How We Review Casinos

CasinoAlpha Reviews

CasinoAlpha New Zealand released its first online casino review in 2021. Today, we collect & analyze data from over 100 sites, and review an average of 15 online casinos each month. Our average results each month are as follows:

• 20 research entries
• 30 tested offers
• 35 data points & industry statistics every month
• 10-15 online casino reviews monthly

The CasinoAlpha 2022 gambling reports are evaluated at an average 5.3% annual error rate.

Our research strategies are designed to reduce the annual error rate by at least 0.6% every 6 months.

We review and update the data we process monthly to achieve higher accuracy levels.

CasinoAlpha NZ online casino reviews are based on in-depth industry knowledge, such as:

• Hard data entries on casino software development, including encryption types and Random Number Generators;
• Legal structures around gambling, taxes, and licensing;
• News about the gambling industry trends like popular games, payment services, average betting limits, etc.;
• Updates on casino-owning companies;
• Technical knowledge of game rules, types, and strategies;
• Live dealer conduct and casino support standards.

We compare 100% of our reviewed operators with their competitors and our industry information.

The Casinoalpha.co.nz 2022 database includes over +200 customer reports and reviews that we add to our online casino review results.

Data-driven Leadership & Research Management

Tudor Turiceanu is the Chief Editor and Data Management Leader at CasinoAlpha.

Our founder, Tudor, brings over 17 years of invaluable experience and is highly regarded in the gambling industry. His wealth of expertise allows him to meticulously analyze the intricacies of the New Zealand gambling market while leading the testing and data research processes at CasinoAlpha. Furthermore, he plays a pivotal role in establishing the definitive ratings for every online casino review on CasinoAlpha. Tudor’s leadership ensures that our reviews are thorough and trustworthy.

CasinoAlpha Workflow

A total of 12 CasinoAlpha NZ experts are involved in creating between 15 and 30 online casino reviews each month.

Four people research a casino’s reputation, security, software, licenses, certifications, and owning company.

A CasinoAlpha author creates the review, and two senior editors check the accuracy and relevance of the online casino review. Our main editor, Tudor Turiceanu, checks and approves it before it is published on casinoalpha.co.nz.

We invest every month an average of:

• 100 hours of research
• 200 hours of website testing and casino data collection;
• 60 hours of expert data analysis and online casino review development;
• 72 hours of online casino review updates;
• 60 hours of collecting and processing customer online casino reviews;
• $900 in casino deposits and wagering.

CasinoAlpha also invests $8000 annually in trending devices to gather accurate and relevant details to spot the best online casino in New Zealand.

Casino Testing Methodology

The full casino testing process at CasinoAlpha NZ includes 3 key stages:

• Extensive research;
• Data collection;
• Expert analysis.

Research Stages

• Check legitimacy & casino license in the casino terms;
• Collect the casino license number from the licensing authority’s official database;
• Find official certifications from independent site testers like eCOGRA;
• Verify the website’s security specifications, like encryption type;
• Check the site’s launch year and experience;
• Get information about the company owning the casino;
• Find the casino’s sister sites;
• Collect online casino reviews from Kiwi users.

Data Collection Process

To collect information that impacts Kiwi users, CasinoAlpha’s experts:

• Test how long the registration process takes;
• Verify the account and note the KYC documents and process;
• Test navigation on desktop and mobile;
• Examine the casino apps available and downloading process;
• Test the casino’s most popular games and record the number of games and categories;
• Play with the minimum and maximum bets for each game category;
• Check the providers available on the website and how their games perform;
• Test available deposit methods, limits, time and fees;
• Cash-out and note withdrawal limits, policies, and processing times;
• Examine the quality and availability of casino customer support.

Objective Analysis and Review

CasinoAlpha New Zealand’s analysis system compares a casino’s data with that of its competitors to identify where a casino stands out. Each CasinoAlpha online casino review evaluates a casino’s performance based on industry information, user experiences, and our quality criteria.

Anonymous tests with live accounts

At CasinoAlpha, we are dedicated to upholding the integrity and fairness of our online casino reviews. Our team of experts takes the time to immerse themselves in each casino experience, ensuring that our reviews are both precise and trustworthy.

By anonymously creating live accounts and undergoing the same process as any player, including the KYC check, we strive to provide authentic and reliable insights for our audience. Join us in exploring the world of online casinos!

Usability

Our CasinoAlpha NZ online casino experts test the usability of an online casino, taking into account 3 major aspects:

Desktop

Our team browse each casino website to see if the overall interface is player-oriented and easy to use. They enter each category and note how well it’s organized if players can find any information quickly, and if there are any glitches.

They also consider the graphics and positioning of each element on each casino page.

Mobile

Since many Kiwi gamblers use their phones to access online casinos, these sites must be mobile-friendly.

So, our online casino review experts scroll through each site on mobile, take a closer look at how each element appears and if the overall interface looks crowded or tiring to Kiwi players.

The CasinoAlpha NZ team also checks for any differences between the Desktop and the mobile versions.

Apps

A casino app provides ease of use and could even offer special casino features. Therefore, our experts research whether a casino has an iOS and Android app and download them to see how well they work.

Slot games

To review the performance of a casino with Slot games, CasinoAlpha experts test a large variety of top Slots, like 5-reel Slots, Progressives, Classic Slots, Jackpots, etc. They look for top providers and the total number of Slot games to establish if the casino provides variety.

They make a minimum first bet between $0.10 and $0.50 and invest in different Slot games. One crucial step they take to see if the casino games are legit is to verify the payout rate, either in the T&Cs or at specialized testing agencies like eCOGRA (if available).

Live games

In the case of live dealer games, our online casino review experts start with the betting limits. They enter lobbies from multiple games and make bets according to the established rules of each game. Then, they look for the available top providers and game variety, namely, Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, and Live Baccarat.

They also consider the subtypes for each live dealer game to test the variety.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Our online casino review team chooses multiple payment methods on each casino site and tests them. They invest the minimum deposit sum and input their details to make a first deposit. Then, they make a withdrawal to find out the payout processing time. The team also looks for the maximum cashout sum in the Terms and Conditions to make sure they don’t withdraw more than it is allowed.

Customer Support

Customer support is crucial when you encounter a problem! Our experts search for the available support methods, namely 24/7 Live Chat and e-mail assistance. They also contact them to see if they are reliable.

Apart from these 2 options, our experts look for pre-registration support options or VIP assistance to offer additional help to Kiwi players.

Legitimacy & Fairness

All NZ online casinos listed on the CasinoAlpha New Zealand website are licensed by at least a gambling regulatory body, like the Malta Gaming Authority or the Kahnawake Commission.

The CasinoAlpha team looks for evidence of a valid gambling license in the site’s T&Cs or footer.

Another aspect they constantly check is a gaming license provided by an independent auditor, like eCOGRA or iTechLabs. They take this step to make sure the payout rate and other gaming variables are fair towards any Kiwi player.

Reputation

The reputation of the casino company is a significant factor in the testing process at casinoalpha.co.nz. Initially, two CasinoAlpha NZ experts thoroughly read the Terms and Conditions and identified the most crucial details while also flagging any misleading information. In addition, CasinoAlpha experts consider the overall activity of a casino brand, including its products, markets, and years of operation. They document all this information in every online casino review, while also scrutinizing for any lack of transparency from the company.

Testing Devices

To see how well a site performs, online casino review experts conduct tests on both mobile devices and laptops. They use the iPhone 12 Pro and MacBook Air as testing devices to look for glitches or system errors in a gambling platform. Testing on multiple devices is also a way to spot significant differences within the interface and to determine whether the casino is user-friendly.

CasinoAlpha Rating System

• Blacklisted
• Not recommended
• Barely recommended
• Recommended
• Highly recommended
• Excellent

The CasinoAlpha 2024 casino ratings are based on how we rate each relevant aspect of the gambling website.

We show our scores in every section of our online casino review and use objective methods to calculate them.

Unbiased Rating System Methodology

CasinoAlpha NZ uses objective methods to rate every part of users’ online casino experience:

Usability

To calculate our usability rating, CasinoAlpha experts check if a casino is mobile-friendly and if it has iOS and Android mobile apps. Our team also considers if registration and KYC are quick and easy, and if the desktop version loads fast and can be used without issues.

Deposits & Withdrawals

The CasinoAlpha rating system for deposits & withdrawals considers the number of popular payment providers available, how long it takes the site to process a payout request, and the minimum payment and maximum cash-out limits.

Slots

CasinoAlpha rates a casino’s slots according to the number of Slots providers popular in New Zealand, the number and variety of Slots, betting range, and average slot payout rate.

Live Dealer

Live dealer games ratings are calculated based on a casino’s number of Live tables and Live game providers, the number of game variations available, and their minimum and maximum wagers.

Customer Support

To rate a casino’s customer service, we consider the number of assistance methods and 24/7 help-desk availability. We also check if players can contact help-desk officers before making an account and if VIP gamers get additional support.

Reputation

At CasinoAlpha, we rate a casino’s reputation according to the clarity and fairness of its terms and conditions and years of industry experience. The CasinoAlpha NZ team also looks at how many products it offers and if they are available in different countries.

Legitimacy & Fairness

Our legality and fairness score considers the online casino’s licence, payout rate, and any certifications from independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. CasinoAlpha NZ checks for internationally renowned licensors like the UKGC and MGA.

FAQ

How long does each online casino review take?

It takes 6-8 hours to research and create a full online casino review and another 2 hours to check it from start to finish. CasinoAlpha’s experts know exactly what details to look for and where to find them, saving you valuable time.

How many CasinoAlpha experts create an online casino review?

A team of 8 CasinoAlpha NZ experts creates an online casino review. Some of the people involved in casino testing are part-time members, but every data entry is reviewed by a full-time professional. CasinoAlpha reviews are exclusively created by our authors based on the data entries, and a team of 3 different editors checks them before publication.

How often does CasinoAlpha update online casino reviews?

At CasinoAlpha New Zealand, we are dedicated to keeping our online casino reviews constantly updated to provide the most accurate and relevant information to our readers. Our passionate review team stays on top of all developments in the gambling industry, from regulatory changes to the latest innovative casino features. We also eagerly take part in iGaming conferences globally, ensuring that we are well-informed about the newest trends in each market. This commitment to ongoing research allows us to swiftly adapt our online casino reviews to mirror the current landscape.

Do paid partnerships influence the CasinoAlpha review process?

CasinoAlpha NZ reviews are not influenced by paid partnerships. About 30% the casino brands we list do not pay us and we don’t necessarily recommend to our readers the casinos that have monetary agreements with us. We focus on Kiwi players and give them professional and objective online casino reviews.