How We Review Online Casinos
By Jake Housewell | Last updated:
Every review on this site follows the same structured process. No shortcuts, no inflated scores, no hiding the bad parts.
1. Account Registration & KYC
We register a real account using a New Zealand identity. We do not use test accounts or press credentials provided by the casino — this gives us the same experience as a regular Kiwi player.
- Full registration flow tested, including email verification
- KYC documents submitted (NZ driver's licence + utility bill)
- Verification time measured and recorded
- Account restrictions and geo-blocking noted if applicable
2. Deposit Testing
We test at least two deposit methods available to NZ players, using real funds.
- Minimum deposit tested (typically NZ$20)
- Processing time measured from confirmation to balance credit
- Any fees charged by the casino recorded
- NZD processing confirmed (vs. currency conversion)
3. Withdrawal Verification
This is where most affiliate reviews cut corners. We submit a real withdrawal request and track it to completion.
- Request submitted and timestamp recorded
- Approval time measured separately from bank processing time
- Minimum and maximum limits verified against published terms
- Any additional document requests during withdrawal noted
- Monthly cap confirmed by requesting at the limit
4. Bonus Terms Audit
Welcome bonuses are read in full, including the general terms and conditions — not just the promotional landing page.
- Wagering requirement calculated in dollar terms (not just as "40x")
- Max bet restriction during wagering noted and tested
- Excluded games and payment methods identified
- Expiry windows recorded
- Retroactive terms changes checked in T&C update history where possible
5. Licence Verification
Licences are checked directly against the issuing authority's public database — we do not rely on the casino's own claims.
- MGA licence checked at authorisation.mga.org.mt
- Licence status (active, suspended, revoked) recorded
- Licence holder legal entity verified
- Any historical suspensions or regulatory actions noted
6. Customer Support Testing
Support is tested at multiple times relevant to NZ players, not just European business hours.
- Live chat tested during NZ daytime (NZST) and evening
- Email response time measured for a technical query
- Quality and accuracy of responses evaluated
- Phone support tested if available internationally
7. Scoring Criteria
Our final score out of 5 is weighted across six categories:
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Licensing & Security | 25% |
| Withdrawal Speed & Limits | 25% |
| Bonus Value & Fairness of Terms | 20% |
| Game Selection | 15% |
| Customer Support | 10% |
| Mobile Experience | 5% |
Update Policy
Reviews are re-checked and updated when:
- A casino changes its bonus terms or wagering requirements
- A licence status changes (suspension, reinstatement, revocation)
- Reader feedback identifies a discrepancy with our published findings
- At least every 6 months for active reviews
Each review shows a visible "Last updated" date. When substantial changes are made, we note what changed at the top of the review.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
This site earns affiliate commissions when readers register at casinos via our links. We disclose this on every page where affiliate links appear.
Our editorial process is not influenced by affiliate relationships:
- Reviewer compensation is not tied to review scores or click-through rates
- Negative findings are published regardless of affiliate status
- We do not accept payment for positive coverage
- Casinos cannot request changes to published review content
Questions about our methodology? Contact us at editorial@booocasino-nz.com