Last updated: June 2026 — Marcus Haldane, Thecookshop

Affiliate Disclosure

Our Commitment to Transparency

Welcome to Thecookshop (thecookshop.co.nz). This page explains how our website earns revenue and how that relationship affects — or more importantly, does not affect — the casino reviews and recommendations you read here. We believe you deserve complete honesty about how this site operates before you act on any advice we provide.

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, as well as applicable consumer transparency standards relevant to New Zealand audiences.

What Are Affiliate Links?

Some of the links on thecookshop.co.nz are affiliate links. This means that when you click on a link to an online casino or gambling operator featured on this site and subsequently register an account or make a deposit, Thecookshop may receive a commission or referral fee from that operator.

Here is how the process works in plain terms:

• You click a link to an online casino on our website.
• A tracking code embedded in the link identifies that you came from thecookshop.co.nz.
• If you sign up or deposit at that casino, the operator pays us a referral fee.
• This payment comes entirely from the casino operator — you are never charged anything extra as a result of using our links.

How This Affects Our Revenue

Affiliate commissions are the primary source of revenue that allows Thecookshop to operate, publish research, and maintain up-to-date reviews of the best online casinos available to New Zealand players in 2026. Without this income, free access to independent casino guidance would not be possible.

Not every casino we review has an affiliate relationship with us. We sometimes review and cover operators from whom we earn no commission at all, simply because they are relevant to our NZ audience.

Editorial Independence and Objectivity

Having affiliate relationships with casino operators does not influence our editorial content. The reviews, ratings, and rankings published on thecookshop.co.nz reflect the honest, independent findings of site owner and lead reviewer Marcus Haldane. No casino operator has the ability to purchase a favourable review, alter a rating, or remove negative commentary from this site.

Our editorial policies are firm on the following points:

• Casinos are evaluated using the same standardised methodology regardless of affiliate status.
• Low scores and critical findings are published even when an affiliate relationship exists.
• Operators with poor player experiences, unresolved complaints, or questionable licensing are rated accordingly and may receive negative recommendations.
• Rankings are based on merit, not on the size of any commission we receive.

Our Review Methodology

Marcus Haldane personally researches and evaluates each online casino listed on thecookshop.co.nz. The review process examines the following criteria:

• Licensing and regulation — valid licences from recognised authorities
• Security and fairness — SSL encryption, RNG certification, and responsible gambling tools
• Bonus terms — wagering requirements, maximum cashout limits, and fairness of promotional conditions
• Game selection — software providers, titles available, and mobile compatibility
• Banking options — NZD support, deposit methods, and withdrawal processing times
• Customer support — availability, responsiveness, and quality of assistance

About Marcus Haldane

Marcus Haldane is the owner and primary author of thecookshop.co.nz. With extensive experience reviewing online gambling products for the New Zealand market, Marcus applies a rigorous, player-first approach to every evaluation. His goal is to help NZ players make genuinely informed decisions — not simply to direct traffic toward the highest-paying affiliate programmes.

Questions About This Disclosure

If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how our reviews are produced, you are welcome to contact us directly through the contact page on thecookshop.co.nz. Transparency is not a footnote here — it is a core part of how we operate.

Last updated: 2026 — thecookshop.co.nz