News
5 rules to starting an online casino or sportsbook (anywhere in the world)
If you’re looking to invest in a business sector that can outrun large-scale economic downturns, including a global pandemic, then look no further than online gambling. It’s a shining example of resilience in the face of strife – and that’s because gambling will never go out of style. This thought has occurred to many entrepreneurs, attested by the seemingly endless stream of new online casinos and sportsbooks.
But the internet is a very big place and there’s plenty of room for new ventures of all sizes. Getting started is the hard part, but turnkey platform providers like WiseGaming step in to help you avoid common mistakes that can result in unfortunate cash burnout. Here are five rules to keep in mind:
- Don’t try to do everything. This might seem like backwards advice but launching an online gambling business involves several moving parts that can become quite burdensome for a startup. Choose a solid online gaming platform provider, such as WiseGaming [https://wisegaming.com], who do all the hard stuff for you. This will allow you the time to focus on an extended business strategy, market analysis, finincial projections, and marketing plans.
- Partner with the best providers. Players look for games they recognize as this assures them that your site is a safe option. Using an aggregator will guarantee you make an impactful first impression with the best game library and sports markets from day one. WiseGaming [https://wisegaming.com] offers sportsbook software with over 100 sports, and has also teamed up with world famous providers like Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming and Play’n GO, allowing you to onboard a winning selection of over 10,000 games without the stress of multiple contracts.
- Pick a memorable brand and leverage it. A weak marketing plan is often a huge stumbling block for many fledgling brands. In a crowded and competitive space, you need to stand out with copy and design that appeals to your target demographic. Whether that’s something traditional or novel, choose your lane and commit across all your branding material. Your iGaming platform must be white-lable enabled, so you can make a first impression that generates sign ups and conversions.
- Get your finances right. You need a considerable amount of capital to get started, but your financial obligations don’t end there. Annual income projections, break-even worksheets, projected cash flow statements, and balance sheets – there’s a lot to keep your eye on both before and after launch. Smart financial planning allows you to benchmark your progress to success, which is why offloading platform responsibilities to a reliable provider can be crucial in those early days.
- Choose your license carefully. The law comes down hard on casinos and sportsbooks recently, and while safer gambling is a great thing, it can also result in nasty fines. If you’re new to the scene, it’s probably a smart move to stay out of heavily regulated jurisdictions. It’s faster and easier to launch with an iGaming platform on a Curaçao license, where you’re subject to less scrutiny and have access to several, diverse markets. WiseGaming software is compliant with the majority of regulated jurisdictions, giving you the freedom to decide.
WiseGaming isn’t your only option when it comes to choosing an online gaming platform provider, but they come with an unparalleled understanding of today’s gaming market and a wealth of hands-on experience. Check them out here and decide for yourself.
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Shortlisted for “European Corporate Services Supplier” Category at EGR EUROPE Awards 2026
ReferOn, the next-gen affiliate management platform, has been named on the EGR Europe Awards 2026 shortlist in the “European Corporate Services Supplier” category, recognising the platform’s solutions that help real operators with their operations and growth.
Continuing 2025’s Momentum
The nomination reflects a busy 2025 for ReferOn, one that was highlighted by significant product updates, rapid growth, and an ascent to becoming one of the most recognised affiliate management platforms in the industry.
Going into the new year, the ReferOn team has ambitious plans to accelerate this positive momentum by scaling alongside its growing partner base with advancements to its product vision around clarity, transparency, and ease of use. The EGR Europe Awards 2026 marks a pivotal start to 2026, and an award win demonstrates that the platform’s direction truly resonates with operators and affiliate managers worldwide.
Refie’s Human Impact
Refie, the platform’s human layer, transcends a mere surface-level companion. It hops around dashboards and workflows, providing relevant assistance, such as fixing reward logic, identifying anomalies, and making suggestions to the user.
In 2026, ReferOn plans to enhance Refie’s functionality with advanced platform gamification, engaging users and transforming how affiliate managers interact with their day-to-day operations. These developments will pave the way for personalised, smart intelligence on the platform and set an industry standard for affiliate tech.
Alex Bukin, General Manager, commented on the nomination and plans for 2026, “ReferOn made great strides in the past year, with major product developments, key recruitments, and a rapidly growing partner base. With this growth, our expectations have risen, and we want to establish ourselves as a platform that accelerates affiliate tech across the board. Being nominated for the ‘European Corporate Services Supplier’ category solidifies our ambition and is a meaningful start to our new year. With Refie driving more innovation, we look forward to driving our goal of transparency, clarity, and customer-facing features even further.”
Conferences
Aff.Tech Wraps Strong ICE & iGB Affiliate, Earns AIBC Eurasia Shortlist
Aff.Tech, the affiliate management platform by GR8 Tech, closed out ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026 with over 30 meetings—connecting with new prospects, aligning on growth plans with existing partners, and visiting client booths to celebrate their recent wins firsthand.
Market Signals That Match the Roadmap
Across both events, several themes dominated conversations: AI-driven automation across affiliate operations, heightened focus on compliant and transparent tracking, demand for flexible commission structures, and a clear shift from short-term acquisition toward long-term, value-driven partnerships.
For Aff.Tech, the signals validate recent product direction. Updates showcased at ICE—including new fixed-fee commission plans for tighter budget control, a third-party CRM integration API, and redesigned reporting for real-time performance visibility—speak directly to what operators said they need: infrastructure that supports diversified affiliate ecosystems without the operational drag.
“The conversations at ICE confirmed what we’ve been building toward,” said Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech. “The industry is moving away from short-term acquisition thinking. Operators want partnerships they can measure, manage, and grow over time—and they need platforms that make that sustainable at scale. That’s the direction we’re committed to.”
Industry Recognition Follows
Shortly after the event, Aff.Tech was shortlisted for Best Affiliate Software at the AIBC Eurasia Awards 2026—recognition that aligns with the momentum the team is carrying into the rest of the year.
News
N1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards
N1 Partners is proud to announce that N1 Puzzle Promo has been awarded Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards, recognizing the campaign as one of the most impactful and innovative marketing initiatives in the iGaming industry.
The European iGaming Awards celebrate excellence across the European iGaming industry, honoring companies and projects that demonstrate outstanding performance, creativity, and contribution to the sector.
N1 Puzzle Promo stood out as a large-scale global affiliate marketing campaign that became one of the most visible and performance-driven initiatives in iGaming in 2025. Built around a competitive, leaderboard-based mechanic, the campaign featured a total prize pool of €500,000, with a Robinson R22 helicopter as the ultimate reward. This ambitious concept motivated affiliates worldwide to actively scale traffic and compete for top positions across multiple Tier-1 markets.
The campaign was supported by a strong and continuous online presence throughout the year. N1 Puzzle Promo was actively promoted via leading iGaming media, digital advertising, and social media channels. This ensured consistent 360-degree exposure across all key touchpoints, keeping both existing partners and new affiliates highly engaged. The campaign drove sustained activity across Tier-1 and growth markets, with affiliates increasing their monthly FTD volumes by 150% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The campaign culminated in a grand final party and winner announcement event in Barcelona, where top-performing partners gathered to celebrate the results together. This transparent and public conclusion reinforced trust, credibility, and community within the affiliate network, transforming months of competition into a shared industry milestone.
“Winning Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards is a powerful validation of our vision for N1 Puzzle Promo,” said Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners. “This wasn’t just a promo, it was a global journey that united partners and drove strong, measurable growth. We’re grateful to our partners and proud to set a new benchmark for affiliate marketing in iGaming.”
This award further strengthens the position of N1 Partners as a team that consistently delivers bold, high-impact marketing solutions and continues to set new benchmarks for affiliate campaigns in the iGaming industry.
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News2 weeks agoN1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards
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Press Releases1 week ago
N1 Partners Hosts the N1 Puzzle Promo Grand Final and Reveals the Helicopter Winner at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona
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Awards2 weeks ago2RBO Affiliates Secures Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
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Conferences3 days agoAff.Tech Wraps Strong ICE & iGB Affiliate, Earns AIBC Eurasia Shortlist
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Affiliate Success3 days agoReferOn Shortlisted for “European Corporate Services Supplier” Category at EGR EUROPE Awards 2026

