At release, Endorphina called the game "a visually mastered slot that features full 3-D modeled characters in HD that allows great immersion into the game and the culture of the people."
But the unauthorized use of cultural icons such as the pounamu constituted a breach of intellectual property rights of the Ngai Tahu, a Maori tribe. The game also featured Ka Mate, a haka – or traditional dance — belonging to the Ngati Toa. The Maori people also face difficulties with problem gambling, a concern cited by Hapai Te Hauora. Problem gambling in the Maori community is about three to four times higher than in the general New Zealand population, according to a report by the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
