News

How Will Gambling Affiliates be Affected by Rule Changes in the UK?

Published

4 years ago

June 30, 2021

As the iGaming market in the UK has grown exponentially since 2010, we’ve also seen associated money-making opportunities emerge in the sector.

For example, the most successful gambling affiliates can earn in excess of £20,000 per month when ranking well for competitive search volume keywords, simply by promoting a particular casino brand through their site.

However, given the recent proposals aimed at safeguarding players in the iGaming market and the wider impact of Brexit on the European gambling industry in the UK, the future for affiliates has become uncertain. But how will they be affected by any rule changes?

Exploring Current Affiliate Restrictions

During the House of Lords Select Committee meeting on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry in February, delegates discussed a wide range of measures to help protect vulnerable and underage gamblers.

They also entertained the ambitious proposals by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Gambling Related Harm, which included measures such as a £2 online slots betting cap and a comprehensive review of the licensing criteria imposed on operators.

Another key topic for discussion was the role of affiliates, and more specifically how operators feel about regulating these entities and the way in which they advertise to their customers.

Currently, there is a clear rule which makes operators liable for the actions of their affiliate partners, with this having been in place since the last review of the market in 2018.

This rule created a sense of accountability amongst operators and made them directly responsible for the marketing activity (and breaches) of their affiliates, resulting in a slew of financial sanctions for brands across the board.

This was also part of a wider drive to curb the publication of misleading information on affiliate sites, which could occasionally be utilized to target vulnerable or underage players.

Aside from misleading advertising, this body of rules and wider regulatory framework also covers specific database practice requirements, including the requirement to demonstrate explicit consent for any person who happens to be on an affiliate’s email marketing list.

By attempting to control sponsored iGaming messaging in this way, both the UK regulator and the government caused a considerable splash in the affiliate market.

For example, Sky Bet closed their affiliate program completely after the new rules were imposed, while a host of other market-leading operators listed on mybettingsite.uk ceased to partner with their most inefficient and untrustworthy affiliates.

This also contributed to the significant spike in mergers and acquisitions in the iGaming market during 2018/19, so it should come as no surprise that stakeholders are watchful in the event that new affiliate laws are passed.

So, What Does the Future Hold for iGaming Affiliates?

The main worry here is that the previous measures clearly have not resulted in the level of control and conformity that regulators would like, which is why alternative (and potentially stricter) measures may be under consideration.

In fact, the most logical and likely move would be to see the government (in conjunction with the UK Gambling Commission) attempt to regulate affiliates and their activity directly.

In theory, this could broadly follow the US model, where sports betting affiliates are required to register or license their operations in full before deals can be struck to promote online sportsbooks and iGaming brands.

This would not only potentially result in the formation of a new and standalone regulatory body, but costs may also be introduced to create a barrier to entry for new affiliates and make the practice less profitable for rogue operators.

Just as in 2018/19, any new rule changes could also trigger another wave of mergers and acquisitions.

In this instance, such strategic moves could well help smaller operators to absorb increased operational costs, while enabling larger corporations to strengthen their market share.

On a fundamental level, however, any new rule changes would require operators (and, to a lesser extent, affiliates) to boost their legal representation, in order to help minimize regulatory costs and pay for any external legal support that may be required.

These challenges will be compounded by Brexit, particularly for UK operators who may also be struggling with the increased RGD levy and other regulatory restrictions.

So, all stakeholders will be waiting with bated breath in the coming months, to see which of the new iGaming rules and regulations are likely to impact on the lucrative practice of affiliate marketing.

Related Topics:Affiliate Restrictions iGaming market in the UK

Up Next

What do Affiliates Need to Consider in NZ from a Regulatory Perspective?

Don't Miss

247Partners strengthens leadership with strategic appointment

Click to comment

Awards

Casino Guru wins in Casino Affiliate category at the EGR Operator Awards 2025

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2025

George Miller

Casino Guru wins in Casino Affiliate category at the EGR Operator Awards 2025

Casino Guru is proud to announce that it has won in the “Casino Affiliate” category at the just-concluded EGR Operator Awards 2025. The company was distinguished amongst the world’s leading casino affiliates and crowned with the ultimate accolade.

The awards ceremony was held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on October 22, 2025, and marked the 20th anniversary of the EGR Operator Awards.

Commenting on the award, Matej Novota, Head of Casino Research at Casino Guru, had this to say: “This recognition confirms our commitment to delivering one of the best possible experiences for casino players worldwide. We are grateful to the EGR Operator Awards for this distinction, which reinforces that our work toward a safer and more transparent industry is making a real impact. Casino Guru will continue to guide players toward better and fairer gaming experiences, and we are honored to receive this award.”

Casino Guru has repeatedly delivered one of the most comprehensive services in helping inform player opinion. The website focuses exclusively on reviewing online casinos and bonuses based on criteria that matter to the players, such as fair bonus policies and general terms and conditions, ease of withdrawals, and more.

Casino Guru has also served as a trustworthy mediator in disputes between players and casinos, having returned more than $52m in player funds through the Complaint Resolution Center, and making sure it offers a comprehensive service that goes beyond its meticulous reviewing process.

To help quantify the data points Casino Guru leverages to make decisions about what casinos are worthwhile, the company has developed the bespoke Safety Index metric, which gauges a casino offer based on player-specific preferences, overall fairness, and industry standards, and assigns a rating that players can trust.

This is the latest distinction secured by Casino Guru over the past several months. Casino Guru is also contending in various categories for the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards as well as in the AffPapa iGaming Awards LatAm.

News

Gamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry

Published

3 days ago

October 27, 2025

George Miller

Gamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry

Gamblers Connect, a leading and trusted iGaming Medium & Affiliate website for the iGaming sector, is pleased to announce a new premium partnership with Bazoom, a sophisticated link-building platform.

This strategic alliance is designed to introduce Gamblers Connect’s expansive network to a best-in-class resource capable of addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the highly competitive digital landscape of iGaming: the efficient acquisition of high-quality backlinks.

The iGaming industry, encompassing affiliates, operators, and marketers, operates within one of the world’s most fiercely contested digital ecosystems, where achieving visibility and digital authority is a constant battle.

This collaboration is a direct response to this challenge, spotlighting a solution that moves beyond traditional, manual outreach methods.

Bazoom has successfully streamlined the process by offering an intelligent marketplace where users can efficiently discover, filter, and secure link placements from a vast global network of nearly 100,000 media outlets, utilizing familiar SEO metrics for precision targeting.

A core component of Bazoom’s offering is its integrated content engine, which handles the creation of high-quality, tailored content, included in the price of the link purchase. Operating on a model of transparent, pay-per-link pricing without any mandatory subscriptions, the platform offers a truly scalable solution built for all stakeholders, from solo consultants to major agencies.

The partnership is founded on a shared commitment to excellence, which is encapsulated in the mutual philosophy: “Scale with quality, not noise.”

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, commented on the synergy: “Bazoom and Gamblers Connect share the same philosophy, scale with quality, not noise. This is a partnership with a clear direction and shared ambition to empower our community.”

Kristoffer Krog, Head of Global Partnerships at Bazoom, added: “We are very excited to partner up with industry leaders, to align our collaboration and reach new heights together.”

This strategic collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to providing the iGaming community with the tools necessary for sustained digital growth and authority in a transparent and results-driven manner.

News

All Roads Lead to the Helicopter — N1 Partners Turns SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a Pit Stop for Deals

Published

1 week ago

October 23, 2025

TheVoice

N1 Partners is heading to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with Booth 5056 G, charged with drive, precision, and the spirit of being first — presenting its top offers, products, and entering the final lap of the N1 Puzzle Promo before the grand finale.

After hitting the road in London and conquering the waves in Lisbon, N1 Partners is taking off to the sky — straight to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome. This time, all roads truly lead to the helicopter.

Inspired by Italian sports car engineering and the spirit of competition, with a true vibe of drive — from Ferrari and Maserati to Formula 1 — the N1 Partners stand merges speed, precision, and style in every detail, creating a space where affiliates can recharge, connect, and explore new opportunities.

Step Up to the HeliRun Challenge

Visitors can take on the HeliRun Challenge — a mechanical time-trial maze where accuracy and focus are key and winners will receive branded mini-helicopters and other limited prizes.

Win a Ferrari

One lucky guest will drive away with a Ferrari — in LEGO form, but full of prestige.

Simply collect a branded card at the booth, follow N1 Partners on social media, and drop your entry into the prize drum.

The draw will take place on Day 3 at 16:00, with results announced on Instagram.

What Awaits at Booth 5056 G

Meet the N1 Partners team to discuss insights and top-tier deals.
Enjoy aperol & gelato sessions and exclusive giveaways.
Take part in interactive activations and surprise drops throughout the event.
Get exclusive N1 merch featuring the Puzzle Piece — your link to future N1 Puzzle Promo prizes.

Every detail is designed for speed, style, and engagement — making the booth a must-visit destination in Rome.

Why Meet N1 Partners in Rome

For more than eight years, N1 Partners has been accelerating affiliate growth, uniting 14+ licensed casino and betting brands across Tier-1 markets.

The program offers:

Flexible deals: RevShare up to 45% / Hybrid / CPA up to €700 for partners with top-performing traffic
Transparent terms: no shave, no delays, guaranteed payouts
Exceptional performance: Reg2Dep up to 70%

At Booth 5056 G, the team will present personalized offers and partnership opportunities for affiliates working with SEO, PPC, FB, or mixed traffic.

With N1 Partners, you don’t just work with the number one — you become one.

Don’t wait — book your meeting now and take off with N1 Partners.

Next Lap: Helicopter.