Our Commitment to Trust and Transparency

At PokiesOnline.co, we recognize that the 2026 landscape for online gaming in New Zealand has shifted. With the new licensing system now in effect, our role is to act as your independent watchdog, ensuring that every platform we mention adheres to the highest standards of safety, fairness, and legal compliance.

1. How We Vet Every Operator

We do not simply list sites; we audit them. Our “Kiwis-First” framework ensures that an operator is worthy of your trust before it appears on our pages.

NZ License Verification

In accordance with the Online Casino Gambling Bill, we verify that every featured operator holds one of the 15 available New Zealand licenses (or is within an authorized transitional period). We cross-reference all license numbers directly with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) public register.

Mandatory Fairness Auditing

We only review games from providers that use certified Random Number Generators (RNG). We look for stamps of approval from independent testing bodies like eCOGRA, GLI, or iTech Labs to confirm that the RTP (Return to Player) percentages are accurate.

2. Our Stance on 2026 Harm Minimisation

Player safety is our primary editorial pillar. Under the 2026 regulations, licensed sites must offer specific tools, and we test these features personally.

Mandatory Spend and Time Limits

We prioritize sites that enforce the setting of spend and deposit limits at the account creation stage. If a site makes it difficult for a New Zealander to control their budget, they will not receive a recommendation from us.

Age and Identity Verification

We strictly support the R18+ requirement. Our reviews confirm that operators utilize robust identity verification systems (KYC) to prevent minor gambling and ensure that funds are paid out only to the verified account holder.

3. Financial and Editorial Independence

Transparency about our business model is essential for your trust.

Affiliate Disclosure

As noted in our Affiliate Disclosure, we may earn a commission when you use our links. However, this never influences our ratings. We frequently give lower scores to partners who fail to meet our withdrawal speed or customer service benchmarks.

No Paid Endorsements

In line with NZ’s ban on paid endorsements from influencers and celebrities, our content is strictly editorial. We do not accept payment to “hide” negative user feedback or to promote unlicensed “black market” offshore sites.

4. Accountability and Local Presence

Unlike anonymous global review sites, we are part of the New Zealand community.

Our Auckland Office

We are located at 4 Williamson Avenue, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021. Our local presence ensures we are reachable and accountable under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Fair Trading Act.

Dispute Guidance

While we are an independent information hub and not a legal authority, we provide our readers with clear paths to resolution. If you have a conflict with a licensed operator, we guide you to the official DIA Complaints Framework.

5. Staying Informed with Regulatory Partners

We continuously update our content to align with the latest guidance from:

• The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)
• Safer Gambling New Zealand
• The Ministry of Health (Gambling Harm Division)