the start of the game, casino operators or the game's developer initiates the prize pool with a specific amount called the "jackpot seed." 

The jackpot seed continues to grow as players place bets throughout the game. When a player eventually gets the winning combination, they walk away with the prize money, and the casino adds a new seed amount to continue the game. 

However, progressive jackpots aren't always limited to one slot title. Sometimes, these games can involve multiple casinos or slot titles to provide insanely massive potential winnings. 

The Best Online Progressive Jackpots in New Zealand

NZ's online casinos aren't lacking in the progressive pokie department, with numerous top titles with the best odds of being a millionaire. 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 NZ's top progressive slots with a minimum bet of $1. That said, here are some of the best online progressive slots in New Zealand: 

Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah is the most popular progressive pokie in the online gaming industry – and for good reason. 

This hugely famous and well-loved progressive slot from Microgaming has earned a reputation for paying the highest jackpots of all time, with winnings often hitting as high as $20 million.

Interestingly, Mega Moolah does feature a relatively low RTP, with the slot's payout percentage fixed at 88%. 

However, it does offer a lower minimum bet than most progressive jackpots. Kiwis can qualify for the millionaire prize pools with as low as $0.25. 

Mega Moolah also features five reels, 25 paylines, and four jackpots: mini, minor, major, and mega. Furthermore, kiwis can earn up to 15 free spins throughout the game. 

Hall of Gods

NetEnt's Hall of Gods combines the enchanting adventures of Norse mythology with the thrills of online gambling. 

Players can earn the massive jackpots by breaking shields with Thor's hammer to match three bonus symbols during the Bonus Game. 

The game features all-time favorite Nordic characters, such as Odin, Thor, Freya, and Loki. It also offers five reels, a 95.3% RTP, and three jackpots: mini, midi, and mega. Jackpot prizes can often be as high as $7 million. 

Mega Fortune

Another casino classic from NetEnt, Mega Fortune is a 5-reel, 3-row, and 25-payline video progressive slot that has thrilled gamblers with its immersive gameplay and mouthwatering jackpots for decades. 

It has famously crowned the world's highest online slot millionaire twice, with the most recent jackpot winner walking away with a massive $18 million prize. 

Mega Fortune enhances its already-enthralling gameplay by offering gamblers some of their favorite mobile gambling features, including wilds and free spins. 

Earn three or more champagne scatters within the reel and receive as many as ten free spins and a 5x multiplier. The best part? You can qualify for Mega Fortune's massive jackpots with a minimum bet of $0.25. 

Major Millions

Mega Moolah might be Microgaming's most popular slot, but it's not the only progressive jackpot from the world's most famous online slot developer capable of making you an instant millionaire. 

Right next to Mega Moolah is the army-themed Major Millions, featuring 5x3 reels, 15 paylines, and a $3 minimum bet. 

The gaming experience is heightened by captivating graphics filled with military-based symbols, such as a bomber airplane, tank, warship, Major's cap, army medals, and binoculars. 

Additional features, such as scatter wins and wilds, take the gameplay to an even more immersive level. Did we already mention that Major Millions' jackpots can rise as high as $7 million? We doubt there's a more enjoyable way to be a millionaire. 

Jackpot Giant

From the stables of Playtech comes this volcanic-themed progressive slot with the friendliest giant you'll ever meet and endless possibilities of becoming a millionaire. 

Jackpot Giant is a 5-reel, 3-row, and 50-payline pokie with colorful animations and graphics that guarantee the best casino gaming experience.

Rewarding gameplay is the hallmark of this game, with scatter symbols, mystery bonuses, and winning wilds that can guarantee as much as 50,000 times your line bet. 

The Biggest Progressive Jackpot Wins of All Time

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: 

1. Software Engineer Earns World-record $39 million Jackpot at Excalibur Casino: 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. 
2. British Soldier Hits Mega Moolah $20 Million Jackpot: Of course, you'd expect Mega Moolah to be on the list. Microgaming'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. 
3. Anonymous Finnish Player Wins $18 Million at Paf Casino: 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. 

Progressive Slot Game Developers 

We can't discuss the best progressive slots without their software providers. 

Progressive jackpot gaming developers are responsible for the colorful and immersive animations and gaming experiences that keep us hooked to our favorite pokies for hours. 

Several online gaming providers exist, but some have consistently set the pace in the industry with timeless classics and new titles every year. Here are some of the best progressive jackpots developers in the world: 

Microgaming

Microgaming earns the top spot on this list on the back of creating the world's most loved progressive pokie – Mega Moolah. This British-owned online slot programmer has been in the mobile casino industry since 1994. 

Within that time, it has provided gamblers endless thrills with its vast pokie collection, ranging from 3-reel to 3D video slots. 

Mega Moolah and Major Millions are two timeless titles from the stables of Microgaming; however, the developer is also responsible for Mega Vault Millionaire, Absolootly Mad Mega Moolah, and Wheels of Wishes. 

Alongside creating some of the best progressive slots in the industry, Microgaming's games also pay out some of the highest jackpots of all time. Talk about immersive and rewarding gameplay! 

NetEnt 

NetEnt is another veteran in the online casino world, with over 20 years of experience under its belt as a gambling software provider. 

Seasoned gamblers will recognize this gaming developer as the brain behind the hugely famous and thrilling Hall of God; however, that's not all NetEnt has to offer. 

The company, which is now a part of Evolution Gaming, is also responsible for over 200+ casino favorites, including some of the best mobile casino progressive pokies. 

From Mega Fortune and Arabian Nights to Mega Fortune Dreams, kiwis have NetEnt to thank for some of the industry's most unparalleled gameplay experiences. 

Of course, we won't forget to mention that NetEnt's Mega Fortune features on the Guinness Book of Records for one of the world's largest jackpot payouts – the $18.7 million jackpot win of a Finnish gambler at Paf Casino. 

Playtech 

Another gambling software provider with over 20 years of experience, Playtech has built a reputation for industry-leading casino gaming software services and solutions. 

It's one of the world's largest progressive slot providers, with a catalog of top favorites among gamblers worldwide. 

Playtech's Beach Life is perhaps its standout progressive jackpot game, but the gaming provider is also responsible for Age of the Gods, Gladiator, Jackpot Giant, and Gold Rally. 

Betsoft

Betsoft is one of the world's best mobile casino slot providers. Established in 2006, this gaming provider focuses on providing interactive, immersive, and rewarding standalone and series 3D slots built for mobile users. 

Betsoft is the name behind over 200+ top titles in the mobile casino industry, including thrilling progressive slots, such as Greedy Gobbling; Good Girl, Bad Girl; and Mr. Vegas. 

Mobile Progressive Slots 

Brick-and-mortar casinos offered casino lovers thrilling gambling experiences for decades. However, mobile casinos have replaced traditional casino gaming, providing players unparalleled gameplay with second-to-none interactive graphics and themes. 

Aside from the immersive experiences of mobile casinos, online gambling also offers players the luxury of convenience. You can play your favorite progressive slots from a smartphone web browser or mobile app.

Whether on a launch break or on a commute, the best online progressive pokies are never beyond your reach. That said, here are the top progressive slot titles to play on your mobile phone: 

• Mega Moolah
• Age of the Gods 
• Immortal Romance
• Arabian Nights 
• Temple of Wealth
• Divine Fortune
• Beach Life 
• Mega Fortune
• Mega Vault Millionaire
• Major Millions
• Wizard of Oz 
• Jackpot Giant
• Hall of Gods
• Cash Splash
• Mega Moolah Lucky 
• Thunderstruck II
• Pink Panther 
• Greedy Gobbling
• Tycoons
• Mr. Vegas

Progressive Slots RTP 

RTP (return-to-player ratios) is a crucial concept in online gambling. Gamblers play casino games for two reasons: interactive gambling experiences and cash rewards. However, the latter is more vital than the former. 

Regardless of how immersive a casino title is, it won't matter if you keep losing whenever you place a bet. In other words, no one wants to play a game they won't win. As such, rewarding gameplay is also a factor in the thrill and "immersiveness" of a casino title. 

That said, RTP is how casino players determine the amount of money they'll get back when they place bets on a title over the long run. 

For example, a progressive slot with 97% RTP will return $97 for every $100 bet. However, RTP doesn't refer to the money players will get in a single betting session; instead, it is based on the slot's lifetime or long-term play. 

That said, progressive slots typically have an RTP of 90-97%, although there are titles that feature RTPs below 90%, such as Mega Moolah. 

Of course, gamblers generally want to avoid pokies with low RTPs; however, most of these titles feature low minimum bet requirements and massive jackpots that make them excellent value for money despite possessing lesser payout percentages. 

For instance, Mega Moolah has a payout ratio of 88% and a minimum bet of $0.25. The possibility of winning its mouthwatering jackpots for as low as $0.25 makes gambling on this slot a reasonable venture. 

Final Thoughts 

Progressive jackpots offer gamblers immense possibilities of rewarding gameplay, thanks to their mouthwatering million-dollar rewards. 

For NZ gamblers, the endless collections of progressive pokies among NZ's mobile casinos equal unlimited opportunities to become instant millionaires. 

From Mega Moolah to Major Millions and Divine Fortune, you could be one minimum bet away from a life-changing jackpot!