BetPokies NZ is a gambling review platform created by John Gold in 2020. With over 10 years of gambling experience, John's objective was to provide honest, thorough, and independent reviews of online casinos, payment methods, game providers, and more. Now, five years on, our goal remains the same — to empower New Zealand players by helping them find trustworthy online casinos based on their individual needs. We are committed to transparency and objectivity, ensuring our content is based on comprehensive research, not financial incentives from operators.
At BetPokies, we understand that trust is the foundation of our relationship with readers. Our team of experts has over five years of gambling experience, allowing us to identify rogue and unreliable casinos. We register at casinos, test deposit and withdrawal processes, and evaluate games to provide comprehensive, honest reviews. Additionally, we monitor feedback from trusted sources like Trustpilot, Reddit, and Quora to ensure we reflect real player experiences.
We uphold a strict policy of transparency and integrity. No casino brand can buy a higher ranking with us, and we do not accept paid placements. Any attempts by casinos to manipulate their ratings are immediately blocked. Our commitment to you also includes a department dedicated to resolving any disputes or issues you may have with online casinos.
To keep up with the high expectations from our Kiwi readers, BetPokies team has set four core principles that shape every page on our site:
By reading our reviews, you’ll gain valuable insights and stay informed about the ever-evolving world of online casinos.
At BetPokies, we believe that a successful casino review website requires a team of experts to ensure every piece of content meets the highest standards. That’s why our reviews go through multiple verification stages, combining the expertise of our writers, editors, and gambling analysts. While our core team includes John Gold (Founder), Charlotte Wilson (Author), and Oliver Singh (Editor), we also rely on industry analysts who assist with research and fact-checking. This meticulous process guarantees that our reviews are accurate, unbiased, and truly helpful for New Zealand players.
Explore the journey of BetPokies in New Zealand, from its founding in 2020 to its ongoing growth and innovation. This timeline highlights key milestones that have shaped the platform into one of the most trusted gambling resources for Kiwi players.
BetPokies was established in 2020 by John Gold, a player with over 10 years of gambling experience, with the goal of providing Kiwis with reliable and informative content on online gambling. The platform quickly became a trusted resource for casino reviews, game developers, and payment methods.
In 2021, Oliver Singh joined as editor, helping to improve the quality and accuracy of the content. BetPokies also expanded its coverage of New Zealand-specific gambling laws, payment methods, and bonuses.
Charlotte Wilson joined the team in 2022, bringing a fresh perspective to content creation. She contributed to writing in-depth reviews and expert guides, further enhancing the site’s reputation as a go-to resource for online gambling.
BetPokies introduced interactive features, including demo-versions of the most popular casino games, and began to focus on personalised content for New Zealand players, deepening engagement with the community.
In 2024, BetPokies launched new, interactive tools to help New Zealand players make more informed decisions. The platform continued to refine its content and expanded coverage on emerging gambling trends, ensuring that local players had the latest and most relevant information at their fingertips.
BetPokies continues to grow as a leading gambling resource in New Zealand. Recently, we completely relaunched the platform with a brand-new codebase, a project that took over a year to develop. This overhaul enhances speed, usability, and security, ensuring a seamless experience for users. With regular content updates and new features, the platform remains committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information, securing its place at the forefront of the industry.
In March 2025, BetPokies has undergone a full-scale relaunch, transforming into a comprehensive gambling portal. The new platform features an automated rating system where casinos are ranked based on real data, not manual adjustments, ensuring complete transparency. We've introduced a dispute resolution system, a user dashboard, and a dedicated casino dashboard, making interactions more seamless. Players can now leave reviews, share experiences, and access even more independent insights. With these upgrades, BetPokies is now more than just a review site — it’s a trusted gambling hub built for fairness and player protection.
BetPokies has always been and remains a free resource for players. We earn revenue through affiliate marketing, where users click through to our partnered casinos. Despite this, our reviews remain unbiased and impartial. Our goal is to guide players by providing helpful and accurate information. Unlike many other platforms, we do not profit from player losses — we do not encourage users to gamble more or chase their losses. Instead, we prioritise player interests, including assisting them in disputes, especially when a casino refuses to pay out winnings. Casinos cannot purchase advertising or inflated rankings on our platform, and we shut down any attempts to do so. We do not accept paid reviews, ensuring that all our content remains independent and true to our mission.
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, the BetPokies team is here to help. Whether you’re facing issues with an online casino, have suggestions for our website, or need support with responsible gambling, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s when you should consider reaching out: