Admin, Author at BestCasinos.co.nz

Yggdrasil catches disco fever with Reel Desire pokie

March 2, 2021 by Admin

In a continually intensifying quest to provide memorable and engaging game content, top developer Yggdrasil released a new pokie on 25 February named Reel Desire. This disco-infused title transports you back to an era of flared pants and dancing the Hustle.

The 5×3 reel pokie worth 1204 ways to win features stunning graphics that capture the spirit of the era. This beauty isn‘t all looks though and delivers an amazing selection of special features and bonuses, accompanied by a funky soundtrack.

Twice as wild

One of the more exciting features is Double Wilds that are essential to achieving the slot’s astounding maximum potential of 20,480x your stake. To snag this prize, you will need to fill the entire grid with wild symbols which is made possible by a spreading wilds feature.

The golden age of Disco shines through in this title’s artwork with every small visual detail designed to fully immerse you in the past. Fashionable outfits and accessories from the 70s and 80s are on glorious display and even the card suits are given a retro neon makeover.

Headed for the top

Yggdrasil’s gaming software strategist, Jonas Strandman, is more than optimistic about the new release’s chances of topping the slot charts, saying there is no doubt in his mind about its potential for success. He emphasised that the game’s high volatility would be a vital drawcard for players.

He further stated that the new title boasts several thrilling special features with alluring potential geared at delivering huge wins.

The top 5 highest RTP slots at Leo Vegas

February 26, 2021 by Admin

Regardless of all their bells and whistles, slot titles are purely games of chance, and determining exactly which slots are guaranteed to land you big or regular wins is a near impossible task.

That being said, some determiners can indicate an increased likelihood of winning, and Return to Player (RTP) is one of the more important ones. Games with a higher RTP statistically offer more frequent winning chances and an overall more enjoyable gaming experience.

Bearing all this in mind, here are the slots with the top 5 highest RTP at Leo Vegas.

Play these slots at LeoVegas with a great welcome bonus

Leo Vegas

$1000 Welcome Bonus

Crowned as the "King of Mobile Casinos"
Tons of great games to keep you entertained
Awarded best in two categories at EGR 2015
Safe and secure with superb banking support

Start playing and claim $1000 bonus

RATING

PLAY NOW

Blood Suckers by NetEnt (98% RTP)

The age of this title aside, its high RTP has kept this slot on the popularity charts for close to a decade. It features a universally compelling vampire theme and has two features that are regularly triggered. While your wins may come often, there isn’t much chance for a massive payout so the game tends to attract players who enjoy extended stints of spinning without it posing too large a threat to their bankrolls.

Jokerizer by Yggdrasil (98% RTP)

Yggdrasil was in full-on retro mode when they developed Jokerizer. The fruit machine-themed slot features instantly recognisable symbols like lucky 7s, bells, and all the iconic fruit. While it emulates the feeling of playing your favourite slot in a pub, the slot integrates modern design methods to produce sharp, immersive visuals and sound. While this game may be aimed directly at a niche market, its RTP of 98% makes it an attractive prospect for gamers of all types.

White Rabbit by Big Time Gaming (97.7%)

The classic, sometimes psychedelic tale of Alice in Wonderland is brought to vibrant life in this title. The game adopts a mildly unsettling vibe that captures the spirit of the story perfectly and the main feature sees you expanding the reels to boost your winning chances.

The slot’s high RTP of 97.7%, doesn’t guarantee that your bankroll is shielded from large losses as the game is also highly volatile with big bonus payouts appearing less often than you might like.

Money Train by Relax Gaming (up to 98%)

This Wild West-themed title starts you off with an industry-average RTP of 96.2% in the base game, but lets you take things to the next level with a handy buy feature where you trade an amount of 80x your stake for instant access to the bonus feature and a boosted RTP of 98%.

The trade-off may well be worth it as the game promises a compelling maximum reward of 20 00x your stake.

Joker Strike by Quickspin (up to 98.11%)

Quickspin’s Joker Strike takes an unconventional approach to slot gameplay by doing away with the expected bonus features in favour of a game mechanic that gives you the chance to boost the amount you claim after a winning spin. While the base game, RTP starts at 96%, you can employ the High Roller feature that can take your RTP up to 98.11%. The feature gives you winning chance-boosting features in exchange for your wager being increased for a certain number of spins.

50 Free Spins at LeoVegas

Now that you have an idea of which games you might like to try your hand at, LeoVegas has a brilliant introductory offer for new customers. You get 50 Signup Free Spins on Starburst (a slot that allows operators to add their own RTP boost) at LeoVegas Casino. You will receive your bonus free spins immediately after signing up with no deposit requirement.

If you do choose to make a deposit you are eligible for a 100% up to NZD$1000 casino bonus with 150 Cash Spins.

Evoplay deal means a plethora of pokies for NZ players

February 23, 2021 by Admin

Evoplay has finalised a new agreement that grants CasinoEngine operators access to its popular titles such as Book of Keno, Treasure Mania, and Temple of Dead, all of which integrate Spinential, Evoplay’s proprietary game engine. Spinential has been active since July 2020 and enhances gameplay quality by improving game downloading and loading speeds, making them 10 times faster on average.

In an official press release, Amund Stensland, the COO for EveryMatrix said. “Evoplay Entertainment’s unique game collection has proved hugely popular with a wide variety of demographics, performing particularly strongly with the emerging generation of players. The diversity of its superior product suite is especially appealing, and we look forward to working with our new CasinoEngine partner.”

Evoplay Entertainment’s Chief Business Development Officer, Vladimir Malakchi, also commented on the partnership, saying, “Added, armed with the latest high-tech products of unrivaled quality, we look forward to signing additional tier one agreements in the period to come.”

Evoplay is no doubt invigorated by its most recent successes, including sweeping three major accolades at the Login Casino Awards on December 16, 2020. The company took home awards for Slots Provider of the Year, Marketing Guru of the Year, and the Speaker of the Year award claimed by Vladimir Malakchi, the firm’s Chief Business Development Officer.

Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, the developer was also notably included in the shortlist for Mobile Innovation of the Year, and Casino Developer of the Year at the 2020 SBC Awards. This is a landmark achievement, as Evoplay is the first Ukraine-based game provider to make the EGR’s Game of Year shortlist.

Many hands make light work

Evoplay Entertainment is a fairly new player in the market, having only first opened its doors in 2017. Despite its relative newness, the Ukrainian firm has made quite a few notable impacts on the gambling scene, which is thanks, in part, to some carefully considered partnership deals.

The year is shaping up to be an interesting and profitable one for the developer as it also recently signed a new deal with the Best Canadian Casinos via the B2C Platform, which has been operating since 2017. Under the partnership, Evoplay will be able to extend its reach to the UK, Croatia, Malta, Bulgaria, and Rome.

Microgaming breaks new ground with Rootz content supply deal

February 19, 2021 by Admin

iGaming industry leader Microgaming has secured another lucrative content supply partnership and will provide its portfolio of titles to Wheelz, a brand under the operator Rootz. Microgaming’s content will now be available on the Wheelz site, giving the existing selection a significant boost.

The two companies have enjoyed a working relationship since 2019 and after an initial productive period, Microgaming has moved to expand their alliance.

Rising star

Despite being a relatively young company, Rootz has made a significant impact in the iGaming sphere. The operator’s first brand, Wildz Casino, launched in 2019 and soon gained a legion of fans after adding Microgaming content to its selection.

In the wake of the success of Wildz in the NZ and global online casino markets, Rootz launched Caxino in 2020. The brand’s bold expansion demonstrated its commitment to securing its slice of the market. This success inspired the brand to launch its newest site, Wheelz.

In addition to Microgaming’s premium content, Wheelz has appointed David Hasselhof to act as its spokesperson because a little bit of iconic celebrity pizzazz goes a long way.

Methodology of success

Head of Partnerships at Microgaming, Neil Bancroft, was enthused about the partnership expansion with Rootz. In an interview following the news, he said how much his company admires the operator, who he said had achieved the formula for success. He characterised the arrangement as a winning strategy and said that he anticipates it will generate even more success in the future.

The CEO of Rootz, Lasse Rantala also had his say, crediting Microgaming as playing a large part in his company’s achievements. He stated that while Wildz and Caxino had exceeded his expectations, with the bar this high, he is even more motivated to succeed.

Google Play Store opens a wider playing field for gambling apps

February 16, 2021 by Admin

On Thursday, January 28, Google gave gambling app developers some of the best news they have heard in years. The company revealed its intention to update its policies regarding permitted wagering and betting in an expanded list of countries including New Zealand. Currently, gambling apps can only be found in the Brazilian, French, Irish, and United Kingdom Google Play Stores. The permitted apps include real money games, daily Fantasy Sports, lotteries, and sports betting, and online casinos.

Before this development, Android users in excluded territories had no choice but to download apps directly from licensed casino websites. This is a risky choice as it involves compromising the security measures on one’s device.

The new additions

The new countries that can now access gambling apps via the Play Store include NZ, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Romania, Sweden, and Belgium, among others.

App owners will have the chance to advertise their products within certain limitations. The apps and their promotion must be legal within their specified region.

Adverts will have to be age-restricted and include information on responsible gambling. The apps may also not contain content that urges potential players to try real-money gambling services.

This change of regulations around app advertising follows a recent update of Google’s gambling policies. The company implemented a new policy in December 2020 allowing both search engine and YouTube users to opt-out of seeing betting adverts.

Getting on the shelf

Developers who want their apps featured on the Play Store will need to complete an application and have to meet numerous requirements.

Any NZ online casino must exhibit compliance with industry standards and the country’s legal requirements.

Applying developers must hold valid gambling licenses and their apps will have to be rated ‘Adult Only’ to ensure underage players cannot access them. App availability must be limited to the developer’s permitted territories.

All gambling apps must be free to download and Google’s in-app billing system will not be available.

Any time is winning time with LeoVegas Hourly Jackpots

February 12, 2021 by Admin

Chief among the benefits of playing slots is the chance to win massive amounts of cash with the smallest of bets. Many of today’s slots can produce wins in excess of 20,000 times your stake, a feat that few other casino games can match.

Your winning chances have now received an additional boost with LeoVegas’ Hourly Jackpots.

On each hour of every day, selected slots will feature a progressive jackpot for one fortunate player. The jackpot builds up over the hour, fuelled by all the players betting in qualifying games. If you are the lucky one, you could take home a four-figure win.

Red Tiger Gaming came up with the hourly jackpot concept which can be found in numerous games and at a wide selection of online casinos.

Play to win

Every qualifying slot will display a jackpot timer counting down the minutes to when the jackpot pays out. With a jackpot landing every 60 minutes, there is a whole lot of winning going around.

Once you have selected a qualifying slot, you will need to land 3 jackpot symbols on the reels to trigger the jackpot wheel, where you will have a shot at the Hourly Jackpot, or the Daily and Super Jackpots.

If you’re ready for a full-on frenzy of winning, all you need to do is head over to the Daily Jackpots category on Leo Vegas and choose your preferred game. All the Daily Jackpot slots also have an Hourly Jackpot, so you have two chances in one. Some great titles to try your hand at are Lucky Halloween, Da Vinci’s Mystery, Tiki Fruits, and The Wild Hatter.

How 5G is a game-changer for gaming

February 9, 2021 by Admin

Access to 5G technology is rapidly growing across the globe, and this evolution of high-speed internet is already changing the way people utilise online services. The gaming world has predictably seized on the opportunity and embraced this innovation which has also brought about improvements in carrier capacity, to transform the face of the industry.

Is speed a need?

Live casinos and online New Zealand online casinos rely heavily on high-quality, consistent internet speed to ply their services and products. Slow, choppy internet can ruin your gaming experience, particularly with live casino which is meant to provide an immersive, real-time environment. Inconsistent internet can break the immersion and trigger feelings of distrust in players.

The global gaming industry is set to reach a value of $525 billion in 2021 with a projected 2.4 billion individuals expected to play online games. This means that 4G networks will be increasingly under pressure to handle rising bandwidth demands. 5G’s increased bandwidth seeks to eliminate bottlenecks and blockages caused by player bandwidth demand exceeding available capacity.

A strategic fit

The arrival of 5G aligns with the rapid growth of mobile gaming. High-quality wireless connectivity makes it possible to have an experience on your mobile device equal to that of accessing online casinos via more traditional means. Stable, fast internet over wide geographical areas is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the player on the go has a consistent and uninterrupted experience.

The quest for zero latency

Latency is a term that describes the time it takes to return a piece of data that has been requested, 4G has a latency rate of around 10mS. 5G wireless connectivity offers a much-reduced latency rate as low as 0.5mS. This translates to speedier and more engaging gaming experiences.

It’s hard to predict the exact impact 5G will have on the iGaming industry, but what is certain is that access to this new technology will allow for previously unseen levels of innovation and service provision. Which is great news for players, operators, developers and aggregators alike.

Microgaming shows its players some love with 20+ game February release schedule

February 5, 2021 by Admin

Microgaming’s status as a leader in iGaming aggregation is well earned thanks to it’s monthly releases of games that cover the full spectrum of themes and gameplay. February is no exception and Microgaming has over 20 new titles ready or release.

10 of the titles come from Microgaming’s independent studio network while the remainder were devolved by content partners. The games all have a unique blend of thrilling features and compelling gameplay dressed up in a variety of themes from TV show hosts to unhinged scientists.

February opens with the maiden project from Microgaming’s newest exclusive partner, PearFiction Studios. The slick, cartoon-style gangster romp, Chicago Gold invites you to travel back to 1920’s prohibition-era Chicago when gangsters ruled the streets. This 5 reel, 20 paylines title introduces the Big Boss Jackpot Reveal feature which is triggered by the combination of a jackpot symbol and any collect symbol. Landing three matching means taking home one of four jackpot prizes.

Just For The Win takes on the Mega Moolah jackpot next in Juicy Joker Mega Moolah. In classic Mega Moolah style, the bonus game I the primary focus, with a jackpot wheel that delivers amazing prizes. The wheel houses Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega jackpots. The Mega jackpot is the most coveted prize as it regularly creates 7-figure winners.

The first All41 Studios title of the month is 6 Tokens of Gold, a mash-up of fruit machine looks and modern gameplay. The HyperHold mechanic is a streak respin bonus feature that you activate by landing six or more coin symbols. Once this happens, you will receive three spins and an empty game grid where you will spin to fill the empty positions with coin symbols. Gold coins that occupy blank positions will be locked in place and reset your respins to 3. Filling all the positions with coins means you get to claim the Mega jackpot.

Triple Edge Studios also want in on the HyperHold action with the release of its pirate-themed slot, Adventures of Doubloon Island. The game places you with a grizzled pirate crew searching the seas for treasure. The appearance of 3 or more scatters on the reels awards you up to up to 100x your stake and activates free spins. When you land six or more HyperHold symbol on the reels, you will trigger the HyperHold feature where you upturn skulls to reveal jackpot prizes.

Gacha Games debuts its Incan Adventure slot, featuring arcade-style casino gameplay with blocks that you have to drill through to reveal Incan gold and jewels. All41 Studios’ second release for the month is Ingots of Cai Shen that boasts 243-ways to win and Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega jackpots. Pulse8 Studios presents a fun-fair of potential with Carnaval, a title with minimalistic gameplay and jackpot respins.

Get some ‘me time’ on a Hawaiian beach in Maui Mischief by Old Skool Studios. This high-volatility title offers reels stacked full with wilds. Next, descend into the depths of existence in the new title from Crazy Tooth Studios, 3 Devils Pinball. Celebrate the Mexican day of the dead in Skulls Heap from Gong Gaming Technologies or explore a desert island in Rabcat Gambling’s Tropical Wilds.

Microgaming also has some premium partner releases in store for the month. Iron Dog Studio gets crazy with its 5-reel, 15-payline Blirix Workshop slot that features a mad scientist as a main character. Inspired has 3 titles exciting titles for February, the first of which is the leprechaun themed, Reel Lucky King Megaways. You may not be able to hit the pub for your favourite slot, but you can crack a cold one at home and live the experience in Golden Rock Studios’ Bar Slot.

The next title Inspired title is Temple of Light with Reel Diamonds by 1X2gaming following soon after. A famous TV personality makes her slot debut in MGA’s Yola Berrocal and 2By2 offer a stellar experience with Cosmic Gems. A fruity duo wraps up the month will come to a fruity finish with Inspired’s Fruity Bonanza Scatter Drops, and Opal Fruits by Big Time Gaming.

A fruitful partnership for Microgaming and Pearfiction Studios

February 2, 2021 by Admin

Microgaming’s newest alliance has come in the form of an exclusive partnership deal with Montreal-based PearFiction Studios which will see the developer supplying content for the Microgaming platform.

The new allies have wasted no time with their first collaborative title set to launch on 4 February. Chicago Gold is a mobster themed, high-volatility, 40-payline slot featuring free spins and respins among others. PearFiction’s debut on the Microgaming network comes with some exciting new feature experiences like Cash Collection and the Big Boss Jackpot Reveal.

PearFiction plans to keep its strong start going with the release of its prehistoric-themed Blazing Mammoth planned for release soon after.

PearFiction Studios is no stranger to collaborating with Microgaming, having previously worked alongside the gaming giant o the development of the punk rock fuelled title, The Smashing Biscuit. Microgaming took note of Pearfiction’s vibrant creative energy that made the project a success and the future partnership of the two companies was assured.

A special webinar will be held on 28 January where Microgaming will introduce PearFiction Studios and its thrilling new content.

The CEO of PearFiction Studios, Thierry Semoff, said that the sheer size and presence of the Microgaming platform has profoundly transformed the fortunes of his budding studio.

The 2021 online casinos bonus run-down

January 29, 2021 by Admin

Value-adds and perks are an age-old tradition in the casino world. Land-based operations have offered free rooms, meals, drinks, entertainment, and more to their customers for as long as anyone can remember. The online casino equivalent to this is amazing sign-up bonuses with various benefits to inspire you to join up.

Understanding how bonuses work, how they can benefit you, and which ones are right for your requirements is essential if you want to get the most out of your online casino experience.

Popular Bonuses

Free Spins, Deposit Waivers, Refer-a-Friend, Welcome, and casino Match Bonuses are among the most popular bonus types. Casino match bonuses are often part of welcome offers, which generally combine a range of rewards. You will receive free spins to use on a specific pokie with your casino match bonus, which is dependent on the size of your deposit. Your deposit will usually be matched 100% by the casino, giving you an equivalent amount with which to play.

Bonus offer sizes in perspective

The size of an offer can be directly proportionate to its actual value, but this is not always the case. For example, with a casino match bonus, the offered sum may seem massive, but the wagering requirements could hamper your efforts to enjoy the perk.

Wagering requirements refer to the number of times you need to play from the bonus money to be eligible to make a withdrawal. These are put in place by casino operators to stop players from simply collecting the bonus and cashing it out. The requirements are often manageable, but understanding them is vital, so make sure to visit the bonus terms & conditions section.

In practical terms, a 100% casino Match Bonus up to NZ$300 with wagering requirements of 30X indicates that you need to bet 30X the offer before you are allowed to withdraw your winnings.

Casinos without match bonuses

Match bonuses are far from the only way casinos can offer you extra value for your patronage. You would be hard-pressed to find an online operator without a match bonus that does not offer some other kind of bonus or promotional offer. These can include reload bonuses, VIP and loyalty programs, high roller perks, and referral bonuses.

With all this in mind, you should now be fully empowered to make the best possible decision when choosing which online casino bonus offers suits you best.