Marcus Thornbury

About Marcus

With over fifteen years spent analysing, reviewing, and occasionally cursing at online casinos, I have developed what my colleagues kindly call "an obsessive attention to detail" and what my wife less kindly calls "an inability to just enjoy things normally." Both descriptions are accurate.

My journey into iGaming began in 2009 when I was working as a technology journalist in Auckland. A major international casino launched with aggressive marketing targeted at Kiwi players, and I started investigating. What I found—predatory bonus terms, delayed withdrawals, and questionable licensing—sparked a mission that continues today: helping New Zealand players separate the legitimate from the sketchy.

My Approach

I believe casino reviews should be written by people who actually use casinos. That sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many "experts" have never made a real-money deposit. I maintain active accounts at dozens of platforms, regularly depositing my own money to test current conditions. When I write that a casino processes withdrawals in 24 hours, it is because I have personally waited those 24 hours—often impatiently refreshing my banking app.

Numbers matter to me. I track RTPs, time support responses, and calculate true bonus values after wagering requirements. But experience matters more. A casino with perfect statistics means nothing if the actual playing experience frustrates users. I look for the intangibles: intuitive navigation, games that load quickly, bonuses that feel rewarding rather than restrictive.

Professional Background

Before focusing exclusively on iGaming, I spent a decade in technology and business journalism covering everything from startup culture to regulatory policy. I hold a Bachelor of Communications from Auckland University of Technology and have completed certification courses in responsible gambling awareness and financial journalism ethics.

My work has been cited by major New Zealand publications, and I have consulted for player advocacy groups seeking to understand the online gambling landscape. I am a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors and participate in industry conferences when they happen to be held somewhere with decent coffee.

Personal Philosophy

Gambling should be entertainment, not investment. I approach casinos the same way I approach cinema tickets—I expect to pay for the experience and hope it proves worthwhile. When I win, lovely. When I lose within my predetermined budget, that is simply the cost of entertainment. This mindset informs every review I write.

I am deeply committed to responsible gambling. Having witnessed the damage problem gambling causes, I refuse to partner with platforms that do not provide adequate protection tools or that target vulnerable players. Every recommendation I make includes information about deposit limits, self-exclusion, and support resources.

Beyond the Screen

When not scrutinising bonus terms and conditions—which my family assures me is "not a normal hobby"—I enjoy hiking New Zealand's spectacular trails, attempting to improve at golf (emphasis on attempting), and cooking elaborate dinners that my children refuse to eat. I live in Auckland with my wife, two kids, and a deeply suspicious cat who judges my screen time.