iGaming Affiliate Marketing 101: What it is and How to Get Started

What if you could generate income effortlessly, no matter where you are or what time it is — even while you sleep?

Behind this concept affiliate marketing plays an important role in making money which means that by promoting the products and services you can earn commission.

In 2023, affiliate marketing spending in the United States reached $9.56 billion, with projections estimating it will grow to $10.72 billion in 2024 and approximately $12 billion by 2025 — which means there’s plenty of room for the ones who are interested in getting a cut of the profits.

In this guide, you will learn about iGaming affiliate marketing and how to set up your affiliate marketing business.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a kind of performance-based marketing where individuals or companies, known as affiliates, get a commission for advertising the goods or services of another company Affiliates use unique tracking links to drive traffic or sales to the merchant’s website. When a sale or action is completed, the affiliate earns a percentage of the revenue generated. It’s a win-win model, where both the affiliate and the merchant benefit from the partnership.

How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where businesses (merchants or advertisers) reward affiliates (publishers or marketers) for driving traffic, leads, or sales through their promotional efforts. It operates on a revenue-sharing basis, meaning affiliates earn commissions based on the actions their referrals generate.

1. Merchant (Advertiser) Sets Up an Affiliate Program:

A company offering products or services creates an affiliate program, defining commission structures, tracking methods, and promotional guidelines.

2. Affiliates Join the Program:

• Affiliates (bloggers, influencers, publishers, or website owners) sign up for the program.
• They receive unique affiliate links, banners, or other marketing materials.

3. Affiliates Promote Products/Services:

• They use various channels like websites, blogs, social media, email marketing, paid ads, and YouTube to drive traffic to the advertiser’s website.

4. Customers Click & Convert:

• When a visitor clicks an affiliate link and completes a desired action (purchase, sign-up, etc.), the affiliate gets credited.
• Affiliate tracking software records the conversion using cookies, pixels, or tracking codes.

5. Commission Payouts:

• The merchant validates the sales or leads and pays the affiliate according to the agreed commission model (CPS, CPA, CPC, RevShare, etc.).

Common iGaming Affiliate Commission Models

iGaming affiliate programs use various commission structures, including:

• Revenue Share – Affiliates earn a percentage of the net revenue generated by referred players.
• Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) – A fixed amount is paid for each new depositing player.
• Hybrid Model – A combination of revenue share and CPA.
• Sub-Affiliate Commissions – Affiliates earn commissions by referring other affiliates to the program.

Steps to Get Started with iGaming Affiliate Marketing

1. Choose the Right Niche

iGaming covers multiple sectors, including online casinos, sports betting, poker, and eSports betting. Focus on a niche that aligns with your audience and expertise.

2. Find a Reliable Affiliate Program

Look for affiliate programs from reputable iGaming operators. Consider factors like commission rates, payment frequency, and brand reputation. Some popular programs include:

• Bet365 Partners
• 888 Affiliates
• William Hill Affiliates

3. Build a Website or Platform

Having a dedicated website or blog helps establish credibility and organic traffic. Ensure it is optimized for SEO and mobile-friendly.

4. Create High-Quality Content

Content is crucial for driving traffic. Some effective content types include:

• Casino reviews
• Betting guides and strategies
• News and updates on promotions
• Comparison articles of different iGaming platforms

5. Implement SEO and Marketing Strategies

Use search engine optimization (SEO) to rank higher on search engines. Other effective strategies include:

• Social media marketing
• Email campaigns
• Paid advertising (PPC, native ads)

6. Track and Optimize Performance

Use tracking tools and analytics platforms to monitor your traffic and conversions. Adjust strategies based on performance insights.

Challenges in iGaming Affiliate Marketing

• Regulatory Compliance – iGaming is heavily regulated, with different laws across jurisdictions.
• High Competition – Many affiliates are competing for the same audience.
• Player Retention Issues – Affiliates need to drive high-quality traffic that converts into long-term players.

Conclusion

iGaming affiliate marketing is a great opportunity for digital marketers who are ready to invest time in content creation, SEO, and audience engagement. With the right tools, like Affnook, affiliates can simplify their marketing efforts and maximize their potential. Affnook offers powerful tracking and reporting tools, making it easier for affiliates to optimize their campaigns, analyze performance, and adjust strategies for better results. By leveraging such tools, affiliates can build a sustainable income stream while efficiently managing and growing their presence in the iGaming industry.