Last updated: May 2026 — Liam Harrington, Petroleumconference
```htmlAt petroleumconference.nz, every casino review published on this site is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by Liam Harrington. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria are used, how each factor is weighted, and why New Zealand players can trust the scores they see throughout this site.
This methodology was developed specifically for the New Zealand online casino market and reflects the standards, regulations, and player expectations relevant to Kiwi gamblers in 2026. Nothing on this site is guesswork. Every rating is earned.
Before signing up to any platform, Liam conducts background research into the operator behind the casino. This includes verifying ownership, identifying any past regulatory sanctions, and checking independent complaint databases. If serious red flags are found at this stage, the casino does not proceed to a full review.
Liam Harrington personally registers a real account on every casino reviewed on this site. This is done using standard New Zealand details to replicate the exact experience a Kiwi player would have. No special treatment is requested from operators, and no affiliate accounts or demo environments are used in place of real player accounts.
Real money is deposited using payment methods commonly available to New Zealand players, including NZD-friendly options where available. Liam plays a range of games across different categories to assess game quality, fairness, and software performance firsthand.
Welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions are claimed and tested against their stated terms. Wagering requirements, game restrictions, time limits, and withdrawal caps are all checked thoroughly rather than accepted at face value.
A withdrawal request is submitted to evaluate processing times, required documentation, and how smoothly the cashout process works in practice. This step is critical because a casino that delays or complicates withdrawals fails a fundamental player trust test.
Liam contacts each casino's support team through multiple channels — typically live chat and email — to assess response speed, accuracy of information, and overall helpfulness. Support is tested at different times of day where possible.
The casino is accessed on a mobile browser and, where applicable, a dedicated app. Game loading, navigation, deposit functionality, and support access are all evaluated on a mobile device representative of what most New Zealand players use.
All findings are compiled into a final score using the weighted criteria below. The written review is then published with transparent explanations for every score awarded.
Each casino is scored out of 10 in six key categories. These category scores are then combined using the weightings below to produce an overall score out of 10.
| Rating Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Regulatory licence quality, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair play certification |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Bonus value, wagering requirements, terms fairness, availability to NZ players |
| Game Selection | 20% | Number of titles, software providers, variety of categories, RTP transparency |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZD support, deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, fees |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability, response time, quality of assistance, channel variety |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Browser performance, app quality, game availability on mobile, ease of navigation |
All casinos on petroleumconference.nz are scored on a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 represents an outstanding casino that excels across all categories and 1 represents a site with serious failings. Here is a general guide to what each score range means:
Independence is the foundation of everything published on this site. Liam Harrington maintains editorial independence from all casino operators reviewed on petroleumconference.nz. The following principles govern how this site operates:
Liam Harrington brings direct, hands-on experience to every review published on petroleumconference.nz. The review process described on this page is not theoretical. Real accounts are opened, real money is deposited and withdrawn, real bonuses are claimed, and real interactions with support teams take place. This commitment to genuine testing is what separates the ratings on this site from reviews based on operator-supplied information or surface-level research.
If you have questions about how a specific casino was reviewed, or if you believe a review requires an