Last updated: May 2026 — Liam Kavanagh, Voir
Every casino review published on voir.me is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by Liam Kavanagh. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria matter most, and how we make sure our ratings stay honest and independent. If you are a New Zealand player looking for trustworthy online pokies recommendations in 2026, understanding our methodology will help you use our scores with confidence.
Liam Kavanagh is the sole author and owner of Voir. He personally registers a real account, makes real deposits using New Zealand dollars, claims bonuses where available, plays a selection of pokie titles, contacts customer support, and requests a withdrawal before writing any review. No review is published based on operator-supplied information alone. Every rating reflects direct, first-hand experience with the platform being assessed.
Liam has spent several years evaluating online gambling products specifically for the New Zealand market. His focus is on how a casino actually performs for a regular NZ player, not how it presents itself in marketing materials.
Before creating an account, Liam verifies the casino holds a recognised gambling licence. He checks the licensing authority, looks up the operator's history, and searches for any documented player complaints or regulatory actions. Sites with a poor compliance record are flagged immediately.
A real account is opened using standard New Zealand player details. Liam notes how long registration takes, what personal information is requested, and how smoothly the identity verification process runs.
A genuine deposit is made using payment methods that are commonly available to NZ players. Transaction speed, minimum deposit requirements, any fees applied, and the clarity of the banking interface are all recorded.
Where a welcome bonus or free spins offer exists, Liam claims it and works through the wagering requirements. He reads the full terms and conditions and notes any restrictions that could disadvantage a typical player.
A cross-section of pokies titles is played, including popular NZ favourites and new releases. Liam assesses game loading speed, software quality, RTP transparency, and the overall library size. Mobile gameplay is tested separately on both iOS and Android devices.
Support is contacted through every available channel, including live chat and email, with a mix of routine and more complex questions. Response time and the quality of answers are both evaluated.
A withdrawal is initiated to measure processing time and to confirm the casino pays out without unnecessary friction. This step is non-negotiable for any site to receive a complete rating on Voir.
Each casino is scored out of ten in six categories. A weighted average produces the final overall score displayed on the review page. The table below shows how each category contributes to the total.
| Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Licence validity, responsible gambling tools, data security, fair play certification |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Offer value, wagering requirements, time limits, game restrictions, bonus terms fairness |
| Game Selection | 20% | Total number of pokies, software providers, new releases, RTP information availability |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZD support, deposit and withdrawal speed, available options, fee transparency |
| Customer Support | 10% | Response time, availability hours, quality of answers, number of contact channels |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | App or browser performance, game loading on mobile, navigation ease, feature parity |
Final scores are presented on a scale of one to ten. The bands below describe what each range means in plain terms.
Voir may earn affiliate commissions when readers sign up to casinos through links on this site. This is how the site is funded. However, commercial relationships never influence scores or written conclusions. Liam applies the same methodology to every casino regardless of whether an affiliate agreement exists. Sites that perform poorly receive low scores and honest criticism even where a revenue relationship is in place. Casinos that fail basic safety checks are not listed at all.
Scores are reviewed and updated whenever a significant change occurs at a casino, such as a change of licence, new ownership, or player-reported withdrawal problems. Voir does not accept payment from operators in exchange for higher ratings or favourable editorial coverage.
If you have a question about how a specific casino was rated, you are welcome to contact Liam directly through the contact page on voir.me.