2025 Six-Month Report: The Most Popular Slots, Crash Games, and Live Dealer Titles

The online casino scene in 2025 isn't just growing; it's getting more focused. While revenues continue to climb, the real story is how players in New Zealand are changing their habits. Instead of trying out countless different games, they're sticking to a handful of providers and game types that have proven their staying power.

CasinoRank's in-depth look revealed three clear trends for Kiwi players:

• Slots still reign, but attention is narrowing, with Pragmatic Play's hits dominating the most popular game lobbies.
• Crash games are booming, though the action is packed almost entirely into just three standout titles.
• Live dealer experiences remain the heartbeat of immersion, with Evolution standing out above its rivals.

How We Gathered Our Insights

We pulled the numbers from a six-month period, spanning April through September 2025, using data from iGaming Tracker. The scope included over 80 licensed online casinos operating in New Zealand, covering both desktop and mobile platforms.

Our analysis focused on three categories that matter most right now: slots, crash games, and live dealer. For each, we looked at:

• Content visibility (how prominently a game is featured in operator lobbies)
• Average daily players
• Average session length

By blending game visibility with actual player engagement, this report paints a clear picture not only of what online casinos in New Zealand are promoting, but also of what players are actually choosing to play.

Slots Analysis: Why Pragmatic Play is King for Kiwis

Slots are still the backbone of online casinos for New Zealand players, but the variety isn't as vast as it might seem. Between April and September 2025, slots made up the majority of games featured across casino lobbies. Yet, the real story isn't just the sheer number of slots; it's the concentration. A huge portion of that visibility is locked up by Pragmatic Play's popular titles, leaving other providers to vie for attention.

Most Popular Slot Games in New Zealand, Six-Month Period (Apr–Sep 2025)

This chart shows the most popular slot games played by New Zealanders during the six months from April to September 2025. Pragmatic Play dominates with titles like "Gates of Olympus" and "Sweet Bonanza", while Play’n GO's "Book of Dead" remains the only significant non-Pragmatic contender popular in NZ.

A few things really stand out from these slot rankings for the NZ market:

• Pragmatic Play’s dominance. Eight of the top nine titles belong to them, a level of market share you rarely see in such a competitive space.
• The one non-Pragmatic hit. Play’n GO's Book of Dead is still holding its own, likely due to the strong player loyalty it has built over the years.
• Themes that keep players coming back. Players in New Zealand continue to gravitate towards familiar worlds, including those inspired by Greek mythology ("Gates of Olympus") and fishing adventures (the "Big Bass" series).
• Evolving game mechanics. Features like multipliers, bonus buys, cluster pays, and tumble mechanics are now standard expectations, not just flashy add-ons.

Provider Ecosystem in New Zealand

It's worth noting that having a massive game library doesn't automatically guarantee top billing in New Zealand. Major providers like Games Global, Playtech, Light & Wonder, and IGT each boast portfolios with hundreds – sometimes over a thousand – of titles. But here's the kicker: all that volume isn't translating into prominent placement. The trend in New Zealand is clear: quality, player retention, and smart visibility now matter far more than sheer quantity.

What's Hot Across New Zealand?

While player tastes can vary, the regional patterns in New Zealand for slot games are quite telling:

• Popular Themes in NZ: Mythology-inspired slots like "Gates of Olympus" and fishing-themed games in the "Big Bass" series continue to be favourites across New Zealand online casinos.
• Latin America: Classic fruit and fiery themes are making a comeback, jumping 21% in visibility quarter over quarter.
• Asia-Pacific: Risk is the name of the game. High-volatility titles, such as Gates of Olympus, saw 18% higher engagement than in the first quarter, indicating a strong appetite for big swings.

What this means: Slots may still be the biggest vertical, but the field is shrinking to a few proven winners. For operators, relying on Pragmatic Play’s heavy hitters is almost mandatory, but differentiation comes from incorporating niche mechanics and region-specific themes that offer players something fresh and new.

As CasinoRank’s lead analyst, Emily Thompson sums it up:

“The six-month slot data underscores a simple truth: players reward consistency. Pragmatic Play has engineered a formula that scales across regions, themes, and volatility profiles. Breaking into this cycle requires either radical innovation or hyper-localization. Simply adding more titles is no longer a competitive advantage.”

Crash Games Analysis: Breakout Growth, But a New Leaderboard

Crash games are hands down the breakout story of 2025. However, unlike earlier in the year, when the category appeared to be a three-game monopoly, the latest six-month data show a much more competitive top tier. Aviator remains the undisputed leader, but Pragmatic Play is making a strong push with multiple titles, and smaller studios are finding opportunities to shine.

Most Played Crash Games, Six-Month Period (Apr–Sep 2025)

This chart makes one thing clear: Aviator still sets the pace, but it’s no longer carrying the entire category on its own. Pragmatic Play now controls three of the top four crash titles, while newer entries like Fly X from Buck Stakes Entertainment and JetX from Smartsoft Gaming show there’s still room for fresh ideas.

A few clear trends jump out from crash data:

• Aviator continues to dominate, but the field is broadening.
• Pragmatic Play has developed a robust portfolio of crash games, reflecting its strategic approach to the slots genre.
• New entrants like Smartsoft and Buck Stakes Entertainment are proving that smaller studios can break through the market.
• Crash sessions are still brief (2–5 minutes) but highly repeatable, which helps maintain high engagement.
• Gen Z and mobile-first audiences drive growth, especially in Latin America (+34%) and Southeast Asia (+27%).

Strategic Implications

Crash is no longer a novelty; it has become a key part of the iGaming mix. However, operators need to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. Building variety into crash portfolios is essential to prevent overexposure. Localized variants tied to sports, cultural themes, or events can keep the format fresh.

At the same time, operators must look beyond the hype surrounding streamers. Twitch and YouTube virality have fueled adoption, but over-reliance on influencers is risky if player attention shifts elsewhere.

Crash is booming, but sustainability depends on variety and cultural fit. Operators who expand beyond Aviator and Pragmatic’s core titles, embracing innovative releases from studios like Smartsoft and Buck Stakes Entertainment, will be best positioned to capture the next wave of player demand.

Live Dealer Analysis: Evolution’s Fortress

If crash games are all about quick hits and adrenaline spikes, live dealer sits at the opposite end of the spectrum: depth, immersion, and staying power. Between April and September 2025, live dealer once again proved it’s the category that keeps players locked in the longest, and Evolution continues to tower over the competition, leading in both visibility and player engagement.

Most Played Live Dealer Games, Six-Month Period (Apr–Sep 2025)

Live Dealer Visibility Rankings, Six-Month Period (Apr–Sep 2025)

This chart illustrates the dominance of live dealers during the six months (April–September 2025). Evolution leads with Crazy Time and Monopoly Big Baller, while Pragmatic Play breaks into the top five with Mega Wheel and Sweet Bonanza Candyland.

A few things stand out in the live dealer data:

• Evolution’s fortress. Crazy Time pulls in an astonishing 335,000 daily players, while Lightning Roulette tops the visibility charts at 0.096%.
• Pragmatic’s push. Their game shows like Mega Wheel and Sweet Bonanza Candyland are gaining ground, but they’re still playing second fiddle.
• Asia-Pacific surge. Engagement in the region increased by 28% in just one quarter, with baccarat hybrids leading the way.
• Tech-driven stickiness. Better streaming quality and multi-camera setups are stretching session times to 15–20 minutes, making these games feel closer to live TV than old-school casino tables.

Live dealer isn’t a nice add-on anymore; it’s the backbone of modern iGaming. Evolution still sets the gold standard, but rivals are carving out space with niche offerings. Operators who neglect live dealer services risk being left behind as players increasingly expect them to be at the forefront of the gaming experience.

Industry Implications

The six-month snapshot makes three strategic truths impossible to ignore:

• Slots = Consolidation. Pragmatic Play owns the board. If you want to compete, you’ll need bold innovation or hyper-local content.
• Crash = Risk & Reward. Growth is electric, but dangerously concentrated in just three titles. Without diversification, the whole category is fragile.
• Live Dealer = Non-Negotiable. Evolution still defines the experience. Rivals must innovate or align strategically if they want a seat at the table.

Together, these dynamics highlight the market’s split personality: players stick with consistency when it comes to slots, chase novelty in crash games, and crave deep immersion in live dealer games. For operators, survival means spreading risk wisely across all three verticals.

What to do next:

• Keep lobbies anchored with proven slot performers, but test niche mechanics to stand out.
• Develop crash portfolios tailored for mobile-first, younger audiences.
• Double down on live dealer infrastructure, featuring 5G-ready streaming, localized studios, and seamless cross-device play.
• Roll out AI-driven personalization within six months to pair players with the volatility and formats they’ll stick with.
• Pilot localized crash variants in growth markets like Latin America and Asia-Pacific before the competition does.

Conclusion

The six-month data makes the split in iGaming crystal clear: consistency keeps players loyal, but novelty drives growth. Slots remain the anchor, although they are increasingly concentrated in fewer hands. Crash is the rocket ship, fast but fragile. And live dealer? It’s the heartbeat of immersion, where players settle in and stay.

Looking ahead to 2026, expect a few big shifts to reshape the landscape:

• AI-driven personalization will fine-tune player journeys and boost retention.
• Regional localization is expected to accelerate the adoption of crash and live dealer games, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
• AR/VR and next-gen streaming will blur the line between gaming and entertainment, taking live dealer into hybrid territory.

The industry is moving fast. The winners will be those who act boldly, locking in today’s proven performers while investing in diverse crash formats and immersive live experiences to secure tomorrow’s growth. Operators who hesitate risk falling behind in a market where both scale and creativity are now table stakes.