Pokies Near Me Tool – Find Where to Play in New Zealand
Tired of trying to work out exactly where the closest gaming lounge actually is? If you’re currently searching for pokies open near me, I’ve put together a pretty comprehensive list of the best places to play in New Zealand. While going to a local pub and having a spin on the pokie machines near me can be a great way to go, especially for the atmosphere, let’s face it, many Kiwis are actually opting to play online pokies in New Zealand rather than the physical ones.
The reason for this? The pay-out rates are much higher. If you are one of the many Kiwis who are actually wanting to play the pokie machines, you might want to know that the pay-out rates are really much lower on the physical machines.
Under the current ANZ Gaming Machine National Standard, the pay-out rates on the physical machines actually sit at around 85-87% on the machines in New Zealand, while the online ones really manage to hit that 94-96% pay-out rate on a consistent basis.
Top Places to Play Pokies Near You in New Zealand
If you’ve currently Googled “pokies near me” on your phone, or are desperate to find a place for a late night spin, I’ve managed to find where you can actually find the best places to play the machines in New Zealand.
While most of the places I’ve listed are not just gaming lounges, they are really some of the best pubs and taverns where you can grab a bite to eat, a beer, and make use of the TAB betting facilities as well.
Quick note: The opening hours might vary depending on the time of the year and holidays, so it doesn’t hurt to quickly call ahead and make sure they are actually open before you go and try your luck on the machines.
Auckland Pokies Venues
SkyCity Auckland Casino
- Address: Corner of Federal & Victoria Sts, Auckland 1010 (📍 Google Maps)
- Hours: Open 24/7 (closed only on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and ANZAC morning).
- Phone: 0800 759 2489
Website: skycityauckland.co.nz
Panmure Tavern
- Address: 163 Queens Rd, Panmure, Auckland.
- Hours: 11 AM–10 PM.
- Phone: (09) 570-1722.
Website: panmuretavern.co.nz
Clendon Inn
- Address: 6 Robert Ross Pl, Clendon Park, Auckland.
- Hours: 11 AM–1 AM.
- Phone: +64 9-264-1896.
Website: facebook.com/The.Clendon.Inn
Tactics Sportsbar
- Address: 13 Aviemore Dr, Highland Park, Auckland.
- Hours: Mon–Thu 10 AM–11 PM, Fri–Sat 10 AM–midnight, Sun 10 AM–10 PM.
- Phone: (09) 535-1528.
Website: facebook.com/TacticsSportsBar
Mangere Bridge Tavern
- Address: 123 Coronation Rd, Māngere Bridge, Auckland.
- Hours: 8 AM–12 AM.
- Phone: +64 9-636-7135.
Website: mangerebridgetavern.com
Right Track Sports Café
- Address: 16 Fort St, Auckland CBD.
- Hours: 9 AM–midnight.
- Phone: +64 9-379-4498.
Website: facebook.com/therighttracksportscafe
1 Up Sports Bar
- Address: 1 Upland Rd, Remuera, Auckland.
- Hours: 3 PM–11 PM.
- Phone: (09) 524-5161.
Website: facebook.com/1UpSportsBar
Albion Hotel
- Address: 119 Hobson St, Auckland Central.
- Hours: 11 AM–late.
- Phone: (09) 379-4900.
Website: albionhotel.co.nz
New Plymouth Bars with Pokies
New Plymouth Club
- Address: 55 Gill St, New Plymouth.
- Hours: Mon–Sun 10 AM–late.
- Phone: +64 6-758-4600.
Website: newplymouthclub.co.nz
Stumble Inn and Cafe
- Address: 198 Mangorei Road, Merrilands, New Plymouth 4301.
- Hours: Mon–Sun 9:30 AM–10:30 PM.
- Phone: +64 6-757-9973.
Website: stumbleinn.co.nz
Paraparaumu Pokies Locations
The Black Stag
- Address: 17 Kapiti Lights, Paraparaumu.
- Hours: 10 AM–8 PM.
- Phone: (04) 297-1583.
Website: facebook.com/The-Black-Stag
The Jolly Pub & Kitchen
- Address: 93 Mazengarb Rd, Paraparaumu Beach.
- Hours: 10 AM–11 PM.
- Phone: +64 4-297-0815.
Website: thejollypub.com
The Pinetree Arms
- Address: Seaview Rd & 43 MacLean St, Paraparaumu Beach.
- Hours: 10 AM–11 PM.
- Phone: (04) 902-9406.
Website: facebook.com/ThePinetreeArms
Christchurch Bars with Pokie Machines
Christchurch Casino
- Address: 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch 8013 (📍 Google Maps).
- Hours: Open late into the night (Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM; 24 hours on weekends).
- Phone: +64 3 365 9999
Website: christchurchcasino.co.nz
Palmerston North Spots
Albert Sports Bar
- Address: 688 Main St East, Terrace End, Palmerston North.
- Hours: 9:30 AM–8:30/11 PM.
- Phone: (06) 354-4678.
Website: facebook.com/BAR4UNME
Willow Park Tavern
- Address: 820 Tremaine Ave, Roslyn, Palmerston North.
- Hours: 11 AM–7 PM.
- Phone: (06) 358-5036.
Website: willowparktavern.co.nz
Whangārei Venues
Kensington Tavern
- Address: 3 Kensington Ave, Whangārei 0112.
- Hours: Call ahead.
- Phone: +64 9-437-0566.
Website: facebook.com/TheKTWhangarei
Taranaki Venues
Rahotu Tavern
- Address: 5787 South Rd, Rahotu 4684, Taranaki.
- Hours: Mon closed; Tue–Sun 11 AM–10 PM.
- Phone: +64 6-763-8787.
Website: Google Maps
Motueka Pokies
Post Office Hotel
- Address: 122 High St, Motueka 7120.
- Hours: 9 AM–2 AM.
- Phone: +64 3-528-9890.
Website: facebook.com/PohMotueka
Other Major NZ Casinos
SkyCity Hamilton
- Address: 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton 3204 (📍 Google Maps).
- Hours: 24/7 (closes 4 AM–10 AM Mon–Thu).
- Phone: 07-834-4900
Website: skycityhamilton.co.nz
Grand Casino Dunedin
- Address: 118 High Street, Central Dunedin 9016 (📍 Google Maps).
- Hours: Open daily from 12:00 PM until late.
- Phone: +64 3 477 4545
Website: grandcasino.co.nz
SkyCity Queenstown Casino
- Address: Level 2, Stratton House, 16–24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 (📍 Google Maps).
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (daily).
- Phone: 03-441-0400
Website: skycityqueenstown.co.nz
Why Online Pokies Might Be a Better Choice
Well, let’s face it – while playing live has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages. For instance, you have to live with the knowledge that the casino has closing hours, that you have to wait for a person to finish playing on your favorite machine, and that those games have a much lower pay rate.
If you have ever frantically searched for “pokies open near me now” on a Sunday evening only to find that all the pubs within a reasonable radius are shut tight, you know exactly what I am talking about.
The best online pokies sites eliminate all that hassle. You get thousands of games at your fingertips 24/7 and that all-important 94-96% RTP. Whether you are relaxing at home or killing time on the bus, your phone effectively becomes the best casino in town.
Update Log
25 Feb 2026: Updated the list of places to play pokies in different cities of New Zealand and intro and outro with my additional thoughts and ideas.
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