News
The UK online casino market is at a crossroads
Martyn Hannah, Managing Director of Comparasino, says the direction the government and regulator take with updates to gambling law will determine the long-term success of the market
Great Britain is approaching a crossroads when it comes to online casino and the direction it takes will ultimately determine the viability of the market for all stakeholders over the next few years, including comparison sites such as Comparasino.
This remains a market with plenty of potential. The latest participation figures from the Gambling Commission show high demand for online casino, sports betting and bingo, with around 10 million people (16% of the population) engaging in these activities.
But the regulatory requirements being put on operators are now impacting the experiences they can offer to players while squeezing margins to the point where the UK – once the benchmark for regulated online gambling markets – is no longer sustainable for some.
In the last three years or so, we have seen an exodus of brands with only a small number of new online casinos taking their place.
This should be cause for concern, especially as the consultations from the White Paper rumble on and the changes that will result come into focus – we’ve already had the £2/£5 slot stake limits confirmed with more updates to follow.
Of course, players must be protected so that those at risk of developing problem play receive the support they need long before they reach the point of crisis. But at the same time, we have to remember that just 0.3% of UK players are considered to have a gambling problem.
The real risk for me is that if regulations and requirements continue to tighten, the UK market will no longer be viable for most brands – only the tier ones will be able to manage the slim margins.
This is bad for player choice and ultimately has the potential to push consumers towards unlicensed brands that can offer the experiences they are seeking and this is the opposite of what the changes to regulations are aiming to achieve.
It’s important to remember what players are looking for when deciding where to play – they want generous bonuses, a seamless sign-up process and a great selection of games to explore. They want to do this with reputable brands they can trust, and that’s why licencing is so important.
But the requirements operators must now meet – and any new requirements set to come into force – are at risk of damaging the player experience to the point where many will turn to unlicensed brands. Remember, these sites usually offer a great customer experience, they just don’t hold a licence.
The other day I was sitting with a friend when they signed up for an online casino for the first time. They were genuinely shocked by the sign-up process, especially the amount of information they had to provide and the length of time it took to register and deposit.
They were especially irked by the need to provide their occupation and monthly income. When I said there were unlicensed sites that offered a more streamlined onboarding process – and bigger bonuses – the friend said they’d play at those brands over the licensed site.
Of course, this is just one example but for me, it should raise concerns about how far we go when it comes to limiting bonuses and imposing stringent affordability checks on operators.
The Gambling Commission has indicated that affordability will be “light touch” for most players, but any additional friction really does risk pushing players to unlicensed sites where the sign-up process is quicker and the bonuses bigger.
The challenge is striking the right balance between consumer experience and protecting the most vulnerable, and I have some ideas for how we can do this.
I think operators should be able to offer the bonuses they wish, but they should not be able to impose high wagering requirements – or any wagering requirements, ideally.
Again, I tried explaining how the wagering requirement works to my friend and they simply couldn’t get their head around it.
“So, I have to wager £975 through the casino to unlock £15 in bonus winnings? That’s ridiculous.”
This is also what leads players to ultimately gamble more than they can afford as they make additional deposits in an attempt to complete the playthrough requirement, only to run out of funds or give up having deposited more than they intended.
This is when players can become frustrated. Many find it hard to understand how wagering requirements work, and then when they can’t withdraw their bonus winnings, it leads to a negative experience with the brand but worse, can put them in a state of mind that’s not ideal for gambling.
Player onboarding needs to be faster and more seamless, too. It’s so clunky right now that operators shouldn’t be surprised that a large percentage of players drop-off between landing at a casino for the first time and spinning the reels.
For context, it took around seven minutes for my friend to find a brand, sign up, deposit and play.
There are technologies available now – I’m talking about open banking here – that would mitigate sign-up friction, but would most likely require regulatory approval for operators to be able to use them to improve the sign-up process.
I absolutely believe that operators should be mandated to monitor each and every player in real time, and benchmark their gambling activity against markers of harm. This is the best way to spot problem play early and then make the necessary interventions.
I also think education is vital, and this is where affiliates must do more. Players are often unaware of the licensing process in the UK, and why it’s important to play at licensed brands. Nor are they aware of the tools in place to help them stay in control of their play.
This is something that we have committed significant resources to, with a dedicated safe gaming hub, responsible play messaging on all of our pages and the Comparasino Blog, where we publish articles and interviews with responsible gambling thought leaders.
The UK has always set the standard for regulated online gambling and I hope that this will continue to be the case once the consultations have closed and the final updates to the law are made.
The market might be at a crossroads, but if it goes in the right direction, it has a long and successful future ahead.
N1 Partners is heading to Bangkok to talk about growth, partnerships, and high-converting products. The team will be present not only at the main conference — Affiliate World Asia 2025 on December 3–4 — but also across the key side events, including Affiliate Drinks Meetup Bangkok 2025 and partner activities at Fridman Palace.
“Affiliate World Bangkok is one of the most valuable events of the year. We’re excited to meet partners, showcase what we’ve built, and exchange insights that drive the industry forward. N1 Partners enters 2026 stronger than ever — with new brands, new achievements, and big plans ahead.”
— Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners
Meet N1 Partners at Affiliate Drinks Meetup Bangkok 2025
The Affiliate Drinks Meetup Bangkok 2025 by Conversion Club is an evening of targeted networking during Affiliate World Asia week — a “drinks & deals” format built for quick, meaningful introductions and real partnerships between affiliates, advertisers, agencies, and tech partners in a relaxed setting off the expo floor.
N1 Partners joins Affiliate Drinks Meetup as a supporting partner and active participant, bringing our affiliate managers to meet decision-makers, discuss new traffic opportunities, and strengthen relationships with existing and future partners.
- Location: Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Bangkok
- Date & time: 3 December 2025, 20:00–23:00
Affiliate Space Awards 2025
The Affiliate Space Awards 2025 by Conversion Club is an annual gala that celebrates standout brands, companies, and personalities in affiliate marketing across key verticals — including iGaming, finance, dating and more — with live voting and winners announced at a gala dinner in Bangkok.
N1 Partners is shortlisted in three major categories at the Affiliate Space Awards 2025:
- The Best Gambling / Betting Affiliate Program
- The Best Brand of the Year
- The Best Online Casino Operator of the Year.
Together, these nominations recognize N1 Partners’ position as a top-performing affiliate program and operator with guaranteed and fast payouts, flexible deal models, a VIP approach and strong support for partners, consistently high-converting Tier-1 brands, a strong and consistent brand image (boosted in 2025 by the buzz around the N1 Puzzle Promo), and a data-driven approach to player value, retention, LTV, and long-term partner results.
- Location: Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Bangkok
- Date & time: 4 December 2025, 20:00–23:00
Fridman Palace – where N1 Partners meets industry leaders
You can also find N1 Partners at Fridman Palace in Bangkok — a premium business and lifestyle space where market leaders meet, share real cases, and talk openly beyond the conference schedule.
FridmanTower offers a curated environment with private meeting areas and networking zones tailored for meaningful conversations and high-level deal-making.
N1 Partners is the sponsor of a smoking lounge for relaxation and networking, giving partners a comfortable, premium space to meet our affiliate managers, talk strategy, and plan next steps throughout Affiliate World week.
- Location: FridmanTower, Bangkok
- Dates: 1–5 December 2025
Book a Meeting with Our Affiliate Managers
Maximize your time in Bangkok — book a meeting with N1 Partners in advance, whether at Affiliate World Asia, Affiliate Drinks Meetup, Affiliate Space Awards, or Fridman Palace.
Meet the N1 Partners affiliate team in Bangkok:
- Aleksei Gusarov – Team Lead of Affiliates
- Viktoriia Sokolenko – Affiliate Manager
- Roman Tsyganov – Affiliate Manager
- Batikhan Omarbayev – Affiliate Manager
- Pavel Sysoev – Account Manager
Book your slot — let’s talk business, growth, and opportunities with N1 Partners.
About N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, uniting 14+ casino and betting brands. The company has a strong presence in 10+ Tier-1 GEOs, Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and a trusted network of 10,000+ affiliates worldwide. N1 Partners delivers competitive deals for top partners: CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% to ensure partners always are number one!
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Wins Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” at SiGMA Central Europe B2B Awards
A milestone achievement as ReferOn continues to impress
ReferOn, the next-generation affiliate management platform, has taken the title of “Best Affiliate Software 2025” at the SiGMA Central Europe B2B Awards, held in Rome.
The award recognises ReferOn’s rapid growth in becoming a leader in iGaming. It distinguishes the platform for its cutting-edge architecture, exceptional product innovations, and measurable impact on affiliate operations.
Redefining Affiliate Management
In a short amount of time since its inception, ReferOn has become one of the most recognised names in affiliate technology, leading the way by creating user-centric features that help the real needs of affiliate managers.
The platform recorded rapid adoption, supporting an influx of tens of thousands of affiliates and millions of clicks while continuously evolving and growing with new features and refinements. The platform’s approach to innovation and user-facing experiences is its new living interface, Refie. Refie brings awareness and human-like interaction to the platform, helping make affiliate operations more personable and accessible.
Building Beyond the Standard
Alex Bukin, General Manager at ReferOn, commented on the win, “This award is more than recognition. It empowers and validates our team, encouraging us never to stop building. At ReferOn, we always aim to shape how affiliate marketing should work. At its core, it should be simple, transparent, and powerful. Every new integration and feature comes from a team that deeply understands the product and what real affiliate managers need. This helps us refine our platform to be the best it can be. And we’re only getting started!”
Continued Momentum
ReferOn’s win at SiGMA Central Europe marks another significant achievement. In 2025, the platform conducted multiple migrations and released groundbreaking features to transform affiliate operations. Its sights are set on 2026 — a year that will be focused on product refinements, sustainable growth through key industry partnerships, and delivering more key solutions for real affiliate managers.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards’ Best Affiliate 2025 distinction
Casino Guru has won the “Best Affiliate 2025” category at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, distinguishing the company’s efforts in delivering the best online casino database and guiding players to the safest casinos of their choice.
Via Tuscolana hosted the ceremony on Tuesday, November 4, in Rome, Italy, distinguishing a number of companies, among which was Casino Guru, which secured the landmark accolade for itself.
Commenting on the win, Casino Guru’s Head of Casino Research, Matej Novota, said: “Winning the Best Affiliate 2025 award at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards is a meaningful milestone for us as we approach the end of the year. At Casino Guru, we are honored to be recognized in this category. Our mission has always been to build the world’s most comprehensive online casino database and to offer impartial insights that empower players to make informed decisions. This award strengthens our resolve to continue serving as a trusted bridge between players and operators, while upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness in everything we do.”
Casino Guru has been awarded for its unflagging commitment to providing players with the most reliable up-to-date information about casinos and bonuses.
At its core, Casino Guru is committed to making the gambling industry safer and promoting best practices in Responsible Gaming. The company plays an active role in shaping these standards, drawing on its extensive experience, expertise, and firmly held values of fairness, integrity, and transparency.
Platforms such as the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative and Casino Guru Academy have been created to foster a better understanding of Responsible Gambling and how players and industry professionals can leverage it to their benefit.
Notably, the Casino Guru Awards have become a trend-setter in actively encouraging change on the part of industry stakeholders, and distinguishing deserving individuals and companies across numerous categories, such as Rising Star in Responsible Gambling, Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative, Fairest Bonus Policy, Industry Culture Shaper, and more.
Casino Guru has worked tirelessly, developing the world’s most complicated ranking system, the Safety Index, which carefully examines each casino’s offer, focusing on criteria favored by players, and issues an objective score that is also regularly updated.
Besides the Safety Index, Casino Guru has launched and maintains a world-beating independent adjudication service, the Complaint Resolution Center, which has returned more than $50m to players, including closing cases that involved more than $1m disputed by a single player.
Casino Guru is proud to receive the latest accolade from the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, celebrating the company’s commitment to making gambling safer and better for everyone out there.
N1 Partners at Affiliate World Asia 2025: The Place Where Top Deals Come True
N1 Partners is heading to Bangkok to talk about growth, partnerships, and high-converting products. The team will be present not...
ReferOn Wins Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” at SiGMA Central Europe B2B Awards
A milestone achievement as ReferOn continues to impress ReferOn, the next-generation affiliate management platform, has taken the title of “Best...
Casino Guru secures SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards’ Best Affiliate 2025 distinction
Casino Guru has won the “Best Affiliate 2025” category at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, distinguishing the company’s efforts...
Palms Bet Takes Center Stage as General Sponsor of the EEGS Affiliate Conference
The Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) is proud to announce Palms Bet as the General Sponsor of this year’s Affiliate Conference,...
N1 Partners at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 Results: A Key Pit Stop on the Road to the Helicopter
N1 Partners turned its presence at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a full-throttle hub for business and networking — reconnecting...
8 Years Of Trust And Growth: The Story Of The N1 Partners × Askgamblers
Since 2018, one of the iGaming affiliate leaders, AskGamblers, has been partnering with N1 Partners, right from the beginning of...
Special Missions in N1 Puzzle Promo: Two Weeks Left to Grab Extra Puzzles!
The race for the grand prize of N1 Puzzle Promo – a real Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter – is...
Power affiliate QiH Group rebrands to Quantum to reflect ambitious diversification strategy
The tech powerhouse has a new website, name and branding that are set to take the affiliate marketing company into...
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...
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...
-
News1 week agoN1 Partners at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 Results: A Key Pit Stop on the Road to the Helicopter
-
Affiliate Success1 week ago
Casino Guru secures SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards’ Best Affiliate 2025 distinction
-
Conferences1 week ago
Palms Bet Takes Center Stage as General Sponsor of the EEGS Affiliate Conference
-
Affiliate Success4 days ago
ReferOn Wins Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” at SiGMA Central Europe B2B Awards
-
News13 hours ago
N1 Partners at Affiliate World Asia 2025: The Place Where Top Deals Come True