Last updated: May 2026 — Liam Harrington, Amherstirish

How We Rate

Our Review Methodology at Amherstirish

At Amherstirish (amherstirish.org), every online pokies review published on this site is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out personally by Liam Harrington. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria are used, how scores are calculated, and how we protect our editorial independence from casino operators. If you have ever wondered why one site scores higher than another, the answer is right here.

Who Reviews the Sites

Liam Harrington is the sole author and owner of Amherstirish. Liam has spent years testing online casinos and pokies platforms available to New Zealand players, building a detailed understanding of what separates a trustworthy, enjoyable experience from a frustrating or even dangerous one. Every casino that appears on this site has been personally tested by Liam using a real account, real deposits where applicable, and genuine gameplay sessions before a single word of the review is written. No review is based on press releases, operator-supplied materials, or second-hand information.

The Step-by-Step Review Process

Each site goes through the following stages before receiving a final score:

• Step 1 – Licence verification. Liam confirms the casino holds a valid licence from a recognised regulatory authority before anything else is checked. Unlicensed sites are not reviewed.
• Step 2 – Account registration. A real player account is created using a New Zealand identity and contact details to reflect the genuine NZ player experience in 2026.
• Step 3 – Bonus claiming. Where a welcome bonus or free spins offer is available, Liam claims it and reads the full terms and conditions, including wagering requirements, game restrictions, and withdrawal caps.
• Step 4 – Gameplay testing. A selection of pokies is played, including popular titles and newer releases, to assess load times, visual quality, fairness indicators, and overall enjoyment.
• Step 5 – Deposit and withdrawal testing. At least one deposit and one withdrawal attempt is made using payment methods available to NZ players, and processing times are recorded.
• Step 6 – Customer support contact. The support team is contacted via live chat and, where available, email, to test response speed, accuracy, and professionalism.
• Step 7 – Mobile testing. The site is accessed on a mobile device to evaluate the responsive design, navigation, and whether pokies perform correctly without a dedicated app.
• Step 8 – Score calculation. All findings are scored against the weighted criteria described below, and a final rating is assigned.

Rating Criteria and Weightings

Amherstirish uses a 10-point rating scale. Each site receives a score from 1 to 10, where 10 represents an exceptional experience and 1 represents a site that fails on nearly every measure. The overall score is a weighted average based on six categories:

Category	Weighting	What We Look At
Licensing and Safety	25%	Regulatory licence validity, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair play certification
Bonuses and Promotions	20%	Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, free spins terms, ongoing promotions for NZ players
Game Selection	20%	Number of pokies titles, software providers, RTP availability, jackpot options, new releases
Payment Methods	15%	NZD support, deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, fee transparency
Customer Support	10%	Live chat availability, response time, quality of answers, email and phone options
Mobile Experience	10%	Mobile browser performance, layout quality, touch navigation, game compatibility on small screens

Understanding the Score Scale

• 9.0 – 10.0: Outstanding. Highly recommended for NZ players.
• 7.0 – 8.9: Very good. Solid choice with minor shortcomings.
• 5.0 – 6.9: Average. Acceptable but worth comparing alternatives first.
• 3.0 – 4.9: Below average. Notable weaknesses that may affect your experience.
• 1.0 – 2.9: Poor. Not recommended. Proceed with caution or avoid entirely.

How Amherstirish Stays Unbiased

Independence is the foundation of everything published on this site. Amherstirish may earn referral commissions when readers sign up to a casino through links on this site. However, no operator pays for a higher score, a positive review, or featured placement based on advertising spend. Liam Harrington sets every score independently based solely on the testing process described above.

Casinos that perform poorly receive low scores regardless of any commercial relationship. Sites that are found to be unsafe, operate without a valid licence, or engage in unfair practices toward players will not be listed on Amherstirish at all. Affiliate income supports the running costs of the site but never influences editorial decisions.

All reviews are updated regularly. If a casino changes its terms, improves its platform, or falls below the standards it previously met, the review and score are revised to reflect the current experience as of 2026.

Questions About Our Methodology

If you have a question about how a specific site was rated, or if you believe a review contains an error, you are welcome to get in touch directly through the contact page. Liam Harrington reads and responds to reader feedback personally, and corrections are published promptly when warranted.