Wayne Goodchild
Who Is Wayne?
Wayne has been honing his talents over the last few years by writing, and editing, all kinds of iGaming articles, with a particular focus on UK and New Zealand casinos and sportsbooks.
Wayne’s keen eye for detail and ability to expertly write and edit articles on various topics have made him a much sought-after expert. He has a special affinity for casino games like Keno and Craps but is also an expert on various payment methods at casinos and loves writing about sportsbooks, too. Wayne loves gambling, so he always makes sure to source information he, as a player, would want to read.
As an avid iGaming enthusiast, Wayne always ensures he puts the casinos and sportsbooks he reviews through their paces. He tests them according to strict criteria, including licensing, available bonuses, customer support options and of course, the selection of games. If a site isn’t up to scratch, he’ll tell you so, and why.
Wayne’s mantra is “The only thing better than gambling on a reputable site is having fun while doing it.” He is a vocal advocate for responsible gaming, which is just one of the many reasons Betkiwi was happy to add him to our team.
What Does Wayne Specialise In?
Wayne is our most versatile writer, with years of experience writing about casino games, payment methods, and online sportsbooks.
Table Games
Wayne is our resident expert on all the less-played casino games such as Keno, Craps, and Bingo, but he’s also very knowledgeable about Poker, and has a fair bit of experience with online slots, too. While we may have more dedicated experts, no one on Betkiwi knows as much about as many different casino games.
Casino Payments
Another area of expertise for Wayne is related to all sorts of casino payments. Over the years, Wayne has either personally reviewed or edited tons of casinos, in that time noting how important it is to know all about how various fiat and cryptocurrency payments work, the advantages and disadvantages of each one, the expected turnaround times, fees, and more. Together with Dominic, Wayne is our go-to guy for anything related to casino finances.
Sports Betting
Although he has spent more time writing and editing casino-related topics, Wayne is also a veritable sports fanatic and one of the most knowledgeable people about sports betting on Betkiwi. Whether you’re looking for some football tips, want to know more about the appeal of netball or just need some rugby betting tips, Wayne will be more than happy to give some advice.
Wayne Goodchild: Career Milestones
Pre-2015
Earns a degree in Film and Video, Cinematography and Film/Video Production from the University of Derby (UK). Builds a career as a professional writer and editor across multiple publishing verticals.
2010–2018
Works as an English teacher and professionally published author/editor for over a decade. Develops the editorial precision and clarity of expression that would later define his casino and sportsbook reviews.
2018
Enters the iGaming writing space, initially covering UK casino content. Quickly earns a reputation for thorough, accessible reviews that cut through industry jargon.
2019
Transitions focus to the New Zealand and Asia-Pacific iGaming market. Relocates to Wellington, deepening his understanding of the local regulatory landscape and player preferences.
2020
Joins BetKiwi as Casino & Sports Betting Expert.
2020–present
Has published 72+ reviews, guides, and explainers for BetKiwi across casino games, payment methods, sportsbooks, and online pokies — the most diverse content portfolio on the team.
How Wayne Reviews a Casino or Sportsbook: The Editor’s Checklist
Wayne came to iGaming journalism from a background in professional editing and English teaching — and it shows in how he approaches a review. For Wayne, a great review isn’t just accurate; it has to be clear, fair, and useful to a real player. Here’s how he puts one together.
Step 1 – First Impressions & UX Audit
Wayne opens every casino or sportsbook as a first-time visitor would — no account, no prior knowledge of the platform. He clocks how long it takes to find the bonus offer, the game library, and the terms page. If he can’t find them quickly, he assumes a new player won’t either. First impressions matter, and Wayne has learned to trust them.
Step 2 – Account Creation & KYC Timing
Wayne registers a real account on every platform he reviews. He notes the time taken for registration, the KYC verification process, and the first deposit experience. A platform that takes four business days to verify a straightforward NZ ID will hear about it in the review.
Step 3 – Game Library & Software Audit
With his broad knowledge of casino games from keno to craps to live dealer blackjack, Wayne runs a structured game audit. He checks which providers supply the library, whether the software runs smoothly on both desktop and mobile, whether there’s a meaningful selection of table games and not just slots, and how the search and filter functionality performs.
Step 4 – Payment Method Testing
Together with Dominic, Wayne is BetKiwi’s go-to expert on casino payments. He tests the deposit options available to NZ players — which methods are accepted, what the minimum deposit is, whether NZD is supported directly, and whether there are any hidden fees. He also checks documented withdrawal times against what the site claims.
Step 5 – Editorial Accuracy Pass
Before submitting any review, Wayne runs an editorial pass using the same standards he’d apply to any professional publication: factual accuracy, logical flow, elimination of jargon where plain language will do, and a clear player-first perspective. His English teaching background means his reviews are consistently among the most readable on the site — a point colleagues have noted more than once.
Step 6 – The Would-I-Return Test
Wayne’s final question is always personal: ‘Would I come back to this site next month?’ It’s a simple test, but it cuts through the metrics. If the answer is no — because of a clunky interface, disappointing support, or underwhelming game selection — that honest verdict goes into the review.
Wayne’s Current Watchlist
One thing Wayne enjoys about working in iGaming is that the industry never stands still. Here are the topics he’s currently investigating for upcoming BetKiwi content — a small window into what he’s thinking about right now.
- The rise of social gambling features in online casinos — are leaderboards and tournaments genuinely good for players, or just a retention tool?
- How New Zealand’s regulated gambling framework compares to Australia’s post-reform environment, and what Kiwi players should know about the difference.
- A deep dive into craps odds — the most misunderstood game on the casino floor, and one Wayne believes deserves far more attention in NZ gambling media.
- The growing use of AI-driven personalisation at online sportsbooks, and whether it’s making the betting experience better or just more addictive.
Got a topic you’d like to see Wayne cover? Drop him a line – he genuinely reads every email.
Pages Written By Wayne
What Is It Like Working With Wayne?
We asked a couple of our authors to pitch in on what it’s like being colleagues with Wayne. Here are their thoughts:
Mallie Hill
“Wayne is a true professional and a stickler for detail, which I find essential in our line of work. His knowledge about all sorts of casino games is amazing to witness, and his enthusiastic approach to his work is always inspiring.”
Dominic Greenholt
“Working with Wayne has been fantastic – the man is very keen to learn new things every day, and brings great energy to the team at our meetings, even if it’s over a video call. He also has a way with words, so it’s always fun hearing him talk about some new casino or sportsbook he’s discovered.”
Copyright Notice
All reviews, news, guides, and other content created by our dedicated team, including Wayne and our other writers, are protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This protection ensures that our original content remains safe from unauthorised use and distribution.
Please remember that any reproduction, redistribution, or use of our content without proper authorisation not only violates our rights but also undermines the hard work and integrity of our team.
Contact Wayne
If you have a suggestion or any questions about one of his articles, Wayne would love to hear from you! You can reach out to him by email at [email protected].