In the highly competitive and rapidly evolving world of online gambling, affiliates have emerged as a continuous driving force behind the growth of some of the industry’s most successful operators. They are often regarded as indispensable partners within the iGaming ecosystem, helping online casinos and sportsbooks secure volumes of players, thereby guaranteeing their survival.
Affiliates help drive traffic to various online casino platforms through their sites by creating and publishing enticing and educational content. In turn, they receive a cut depending on the number of clients they bring in. It’s truly a win-win scenario, as not only can players learn more about the industry, but they can also discover a new platform that has been vetted by an affiliate they trust. Furthermore, they are even privy to exclusive deals, sweetening the pot even further.
Of course, negotiating exclusive no deposit bonus codes and other fresh deals is an important component, but it’s just a mere drop in the ocean of a longer, more complex process. Keep reading more to find out how essential affiliates are to the success of an online casino.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a widely employed and highly effective promotional strategy in which individuals or businesses, referred to as affiliates, earn commissions by directing customers to specific online casinos. This is accomplished through various channels, including banner ads, native advertisements, and most commonly affiliate links embedded within articles. Affiliate marketing is especially popular within the iGaming industry since TV and radio advertising are heavily restricted or even prohibited.
However, the success of this marketing approach often hinges on an affiliate’s ability to amass a substantial following through their content creation. Achieving this requires content that not only resonates with the audience but also entertains. This can prove to be quite challenging, particularly for those just embarking on their affiliate marketing journey.
Furthermore, it is imperative that users can trust an affiliate’s judgments when they promote an online casino. It should not be perceived as a mere money-making endeavor but rather as a sincere and well-founded recommendation. Building trust is a fundamental aspect of effective affiliate marketing.
How It Works
If you want to become an affiliate, you need to sign up for one of the affiliate programs offered by an online casino of your choice. Once you are approved as an affiliate, you enter into what can be described as a partnership, where your goal is to encourage as many individuals as possible to sign up for that particular casino’s platform. The online casino will provide you with a variety of marketing materials, including website banners and links, to help you reach your fullest potential.
You are then encouraged to promote the online casino on blogs, social media channels, email newsletters, and your own website. It is also strongly recommended to use digital marketing tactics such as pay-per-click advertising and SEO optimization to ensure that your messaging reaches the widest audience possible. Each affiliate link is embedded with a tracking code to record when a player is acquired.
Your earnings are based on the amount of revenue generated by the players you refer, either as a percentage of the net gaming revenue or as a fixed one-time payment for each player who signs up and makes a deposit. Some affiliate programs also offer a combination of revenue sharing and cost per acquisition (CPA), allowing you to choose your preferred commission structure. You can even track referral’s activity including sign-ups, revenue, clicks and deposits with reporting tools, so you have a better idea of how much you are owed.
Different Types of Affiliates
Affiliates are usually able to grow substantial followings because they are often players themselves. They understand the kind of content players want to see and engage with. This content can vary from gaming guides on how to conquer table games to promoting the latest AI technology set to revolutionize the industry. Now, let’s take a closer look at the various types of online gambling affiliates:
Bloggers
Affiliate bloggers utilize their websites to promote a wide range of topics, including the best casino bonuses, new gaming releases, and the latest trends in the industry. They are also considered trusted sources, offering in-depth reviews of online casinos to help players determine whether they are worth their time and money.
Online Magazines
Online iGaming magazines also act as affiliates, publishing the latest news about the industry and leveraging their reach to guide their extensive audience toward the casino of their choice.
Streamers
Streamers are among the most popular online casino affiliates because they promote casinos in a fun and interactive manner by live-streaming themselves playing popular games. Players can follow their favorite streamers on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, becoming part of a dedicated fan community. Streamers achieve notable success because players often feel a deeper connection and sense of loyalty to them, making them more inclined to support and engage with whatever the streamer endorses.
Forums
Owners and moderators of online forums, where casino players gather to exchange information, opinions, and insights, can also become affiliates. They leverage the community’s sense of trust to their advantage by promoting their online casinos in a more intimate setting.