How We Review Online Casinos
Reviewed by Jack Raukura
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you register or make a deposit — at no additional cost to you. This helps us keep Everybodys.co.nz free and consistently up to date. We only recommend casinos that meet our rigorous review criteria.
Each week, our in-house review team—trusted by over 12,000 visitors—tests four online casinos. Acting as mystery shoppers, our reviewers deposit real money and play just like regular users to evaluate the full player experience. Their insights, combined with thorough research into each casino’s background, legal terms, and reputation among New Zealand players, form the basis of our ratings.
Gambling is meant to be enjoyable and entertaining. If you decide to play, please gamble responsibly—set limits, stay within your budget, and never try to win back lost money. If you're in New Zealand and need support, contact Gambling Helpline NZ at 0800 654 655 or visit gamblinghelpline.co.nz for free, confidential help available 24/7.
The online casinos listed on this site are intended for players aged 20 and over. In New Zealand, the legal gambling age is 20, as outlined in the Gambling Act 2003 and its amendments. Anyone caught gambling underage may face fines of up to NZ$500. If you're accessing this website from another country, please ensure you follow your own local laws regarding the legal gambling age.
Why the hell should you trust our reviews?
Look, if I had a buck every time someone claimed their review was “100% honest and unbiased,” I’d probably be sipping cocktails on a private island right now. Reality check: most of those “independent” review sites are basically casino cheerleaders with a paycheck.
So why is Everybody’s different? Here’s the deal:
- We’ve been around the block so many times we can spot bullsh*t from a mile away. Seriously, I’ve seen more dodgy casinos than bad Tinder dates.
- No shady paid placements here. Nobody slips us a fat envelope to hype their slot with fake “best ever” badges.
- We don’t sugarcoat crap. If a casino drags its feet on payouts or treats players like garbage, you’ll hear about it straight-up — no corporate spin, no soft-pedaling.
How we actually test casinos (spoiler: it’s not just clicking screenshots)
The process? Pretty simple, but we do it like a regular Joe, not some suit trying to butter up the marketing team. Here’s how it rolls:
- Sign up like a normal punter. No VIP passes, no secret handshakes. Just me and a keyboard.
- Deposit some cash. Whatever payment options they offer — credit card, PayPal, crypto — I throw money at it.
- Play the hell out of their games. Slots, live dealers, even bingo if I’m feeling wild.
- Activate their bonuses. Because anyone can say “free bonus,” but is it actually worth a damn?
- Try to cash out. This is where the rubber meets the road.
- Bug customer support. With dumb questions. If they don’t have patience or competence, that’s a big red flag.
- Compare it all to their terms. What they promise vs. what you actually get — spoiler alert: often very different stories.
What we look at in every single casino
Forget fancy colors or shiny buttons. We want to know the real deal:
- How fast do they pay out?
- Is the verification process a nightmare or smooth sailing?
- What’s the deal with bet limits and withdrawal caps?
- How fresh and juicy is their game library?
- Does their mobile site actually work, or is it a buggy mess?
- Are the bonus terms fair, or just marketing smoke and mirrors?
Basically, the stuff that makes you want to play — or slam your laptop shut.
The no-BS criteria we run casinos through
| Criterion | Why it matters and what we check |
|---|---|
| Licensing & Regulation | Who’s watching them? Curaçao? Malta? UKGC? Each license tells a story. |
| Payment options & speed | Variety of deposit methods, withdrawal speed, and hidden fees — we sniff out the fine print. |
| Bonuses & T&Cs | Size isn’t everything. We dig into wagering requirements and catch the traps. |
| Game selection & software | Are top-tier providers onboard, or is it just cheap knock-offs? |
| Customer support | Can you actually get help at 3 AM, or is it just an automated robot throwing canned replies? |
| Mobile experience | Can you play anywhere without your phone turning into a brick? |
| Security & Fair Play | SSL encryption, RNG certifications — no shady business allowed. |
| Player feedback | We lurk on forums and social media, catching real players’ rants and raves. |
How we put bonuses to the test (and why most are just shiny traps)
Bonuses can be a godsend or a total scam. We don’t just eyeball the flashy headline numbers; we go full detective mode:
- Grab the bonus and activate it.
- Read the entire fine print — no skimming allowed.
- Play through it for real. No abusing loopholes, just normal gameplay.
- See if you can actually withdraw any winnings, or if the casino slaps on ridiculous rules to keep your money locked up.
If it’s a load of crap, you’ll hear us call it out. If it’s legit, we say so loud and clear.
Staying objective when money’s on the line
Alright, confession time. Yeah, we use affiliate links. If you click one and sign up, we might get a small cut. But here’s the kicker: that doesn’t mean we pander to whoever pays more. If a casino sucks, no commission in the world will get us to hype it. We’d rather eat a cactus than shove garbage your way.
Reputation means everything. You’re not fools, and I’m not a sellout.
How often do we keep these reviews fresh?
Online casinos change like chameleons on steroids. New games, updated bonuses, sudden country restrictions — if we didn’t keep up, these reviews would be useless relics.
So:
- Popular casinos get a full check-up every month.
- We jump on any complaints or user feedback ASAP.
- Reviews get updated the second something big changes — new license? Shady payment method? Support going dark? We’re on it.
If you see a recent date on an Everybody’s review, it’s not just for show. It means we’ve been digging recently.
Bottom line?
We’re not saints, nor gurus. Just a bunch of folks obsessed with sorting the real deals from the nonsense. We love to play, sure — but even more, we love playing fair.
If a casino doesn’t cut it, it gets the boot. No fluff, no sugar, just truth — sometimes with a bit of salty language thrown in.
So if you want honest reviews from someone who’s been in the trenches and isn’t scared to call out BS — welcome aboard.
