Last updated: June 2026 — Daniel Houghton, Domesticcleaners
At Domesticcleaners.nz, every casino review you read has been personally researched, tested, and written by Daniel Houghton. Our mission is simple: to give New Zealand players clear, trustworthy, and unbiased information so they can choose the right online casino with confidence. This page explains exactly how we evaluate each site, what criteria matter most, and why you can trust our scores.
We are not owned by, affiliated with, or financially influenced by any casino operator. Our ratings are based entirely on real testing and independent analysis.
Before a single word is published on Domesticcleaners.nz, Daniel Houghton follows a structured, multi-stage review process. Here is exactly what that looks like:
The first thing Daniel checks is whether the casino holds a valid licence from a recognised regulatory authority. This includes bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, or Curaçao eGaming. Unlicensed or questionable operators are removed from consideration immediately, regardless of their other features.
Daniel personally registers an account using standard New Zealand player details. This allows him to experience the sign-up process firsthand, including identity verification steps, and to identify any issues that real NZ players might face during onboarding.
Daniel reads the full terms and conditions attached to welcome bonuses, free spins offers, and ongoing promotions. He looks specifically at wagering requirements, maximum cashout limits, eligible games, and time restrictions. Misleading bonus terms are flagged clearly in every review.
Daniel plays a representative sample of slots, table games, and live dealer titles available at each casino. He assesses game variety, software provider quality, loading speed, and whether the library is well-suited to New Zealand players.
Daniel tests the banking section by reviewing available payment methods relevant to NZ players, including POLi, credit cards, and e-wallets. Where possible, he processes real transactions to verify processing times and fee structures.
Daniel contacts the support team through at least two channels, typically live chat and email, to assess response times, the quality of answers provided, and overall helpfulness. Support availability for NZ time zones is also noted.
Daniel accesses each casino on both a mobile browser and, where available, a dedicated app. He checks navigation, game performance, loading times, and whether the full range of features is accessible on smaller screens.
Once all testing is complete, Daniel calculates a weighted score across six core criteria and publishes the final rating alongside a detailed written review.
Each casino is scored out of 10 in every category. The final overall score is a weighted average calculated using the percentages below:
| Rating Criterion | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Regulatory licences, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, player fund protection |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, fairness of terms, ongoing promotions |
| Game Selection | 20% | Number of titles, software providers, game variety, live casino quality |
| Payment Methods | 15% | NZ-friendly banking options, deposit and withdrawal speeds, fees, limits |
| Customer Support | 10% | Response times, support channels, knowledge of agents, NZ availability |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Mobile site and app usability, performance, feature availability on mobile |
Every casino on Domesticcleaners.nz receives a final score out of 10. Here is how to interpret those scores:
Casinos that score below 4.0 are typically not published as full reviews on this site. Instead, they may appear on our list of sites to avoid, with an explanation of the specific issues found.
Independence is the foundation of everything published on this site. Daniel Houghton maintains editorial independence through the following practices:
Daniel Houghton is the author and owner of Domesticcleaners.nz. With years of hands-on experience evaluating online casinos for the New Zealand market, Daniel brings practical knowledge and a player-focused perspective to every review published on this site. His goal in 2026 and beyond remains the same: to save NZ players time, protect them from substandard operators, and help them find the best possible online casino experience.
If you have questions about our methodology or believe a review should be updated, you are welcome to contact us directly through our website.