Name’s Ivor. I live in Christchurch. I review high-stakes casinos, roast loyalty programs that treat VIPs like interns, and sip strong coffee while watching live dealers bluff their way through shifts. If you’re new to online casinos, this probably isn’t the page you’re looking for. Come back when you’ve accidentally hit “bet max” and just shrugged.
This here? This is for the heavy hitters. The ones who don’t blink at four-digit bets. I write for the people who know the sound of a roulette ball better than their own ringtone. So yeah — buckle up.
The Not-So-Tragic Backstory
Back in 2009, I was doing the whole “trying to be a normal adult” thing. Enrolled in Hospitality & Management at Auckland Institute of Studies. My mum was thrilled. She thought I’d end up managing a hotel or, I dunno, running a fancy restaurant. Bless her optimism.
Instead, I got hooked on a very different kind of hospitality — the kind that comes with blackjack tables and croupiers in sharp suits. I watched people lose houses without flinching and win thousands without smiling. That fascinated me. Still does.
Life in the Belly of the Whale
From 2013 to 2018, I worked as a VIP relations manager for a major iGaming brand — can’t name it, NDA and all, but trust me, you’ve seen their ads. My job? Make sure the biggest whales felt like gods. Or at least, like kings who didn’t have to wait in line for anything.
Private flights. Custom perks. Insane cashback deals. I was the guy who made things happen behind the velvet curtain. And yeah, I saw a lot. Enough to know which “VIP programs” are legit — and which ones are just lipstick on a pig.
From Handshakes to Headlines
In 2019, I ditched the corporate life and started calling bullshit where I saw it. These days, I’m a columnist. I don’t write to sugar-coat. I write to slice. If a live casino feels rigged, I’ll say it. If a so-called “exclusive” bonus is the same one they offer Karen from accounting — I’ll burn it down in print.
I’m not here to be nice. I’m here to be honest. Because the high-stakes scene doesn’t forgive naivety — and I’ve seen what happens when players believe the hype.
Live Casinos, Real Emotions
You know what I love? Live tables. Where dealers are real, reactions are real, and your pulse might actually spike for a reason. Forget autoplay. I want tension. I want awkward smiles and barely-concealed panic. I want human.
That’s where the real game is.
I also dig deep into VIP programs. Not the shiny bullet points — the actual experience. Is your host just sending automated messages, or are they flying you to Auckland for a poker night and a steak? That kind of thing matters when you’re playing big.
High Stakes or Go Home
I don’t mess around with 20-cent spins. No disrespect — just not my scene. My thing? Big bets, bigger expectations. High-stakes strategy isn’t about flashing cash. It’s about knowing when to strike and when to walk. It’s about not letting the adrenaline make decisions for you — even if you’re three whiskeys deep.
That’s when a casino shows its true colours. Payout speed, support quality, how they treat you when the chips are down — you only learn that when you’re playing for real money that actually stings.
Why You Should Give a Damn
Why read me? Simple. Because I’ve been behind the curtain. I’ve shaken hands with the devils who build these systems. I’ve seen the spreadsheets. I’ve seen the manipulation. And I’ve also seen some seriously good casinos that treat you right — but they’re rare.
If you want someone to feed you affiliate fluff and act surprised by a $50 bonus, there are plenty of those out there. I’m not one of them. I’m the guy who’ll tell you when the emperor’s wearing casino-branded boxers and nothing else.
Where to Find Me
These days I write for CLIMB.co.nz. That’s where the truth lives — well, as much truth as you can expect in this industry. I break down live dealer experiences, loyalty programs, and how not to get played by the platforms that swear they’re your “partners.”
Read it. Share it. Disagree if you like. Hell, argue with me — I enjoy that more than small talk.
You want to play like a high roller? First, learn how to think like one. Then maybe — maybe — we’ll talk.