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
More transparency, better tools, a brighter future: MiglioriCasinoItalia revolutionizes the market with new features

MiglioriCasinoItalia is evolving, introducing a new suite of features set to transform how users choose where to play online. Already a benchmark in the Italian comparison space, the platform is now doubling down on transparency, responsibility, and advanced tools to help users make more informed decisions.
There are four key new features introduced to the platform. The License Comparator allows users to compare operator licenses instantly, clearly distinguishing between those regulated by ADM and those operating without Italian official authorization. Alongside it, the License Checker enables users to verify the status of an operator’s license in real time.
Soon to be released is the Casino Comparator, a feature that will allow users to compare multiple casinos side-by-side, based on key factors such as welcome bonuses, payment methods, and game selections. With an intuitive interface and customizable filters, users can view platform differences in seconds, making the selection process faster and more efficient.
Rounding up the update is the Playtest Report section, which adds depth to each casino review by showing the team’s hands-on experience with each operator — tested games and achieved outcomes—to ensure an even greater level of transparency.
These innovations come at a pivotal time for the industry. While Italy’s online gaming market is growing, it is also facing increasing regulatory pressure. The new online gambling reform is expected to fully take effect in September, after a deadline extension. This change signals a radical shift on the horizon: higher licensing costs, fewer authorized operators, and a more competitive market. In this changing landscape, MiglioriCasinoItalia positions itself as the go-to, trustworthy guide users can always rely on, providing tools designed to simplify their decision-making.
“Our mission has always been clear: to provide users with concrete, accessible, and up-to-date tools to help them choose where to play — empowering informed decisions,” says Angelo Vecchione, Website Manager of MiglioriCasinoItalia. “These features were developed through close observation of user behavior and from a strong vision for the industry’s future.”
“As the number of licensed operators decreases and their individual market share rises, having a clear and trustworthy go-to resource becomes crucial,” Adds Paolo Strano, Affiliate Manager and market expert at MiglioriCasinoItalia.
MiglioriCasinoItalia has evolved beyond a simple comparison tool: today, it guides, informs, and empowers.
The future of gambling won’t wait. With MiglioriCasinoItalia, users are already part of the next generation of casino comparison.
Awards
MightyTips is shortlisted for Sportsbook Affiliate of the Year at SBC Awards Europe

MightyTips has been nominated for the Sportsbook Affiliate of the Year award at the SBC Awards Europe 2025. This is the second successive year that the iGaming hub has been shortlisted in this category, where it will compete against industry giants such as Flashscore, Gentoo Media, and North Star Network.
The nomination recognises MightyTips’ increasingly prominent position within the sector and its contribution to the affiliate landscape following a year of significant growth, including an expanded portfolio of multilingual sites, increasing its total to 19 by the end of 2024.
The brand has also launched the MightyQs interview series, which focuses on partnerships between sportsbooks and big sports names. Furthermore, MightyTips has struck upon several collaborations with notable iGaming operators such as 888Starz and Roobet.
Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, said: “Being nominated for the Sportsbook Affiliate of the Year award is a testament to the hard work, knowledge and dedication of the MightyTips team. We continue to go from strength to strength, and everyone involved should be proud of their achievements over the last twelve months. We will continue to deliver high standards, and we cannot wait to see what we can accomplish over the next year.”
SBC Awards Europe
The SBC Awards Europe will take place on June 12th, 2025, on the final day of the SBC Summit Malta at the Hilton Malta. It will reward operators, affiliates, suppliers, and game developers throughout Europe who have contributed significantly to the sports betting and iGaming landscape.
This year’s awards have attracted a record-breaking number of nominations. Each entry is assessed by a hand-picked judging panel of industry experts. The ceremony will welcome 400 guests from across the sector, with awards handed out in 34 categories.
News
EEGS Launches its First Affiliate Webinar of 2025: Exploring the Affiliate’s Role in Responsible Gaming

The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is proud to announce the first edition of its Affiliate Webinar series for 2025, taking place on May 13 at 2:00 PM CET. Titled “Balancing Compliance and Conversion: The Affiliate’s Role in Responsible Gaming,” the session will explore the critical role affiliates play in today’s iGaming environment and the increasing importance of responsible practices in performance-driven marketing.
The webinar session will be led by Gjorgje Ristikj, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the affiliate space. As the Founder of Gamblers Connect and Co-Founder & CEO of RankRadar, Gjorgje brings a wealth of knowledge from co-founding the first Macedonian Poker Affiliate website to leading award-winning projects like Gamblers Connect and consulting in iGaming Affiliate Management. He will share practical insights drawn from real-world examples, industry trends, and proven campaign strategies.
The webinar will cover a wide range of timely topics, including the evolving landscape of affiliate marketing, the importance of aligning with responsible gaming principles, and navigating today’s increasingly complex compliance requirements. Attendees will also learn how to leverage tools and technologies to support compliant and transparent operations.
Whether you’re an affiliate, operator, or marketing professional in the gaming industry, this session promises actionable strategies for balancing ethical practices with business performance.
Registration is free and open. All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance after the session.
Secure your spot today and join the conversation on the future of affiliate marketing in iGaming: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FopPMF04SZ6uDB5AEBf_PA
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