How We Rate Casinos

How We Rate Casinos — Check Our Casino Review Process

Here at NZCasino, we will always be transparent and upfront with you about the way we review casinos. We put every single site through a strict testing process, which is built on facts and honesty. We tear out the fluff to deliver you the truth, so that you know the full picture. 

We will only ever recommend casinos to you that are properly licensed. We’re not one of those unscrupulous sites which promise the world and then leave you at risk. New Zealand does not have its own gambling regulator at the moment. So this means the casinos we review are licensed by the likes of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curaçao Gaming Authority, Anjouan Gaming, Isle of Man Gambling Commission, etc. 

We rate all of our casinos based on a proven 6-step process. This allows you to easily see the strengths and weaknesses. Each of these pillars combined equates to a total possible score of 100.

Our 6 Steps and Maximum Possible Scores:

1. Trust and Safety (25 Points)
2. Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)
3. Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points)
4. Games Library & Usability (20 Points)
5. Customer Support (10 Points)
6. Popularity & User Feedback (10 Points)

1. Trust and Safety (25 points)

The most important test of any casino is its level of security. This means the licensing, protection protocols, and reputation. We also examine the commitment to responsible gambling and examine policies and tools.

Licensing (0–10 Points)

• 0 points (Poor): No license and operating without regulation.
• 5 points (Good): The licensing has no relevance for New Zealand.
• 10 points (Excellent): Is officially licensed by a recognised authority. (Curacao, MGA, Panama, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Kahnawake, Anjouan, Alderney, Antigua & Barbuda. Costa Rica is counted with caution).

How we test: We verify that the casino license is active by checking directly on the regulator’s registry. We check out the scope, expiry dates and the sanction or penalty history.

Security & Data Protection (0–5 Points)

• 0 points (Poor): A history of safety breaches, no SSL encryption, HTTP rather than HTTPS, and missing data protection policy. 
• 3 points (Good): Compliant with GDPR, minimum of 128-bit SSL, and 2FA not available.
• 5 points (Excellent): 256-bit SSL, GDPR compliant, DDoS protection, optional 2FA, and firewall. No previous breaches.

How we test: We inspect the data policy (safety measures, retention, and sharing), confirm if 2FA is available, and check for previous security issues. We also evaluate the SSL encryption level through TLS configuration.

Responsible Gambling Tools (0–10 Points)

The current regulation framework that governs online gambling in New Zealand places strong emphasis on responsible gambling and protecting players. Here at NZCasino, we fully support this commitment and will always promote playing safely and within your means. 

• 0-3 points (Poor): Zero or minimal advice and no tools.
• 4-7 points (Good): Plenty of limits such as deposit, session, wagering and loss. As well as timeouts and reality checks.
• 8-10 points (Excellent): Full range of limits, affordability checks, and an easy-to-access self-assessment. Activity reports, links to outside help organisations and 24/7 customer support.

Our technique: To follow in your footsteps, we register, deposit, and play at a casino. We then test the responsible gambling tools, step by step. This enables us to pass to you our first-hand experience. Allowing you to make a fully-informed choice about where to play. 

How we test: We check the ease of access to the RG portal. Next, we evaluate the information for quality and test the tools and limits on our own casino account. We discover how easy it is to request and implement a time-out/self-exclusion and check the timeframes. 

2. Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)

Casino bonuses make our world go round, and they probably do yours too. A deal can look great from the outside and lure you to sign up, but in reality, it could be deceptive and unachievable. This is why we thoroughly examine every promotion a casino has to offer. We assess the value, clarity and fairness. 

Bonus Terms (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): Misleading terms which are difficult to access. Hidden and restrictive rules.
• 3 points (Good): Clear but with some unfair restrictions and limits on conversion and withdrawals.
• 5 points (Excellent): Fully transparent and player-friendly with no hidden restrictions. 

Our technique: We always claim welcome offers, ongoing promos and sign up for VIP programs. This allows us to properly check the process and not just rely on the smallprint. We play first-hand and attempt the wagering requirements and check that the casino delivers on its promises. 

How we test: We check for unfair wagering requirements and conversion caps. We analyse the T&C’s for max bonus bet amounts, game weighting, withdrawal restrictions, and banking method exclusions. We also test each bonus using our own money, with a goal to inform and protect you and expose any risks.

Wagering Requirements (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): More than 40x.
• 3 points (Good): 20-40x.
• 5 points (Excellent): Wager free deals or up to 20x.

Our technique: Wagering requirements can either be a pleasant challenge with an achievable end or nightmarishly difficult and impossible. This is why we give you an accurate picture of whether the terms are going to trap or treat you fairly. A 20x deal may look great, but if the max bet is $1 and only a few pokies contribute 100%, then the reality is bleak. 

How we test: We work with a holistic approach, which allows us to examine the bonus process as a whole. We look at the wagering requirements and whether these apply to just the bonus or the bonus and your deposit. We check the max bonus bet amount against the industry average, and also which games are eligible for wagering and their weighting. On our account, we play and wager to verify the accuracy of any counters and check to see if winnings are unfairly voided. 

Our goal: To provide you with accurate information so that you can choose a fair bonus, based on your budget and style. This also strengthens our commitment to you for responsible gambling. Helping you steer clear of suspect offers and remain in control of your time and money.

Ongoing Promotions (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): Weak offers or zero rewards and loyalty incentives.
• 3 points (Good): Regular bonuses, reloads and free spin offers.
• 5 points (Excellent): VIP/loyalty program, cashback, daily/weekly promos and each offering good value.

Our technique: We always want you to play safely, feel rewarded and have fun. This is why it’s so important that we analyse all promos. 

When we look at cashback, VIP rewards and reloads, these are often designed to retain your custom and encourage you to deposit. So we examine these and discover if they will support long-term responsible gambling or encourage you to make impulsive decisions.

How we test: We review the overall promo picture. How often you’ll be able to claim something, how easy the activation process is, and whether the deals will offer you value or not. We use a Real Value Rate (RVR) which is the net benefit to you, minus any restrictions and the cost to claim. 

Bonuses will always have some favour towards the casino and we understand why this is necessary. But we like to see that rewards will add value to your experience and not be a trap and affect your welfare.

3. Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points)

Depositing and withdrawing might seem straightforward, but a poor casino payment ordeal could put you off for life. Trust us, we’ve all been there! Your money matters, which is why we analyse all the processes, payment options, fees, NZD or FX conversion, timeframes, and reliability. This ensures you’ll have a stress-free experience that contributes to your safety and well-being as a player. 

Guaranteed fast, fair and transparent payment processes are non-negotiable for us. Our goal is to protect you and your cash by providing you with all the facts before you even get out your bank card.

Payment Methods (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): A minimal selection (only cards and/or bank transfers).
• 3 points (Good): Cards, eWallets and bank transfers. 
• 5 points (Excellent): A full mixture of eWallets, cards, prepaid vouchers, crypto and bank transfers.

How we test: We evaluate all of the available deposit and withdrawal options for Kiwi players. Ensuring that we test at least 2 for ease, end-to-end. 

Withdrawal Speed (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): 3 or more days with delays being commonplace.
• 3 points (Good): 1- 2 days on average. 
• 5 points (Excellent): Same-day payouts or instant withdrawals. 

How we test: We request a withdrawal from our own account, and time the process to when we have confirmation that the winnings have been sent. Making note of any available reversal windows and KYC process times.

Deposit and Withdrawal Minimum Amounts (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): High- $50+ for a withdrawal and $20+ for deposits.
• 3 points (Good): Industry average – $10-$20 for withdrawals and $5-$10 for deposits.
• 5 points (Excellent): Very low – $1-$5 for each.

How we test: We make real-time payments to verify the minimums match the rules. We also identify any hidden fees.

Fairness of Account Rules (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 points (Poor): Hidden payment fees and inactive account fees. Along with vague and unfair terms. 
• 3 points (Good): General fairness towards players with some payment fees, but not excessive and some concerns for certain terms.
• 5 points (Excellent): No fees, straightforward and ethical rules with clear guidance.

How we test: Yes, we really do read all of the T&Cs and check for dormancy fees, confiscation of fund clauses and general unfairness. We like to see clear processes and timeframes for KYC and payments.  

4. Games Library & Usability (20 Points)

What’s the point in signing up at any casino if you’re going to quickly get bored or your favourite games aren’t available? The best sites should offer you quality titles and a variety of genres as well as verified RNGs and reliable technology. Gambling using a mobile is on the rise in NZ, so it’s important to find out if a casino will support your smartphone or tablet. 

Games Library (0–10 Points)

• 0-2 points (Poor): A weak selection and genres, with fewer than 500 games.
• 5-6 points (Good): 1,000 to 2,000 titles, a good variety but lacking some major categories or with gaps.
• 9-10 points (Excellent): 3,000+ with pokies, live casino, bingo/keno/lotto, progressive jackpots, gameshows and RNG table games. Demo play must be available along with visible RTPs. 

How we test: We evaluate the full lobby to ascertain the total size as well as each genre. This allows us to confirm the total jackpot pool, RTP information and if demo mode is available. We check to see if the casino uses the third-party testing services of eCOGRA or iTechLabs, for strong fair gaming standards. We always play at least 10 games during our reviews which allows us to also examine stability and payout ratios.

Why this protects you: Knowledge is power, and having all the info in your hands will allow you to play fair games and help you stay in control. 

Software Providers (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 point (Poor): A small selection with unknown studios. 
• 3 points (Good): Medium-sized lineup with some popular names, but missing the most common leaders.
• 5 points (Excellent): An excellent collection with well-known developers such as Evolution, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play and Play’N Go. With the addition of more unique names for extra variety.

How we test: We use filters to check the variety by name, and verify licensing and partnership deals. It’s important for us to know that the quoted developers will be available to Kiwis too.

Why this protects you: Our process ensures that you won’t be restricted to low-quality developers or any cloned titles with possible unverified RNGs. 

User & Mobile Experience (0–5 Points)

• 0-1 point (Poor): An old-fashioned platform, which is difficult to navigate and with poor mobile capabilities and frequent lagging.
• 3 points (Good): A smooth and clean interface with quick and easy mobile access.
• 5 points (Excellent): A seamless layout, excellent organisation, fast loading times and a native app.

How we test: We use a range of desktop and mobile devices and test a variety of browsers, including Chrome and Firefox. Ease of navigation is measured with the number of clicks required to sign up, deposit, play and withdraw. When it comes to apps, we install, check for memory usage, assess security, reliability and performance. 

Why this protects you: Being upfront about the casino’s capabilities and usability ensures you are fully informed before signing up and hitting a roadblock.

5. Customer Support (10 Points)

If you’ve ever needed to reach out for help at a casino, then you’ll understand how important this section is. Good player support is key to a positive experience for New Zealanders. So, here’s where we assess the accessibility, variety, quality, speed and responsiveness.

• 0-3 points (Poor): Just email available and with slow replies of 24h+.
• 4-7 points (Good): Responses within a couple of hours for email and easy-to-access live chat.
• 8-10 points (Excellent): 24/7 live chat with instant responses, multi-channel support – email, Telegram, etc and a detailed help centre.  

How we test: For each channel we run four test scenarios. We ask about: 1. bonus term clarifications, 2. delayed withdrawal issues, 3. setting a self-exclusion and 4. help with KYC verification. We record how long responses take, the accuracy of the response, friendliness and whether responsible gambling tools were discussed. 

Why this protects you: Quality and rapid support from true gambling experts will always help to alleviate your stress and enhance your overall experience. 

6. Popularity & User Feedback (10 Points)

It’s all very well for us to give you our opinions, but how about what other players think? Independent gambling community members are a reputable source of how well a casino treats its players. Which is why we include this section in our process, to consult and reveal real user experiences. 

• 0-3 points (Poor): Overall negative feedback with the casino not addressing negative reviews on forums. Some unresolved complaints relating to slow withdrawals, withheld winnings, unfair bonus practices and being ignored by support. 

• 4-7 points (Good): A mixture of reviews which are generally positive. Some complaints, which the casino is active in responding to and resolving fairly. 

• 8-10 points (Excellent): A widespread strong reputation across multiple forums and platforms such as Reddit, Trustpilot and localised NZ sites. Positive feedback which can be verified, and a high rate of resolved complaints.  

How we test: We trawl through independent rating platforms and speak within Kiwi gambling forums to get to the heart of the truth. This allows us to use verified opinions rather than one-off comments that may skew the overall facts. We always prioritise recent reviews, as bad casinos do change, so we like to be fair and give everyone a chance to improve. 

Why this protects you: By using reputable sources, we can bring you the good and the bad of what’s really going on behind the scenes. This prevents common malpractices and poor behaviour from remaining hidden in the shadows. Allowing you to make solid, safe and better-informed decisions.