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.
Conferences
New Sponsorship Opportunities Announced for the EEGS Affiliate Conference

The EEGS Affiliate Conference, now in its 4th edition, is pleased to announce the launch of new sponsorship opportunities. As the region’s only event dedicated exclusively to affiliates, this conference serves as a vital platform for industry professionals, brands, and affiliates to network, share insights, and drive growth.
Part of the prestigious Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS), the Affiliate Conference will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on the 25th of November. This event continues to grow as an essential opportunity for those seeking to expand their presence and influence within the affiliate marketing ecosystem.
The new sponsorship packages are thoughtfully designed to provide maximum visibility, targeted exposure, and valuable engagement opportunities for partners looking to connect with a focused and dynamic audience.
Bronze Sponsorship
Silver Sponsorship
Gold Sponsorship
Platinum Sponsorship
Fun Mirror Sponsorship
For more information, please click HERE or visit EEGS website https://eegamingsummit.com/
If you have any questions or would like to discuss customized opportunities, reach out to the organizers at [email protected]
The EEGS Affiliate Conference eagerly anticipates welcoming new partners and making this 4th edition in Sofia the most successful yet.
Affiliate Program News
Let’sBet Partners with NetRefer for its Affiliate Marketing Platform

Emerging US sportsbook operator Let’sBet has partnered with NetRefer, the industry’s leading data-driven, AI-powered affiliate marketing platform, to support the launch and long-term growth of its affiliate programme.
Headquartered in Maryland, USA, Let’sBet is a dynamic new entrant to the regulated US betting market. Built with a player-first mindset, the operator delivers a seamless sports betting experience across all major US and international events – including the NBA, UFC, UEFA Euro Cup and Formula 1– via a mobile-optimised platform designed for both desktop and on-the-go bettors. The brand also offers extensive live and in-play betting options, keeping users engaged in real time.
New players are welcomed with a 100% deposit bonus, and frequent bettors can look forward to being handpicked for the Let’sBet VIP Club – a tiered programme offering access to personal account managers, dedicated promotions, express payouts, and exclusive VIP events such as race days and hospitality experiences.
Licensed by the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and operated jointly by Veterans Services Corporation and Bee-Fee Limited, Let’sBet is committed to delivering a secure, compliant, and intuitive betting environment. Its infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by a dedicated Information Security team, with robust measures in place to protect data and ensure safe, frictionless transactions.
Let’sBet also maintains a strong commitment to Responsible Gambling. Its platform is equipped with a comprehensive suite of player protection tools, including deposit, wager, loss, session, and single-bet limits; timeout periods; and voluntary self-exclusion through Maryland’s state-run programme. These tools are supported by a customer service team trained to guide users toward healthy betting behaviours.
Marcin Doszczeczko, Director of Sports Betting Operations at Let’sBet, commented: “Choosing NetRefer as our affiliate platform provider was a natural step in building Let’sBet into a standout name in the US sports betting market. Their technology gives us the clarity and scalability we need to launch a high-impact programme from day one. It brings together everything we need to grow a successful affiliate operation – clear reporting through ASR 1.0 API and smart, actionable insights from NetRefer CoPilot AI. Just as we’ve built Let’sBet around trust, service, and user experience, we see those same values reflected in NetRefer’s platform and team. We’re excited to grow this partnership together.”
Amanda Camenzuli, Manager of NetRefer’s Account Management team, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Let’sBet to NetRefer. They’re an operator that blends innovation with a strong sense of player responsibility, they’re exactly the kind of forward-thinking company we’re proud to support. With a growing footprint in the US market, Let’sBet will benefit from our platform’s ability to deliver real-time insights, data clarity, and the flexibility needed to scale sustainably – while also strengthening NetRefer’s presence in this key region.”
This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both companies, combining the momentum of Let’sBet in the US market with NetRefer’s 20 years of experience in affiliate marketing technology. Together, they aim to build a programme defined by transparency, performance, and long-term growth.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year at iGB Affiliate Awards

Casino Guru is proud to announce that it has won the Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025, for a third consecutive year.
The distinction further highlights the company’s commitment to building a sustainable future for the gambling industry, not only through its dedication to providing players with the most complete, real-time-updated database of online casinos curated by trained experts, but also through its efforts to influence business standards and responsible practices across the sector.
As a leader in informed play, Casino Guru has dedicated a significant portion of its time and efforts to building a casino database that uses safer gambling as one of its core metrics for assessing a brand’s reliability, sustainability, and treatment of customers.
Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable and Safer Gambling, Šimon Vincze, was excited to share his appreciation for the award: “As someone closely involved in responsible gambling and safer play at Casino Guru, I can say this award is a true testament to our work. We’ve worked tirelessly to leverage our market position to produce tangible outcomes in terms of awareness and impact of safer gambling practices, player complaints, and the availability of blocking software. We are a trailblazer in safer gambling among affiliates, but collaboration with other like-minded companies has enabled us to stay at the forefront.”
Casino Guru could not be prouder of this moment, which once again reinforces the company’s leadership in helping to set safer gambling standards industry-wide.
Daniela Sliva, Public Relations and Creative Projects Director, commented on the distinction: “Winning the Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year for a third consecutive time was an emotional moment and a well-deserved one. Casino Guru has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a leader in promoting sustainable and responsible play. We truly believe we are setting new standards for responsible gambling, not just within the affiliate space, but across the wider industry. Our company ethos places safer gambling at the heart of everything we do, from our Complaint Resolution Center to the Safety Index, and especially through initiatives like the Casino Guru Awards, which further reinforce this commitment.”
Among the achievements that Casino Guru has to be proud of are the Casino Guru Awards, which have established clear competitive guidelines for safer and responsible gambling and distinguish companies that adhere to the Casino Guru’s ethical guidelines and best practices.
Furthermore, Casino Guru established the Gamtegrity platform, which reunites all of the company’s safer gambling projects in one place.
Among Casino Guru’s notable achievements are the Casino Guru Academy, which offers upskilling programs with a focus on responsible gambling, the Global Self-Exclusion Standards Initiative, an active list of partners with some of the leaders in the responsible gambling space, including Mindway AI, and much more.
“An industry-wide commitment to responsible gambling is not only possible: it’s within reach. Casino Guru’s achievement at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 is yet another reason for us to double down on our efforts and work even harder to make this vision a reality,” Silva concluded.
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