Marketing
Affiliate
Definition
A third party that drives traffic and registrations to an operator in exchange for commission, paid as CPA, revenue share, hybrid, or tenancy.
Why it matters
Affiliates have been a structural feature of online gambling acquisition since the early 2000s and remain a significant share of new player volume in most markets, especially where direct advertising is restricted. The model spans high-traffic comparison sites, content publishers, tipster sites, streamers, social media creators, and large affiliate networks that aggregate inventory and offer one-to-many access to operators.
The commercial structure varies. CPA pays a flat fee per qualifying new depositor. Revenue share pays an ongoing percentage of net revenue from acquired players, often with negative carry-over and lifetime commitments. Hybrid combines both. Tenancy pays a flat fee for placement regardless of conversion. Affiliate spend gets significant compliance attention because the affiliate is often the player's first impression of the operator, so advertising standards, responsible gambling messaging, and bonus claim accuracy fall back on the operator under licensing rules. UKGC enforcement against operators for affiliate misconduct has made this an active risk area.
Frequently asked questions
Is the operator legally responsible for affiliate marketing content?
In most regulated markets, yes. The operator holds the license and is accountable for marketing carried out on its behalf, including by affiliates. The UKGC has fined operators for affiliate breaches multiple times. Operators run affiliate compliance programs covering creative approval, language standards, RG messaging, and ongoing monitoring of partner content.
What's driving the shift from revenue share to CPA?
Several factors. Listed operators prefer predictable acquisition cost. Bonus restrictions and affordability checks in regulated markets reduce long-tail player value, which makes revenue share less attractive for affiliates. And some jurisdictions explicitly restrict ongoing revenue share affiliate models. CPA-dominant markets include the UK and several US states.