News
The Ethics of Ranking: Can Affiliates Be Both Commercial and Credible?
Ethics is one of the most important issues in the world of online gambling affiliates. Many gamblers wonder if websites can be both credible and commercial. Who better to answer this question than an industry veteran, who has worked with well known operators and affiliate companies? He is also the founder of Mithrillium Media Ltd., which makes him uniquely qualified to answer our questions.
Mister Sebastian Jarosch is a unique voice in the industry. He has worked to push gambling affiliates towards a UX-focused model, steering away from the SEO-oriented approach that seems to have been the standard for years. For his effort, Mr. Jarosch has won several awards, including:
- EGR Awards for Best Affiliate Programme 2020
- Casinomester 2020 Awards Best Casino Group
- Askgamblers Awards Best Partner 2021
How do you define ethical ranking in the iGaming affiliate space, and where do most platforms fall short?
Ethical ranking means structuring your rankings based on relevant, objective, and player-focused criteria, such as licensing, payout speed, support quality, and bonus terms, rather than on commercial deals alone. Many platforms fall short by putting profit before player trust, often placing the highest-paying brands at the top regardless of their actual value.
Can affiliate sites truly be both profit-driven and objective in how they present casino rankings?
Building a sustainable business requires a long-term mindset. Profit and objectivity often go hand in hand. Affiliates can build trust and loyalty by focusing on reliable operators that provide real value to players. Credibility leads to returning visitors, which in turn generates sustainable revenue.
What internal processes or principles do you follow to ensure your rankings remain transparent and fair?
We use a scoring system that evaluates factors like licensing, RTP fairness, withdrawal limits, player complaints, localization, and support quality. Every casino goes through a structured review checklist, and we register accounts ourselves to verify the experience. Commercial relationships never override our core review criteria.
How do you handle partnerships with operators that want higher visibility but may not fully meet your review standards?
Visibility is tied to our review scores and player satisfaction. If an operator underperforms or doesn’t meet our standards, they won’t receive top positions, regardless of the deal. We frequently receive requests from operators wanting to purchase top positions with flat fees, but all our commissions are performance-based.
Do you disclose how rankings are determined, and do you think transparency in methodology should be an industry norm?
Yes, we outline our ranking factors and provide explanations for each top listing. We absolutely believe transparency should be standard in this industry, players deserve to know why a brand is recommended and how it compares to other operators.
How do user reviews or feedback factor into your ranking algorithm, if at all?
Player feedback is a core part of our review process. We monitor complaints, payout delays, and general satisfaction. If a brand gets repeated negative feedback, their score is reviewed and the position can be downgraded.
What role do editorial independence and content-firewall structures play in maintaining integrity?
Editorial independence is critical to building credibility. All of our reviews follow the same procedures and are never influenced by commercial agreements. Operators may provide input on factual details like ownership or bonus amounts, but not on our opinions. Protecting the trust our writers build with readers requires a firm boundary between monetization and content.
Are there ethical gray areas that affiliates regularly encounter when balancing commercial pressure and content accuracy?
There’s always pressure to soften criticism or inflate ratings, especially from less reputable brands. It takes strong internal policies to navigate these challenges while staying true to user-first values. Sites like Casino-Groups operate without paid placements and rank casinos solely based on performance and trustworthiness.
Do players care whether rankings are monetized, or is trust more about perceived value and consistency?
Players know that affiliate sites generate income. What matters is consistency and value. If they consistently receive helpful, accurate insights and feel that the platform protects their interests, they’ll return, even if the rankings are monetized.
Looking ahead, what needs to happen for ethical ranking practices to become the baseline standard across the affiliate industry?
More affiliates need to understand that long-term value lies in trust, not manipulation. As players become more informed and regulators more involved, ethical ranking won’t just be a best practice, it will become a necessity. Building a strong reputation in the player community through honest reviews leads to satisfied visitors who keep coming back.
N1 Partners will celebrate the finale of the global N1 Puzzle Promo for partners – running from April 21 to December 31, 2025 – and award the grand prize, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, at an exclusive party in Barcelona during the ICE and iGB conferences. The special guest of the event will be Tommy Cash.
Registration for the party is now open.
Participants – especially those at the top of the leaderboard – still have the final two weeks to influence the results and break into the prize-winning top three. After all, the grand prize – a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter – is something no one in the industry has ever given away before…
The main motto of the exclusive final show-event of N1 Puzzle Promo will be “Because we can” – a philosophy of high achievement and top performance by the promo leaders, running like a red thread throughout the entire event.
This is more than just a party – it’s a community and a private club for top N1 Partners affiliates and guests, industry leaders, media, and influencers, accessible only to the select few. “Because we can” is about limitless opportunities for scaling, the ability to achieve top results together, and creating experiences unmatched in the industry.
N1 Partners reveals long-awaited event details 👇🏼
Date: January 20, 2026
Time: 20:00
Location: Barcelona, Spain
What highlights are planned for the guests?
- award ceremony for the top 3 and presentation of the grand prize – the Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter
- exclusive prizes raffle among all guests
- a performance show, DJ set and additional surprises
- activity zones (red carpet, photo area, bar, VIP lounge with hookahs, and much more)
And, of course, the long-awaited special guest of the evening… 🥁
Get ready for the unforgettable performance of edgy Estonian rapper and musician – Tommy Cash!
Register now for the N1 Partners show-event via the link: https://n1puzzle.promo/en.html
After all, why drive when you can fly?
And be number one with N1 Partners?
News source: N1 Partners
Law enforcement authorities in Kazakhstan have dismantled a large-scale illegal payment scheme connected to online gambling operations, following an investigation by the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AFM).
According to official statements from the AFM, the scheme involved cross-border financial transfers routed through multiple payment organizations. Transactions were allegedly disguised as legitimate commercial payments and subsequently redirected to online casino platforms. The identified volume of suspicious operations exceeds 600 billion tenge, making it one of the largest financial investigations of its kind in the country.
The authorities reported that the scheme relied on so-called “grey” payment infrastructure, including misused POS terminals, fictitious merchant agreements, and the involvement of intermediaries across several jurisdictions. As part of the investigation, more than 70 searches were conducted, significant financial assets were frozen, and nine individuals were detained. Materials are reportedly being prepared in relation to additional suspects, including foreign nationals.
The AFM also confirmed the shutdown of a call center that provided technical support services to multiple online casino platforms and facilitated payment-related consultations. Approximately 120 individuals from several countries were reportedly involved in these operations. Investigators further stated that the network included a gambling-related affiliate program that enabled deposits and withdrawals in cryptocurrency, with turnover exceeding 200 million USDT.
Kazakhstan’s authorities emphasized that online casinos are prohibited under national law, noting that such platforms operate without taxation, customer identification, or consumer protections, and pose risks related to gambling addiction and financial crime.
Several companies and financial institutions have publicly stated that they are cooperating with law enforcement authorities in order to clarify their role, if any, in the investigated activities. Proceedings are ongoing, and the authorities have stressed that, at this stage, no comprehensive list of suspects has been officially published.
The Financial Monitoring Agency reiterated its warning to individuals and organizations against participation in illegal gambling-related payment activities, stating that any form of facilitation may result in criminal liability under Kazakhstan law.
Investigations remain ongoing, and further updates are expected as the case develops.
Sources:
As online gambling continues to grow rapidly in South Africa, players are increasingly seeking reliable, transparent and trustworthy information to guide their choices. With new casinos launching and bonus offerings constantly changing, having a solid, expert-backed source is more important than ever. These are the top no-deposit online casinos for South African players in 2025, carefully selected for their reputation, player safety, and quality of offer.
Top No-Deposit Casinos in South Africa for 2025
Here are the no-deposit casinos that stand out this year, and what makes each of them good:
| Casino | What Makes Them Good |
| Springbok Casino | Well-known brand with a strong track record in customer service and fast payouts. Its no-deposit bonus is attractive, and the game selection is broad, especially in slots and live dealer games. |
| Yebo Casino | Exceptional localised experience — supports ZAR transactions, offers bonuses tailored to South African players, and provides strong mobile compatibility. |
| ZARbet | Regulated and licensed, with solid game variety, clear terms and conditions, and no-deposit offers that are easy to claim. |
| 10bet | International pedigree, reliable software providers, frequent promotions, and a reputation for fairness and security. |
| Punt Casino | Unique bonus structure, good welcome no-deposit offer, and a clean, user-friendly website interface. |
| Hollywoodbets | Very popular in SA, known for its excellent sports betting offering and casino routines. No-deposit bonuses are backed by high trust and local support. |
| Silver Sands Casino | Offers generous free spins or no-deposit bonuses, with attractive slot titles and smooth customer support. |
| Thunderbolt Casino | Strong in game diversity and theme variety; no-deposit offers are well-promoted and integrate well with regular bonuses. |
| Lucky Fish Casino | Light, fast-loading site with a good range of games; no-deposit promotions that don’t hide conditions, making them transparent. |
| Pantherbet | Royal feel, premium software titles, reliable payment methods and a no-deposit bonus that works for real players (not just marketing). |
How We Vet These Casinos
At SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, we use strict criteria to determine which casinos make the list. Our vetting process includes:
- Licensing & Regulation: We only include casinos that are properly licensed and regulated by recognised authorities.
- Safety & Security: Encryption, data protection, and fair gaming audits are essential.
- Fairness of Terms & Conditions: No-deposit offers are checked for reasonable wagering requirements, transparent withdrawal rules, and clear bonus expiry.
- Payment Methods & Localisation: Support for ZAR, local banks, and trustworthy deposit/withdrawal methods.
- Game Variety & Software Providers: A rich selection of games, including slots, live dealers, table games—powered by reputable software developers.
- Customer Support: Responsive, helpful support channels available during hours convenient for SA players.
- User Reviews & Reputation: We monitor actual player feedback and complaints to ensure the casinos maintain good standing.
How Players Can Choose a Good No-Deposit Casino
When choosing a no-deposit casino, South African players should consider:
- Reading the fine print on wagering requirements and withdrawal rules
- Checking for transparency–-hidden fees, bonus expiry, and valid licence info
- Verifying payment options in ZAR and ease of cashing out
- Looking at game selection especially games you enjoy; diversity is a sign of quality
- Testing customer support — good support often indicates how the casino treats its players
Expert Insight
“Our goal is to take the guesswork out of choosing a no-deposit casino in South Africa,” says Damien Valler, senior analyst at SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za. “We spend hours vetting each operator so players don’t have to. If an online casino makes our list, it means it has passed strict checks on fairness, security, and overall player value. South Africans can sign up with confidence knowing we’ve done the homework for them.”
Why SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za Is the Most Trusted Source for SA Players
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is fully focused on the South African market. We understand local regulations, banking systems, and what players here want from a casino. Our editorial team is independent and committed to giving accurate, up-to-date information. We frequently re-review listed real money casinos to ensure bonus terms haven’t become unfavourable, licences are current, and player feedback remains good.
For any question about online casino south Africa safety, no-deposit bonuses, or how to pick the right casino in South Africa, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is the go-to destination.
Contact:
SouthAfricancasinos.co.za
https://www.southafricancasinos.co.za/
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