News
The Outlook for UK iGaming Affiliate Marketing in 2021
The iGaming industry can be quite lucrative for affiliates who know how to make the most out of available affiliate programs. UK online gambling brands from sportsbooks to casinos and everything in between rely on all types of online and offline advertising strategies to acquire and retain customers. Affiliate marketing is one such strategy that has evolved in importance over the years. This evolution is likely to continue in 2021.
Even though 2020 has been a rather rocky year due to COVID-19, iGaming affiliate marketing share in 2021 has the potential to grow with new online UK bookmakers establishing (and big-name online UK bookmakers re-establishing) a foothold in the profitable football betting market. Already, brand new bookies are starting to appear with the 2020/21 sports season set to begin. These new bookies mean the potential for more affiliate marketing opportunities because affiliate programs tend to be one of the most cost-effective methods for acquiring new customers.
Affiliate marketing spend has increased over the years
For sportsbooks and casinos, over the last decade, affiliate marketing has become an increasingly important marketing strategy for expanding their online reach to attract new punters via desktop and mobile channels.
According to a Regulus Partners report, in the past few years there has been massive growth in UK gambling online marketing spend, which increased form £376 million in 2014 to £725 million in 2017. As such, it comes as no surprise that this same report found that there was also notable growth in Affiliate marketing spend, with an increase from £274 million in 2014 to £295 million in 2017. This is quite the jump considering that affiliate marketing typically tends to be one of the least expensive forms of advertising.
It is highly probably that these figures will continue to climb higher into next year as more of Britain’s gamblers choose to bet online out of convenience, ease of mobile access and the pandemic crisis.
Current iGaming Affiliate restrictions
Presently, gambling online in the UK is at an all time high. According to the UK Gambling Commission’s gambling industry statistics covering the period between October 2018 and September 2019, gross gambling yield has grown. More specifically, some of the biggest increases have been seen in the remote (online) betting, bingo and casino markets. Focusing on betting specifically, the total gross gambling yield for remote betting during this time period was £2.1 billion, a 4.3% increase from April 2018 – May 2019.
However, while this may be good news for gambling operators and their affiliates, a growing concern about increased problem gambling and gambling addiction in the country, has lead to a call for tighter regulations to be placed on operators, specifically restrictions regarding advertising.
This isn’t the first time that restrictions have been placed on UK gambling-related advertising, including iGaming affiliate marketing. Three years ago, tighter regulations were placed on operators, making them liable for the actions of their affiliate partners to help try and curb advertising misleading information. This has resulted in betting firms being hit with fines rather than their affiliates when their affiliates advertised misleading information about the firm’s promotions.
These stricter guidelines were designed to motivate gambling operators to encourage their affiliates to stick to advertising regulations, otherwise the operator would be held responsible if the advertising was found to be in breach of Gambling Commission rules. As a direct result of these rules, some firms closed their affiliate programs altogether, including Sky Bet, who didn’t want to take a chance with untrustworthy affiliates.
What the future could hold for iGaming affiliates
However, in spite of the current affiliate marketing regulation responsibilities placed on operators, some feel that this is not enough. It is possible that, in the future, the UK government may take the next step and regulate iGaming affiliates directly. If this should occur, it could mean that affiliates would be required to register or license their operations before deals can be made to promote legal sportsbooks.
These changes could impact affiliates by introducing new:
- Regulation costs – A fee may need to be paid by affiliates to be regulated.
- Legal requirements – Affiliates would be required to ensure regulatory compliance, meaning that if they breach rules they would also be subject to a fine along with the operator.
- Increased acquisitions – Smaller affiliates are not likely to survive with the new regulatory changes, making it easier for larger affiliates to purchase them, reducing competition.
There is no question that if the Gambling Commission chooses to crack down further on affiliate marketing, this would have an effect on iGaming affiliate market share in the future. However, as it stands now, with new online bookmakers popping up onto the scene and the new football season ready to start, the outlook seems bright for iGaming affiliates in 2021.
News
N1 Sport Promo: Earn More with Sports Traffic
With less than two weeks remaining until N1 Sport Promo by N1 Partners comes to an end, the biggest sporting events of July are still ahead: the decisive matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Wimbledon Final, the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, and the closing stages of the Tour de France.
During this period, every additional FTD not only increases your overall payout but also boosts your CPA rate.
- SEO & PPC — +€50 CPA for every 10 FTDs, with no cap on CPA increases.
- Facebook, In-App, UAC, ASO, Email & SMS — +€10 CPA for every 30 FTDs, up to +€100 above your base CPA.
The full promotion terms are available via the link below.
The N1 Partners affiliate team has shared practical recommendations to help affiliates make the most of the final stage of the promotion.
Strengthen Campaigns That Already Deliver Results
The final weeks of N1 Sport Promo are the best time to increase the volume of successful campaigns and take full advantage of the promotion’s progressive CPA mechanics.
Focus on traffic sources and creatives that are already delivering consistent results. Their growth can be supported by expanding into additional GEOs, regularly refreshing creatives, keeping offers up to date, and reacting quickly to major sporting events.
Even a moderate increase in high-quality traffic can significantly improve your final payout: the more FTDs you generate before the promotion ends, the higher your CPA rate becomes.
Speed Is a Competitive Advantage
The strongest results typically come from campaigns launched ahead of key matches and kept relevant throughout the tournament. Preparing campaigns before kickoff and responding quickly to shifts in audience interest helps affiliates capitalize on peaks in sports traffic and generate more high-quality FTDs.
Mobile users deserve particular attention during this period, as a significant share of the audience engages with sports content while matches are taking place.
Player Activity Peaks in the Final Hours Before Kickoff
During major sporting events, many users register just a few hours before a match begins. That’s why timely creative updates and a strong focus on the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures are essential for maintaining campaign performance.
Key Sporting Events Before the Promo Ends
The sports calendar remains packed over the coming weeks:
- July 9 — France vs Morocco (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
- July 10 — Spain vs Belgium (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
- July 11 — Norway vs England (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
- July 14–15 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-finals;
- July 19 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Final;
- July 12 — Wimbledon Final;
- July 19 — Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix;
- Through July 26 — Closing stages of the Tour de France.
Each of these events traditionally drives spikes in search demand, social media engagement, and player interest. As a rule, the best-performing campaigns are those that are already delivering results. The final weeks of the promotion are the ideal time to strengthen them through continuous, data-driven optimization.
Looking for even more scaling opportunities? The N1 Partners team has also prepared a comprehensive July guide featuring the month’s biggest sporting events and practical recommendations to help affiliates plan campaigns more effectively and drive additional Tier-1 traffic.
If you haven’t joined N1 Sport Promo yet, contact your affiliate manager or reach out to LeadGen Chris and make the most of the final weeks of the promotion.
Why choose N1 Partners?
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high Reg2Dep
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners
Be number one with N1!
News
LEONBET and Simon Msuva Continue the Journey with a Nationwide Media Tour Following The Msuva Story
Following the release of The Msuva Story documentary, LEONBET and its brand ambassador, Simon Msuva, are continuing the campaign with a nationwide media tour to share the footballer’s inspiring journey and encourage young Tanzanians to pursue their dreams with determination and confidence.
The media tour saw Msuva visit leading radio stations across Tanzania, where he discussed his football journey, the challenges he overcame, and the message behind the documentary. Through these conversations, LEONBET and Msuva encouraged young Tanzanians to believe in their ambitions, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.
The documentary chronicles Msuva’s rise from a young football enthusiast to one of Tanzania’s most recognisable professional players, highlighting the determination, discipline, and resilience that shaped his career.
“As someone who started with a dream, I want young people to know that every challenge can become an opportunity if you keep believing in yourself,” said Simon Msuva. “I hope my story inspires the next generation to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.”
As part of the campaign, LEONBET and Msuva also hosted a special community football event featuring local teams Taifa King (Temeke) and Wekewa FC (Kinondoni). Held at Mwembe Yanga Grounds, the friendly match brought together football, entertainment, and community engagement, with Simon Msuva attending as the guest of honour and meeting young fans throughout the day.
The initiative reflects LEONBET’s ongoing commitment to supporting sports development and creating opportunities that inspire young talent across Tanzania. Beyond sponsoring professional athletes and sporting initiatives, the company continues to invest in projects that strengthen local communities and promote positive role models.
Through The Msuva Story and the accompanying media tour, LEONBET and Simon Msuva hope to remind young Tanzanians of one simple message:
“Every dream is possible if you believe.”
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Wins “Best Affiliate Management Platform” at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026
ReferOn has been named the Best Affiliate Management Platform at the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, marking another major milestone in the company’s growth. Announced live at iGB LIVE, the recognition follows a year of relentless product innovation, customer growth, and a continued focus on simplifying affiliate operations.
Turning Complexity into Clarity
Managing high-volume affiliate programs requires processing millions of data points every day. ReferOn was built to eliminate that complexity through automation, real-time insights, and streamlined workflows.
This year also marked the introduction of Refie, ReferOn’s integrated UX layer. Instead of forcing affiliate managers to navigate complex backend data, Refie turns raw operational data into clear, actionable insights. From onboarding to daily performance tracking, it helps teams spend less time on administration and more time driving strategic growth.
Alex Bukin, CEO of ReferOn, commented: “Winning the iGB Affiliate Award is a remarkable achievement for our entire team. As affiliate programs grow, so does the complexity behind them. From day one, our ambition has been to remove that complexity, so operators can focus on growth instead of operational friction. This recognition reinforces our belief that great B2B technology should be simpler, more intuitive, easier to work with, and built around the people who use it”.
Having secured major industry awards over the past 18 months, — including ‘Affiliate System of the Year’ at AffPapa and ‘Best Affiliate Software’ at SiGMA — ReferOn looks ahead with a roadmap that remains focused on making affiliate management even more intelligent, transparent, and effortless. Our upcoming developments will continue to simplify complex workflows, expand AI-powered assistance, and provide operators with even greater visibility and control over their affiliate operations.
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