Casino Review Methodology

Every verdict on PinPokies comes from published information, not from play. We work through the same five steps for each operator and update the page when the terms change.

Step 1 — Identify the operator and licence

We confirm who runs the site and which licence it claims. We check that licence against the public regulator register where one is available. If the licence details are unclear or missing, that counts against the operator in our verdict.

Step 2 — Read the bonus terms

We read the full bonus terms, including wagering requirement, game weighting, maximum cashout, expiry and minimum deposit. We note anything that limits what a player can actually withdraw.

Step 3 — Compare published payment and withdrawal information

We look at the payment methods, currencies, minimums and stated payout windows the operator lists. We compare those against what other operators publish for the same methods.

Step 4 — Run the numbers in the bonus calculator

We enter the bonus amount and wagering requirement into our own calculator to see the total playthrough needed. This shows how a headline offer translates into a real number.

Step 5 — View the public free demo and provider data

For pokies, we open the public free demo in the browser and check the provider's published game data, such as RTP and volatility where listed. We do not play for real money.

How verdicts are formed

Our written verdicts reflect the terms we can read: bonus value after wagering and caps, licence and operator transparency, published payment and withdrawal information, the game library as listed by the operator, and the support options the operator publishes.

We weigh these factors together as an editorial judgement. We publish no numeric score, and there is no fixed formula or percentage weighting.

Verdicts change when terms change. If an operator raises a wagering requirement or cuts a cashout cap, our view can move down, and we note the update on the page.

What we do not do

We do not open real-money accounts, deposit, claim bonuses, play at casinos, request withdrawals, time cashouts or contact casino support. We do not run real-money testing.

We do not publish personal bios, photos or credentials for team members, and we do not claim hands-on experience at any operator. Our work is limited to published terms, public demos and our own calculator.

How we handle conflicts of interest

If we have an affiliate relationship with a casino, we note this in the review. Our editorial approach does not change based on affiliate status. We revisit a verdict when an operator's published terms change or when a reader points out an error.

Corrections & updates policy

When we learn that something we published is wrong — a bonus amount, a wagering figure, a payment method, a licence detail — we correct the page itself, update its visible "checked/updated" date, and, for material errors, note the correction on the page. Offer data is re-verified on the date shown on each page; reviews are revisited when an operator's terms change materially. Spotted an error? Tell us via the contact page — reader reports are checked within a few days.