About Jonny Jackpot
Last updated: 24 June 2026
Jonny Jackpot is an independent review site that tests online casinos so New Zealand players don’t have to gamble blind. We sign up, deposit our own money, play, claim bonuses and request withdrawals — then write up exactly what happened. This page explains who we are, how we started, the people behind the reviews and the standards we hold ourselves to.
Our mission
The online casino market grows every year, and so does the number of operators cutting corners. For a Kiwi player it is genuinely hard to tell a trustworthy site from one that will stall a withdrawal or bury a punishing wagering term in the small print. Jonny Jackpot exists to close that gap. We test casinos in person, read the full terms, and publish honest, plain-English verdicts. Since 2021 we have tested more than 180 casinos, analysed thousands of bonus offers and timed dozens of payout methods. The point is simple: save you hours of research and help protect your money. Where New Zealand’s licensed market is concerned, we track the Department of Internal Affairs rollout closely and tell you plainly where each operator stands.
Our story
Jonny Jackpot began in 2021 when Liam Hayes grew frustrated that most casino “reviews” online were thinly rewritten ad copy, written by people who had never deposited a cent. What started as a blog with a handful of hands-on reviews became a full resource with its own testing process and scoring system. In 2022 we formalised the rating method that still underpins our work today — a weighted score across the criteria that actually matter to players, from payout reliability to bonus fairness. You can see exactly how it works in How We Rate.
Our team
Liam Hayes — Lead Casino Reviewer
Eight years in iGaming, based in Auckland. Liam personally tests every casino we recommend, with a focus on licensing, bonus terms, payout speed and player safety. Read his full profile and testing approach on the author page.
Alongside Liam, our editorial process draws on specialist freelancers for specific areas — payments, mobile play and live dealer games — so each review reflects real expertise rather than guesswork.
Our values
Honesty. We do not hide a casino’s flaws to protect a commission. If a site scores poorly, we publish that. If a bonus carries an unfriendly wagering requirement, we say so in plain words.
Transparency. We disclose how we make money in our Affiliate Disclosure, we name the author of every review, and we date every publication and update.
Independence. No casino can buy a positive review. Commercial relationships are kept strictly separate from editorial decisions, as set out in our Editorial Policy.
Responsibility. We back responsible gambling and actively signpost help, and we favour licensed operators that give players real self-control tools. See Responsible Gambling.
How we work
Every review follows the same path: research the licence, owner and complaint history; test the casino with a real account and real money; score it against our published criteria; write it up from first-hand experience; fact-check the details against the operator and regulator; then publish with a date and revisit every 3–6 months. The full method is documented in How We Test and our scoring system.
Get in touch
We welcome questions, suggestions and error reports. Email [email protected] or use our Contact page — and if gambling is causing you harm, please reach the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or text 8006.