Affiliate Success
Affiliate Interviews: Luigi of TopClassBet.com
In this affiliate success story you’ll get to know Luigi Piromalli, founder and owner of TopClassBet.com, a very interesting site filled with in-depth reviews of bookmakers, rankings based on the services offered, from financial betting to virtual sports and many other curiosities and also insights on sports betting.
GAV: First of all thank you for the opportunity Luigi! Could you share with us your profile so our readers can get a better idea of who you are?
Name: Luigi Piromalli
Age: 38
Hometown: Vibo Valentia, Italy
Living in: Vicenza, Italy
Favorite Food: Fish
Must Read Book: Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist
Profession/Job title: Founder and Owner at TopClassBet
GAV: Hi Luigi, tell us a bit about yourself, we would like to know who Luigi really is, the main person behind Topclassbet.com. What was the key idea of developing this great betting website?
Luigi: Hello, my name is Luigi Piromalli, I was born in Vibo Valentia, a small town in southern Italy on March 25, 1978. After graduating as Data Processor Operator, I received other certificates as expert in the use of the old MS- DOS. A few years later, considering that my passion for the web and for online gaming was growing more and more, i decided to use my experience and my knowledge creating TopClassBet. The basic idea was to offer the end user with all the useful information in choosing the right bookmaker. After more than four years I can be satisfied with the results achieved.
GAV: What were the bumps on your road when you got started and how did you overcome them?
Luigi: Undoubtedly working in the world of online betting is not easy, the biggest obstacle is represented by the multitude of great competitors and by market saturation. All difficulties can be overcome only by offering unbiased real data, putting passion and self denial. I have no problems adding that, contents theft and improper techniques of some competitors, are an obstacle for people like me who started without a big budget and without disturbing those who already worked in this field.
GAV: We have surfed your website and found some high quality content. Are you writing it by yourself or you have a team of people writing for you?
Luigi: I am lucky to work closely with competent people, the articles are mostly created by me and written by my staff. My staff is also involved in translations and online marketing. I can be satisfied and safe from any kind of problems.
GAV: How do you keep the content fresh and devoid of clutter when a lot of fluff and nonsense appear on the Internet on a daily basis?
Luigi: Let me congratulate for this, it is a question which fully hits the real reason for success or failure. The web offers interesting insights in various fields, particularly, in the world of online betting you will encounter reliable and meticulous sites, but likewise, the risk of finding useless and devoid contents of any practical benefit is very high. The world of online affiliations that revolves around sports betting or betting in general, is full of vultures and unscrupulous people. Just to get that famous click many are ready to write any kind of falsehood or completely invent pumped data. As I said earlier the trick is the one to be honest and impartial while not hiding some sympathies towards particular companies.
GAV: We are sure that you receive daily messages from Affiliate Managers showcasing their products. You of course select them by the brands they work with; but what are your thoughts on how Affiliate Manager-Affiliate relationships should be built?
Luigi: Yes, I receive lots of requests from affiliate managers, they do their job and I do mine, this means that I can not materially promote every applicant. I choose the bookmakers according to the parameters that I have set, they must be really useful to the bettor. As for my interests, I can safely say that I choose based on the solidity and reliability of the company, in general the commission model is similar for all bookmakers. The relationship created between affiliate and manager must be of mutual respect and maximum cooperation, once started it is important to continue working together to maximize the efforts.
GAV: How do you see the future of the online betting industry? For instance, will it become a truly global phenomenon in the near future?
Luigi: Good question, surely the world of online betting is still growing, especially in countries that were once considered poor and backward. Today the Internet has reached many places which were not even served by water and this has helped to increase the turnover of the companies that operate online,especially bookmakers. They are already a global phenomenon and data confirm this. These numbers are expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
GAV: Can you name one change that you want to see in the sports betting affiliate ecosystem?
Luigi: If I could express, this desire would be to have more perspicuity about players data of those who register with bookmakers thanks to my sites. I do not ask to access Personal Data of the individual customer but to be able to know how much he deposited and what he betted on . I ceased collaborations with many companies just for lack of transparency and because figures didn’t add up. Unfortunately, not everyone in this field is honest, in fact I can state that at least 30% of the bookmakers do not deserve any consideration from us affiliates.
GAV: What advise you would like to offer to the new affiliates who are looking to venture into this great industry?
Luigi: I would recommend them not to think about earnings only, but to concentrate on services for their users. I would also recommend to test and discover peculiarities of each company they want to promote, in other words, to choose the bookmaker to be promoted by putting themselves in the gambler shoes. The first step to success is to keep the user a faithful customer, and the only way to earn respect on the web is by showing honesty.
GAV: Who is your favorite celebrity?
Luigi: Keeping on the sport subject, my greatest idol is Zinedine Zidane.
GAV: If you would just open your YouTube search bar, what would you search for?
Luigi: I habitually use YouTube to listen to music, but on several occasions I used it to watch some very interesting tutorials.
GAV: Back to work. Do you attend any iGaming conferences? If so, which one is your favorite and what is your most fun experience?
Luigi: Fortunately I got to know personally some affiliate managers and receive the greetings of their companies, but I have not yet had the opportunity to attend any affiliates conference. In February, however, I should be able to attend the one that will be held in London. I hope I will have fun.
GAV: How do you rate the chances of Eastern Europe becoming potential gaming hotspot of the future? Where do you think the region must improve upon?
Luigi: Eastern Europe is a good market, but has yet to take off. I know very well that niche and I can tell you that I foresee a very strong growth in 2017. I believe that in general the development should focus on all the countries of Eastern Europe, but if I had to state two names i’d say Croatia and Czech Republic.
GAV: Alright, here comes the fun part…., where would you like to travel in Eastern Europe, some part of the region maybe that you haven’t visited yet and favorite destination around the world?
Luigi: I’d like to visit Hungary and Bulgaria, i think next year i will visit one of those two. Worldwide, there are many lovely places but if i had to pick just one i would tell you Moscow.
GAV: Where you wouldn’t want to travel in Eastern Europe?
Luigi: Let’s say I have traveled extensively in Eastern Europe and I have no antipathy towards any country. But if I have to state a name, Romania does not excites me and I do not think I’ll never go. As you know, Italy is a very welcome country to Romanians and I got to know their traditions and their respectable history, but I also know that is not exactly great going to waste a vacation in Romania.
GAV: What is your opinion about GAV (gamblingaffiliatevoice.com)?
Luigi: I’ll answer with pleasure because I find GAV an innovative site and a good meeting point for people like me who work in this field. Have a say in this area is important, to be considered people before numbers is challenging and rewarding. So as well as being honored to have participated in your interview, I’m glad of your work. Thank you.
GAV: Thank you very much Luigi for your time, interest and kind words! We wish you all the best for the year to come!
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA Launches Italian Quality Mark for Affiliates
QMRA is a Compliance Quality Mark for iGaming Affiliates, launched by XY Legal Solutions B.V. (XYLS). XYLS launched a Dutch Quality Mark, KVA (https://kva.nl/), in September 2021, now working with numerous operators (LeoVegas, ComeOn, 711, TonyBet, Hard Rock Casino) and 90+ members.
In February 2024, QMRA was launched. Affiliates from the following markets were able to apply for the Quality Mark: Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, USA Michigan, The UK, Ontario and Estonia. As of today, Italian affiliates will be able to join QMRA as well. Applicants will receive:
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- A Compliance Report, containing compliance feedback if needed, in certain cases usable for obtaining a Meta Ads License;
- A specific Online Certificate about the member website, explaining its compliance (https://qmra.eu/members/affiliates/);
- Possibility to consult the QMRA team on compliance related questions.
Several joined since launch, representing all available markets so far. Among joining companies were Leadstar, ADM Group, BetFans, Game Lounge and Gentoo. Game Lounge and Gentoo decided to make QMRA official company policy. Sitebee, a Gentoo launched Compliance Tool, announced an official partnership with QMRA on legal support last week.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures SBC Awards shortlist for Casino Affiliate of the Year
Casino Guru, the world’s largest and most up-to-date database of online casinos, has landed on the shortlist for SBC Awards 2024 in the Casino Affiliate of the Year category.
Casino Guru, which has processed more than 6,930 casinos, and prides itself on the world’s largest forum community built around informing players, enters a competitive field of 12 contestants all vying for the distinction.
SBC Awards 2024 is due to take place on September 26 at the MEO Arena on the final day of the SBC Summit, celebrating industry-wide achievements. Casino Guru is proud to be shortlisted for this important accolade. The company has worked tirelessly to establish itself at the top of the industry.
In embracing the affiliate business model, Casino Guru has created a groundbreaking and industry-shifting paradigm through the introduction of the Safety Index, a complex algorithm powered by big data, consumer feedback, and a meticulously in-house analyst team that has allowed Casino Guru to not only be the go-to repository for online casinos but also provide players with a credible source of information when it comes to the inherent trustworthiness of each casino brand listed in the constantly-growing database.
In welcoming the nomination, Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, said: “I am thrilled to see Casino Guru shortlisted for the category again this year! Our competitors for the winner are recognised companies with a considerable impact on the online gambling affiliate business. The criteria for the winner go beyond our unique approach to affiliation and consider growth in multiple areas. I am convinced that we have much to offer in this sense as well, and I am looking forward to the judge’s conclusion.”
The Safety Index in particular has been a dynamic and living ecosystem that has been evolving on a weekly and monthly basis, registering movements in casinos’ overall ranking based on a comprehensive set of factors, such as complaint resolution, terms and conditions, licensing issues and more.
Having those efforts recognized by the SBC Summit Awards is a huge milestone for the company, which has operated with an unwavering commitment to bringing consumers the best possible choices from a database that easily constitutes the world’s largest.
Casino Guru is a trailblazer in building an affiliate business that is fully consumer-focused and consumer-facing, by offering an uncompromising, verifiable and transparent accreditation process that ultimately benefits consumers and helps match their preferences with the best casino brand.
Casino Guru is looking forward to September 26 and is excited about the opportunity to demonstrate to the panel of judges that the company is committed to raising standards for the way consumers engage with the industry in a manner that protects consumers and distinguishes the best operators and brands on the market, helping drive a sustainable and healthy environment for all.
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Nominated for “Acquisition and Retention Partner” at SBC Awards 2024
ReferOn, a state-of-the-art affiliate management platform, announces its nomination in the Acquisition & Retention Partner category at the prestigious SBC Awards 2024.
The inclusion in this category highlights ReferOn’s efforts to create and develop a targeted product for the needs of the iGaming industry, recognizing the team’s innovative approach and notable results in the field of affiliate marketing.
ReferOn’s nomination as an Acquisition & Retention Partner confirms that the affiliate management platform has proven its effectiveness and understanding of customer needs, as noted by the judging committee. Designed with years of iGaming experience its team, ReferOn caters to the specific needs of affiliates and managers, offering a flexible and scalable solution for managing large networks of companies in one comprehensive hub.
Alexia Gauci, B2B Sales Manager of ReferOn, commented on the nomination: “Being mentioned in the ‘Acquisition and Retention Partner’ category at the SBC Awards 2024 means a lot for our team. We are providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of iGaming professionals. We’re continuously enhancing the platform’s capabilities so our clients can solve the issues they are facing & achieve business goals.”
ReferOn brings reporting capabilities, robust back-office functions, and unique reward mechanics, all designed to simplify administration and enhance data control. With features like Sub-Affiliation and Independent Deal Calculations (IDC), ReferOn offers transparency and flexibility, helping users with tracking key metrics easily for quick data-driven decisions.
In addition to its technical improvements, ReferOn started educational initiatives & received good feedback from the audience. The team already conducted two free seminars, “ReferOn Insights” for Operators and Affiliates to provide valuable knowledge and strategies for maximizing affiliate marketing success.
The ReferOn team will be exhibiting at SBC Summit 2024 in Lisbon and will showcase its latest developments and offerings at booth F430 from 24-26 September. Visitors will be able to ask ReferOn representatives questions and learn more about the platform’s advanced features and innovations.