How We Rate

Our Review Methodology at Bunce

Every casino review published on bunce.co.nz is the result of a thorough, hands-on evaluation process carried out by Liam Harwood. Before a single word is written, Liam personally registers an account, makes real deposits, claims bonuses, plays games, tests customer support, and attempts withdrawals. No shortcuts. No assumptions. Just honest, ground-level testing designed to give New Zealand players the information they actually need in 2026.

This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria matter, how much weight each one carries, and how Bunce maintains editorial independence from the casinos we review.

Step-by-Step Review Process

Step 1: Initial Background Check

Before spending any time on a casino, Liam verifies its licensing credentials and checks its history. Unlicensed or blacklisted operators are immediately excluded and added to our casinos to avoid list. Only platforms holding a valid licence from a recognised regulatory authority move forward in the review process.

Step 2: Account Registration

Liam creates a genuine player account using New Zealand credentials. This tests how smooth the sign-up process is, whether identity verification is straightforward, and whether the casino is genuinely accessible to NZ players without unnecessary friction.

Step 3: Depositing and Claiming Bonuses

A real deposit is made using payment methods commonly available to New Zealand players. Welcome bonuses and any active promotions are claimed in full so their true value, wagering requirements, and terms can be assessed from a player's perspective rather than from a marketing page.

Step 4: Game Testing

Liam plays a representative sample of the casino's library, including pokies, table games, and live dealer titles. Game loading speed, software quality, RTP transparency, and fairness certification are all noted.

Step 5: Customer Support Testing

Support is contacted at least twice through different channels, including live chat and email, with real questions. Response times, quality of answers, and overall helpfulness are recorded.

Step 6: Withdrawal Testing

A withdrawal request is submitted to verify processing times, any unexpected fees, and whether the experience matches the casino's stated policies.

Step 7: Mobile Experience Evaluation

The casino is accessed on a mobile device, testing both browser performance and any dedicated app. Navigation, game availability, and loading speeds on mobile are assessed separately.

Step 8: Writing and Scoring

Only after completing all of the above does Liam write the review and assign a final score. Scores are never adjusted based on affiliate relationships or commercial arrangements.

Rating Criteria and Weightings

Each casino is scored out of 10 points per category. A weighted overall score out of 10 is then calculated based on the following breakdown:

Category	Weighting	What We Look At
Licensing & Safety	25%	Valid licence, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair terms, player fund protection
Bonuses & Promotions	20%	Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, time limits, game restrictions, ongoing promotions
Game Selection	20%	Number and variety of titles, software providers, RTP availability, live casino quality
Payment Methods	15%	NZD support, deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, fees, minimum and maximum limits
Customer Support	10%	Availability, response speed, quality of help, live chat, email, and phone options
Mobile Experience	10%	Mobile browser performance, app availability, design, game compatibility on smaller screens

Understanding Our Rating Scale

All casinos on Bunce are scored on a 1 to 10 scale. Here is what each range means in plain terms:

9.0 – 10.0 — Outstanding: Among the very best available to NZ players. Excels across all categories with minimal weaknesses.
7.5 – 8.9 — Very Good: A strong, trustworthy option with only minor drawbacks worth noting.
6.0 – 7.4 — Good: Solid enough to recommend for certain players, but notable limitations exist in one or more areas.
4.0 – 5.9 — Average: Below the standard we expect. Recommended only in specific circumstances.
1.0 – 3.9 — Poor: Significant issues identified. We do not recommend these casinos.

Any casino scoring below 4.0 will appear on our warning list alongside a clear explanation of the problems found.

How Bunce Stays Unbiased

Independence is the foundation of everything at Bunce. Here is how we protect it:

No paid reviews: Casinos cannot pay for a review, a higher score, or a more favourable write-up. Our editorial decisions are made solely by Liam Harwood.
Affiliate transparency: Bunce may earn a commission if a reader clicks through and registers at a casino. This is clearly disclosed. Importantly, commission rates have zero influence on scores or rankings.
No operator access before publication: Casinos do not see or approve reviews before they go live. Feedback from operators is only considered if it corrects a factual error.
Regular re-evaluation: Published reviews are revisited when significant changes occur at a casino, such as ownership changes, new licences, or player complaints. Scores can go up or down accordingly.
Real money testing: Using real funds means Liam experiences the casino exactly as any New Zealand player would, with no special treatment from the operator.

About the Reviewer

Liam Harwood is the founder and sole reviewer at Bunce. With years of experience analysing the New Zealand online gambling market, Liam combines a detailed knowledge of casino mechanics, licensing frameworks, and player rights with a practical, no-nonsense approach to testing. Every review on bunce.co.nz reflects his personal, first-hand experience with that platform.

If you have questions about our methodology or want to flag an issue with a casino we have reviewed, you are welcome to reach out directly through our contact page.

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