Last updated: June 2026 — Liam Harewood, Quilpiediggers
At Quilpiediggers, every review published on quilpiediggers.com is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by site owner and lead reviewer Liam Harewood. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria matter most, and how we keep our assessments honest and independent. If you have ever wondered what goes into a Quilpiediggers rating before trusting it with your real money, read on.
Liam Harewood personally tests every online casino and pokie site reviewed on this platform before a single word is published. That means creating a real player account, depositing actual New Zealand dollars, playing a cross-section of pokie games, claiming available bonuses, and contacting customer support with genuine questions. No site receives a rating based on press materials, operator briefings, or second-hand information. This direct, first-person approach is the foundation of everything Quilpiediggers publishes in 2026.
Liam has spent years focused specifically on the NZ online pokies market, giving him a detailed understanding of local payment preferences, relevant licensing frameworks, software providers popular with New Zealand players, and the withdrawal speeds that Kiwi players actually experience day to day.
Before deeper testing begins, each site is checked against a baseline set of requirements. A site must hold a valid licence from a recognised regulatory authority and must actively accept New Zealand players. Sites that fail this initial screen are not reviewed and are not listed on Quilpiediggers.
Liam registers a real account using standard New Zealand details, documents how smooth the sign-up process is, and notes how quickly identity verification is handled. Friction at this stage is recorded and factored into the final score.
A real NZD deposit is made using payment methods commonly available to New Zealand players. A withdrawal request is then submitted and tracked through to completion. Actual processing times, fees, and any complications are logged precisely as they occur.
A selection of pokie titles is played across multiple software providers to assess loading speed, mobile responsiveness, RTP transparency, and overall variety. Both free-play and real-money modes are tested where available.
Welcome offers and ongoing promotions are claimed and their terms read in full. Wagering requirements, game restrictions, time limits, and maximum cashout caps are all recorded. Liam calculates the realistic value of each bonus rather than simply reporting the headline figure.
Support is contacted via live chat and email with genuine queries. Response times, accuracy of answers, and overall helpfulness are measured and scored.
All gathered data is compiled into a weighted score and a detailed written review is produced. No operator has the right to review, approve, or alter the final content before it is published.
Each site is scored out of 10 in six individual categories. Those category scores are then weighted to produce an overall Quilpiediggers rating, also out of 10. The table below shows each category and the weight it carries in the final score.
| Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Regulatory authority, licence validity, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair play certifications |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Real value of welcome offers, wagering requirements, bonus terms fairness, ongoing promotions for existing players |
| Game Selection | 20% | Number and variety of pokie titles, software provider quality, RTP availability, new releases and exclusive games |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZD support, available deposit and withdrawal options, actual processing times, fees, withdrawal limits |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability hours, response speed, quality and accuracy of answers, available contact channels |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Browser-based mobile performance, dedicated app availability, game loading on mobile, ease of navigation |
Every site reviewed on Quilpiediggers receives an overall score from 1 to 10, calculated using the weighted categories above. Here is how to interpret those scores:
Sites scoring below 6.0 are typically not featured in our recommended lists, though they may appear in comparison articles where context is useful for readers.
Independence is not just a claim here — it is built into how Quilpiediggers operates. The following practices keep our reviews free from operator influence:
If you have questions about how a specific site was evaluated, or if you believe a review contains inaccurate information, you are welcome to get in touch through the contact page at quilpiediggers.com. Liam Harewood reads all correspondence and responds personally to substantive questions about review methodology.