Last updated: May 2026 — Liam Ashworth, Eatonlawfirm
How We Rate Online Pokies Sites in NZ: Our Review Methodology
Our Commitment to Honest, Independent Reviews
At Eatonlawfirm (eatonlawfirm.net), every casino and online pokies review published on this site is the result of a thorough, hands-on evaluation process carried out by Liam Ashworth. Our goal is simple: to give New Zealand players the clearest, most reliable picture of where they can play safely and enjoyably in 2026. We do not accept payment from operators to influence our ratings, and we never publish a review based on marketing materials alone.
This page explains exactly how we assess each online pokies site, what criteria matter most, how scores are calculated, and why you can trust what you read here.
Step-by-Step: How Liam Ashworth Reviews Each Site
Liam Ashworth personally tests every site before a single word of a review is written. There are no shortcuts, no outsourced opinions, and no copy-pasted press releases. Here is the process followed for every evaluation:
- Step 1 – Account Registration: Liam creates a real player account using a New Zealand identity and goes through the full sign-up and KYC verification process to assess speed and ease.
- Step 2 – Licensing Verification: All licence details are checked directly against the issuing authority's public database to confirm legitimacy and current standing.
- Step 3 – Bonus Claiming: Welcome bonuses and free spin offers are claimed personally. Terms and wagering requirements are read in full and evaluated against industry standards.
- Step 4 – Game Testing: A cross-section of online pokies is played, including popular NZ titles, progressive jackpots, and demo modes. Software providers are noted and RTP figures are verified where available.
- Step 5 – Deposit and Withdrawal Testing: Real deposits are made using payment methods available to NZ players. Withdrawal requests are submitted and processing times are recorded.
- Step 6 – Customer Support Evaluation: Live chat, email, and where available, phone support are all contacted with a range of questions to assess response time and quality.
- Step 7 – Mobile Testing: The site is accessed on both iOS and Android devices to evaluate the mobile browser experience and any dedicated app functionality.
- Step 8 – Scoring and Writing: Only after completing all the above steps does Liam assign scores and write the final review.
Our Rating Criteria and Weightings
Each site is scored out of 10 across six key categories. These scores are then weighted and combined to produce a final overall rating out of 10. The table below shows each category and the importance we assign to it:
| Category |
Weighting |
What We Look At |
| Licensing and Safety |
25% |
Regulator credibility, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair play certification |
| Bonuses and Promotions |
20% |
Welcome offers, free spins, wagering requirements, fairness of terms, ongoing promotions |
| Game Selection |
20% |
Number and variety of pokies, software providers, jackpot options, RTP transparency |
| Payment Methods |
15% |
NZ-friendly options, deposit and withdrawal speeds, transaction fees, crypto availability |
| Customer Support |
10% |
Availability hours, response times, quality of answers, live chat performance |
| Mobile Experience |
10% |
Mobile browser quality, app availability, load times, game compatibility on smaller screens |
Understanding Our Rating Scale
All sites are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with decimal points used to reflect fine distinctions between sites. Here is a general guide to what each range means:
- 9.0 – 10.0 (Outstanding): Exceptional across all categories. Highly recommended for NZ players.
- 7.5 – 8.9 (Very Good): Strong overall performance with only minor shortcomings.
- 6.0 – 7.4 (Good): Solid choice but with notable areas that could be improved.
- 4.0 – 5.9 (Average): Passes basic standards but has significant weaknesses worth knowing about.
- Below 4.0 (Not Recommended): Fails to meet acceptable standards. We advise NZ players to avoid these sites.
How Eatonlawfirm Stays Unbiased
Independence is the foundation of everything we do at Eatonlawfirm. Here is how we protect the integrity of our reviews:
- No pay-to-play ratings: Operators cannot purchase a higher score or a featured position in exchange for money. Affiliate relationships, where they exist, never influence the score a site receives.
- Negative reviews are published: If a site fails our standards, we say so clearly. Poor scores are not removed because an operator objects.
- Scores are updated regularly: A casino that was excellent in 2025 may not be in 2026. Liam revisits ratings when significant changes occur at a site, such as ownership changes, licence issues, or updated terms.
- Transparent criteria: You can see exactly what we measure and how much each factor contributes to the final score. There are no hidden judgements.
- Reader feedback considered: Genuine player complaints submitted to eatonlawfirm.net are factored into ongoing review updates where patterns of issues emerge.
A Note on Responsible Gambling
Licensing and safety carries the highest weighting in our methodology for a reason. Liam Ashworth believes that no bonus, game library, or payment feature outweighs the importance of player protection. Sites reviewed on Eatonlawfirm are assessed for the quality of their responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and links to support services relevant to New Zealand players.