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
Join N1 SEO Traffic Cup by N1 Partners Only Performance Wins the Game
N1 SEO Traffic Cup – the first tournament in the N1 Traffic Cups series by N1 Partners is gaining momentum. Throughout 2026, N1 Partners’ affiliates can expect a full-scale competitive roadmap: from individual cups to a global championship. The traffic tournament series will expand opportunities for teams focused on systematic performance growth and scaling their results.
The season kicks off with the N1 SEO Traffic Cup is an exclusive tournament for SEO teams featuring a level-based system and brand coefficients. Drive SEO traffic to N1 Partners’ casino and betting brands, earn points, and level up in the tournament – because the higher your Level, the better the prizes!
Current N1 Partners affiliates already driving SEO traffic to brands within the portfolio are automatically enrolled and registered in the tournament – for full registration details, please contact your account manager.
New partners should register via the following link: https://n1.partners/traffic-cups
Tournament period: March 1 – April 30, 2026
Results: May 10, 2026
Participation requirement: generate at least 20 FTDs per product during the tournament period to be included in the list of participants.
Tournament Mechanics 👇🏼
- The N1 SEO Traffic Cup features a level-based system where rewards depend on your N1 Cup Score – the total number of points earned.
- The more brands you work with, the higher the coefficient – and the higher your final N1 Cup Score.
- N1 Cup Score = FTD × Brand Coefficient
- 1 point = 1 FTD
More brands – higher results 👇🏼
The number of brands affects the coefficient as follows: https://bit.ly/n1seotrafficcup_launch_europeangaming
- 1 active brand: coefficient 1x
- 2–3 brands: coefficient 2x
- 4–5 or more brands: coefficient 5x
Prizes & Rewards 👇🏼
There are 4 prize levels in total. Each team that earns the required number of points and reaches Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 will be able to choose a prize from the corresponding prize pool or receive its cash equivalent:
Level 1: 7,000+ points – €25,000 per team
Level 2: 3,500–6,999 points – €15,000 per team
Level 3: 1,500–3,499 points – €7,000 per team
Level 4: 500–1,499 points – €5,000 per team
Among the prizes: trips to the world’s top sporting events – from Formula 1 in Monaco to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in the USA, a zero-gravity flight experience, an all-inclusive dream vacation in the Maldives, BMW and Ducati bikes, Apple gadgets, Cartier jewelry, Rolex watches, and much more.
Attention: multiple teams can qualify within each level. This means your final result depends solely on your own performance – the volume of traffic generated and the number of brands you work with. Each team receives the reward assigned to its respective prize level.
Even if you don’t hit a prize level, you’re still in the game – three bonus prizes will be raffled: an iPhone, a PlayStation 5 Pro, and exclusive merch.
“N1 SEO Traffic Cup is not just a tournament, but a systematic growth tool for SEO teams. We set out to create a mechanic that rewards not only volume, but also a strategic approach to working with brands. The level-based system and brand coefficients allow partners to directly influence their results and scale them consciously. In 2026, we are focusing on performance, transparency, and long-term partnerships – and this tournament marks a new chapter in N1 Partners’ large-scale promotional strategy,” – Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.
Tournament details and registration are available via the link: https://bit.ly/n1seotrafficcup_launch_europeangaming
N1 SEO Traffic Cup – only performance wins the game!
Affiliate Announcements
Tiki Taka Play Partners with NetRefer for its Affiliate Marketing Platform
Spanish online casino operator Tiki Taka Play has partnered with NetRefer, the industry’s leading data-driven, AI-powered affiliate marketing platform, to power and manage its affiliate programme as the brand continues to grow its presence in Spain’s regulated online gaming market.
First launched in early 2025, Tiki Taka Play marked a significant step in the digital expansion of Grupo Tiki Taka Games, a national company with more than 50 years of experience in the land-based gaming sector. Originally established as a family-run gaming machine business, the group has grown into a recognised operator within Spain’s leisure and entertainment industry, with operations spanning gaming halls, betting venues, and amusement activities.
With Tiki Taka Play, the group extends that experience into the digital environment. The platform has been developed to bring the standards of its land-based operations online, offering players a structured and reliable gaming experience built around accessibility, trust, and long-term engagement.
The operator’s online catalogue includes a wide selection of slots alongside classic table games such as blackjack and roulette, as well as immersive live casino experiences. This curated offering allows Tiki Taka Play to cater to a broad spectrum of player preferences while maintaining a professional and consistent gameplay environment.
Operating within Spain’s regulated gaming framework, Tiki Taka Play holds the relevant licences granted by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). Compliance, transparency, and responsible gaming therefore, sit at the centre of the operator’s approach, reinforcing the standards that have guided Grupo Tiki Taka Games throughout its decades-long presence in the industry.
Affiliate marketing forms a central pillar of Tiki Taka Play’s growth strategy as the brand establishes its presence in the competitive Spanish online gaming market. By selecting NetRefer, the operator gains access to a platform designed to deliver performance clarity, reliable tracking, and efficient partner management. Through NetRefer’s API technology, Tiki Taka Play benefits from seamless data transfer and real-time integration, allowing the operator to manage affiliate data accurately while maintaining operational efficiency across its programme.
Beyond these integrations, NetRefer’s broader ecosystem provides additional capabilities designed to support affiliate programme performance at scale. Solutions such as NetRefer BI Analytics enable advanced and customisable reporting, while NetRefer CoPilot AI enhances access to performance insights and operational knowledge through intelligent, data-driven assistance.
Reflecting on the process of selecting an affiliate platform, Marc De Rueda Colomés, COO of Tiki Taka Play, said, “When preparing the launch of Tiki Taka Play, we spoke with a number of our affiliates to understand which platforms they trusted most. NetRefer consistently stood out as one of the most balanced solutions in terms of service and value. The platform’s reporting and analytics tools are already proving valuable for our team, and the professionalism and dedication shown by the NetRefer team from the beginning of our collaboration have reinforced our confidence in the partnership.”
Greice Bezerra, Regional Acquisitions Specialist at NetRefer, commented, “Tiki Taka Play’s partnership with NetRefer represents an exciting step in the digital evolution of Grupo Tiki Taka Games. We’re proud to support their team with reliable technology and flexible integrations that provide the transparency, performance insights, and operational confidence needed to build and scale a successful affiliate programme in the competitive Spanish online gaming market.”
As Tiki Taka Play continues to expand its presence in Spain’s regulated online gaming market, the partnership with NetRefer provides the technology and operational foundation needed to support the growth of its affiliate programme. With greater performance visibility, advanced reporting capabilities, and scalable affiliate infrastructure, the operator is well-positioned to strengthen its partner network and drive sustainable digital growth.
News
N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance
Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise — much harder to sustain. Real long-term results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.
In the new episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist focused on building structured, trust-based collaboration with partners. In this interview, Shirin shares how he entered the industry, what principles guide his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in a high-pressure environment.
Shirin Mammadov
Senior Affiliate Manager, N1 Partners
How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realize this was the field you wanted to grow in?
It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running our own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiations, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. After some time in the role, I realized this wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long term.
What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?
Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the start, the relationship with the team was transparent and professional. I saw their structured processes and strong performance mindset, but also a genuinely friendly atmosphere.
When I decided to move forward in my career, the key factor was trust. I already knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move — it was a strategic one. I wanted to join a company I respected and where my affiliate-side experience could add real value.
What advice would you give your first-month self as an affiliate manager?
I would tell my first-month self to focus less on trying to prove myself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Building strong partnerships takes time, and trust is more important than quick deals. I would also remind myself to ask more questions and not be afraid to challenge assumptions. The faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.
When do you know a partner will become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off deal?
You can usually see it from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about their traffic sources, open to feedback, and interested in continuous optimization rather than just the highest CPA, that’s a strong sign. Long-term partners think about strategy, testing, and growth — not just short-term profit. When there is mutual trust and aligned goals, it naturally turns into a sustainable relationship rather than a one-off deal.
How do you separate “normal volatility” from a real problem when you look at performance reports?
I separate normal volatility from a real problem by looking at trends over time rather than reacting to a single day’s numbers. Small fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops, unusual patterns, or deviations from historical performance are red flags. I also consider external factors, like seasonality or campaign changes, before jumping to conclusions. Once a pattern looks concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to identify the root cause.
Was there a time when the right communication truly “saved” a partnership? What did you do differently?
Yes, there was a situation where a partner was underperforming and frustrated with their results. Instead of focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a direct conversation to understand their concerns and listen carefully. By aligning on goals, explaining the strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments, we rebuilt trust and improved performance together. It showed me that proactive, transparent communication can turn a challenging situation into a stronger, strategic partnership.
Do you have a personal motto? Sum yourself up in one sentence.
Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results
What helps you stay balanced and clear-headed during high-pressure periods?
I stay balanced by keeping active and making sure I move my body, whether it’s at the gym or just staying consistent with workouts. I also make a point to disconnect from work for short periods, which helps me reset and approach challenges with a clear mind. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time keeps stress manageable. This combination of physical activity and structured focus helps me stay calm and effective under pressure.
If you weren’t in iGaming …
If I weren’t in iGaming, I think I’d be a seaman. I’ve always been drawn to the sea – the challenge, the adventure, and the discipline it requires really appeal to me. In a way, both paths share the same mindset: staying focused, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
Top-3 Blitz
What are the biggest red flags in leads — and what do you do when you see them?
- Unclear traffic sources — I ask detailed questions and request transparency before moving forward.
2. Inconsistent performance — I monitor closely and set clear KPIs to track improvements.
3. Lack of communication or responsiveness — I address it directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is worth continuing.
From an affiliate’s perspective, what matters most in an affiliate program?
1.Timely and transparent payments — affiliates need confidence in accurate, on-time payments.
2.Clear communication and support — being able to get answers, guidance, and updates quickly is essential.
3.Opportunities for growth — competitive offers, performance incentives, and tools that help them scale traffic effectively.
Name the tools you can’t imagine an affiliate manager working without.
- CRM / Affiliate tracking platforms — to monitor performance, track partners, and analyze data accurately.
2. Spreadsheet & analytics tools — for performance analysis, trend spotting, and making data-driven decisions.
3. Communication tools — email, chat, and video calls to maintain strong partner relationships.
Join N1 Partners
Partners who want to discuss a launch, explore tailored terms, or test an offer can reach out to Shirin directly.
N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization recommendations, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.
N1 Partners is more than an affiliate program. As a multi-brand affiliate platform and direct advertiser, the company unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is recognized for its transparency, flexibility, and partner-first approach — where people and communication quality remain the foundation of long-term success.
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