ShareWith two of the leading NZ online casino review magazines present, determining which one is the right fit for you can be tough. Our team analyzed both DashTickets and BetPokies New Zealand in detail to help you make up your mind.
Short introductions
While both websites are well-known to casino players across New Zealand, some newcomers might not be as familiar with either of them. However, as any local player learns quickly, approaching casino bonuses and offshore pokies without reading expert reviews beforehand often results in a bad time.
New Zealanders rely on offshore casino websites a lot. However, most of these websites don’t provide a high quality of service, and often make local players feel unwelcome, especially because many establishments don’t accept NZ dollars and don’t offer convenient payment options.
Casino review websites like DashTickets and BetPokies NZ identify the most locally friendly online casinos — from payments to overall respect for New Zealand’s culture, which makes them highly important, and that makes them highly important for the local gambling scene. However, what are they, and what are the key differences between the two?
DashTickets
DashTickets, operated by Dash Tickets New Zealand Limited, was founded in 2009 by Robert Matthew Davey and is managed by its Editor-in-Chief, Mark Dash. A small project led by a group of casino experts, DashTickets quickly became one of the most trusted sources of casino information in the country, thanks to its in-depth, long-form reviews written from a player’s perspective using a secret shopper approach.
The website focuses on offshore casino reviews, industry reports, and offers some convenient services and tools like a wagering calculator and an Alternative Dispute Resolution Service.
BetPokies NZ
BetPokies New Zealand was created in 2020 by John Gold and is operated by ZehrMedia LTD. Despite being a rather new website compared to DashTickets, it managed to attract a lot of attention thanks to its modern design, quick reviews, and overall incredible accessibility. The team behind the project mostly focuses on casino bonuses and payment options, targeting experienced players who want quick answers rather than detailed guides.
Quick side-by-side comparison
Editorial approach
DashTickets is a website led by several highly experienced experts, and it shows. The team writes reviews that are informal, rely on plain language, and feel very comforting for Kiwi players thanks to local cultural references and spelling. While the reviews can become a bit too wordy because of this, the overall coziness and familiarity make up for it, especially for those readers who don’t mind spending a few extra minutes to hear an interesting side story from personal experience.
“We aim for a bit more immersive and friendly reader experience than most similar websites in our niche, because we see that it pays off massively. Readers love this style, it is unique and refreshing in comparison to overly formal and mechanical articles from our competition,” says Mark Dash, Editor-in-Chief at DashTickets.
On the contrary, BetPokies (NZ) blog articles are rather formal and bland, but they also have a much more focused structure, enabling readers to quickly get to the point and get the core message in a matter of a few seconds. While definitely not as charming, these reviews are highly effective.
Comparing the two is like comparing a warm poker night with friends with a highly effective pokies machine that offers a quick and satisfying gameplay loop. It is a matter of personal preference.
Authority and credibility
DashTickets has spent years earning its recognition, and it paid off — now it is one of the most well-known niche websites in the country, and its experts are regularly appearing in other media outlets.
Over the last five years, BetPokies NZ has also done a lot to prove its credibility, especially through community interactions and expert AMAs. Although not as accomplished as DashTickets, BetPokies NZ has earned every right to be called a trustworthy and respected source of local industry information.
Overall, both websites are professional, independent, and transparent about their affiliate links, which is a rarity in the industry filled with overly promotional magazines that rely on paid PR articles to make ends meet.
Bonus breakdown style
DashTickets explains bonus terms in excruciating detail, which is surprisingly popular among two very different groups of readers: complete newbies and veteran gamblers. In-depth analysis helps newcomers understand every single aspect of casino promotions, which enables them to understand the nuances and intricate caveats that they often have. At the same time, expert-level gamblers rely on these guides to find unique opportunities and tricks they can use to their advantage.
On the contrary, BetPokies New Zealand has a minimalistic and straightforward approach that suits experienced yet casual players most. The website offers simple breakdowns that provide immense glance value and enable readers to quickly skim through, find the best option, and jump right into action.
Local relevance
This one goes without saying — both DashTickets and BetPokies NZ do a great job at highlighting local players’ interests and pain points when it comes to online casino gaming. The only significant difference is in tone. DashTickets relies on its unique Kiwi voice that makes it so welcoming, but also a bit too informal at times, while BetPokies NZ uses an international tone that works okay in most cases.
News and industry coverage
DashTickets occasionally posts deep dives into industry trends as well as interviews with local casino experts and representatives, which make for a great read if you are eager to learn about the state of the niche. BetPokies New Zealand, on the other hand, mostly focuses on its key offering, and finding any industry-related articles and analysis can be difficult.
It’s a shame that both websites generally don’t offer any news coverage, unless it is something fundamental and impossible to ignore. We believe it would benefit all readers, although, admittedly, no one should expect full news coverage from casino review websites, since it’s not their specialty.
Navigation and layout
DashTickets is an old website that does its best to keep up-to-date with the increasing demands of modern audiences, and its attempts are very effective: readers can easily navigate the menus and quickly find what they need. However, BetPokies (NZ) is still miles ahead — its sleek design, unparalleled readability, mobile responsiveness, and overall accessibility are major reasons behind its success.
“Our UI is something that we are proud of the most. There are way too many outdated websites in New Zealand, and considering how quickly the modern casino scene evolves, lagging behind it with old designs is unacceptable. We want to serve modern audiences who won’t accept anything less than perfect,” says John Gold, the founder and Senior Editor of BetPokies New Zealand.
