Classic, Adventure, and Mythology Pokies Themes Kiwi Players Keep Returning To

Online pokies hold a special place in the heart of kiwis, and platforms like SpinBet have built extensive game libraries around exactly that loyalty. Yet despite having access to hundreds of titles, players keep returning to games with several key themes.

When PGF Services surveyed New Zealand gambling habits, one figure stood out: nearly 11% of the population had played pokies at a club or casino in a single year. That was 2020, before online casinos had fully taken hold. Since then, platforms like SpinBet have expanded Kiwi players’ options dramatically, yet the themes drawing people in have stayed remarkably consistent. Adventure, mythology, and classic symbolism remain the three pillars that New Zealand’s pokie players keep coming back to.

The Appeal of Classic Pokies

Geoff Hayward, a Porirua councillor, noted in an interview with The Spinoff that the 156 pokies machines in his council each made around $23,000 per year. Pokies remain highly popular in New Zealand, with gaming machines outside casinos seeing a sharp rise in revenue. According to the Department of Internal Affairs, this has risen hugely since 2022.

While many of these are modern affairs with digital touch screens, there are also legacy machines: mechanical beasts that use the age-old fruit, bar, and lucky seven symbols. These icons remain familiar to many New Zealanders due to their long association with local tracks, pubs, and gaming venues.

Many of these sit in digital forms alongside new themes in online casino libraries at operators such as SpinBet. With large game catalogues available, operators can cater to players seeking traditional concepts as well as newer and more experimental themes.

A love for the classic pokie has not gone unnoticed by veteran developers Aristocrat Gaming. Unveiling its lineup for updated slot machines across its Australia and New Zealand market, one of the key titles presented was Cash Express Legend. While this employs a steam train theme, it also incorporates many of the well-known classic symbols beloved of New Zealand’s pokie machines.

David Ronson, Managing Director at Aristocrat Gaming ANZ at Australian Hospitality & Gaming Expo, noted that “Our studio teams here in Australia, and across the world, have been focused on delivering ANZ-first content for players, and we’re incredibly proud to show that to customers at the expo.”

Escapism and Adventure

Themes based on the concept of adventure are also popular. They do often overlap with the tropes of mythology, but they can also have very different takes. They could include science fiction, historical concepts like warfare, or even a general cutesy kawaii adventure idea using animals and creatures.

One of the surprises that hits with the most unlikely cult following in the adventure genre is the concept of fishing. These games typically centre around virtual fishing mechanics where players collect fish symbols tied to different in-game values.

A popular franchise is the Big Bass series, which has spawned myriad sequels and variations. An example can be found in the Big Bass Hold & Spinner game, which brought in a mechanic much like a classic ‘nudge’ concept.

Irina Cornides, chief operating officer at Pragmatic Play, noted that it “evolves Pragmatic Play’s much-loved Big Bass franchise by incorporating new mechanics and possibilities that will allow the series to remain as prominent and popular as ever”. She then added that it did this by including “ ‘retriggers’, fisherman ‘wilds’ and ‘multipliers’ with a thrilling new bonus feature that enables big values to be hit, as well as a maximum win of 10,000 times, one of the biggest in the series.”

The Enduring Appeal of Mythology in New Zealand’s Pokies

The themes of mythology run deep in New Zealand’s slot game sector. A quick scan across the games on offer at SpinBet casino yields the following themes borrowed by slot games:

• Ancient Greek
• Asian influenced
• Celtic/Irish
• Norse
• Aztec

A recent addition to adventure slot game types has been the inclusion of ‘tiki’ themed games. In Māori culture, he was the first man created by the gods and is represented by the colourful, vibrant masks found in Polynesian culture. While now adorned across tiki bars across the world, the graphics and symbolism have long had a place in New Zealand’s heritage.

Many games using this imagery can come as simple 3 x 5 reel affairs or incorporate advanced mechanics. Tiki Infinity Reels is one example, which includes the fabled Megaways system. With this, a different number of symbols can appear on each spin. This can make thousands of different ways to win.

Look in any search for the top games, and many of the offers fall into this category, with titles like Thunderstruck and Book of Dead appearing. In truth, however, these results could be seen as speculative at best. Very little data exists on which games are played in New Zealand, as they are only just beginning to create a regulated market, which will roll out through the rest of 2026.

The Next Generation of Slot Games

While New Zealanders do love the classics, there is a new world of casino titles opening up to them. These often still incorporate the much-loved themes, but turn them upside down with exciting mechanics and features.

A perfect example of this can be found in the games of the developer NoLimit City. They have built a reputation for going against everything many people would expect of slot games. From the irrelevant themes in titles like ‘Kenneth Must Die’ to dysfunctional relationships in ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’, they really are bringing a fresh new take on the genre.

In an interview with iGamingfuture.com in June 2021, discussing the release of a new title named Infectious 5xWays, Per Lindheimer, Product Owner at Nolimit City, said: “A classic superhero title isn’t really Nolimit City’s way of doing things, so we’ve taken inspiration from the classic quote ‘You either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villain’ instead.” This shows their unique approach to development.

Look through their titles, and you will see a whole host of innovative concepts. These include doing away with reels altogether and using grabbers in some games, to creating level-up systems and character selections that influence the outcome of bonus rounds.

Checking the search criteria on Google Trends does very little to shed light on this either. New Zealanders search for casino brands, bonus offers, and games that don’t require a download. Yet they don’t search for slot games by name.

This suggests that the market is still fairly open, and with a new regulated system in place, this may provide developers with a fresh slate to create slots based on the likes and specific needs of New Zealand’s players. Other factors may influence this, mainly from regulatory and compliance requirements. Yet the ultimate decision will be in the hands of New Zealand’s casino players.

Responsible Gambling Disclaimer - The New Zealand Safer Gambling Helpline can be reached on 0800 654 655. All people using gambling services should be 18+. Gambling must be done responsibly and viewed as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.

Author - David Fox is an experienced iGaming specialist with deep knowledge of online casinos, licensing standards, and player-focused platforms. His background in sales and affiliate partnerships gives him a unique understanding of how operators work behind the scenes. David delivers clear, reliable insights that help readers navigate the gambling world confidently.

🔙 Back to Articles list.