Last updated: June 2026 — James Wilson, Rogerellis
At Rogerellis (rogerellis.co.nz), every casino and pokie site you see reviewed has gone through a thorough, hands-on evaluation process. Site owner and lead reviewer James Wilson personally tests each platform before a single word of a review is written. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria matter most, and why you can trust the ratings you find here.
We have been evaluating online pokies sites for New Zealand players since our launch, and our methodology has been refined continuously to reflect what Kiwi players actually care about. No site pays us to be reviewed, and no operator influences our scores. Our only obligation is to the players reading this site.
Before James creates an account or deposits a single dollar, he verifies the site holds a valid gambling licence from a recognised authority. He checks the licence number directly on the issuing regulator's website to confirm it is active and legitimate. Sites that cannot pass this first gate are rejected immediately and never published on Rogerellis.
James registers a real account using standard New Zealand player details. He goes through the full KYC (Know Your Customer) verification process to assess how smooth, fast, and secure it is. This step also tests whether the site accepts NZ players without unnecessary friction.
James makes a real-money deposit using payment methods commonly available to NZ players, including Visa, Mastercard, and popular e-wallets. He notes how quickly funds arrive, whether any fees apply, and how transparent the site is about its banking terms.
James actively claims the welcome bonus and any available promotions to read the full terms and conditions carefully. He calculates real wagering requirements, checks game contribution rates, and identifies any restrictions that could catch NZ players off guard.
James plays a selection of pokie games across different software providers, volatility levels, and themes. He tests load times, game stability, RTP transparency, and the overall entertainment quality from a genuine player's perspective.
James contacts the support team through every available channel, including live chat, email, and where available, phone. He records response times, the quality of answers provided, and whether agents are knowledgeable about NZ-specific questions.
Every site is tested on a mobile device using both browser and app (where one exists). James assesses how well the pokie library translates to a smaller screen, navigation ease, and whether the mobile experience matches the desktop version in quality.
James requests a withdrawal to test the full cashout process end to end. He records how long it takes, whether additional verification is requested, and whether the process matches what the site advertises.
Each site is scored out of 10 in six core categories. The final overall score is a weighted average based on how much each factor matters to a typical NZ pokie player.
| Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Valid licence, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair terms |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Bonus value, wagering requirements, fairness of terms, ongoing offers |
| Game Selection | 20% | Number of pokies, software providers, RTP availability, new releases |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZ-friendly options, deposit and withdrawal speeds, fees, limits |
| Customer Support | 10% | Response time, availability hours, quality of assistance |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Mobile design, pokie performance, navigation, app availability |
All sites are scored on a scale of 1 to 10, with the final score representing the weighted total across all six categories. Here is what each range means in plain terms:
Sites scoring below 6.0 are generally not featured in our main recommendations, though they may appear in comparison tables for context.
Independence is the foundation of everything we publish. Here is how we protect the integrity of every review on this site:
The online pokies landscape in New Zealand continues to evolve, and so does our methodology. James Wilson updates this review process whenever new payment technologies, regulatory changes, or player safety developments require it. If you have a question about how a specific site was rated, or if you believe a rating needs updating, you are welcome to contact us directly through the Rogerellis website. Player feedback has shaped our process before, and it will continue to do so.