Last updated: June 2026 — Liam Harewood, 4physio
Every online pokies review published on 4physio.co.nz is the result of a rigorous, hands-on evaluation process carried out by site owner and lead reviewer Liam Harewood. This page explains exactly how we assess each casino, what criteria we use, how we weight them, and why Kiwi players can trust our ratings to be honest, independent, and genuinely useful.
We do not accept payment from operators in exchange for favourable reviews. We do not copy-paste information from casino press releases. Every score you see on this site reflects real testing, real deposits, and real player experience in the New Zealand market.
Before any detailed testing begins, Liam checks whether the site holds a valid licence from a recognised regulatory authority. If a casino cannot demonstrate legitimate licensing, it is rejected immediately and will not appear anywhere on 4physio.co.nz. Only sites that pass this first gate move forward in the review process.
Liam registers a genuine player account using New Zealand details. This allows him to experience the sign-up process exactly as a Kiwi player would, including identity verification steps, welcome prompts, and any geo-specific restrictions or messaging.
A real-money deposit is made using payment methods commonly available to New Zealand players, such as Visa, Mastercard, and where available, local bank transfer or e-wallet options. This step confirms that deposit processing actually works as advertised and that no hidden fees apply to NZ accounts.
Liam spends time playing a cross-section of the casino's pokie library, including popular titles from major providers as well as newer releases. He evaluates load speeds, game variety, software quality, and whether the experience holds up on both desktop and mobile.
Where a welcome bonus or free spins offer is available, Liam claims it and reads the full terms and conditions. Wagering requirements, eligible games, time limits, and maximum withdrawal caps are all recorded and factored into the rating.
Liam contacts the support team via at least two channels, typically live chat and email, with genuine player queries. Response times, accuracy of answers, and overall professionalism are all noted.
A withdrawal request is submitted to verify processing times, required documentation, and whether any unexpected delays or conditions arise. This is one of the most telling steps in the entire review process.
After completing all testing, Liam compiles his findings and applies the weighted scoring criteria described below. Only then is the review written and published.
Each casino is scored out of 10 in six key categories. These category scores are then combined using the weightings below to produce a single overall rating out of 10.
| Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & Safety | 25% | Regulatory licence validity, responsible gambling tools, SSL encryption, data protection practices |
| Bonuses & Promotions | 20% | Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, bonus terms fairness, ongoing promotions for NZ players |
| Game Selection | 20% | Number and variety of pokies, software providers, RTP transparency, jackpot availability |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZD account support, deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, fee transparency |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability hours, response speed, quality of assistance, channel variety |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Mobile browser performance, dedicated app availability, pokie load times on mobile devices |
All sites are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with one decimal point precision. Here is how to interpret the scores:
A site must score at least 6.0 overall to receive a positive recommendation on 4physio.co.nz. Sites that score below this threshold are published as cautionary reviews only.
Independence is the foundation of everything we do. Here is how we protect our editorial integrity:
Liam Harewood is the owner and sole reviewer at 4physio.co.nz. With years of experience analysing the New Zealand online gambling market, Liam combines a thorough understanding of casino mechanics, bonus structures, and player rights under NZ law with a commitment to transparent, evidence-based reviewing. Every recommendation on this site carries his name because he stands behind every word of it.
If you have questions about our methodology or want to report an experience at a casino we have reviewed, you can reach Liam directly through the contact page at 4