Security and Fair Play
To assess a casino’s security and legitimacy, we look for everything from relevant licenses to encryption technologies.
Gambling License and Certificates
The first thing anyone should look for when selecting a platform to gamble at is a legitimate license. There are many gaming authorities around the world that license online casinos, depending on their location. Having a license means that the platform follows all legal requirements and ensures fair play. Without a license, you may be involved with an illegal platform that is just scamming people.
Some of the most popular and reputable licensing authorities include:
SSL Encryption and Audit Reports
Every top casino website in the world needs to utilize the best possible encryption technologies to protect user data. The most updated SSL encryption protocols are a must for every platform. Our experts check for such solutions and also go through reports generated by third-party auditing companies like eCogra.
Responsible Gambling Solutions
While every casino in the world is a business entity, it should promote safe gambling. There are many people who fall into the trap of problem gambling and become addicted. Our experts check whether the casino they’re rating promotes safe gambling or not.
User Experience
The safest casinos may not be worth playing at if they don’t offer a solid user experience. These platforms should be easy to navigate and players should not have to put up with a laggy or complicated interface just to enjoy some gaming.
Registration and Deposit Process
Going through the sign-up process is the first step any user has to take when joining a betting platform. It should therefore be quick and simple. Most casinos ask for identification information when players sign up, however, the process should not be a difficult one to complete.
Another crucial element of gambling is making deposits. Our experts deposit real money into their accounts to see how quick and easy the process is. Only those casinos with a fast deposit process get rated highly on our website.
Know Your Client Process
Whenever it comes to handling money, platforms need to know their clients to ensure that everything is legit and legal. This involves asking for things like government-issued ID and address. We check how secure this process is at each platform and how fast it is. No one wants to go through multiple forms, filling up tons of information, just to play some pokies.
Mobile Gaming
One of the greatest things about online gambling is how accessible it is. A big part of that is the ability to play casino games on mobile devices while you’re out and about. A lot of casinos don’t have dedicated applications but they do have sites that are well-optimized for use on mobile phones and other devices. Our experts test the websites’ mobile compatibility, not just in terms of the playing experience but also in terms of making payments, claiming bonuses, etc.
Customer Support
Offering 24/7 live chat opportunities is the pinnacle of customer support for online casinos. We check what kinds of communication are available at each casino and how easy it is to get in touch with the relevant team. We also test the quality of these interactions because customers should be able to get their issues resolved efficiently.
User Reviews
Our experts also take into account the reviews by other customers. They go through various online platforms where the casinos are rated by players and then compare those ratings with their own assessments.
Our Expert Opinions
To rate NZ casinos, our professionals actually sign up for their accounts and play games as any regular user would. They deposit cash, withdraw winnings, and claim bonuses to get the complete experience. Only then do they offer their own opinion of each platform.
Welcome and Ongoing Bonuses
Finding and claiming bonuses are great ways to enjoy online gambling. Any good casino will have a welcome bonus offer that provides a nice boost to your deposits and add free spins to your account so you can play more. We check what kinds of bonuses are available, what the process of claiming them is like, what their wagering requirements are, how much you can win, and what the minimum deposit is, among a lot more.
Payments
Perhaps the biggest concern people have when gambling online is regarding their money. They need access to safe and fast banking options so they can always get their money out. That is why our expert team goes over all the primary aspects of making and receiving payments.
NZD Currency
Casinos operating in New Zealand should support the use of NZD as a currency. It’s always better to pay in your local currency to avoid any conversion fees, etc. This is an important metric to consider when rating platforms for players from New Zealand.
Payment Options Available
Not everyone uses the same payment methods online, which is why we assess the variety of banking options available. The best casinos for the Kiwis offer multiple solutions like VISA, MasterCard, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Skrill, and wire transfer, along with a lot more.
Withdrawal Process and Duration
Players shouldn’t have to wait for days when withdrawing their winnings. We check how long it takes to get money into your bank account via different payment options. We also test how much you have to pay in fees when withdrawing your cash.
Gaming Experience
At the end of the day, people go to casinos to enjoy themselves. The overall gaming experience, therefore, is a big part of our expert recommendations.
Available Gaming Variety
The more games that are available, the higher a casino gets rated. There should be a variety of slots and table games so everyone can play something they truly enjoy.
RTP Rates
Our highest-recommended casinos have RTP rates of over 95% because players should be able to walk away with as much of their winnings as possible. Anything less than 95% does not get a big recommendation from our experts.
Game Developers
The presence of leading game developers gives a lot of points to a casino. Top names like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Evolution Gaming not only produce excellent games but also give players the peace of mind that they’re not being scammed.
Live Casino Availability
What’s better than playing casino games at home? Playing against real people in the presence of a real croupier, of course. That is why having a live casino section is crucial in our books for any online platform to be rated highly.
Free Gaming Options
Not every platform offers free gaming options. The ones that do, however, get extra points. Free games, or demo games, let players enjoy without having the pressure that comes with spending money. These demo games also give them a taste of what the casino is like. This can help them decide whether to join one or not.
How to Recognize Scam Gambling Casinos
There are many casinos out there that are straight-up scams. These platforms are only looking to steal people’s money and waste their time. Here are some things that can often point toward a scam platform:
- The lack of a proper gambling license from a reputable authority.
- No information about SSL encryption.
- No third-party audits to ensure fair play and security of data.
- Terms and conditions that are designed to confuse you.
- Lack of reliable deposit and withdrawal options.
- Lack of reputable game developers.
- No information about RTP rates.
