What are affiliate networks for online casinos and how do they work?
Affiliate marketing involves referring a product or service by sharing it on a social media platform, blog, website or podcast. Online this is often done with a click-through banner. The affiliate will then earn a commission each time someone clicks through the link.
Affiliates are an important factor in driving traffic to online casinos and so operators offer generous commissions to help attract and retain successful sign-ups for their services.
The main affiliate revenue models
Rev share
- This is short for Revenue Share- an ongoing partnership where the affiliate will continue to receive a commission for the duration that the player keeps playing.
- The rev share commissions are 40% so they are best suited to capitalise on players depositing large amounts.
Cost Per Acquisition
- Cost Per Acquisition (or CPA) offers a guaranteed flat rate for every depositing player referred.
- This model delivers a commission, win or lose, so can be good if cashflow needs a boost, but can waste the potential of any high-rolling clients you refer.
Hybrid Deal
- A hybrid deal- as the name implies- is an affiliate program that combines the Rev Share and CPA models.
- Networkers receive a small guaranteed amount upon acquisition, and then a revenue share agreement is agreed upon (albeit smaller than the 40% for pure Rev Shares) for the duration of signups lifetime with the company.
How to set up an affiliate network
Here are the steps that need to be taken.
- Build a website that looks good, is easy to navigate, on reliable hosting and secure servers. Skimping on the hardware here is a false economy and a common rookie mistake. People have so many choices online that a sluggish site will have them gone before they get anywhere near those advertising banners and links.
- Attract the desired audience (potential gamblers) with relevant content. What will the readers want? Typically, gambling-related articles, infographics, advice, how-to’s etc. Keyword research can help establish the search terms the particular audience uses, and then content should be tailored to meet their needs.
- Find a decent affiliate network to join, then agree on terms and the commission model. Here are Diggity Marketings 11 best affiliate networks for 2022: Fortune Jack and Ace Revenue among the most popular and generous with their commissions. Teaming up with popular, well-known brands is best here, as players can be reluctant to join obscure companies they have never heard of. The most efficient way is to promote not only their name but their welcome and loyalty bonuses too- hence casino reviews are a popular choice with affiliate networking sites.
- Draw more traffic to your site with SEO and SMM strategies.
- Reap the rewards!
Setting up an affiliate network for online casinos is not easy but it can be extremely lucrative. And, with the internet such a fertile ground for attracting new acquisitions, its not an avenue that will be shut anytime soon!
