At first glance, Edward Howarth might seem like an unlikely voice for player protection. A veteran of the gambling industry with over two decades of VIP management and marketing experience, Edward once worked alongside the same operators and product teams that power today’s largest casino brands.
Today, however, he works as Lead Writer at DashTickets.nz, and he’s become one of the most trusted voices of the online gambling market in New Zealand.
We spoke with Edward to discuss how DashTickets reviews online casinos, how his past shaped his present, and what the industry needs to do to earn players’ trust in 2025 and beyond.
Interviewer: Edward, you spent over 20 years on the inside of the gambling industry. What made you decide to “switch sides” and become a player advocate?
Edward: For a long time, I believed I was helping people have fun. As I think you already know, I worked in VIP management, and a big part of that involved customer experience. This taught me exactly how online casinos go about keeping players engaged – and how they keep them spending, too.
But – and this was especially common when working on responsible gambling programmes – I started to notice a pattern that I really wasn’t happy with.
Eventually, I thought: If I know how the system works, shouldn’t I help people navigate it instead of getting lost in it? That’s when I joined DashTickets. I wanted to use what I knew to offer real transparency—not just promote the next shiny bonus.
Interviewer: What drew you to DashTickets specifically?
Edward: DashTickets was the only outlet that let me write with total independence. No paid placements. No soft reviews. The entire platform is built around unbiased, real-world testing – and that means that when we write a casino review, we actually sign-up – deposit money – play the games – and try to withdraw, just as any Kiwi player would do.
Interviewer: Can you guide us through your casino review process?
Edward: Absolutely. Every DashTickets review follows a consistent, multi-step process. The first – and, in my opinion, most important step – is that we join all online casinos anonymously. We do not tell brands we’re going to be reviewing them – so we set up a brand new account under a normal username. This ensures we don’t get preferential treatment or anything like that.
Once we’ve registered an account, we actually deposit our own money. We always try to use common NZ payment methods like PayID, POLi, or crypto. Where applicable, we also try to claim bonuses and promotions at this stage. We check all aspects of the bonus – including studying the wagering requirements, checking game exclusions, and withdrawal limits.
And then – well, it’s a general review. We look at the game range, for example – checking to see which pokies and live dealer games are on offer, and from which software providers. In most of our reviews, we also try to make a withdrawal. This is to test how quickly the casino processes our request – and how long it takes before the money hits our account.
We also check out things like customer support facilities, licensing, security – and whether or not the online casino performs well from mobile devices.
Interviewer: What do you look for in a high-quality operator?
Edward: Transparency, above all. If I can’t find who owns the site, where they’re licensed, or what the terms really say, it’s an automatic red flag in my book. I also pay very close attention to how the bonuses and promotions are structured. If, for example, I see things like “max cashout limits” on welcome bonuses, or if the live chat support agent gives me conflicting information from the terms and conditions – those are signs that an operator may be cutting corners.
I also find that high-quality operators make it easy for players to find information: think along the lines of game RTPs, withdrawal limits, and access to responsible gambling or self-exclusion tools.
Interviewer: And how do you approach fairness in game design?
Edward: Most players don’t realise that slot games – pokies – can be configured with different RTPs. One specific slot, for example, can be offered in four… even five different RTP settings! So, when we review a casino, we don’t just say “it has NetEnt” or “it has Pragmatic.” We dig deeper to see what versions of games are being used.
I also check if the casino is publishing RTPs at all. A good operator, for example, will disclose average returns or include game info panels that show odds. That builds trust – and if you can’t find the RTP information of a game you’re playing… you should be very skeptical.
Interviewer: Today, we’re seeing fewer independent casinos, and more white-label sites. What are your thoughts on white-label platforms?
Edward: I’ve reviewed dozens of white-label casino brands – and, in most cases, the infrastructure is solid. I understand why some players have issues with white-label casinos, but for me, it’s often a pretty solid way for newer, smaller operators to launch – with a clean and compliant foundation.
With that being said, just because a casino is operating as a white-label site doesn’t automatically mean it’s “good” – or even that it will inherit the qualities seen in other sister sites. As with any online casino, you should always treat each site as independent – and plan accordingly.
Interviewer: DashTickets is especially popular in New Zealand. What’s unique about the Kiwi market?
Edward: Kiwis are sharp. They’ve been burned before by offshore operators with questionable practices, so they’re skeptical. They read reviews. They compare terms. And they’re more likely to leave if they see something dodgy.
But New Zealand also lacks a fully regulated local market. That means review sites like DashTickets have to step in where the government hasn’t. Thankfully, that’s set to change VERY SOON – and it looks like we’ll be getting a fully-regulated market as early as next year! That’s super exciting – and I’m monitoring the details of it closely as it moves through Parliament.
Interviewer: Your background includes academic work on Māori and Indigenous communities. How does that shape your perspective?
Edward: Gambling affects different communities differently. My studies at the University of Waikato really opened my eyes to how addiction patterns form, especially in underserved communities.
In Māori and Pasifika cultures, there’s often a strong emphasis on collective wellbeing, for example – so, that means that when one person struggles with gambling, it impacts the whole whānau. To be honest with you, that’s one of the reasons why I’m so vocal about transparency, fairness, and harm prevention.
Interviewer: What would you say to a new casino brand?
Edward: Be honest. Don’t chase short-term conversions with unrealistic bonuses or buried terms. Invest in fast withdrawals, proactive support, and visible responsible gambling tools.
Also, get your reviewers to test the actual experience. If DashTickets gives you a great review, it’s because you earned it and NOT because we liked your homepage – or because you decided to pay us without informing the reader of you doing so!
Interviewer: Last question – what’s next for DashTickets?
Edward: We’re building out deeper review tools, including a player-powered casino feedback system. I also want to publish more investigative pieces on how bonus abuse systems work, how payment routing impacts withdrawals, and how AI is shaping the player experience.
Of course, as I just mentioned, we’re also following the legal changes to the New Zealand online gambling market very closely – so keep an eye out, as we’ll be publishing a lot on that in the coming months!
About Edward Howarth
Edward Howarth is the Lead Writer at DashTickets.nz, New Zealand’s most trusted casino review and player education platform. With 20+ years inside the gambling industry and a background in Indigenous Studies and harm reduction, Edward offers unmatched expertise, integrity, and insight.
He is a frequent media commentator and contributor to industry transparency efforts across New Zealand and beyond.
Visit Edward’s archive: https://dashtickets.nz/author/edward-howarth
Website: edwardhowarth.com
Twitter: @Edward__Howarth
