News

N1 Insights April’s iGaming Trends You Shouldn’t Miss

Published

3 months ago

March 23, 2026

April reflects changes that began taking shape in iGaming back in the first quarter, but are only now becoming systemic. The market is gradually shifting away from short-term optimization toward more complex strategies, where performance sustainability, GEO diversification, and a reassessment of affiliate model efficiency play a key role.

In this issue of N1 Insights, N1 Partners experts analyze how traffic structures are evolving and which scaling approaches continue to deliver results amid increasing competition.

Part 1

1. Traffic and performance

1.1 Traffic sources most likely to show the highest volatility in April
The highest volatility is expected from Facebook, TikTok, and PPC channels, as they are directly affected by changes in moderation, algorithms, and competitive activity. Additional fluctuations are anticipated in Google UAC, where auction costs traditionally increase in April due to intensified brand activity following the end of the first quarter.

1.2 Will brands shift their priorities between traffic volume and quality in April?
In April, many brands will begin shifting their focus toward traffic quality, based on first-quarter performance insights. Priority will be given to deeper metrics – from FTD to deposits and LTV – rather than simply chasing registration volume and initial conversions.

At the same time, in certain high-growth GEOs, there will still be a willingness to invest in volume in order to capture market share more quickly, even at the expense of short-term efficiency.

1.3 What will be more challenging in April: finding new scalable setups or maintaining current volumes?
Most likely, maintaining current volumes will become more challenging, especially in highly competitive GEOs. After an active first quarter, many proven setups are already overheated, while traffic costs continue to rise.

Finding new setups remains possible; however, scaling them will take more time due to increased competition and higher requirements for traffic quality.

1.4 Changes in testing strategies for new GEOs and traffic sources in April
Affiliates are likely to shift toward shorter testing cycles and reduce test budget volumes in order to adapt more quickly to changing market conditions.

“At the same time, interest in traffic source diversification will increase: beyond the classic Facebook and Google channels, we expect a growing number of tests in alternative social platforms,” comments Vlad Chernov, Deputy Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

1.5 Key metrics for scaling up or cutting caps
Key metrics will continue to include CR, ROAS, ARPU, retention, and player LTV, but their role in decision-making will become even more significant. Teams will increasingly shift from evaluating “input” metrics to analyzing audience quality and long-term value.

In particular, scaling decisions will be based on early LTV signals and user behavior patterns, rather than solely on FTD volume. This will allow teams to identify underperforming setups earlier and reallocate budgets toward more sustainable traffic sources.

2. GEO priorities

2.1 GEOs that may see the highest traffic growth in April
In April, several Tier-1 countries are expected to show the strongest growth, primarily Canada, Germany, and Australia, where demand for online gambling remains stable and major brands continue to increase their marketing budgets. Growth may also be observed in Latin America (Brazil, Peru, Chile).

At the same time, some affiliates will continue scaling in Eastern Europe and CIS countries, where competition is lower than in Tier-1 markets and it is easier to test new setups.

2.2 Will the approach to Tier-1 markets change compared to Q1 2026?
The approach to GEO selection will become more selective and pragmatic. Many teams will maintain their focus on Tier-1 markets, but with stricter ROI control amid rising traffic costs and decreasing predictability of results.

At the same time, a partial budget reallocation is expected in favor of GEOs with more favorable scaling conditions – lower competition and more affordable auction dynamics. As a result, strategies will increasingly balance between the stability of Tier-1 markets and growth opportunities in less saturated regions.

2.3 Regions where the cost of player acquisition is expected to change the most
The most noticeable increase in CPA is expected in Tier-1 markets – primarily Canada, Germany, and Australia. In these GEOs, player acquisition costs are likely to continue rising amid intense competition and increasing pressure from large media buying teams.

“An additional factor will be the concentration of budgets after the first quarter: major players are scaling more aggressively, which overheats the auction and reduces the effectiveness of standard traffic acquisition approaches,” notes Vlad Chernov, Deputy Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

As a result, the entry threshold for new campaigns is rising, and achieving target metrics will require more precise optimization and stronger setups.

2.4 Key GEOs for growth at the beginning of Q2
Key GEOs may include several Tier-1 markets such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, as well as a number of Tier-2 and Tier-3 countries, including Brazil, India, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Chile.

These countries remain a priority for many brands due to strong purchasing power, higher player LTV, and stable demand for licensed products. Despite high competition and traffic costs, Tier-1 markets continue to attract large affiliate teams, as with proper optimization they offer the most sustainable long-term profitability.

3. Affiliate Marketing Dynamics

3.1 How will the balance between new partners and established affiliate teams change in April?
The market will continue to consolidate around large and experienced teams that have the resources for scaling, optimization, and rapid budget reallocation. Their advantage will strengthen due to accumulated expertise, access to data, and more stable traffic acquisition processes.

At the same time, new teams will continue to emerge; however, the barrier to entry will keep rising. Without access to unique traffic sources, technological advantages, or niche expertise, it will become increasingly difficult for them to compete with established players and reach comparable volumes.

3.2 Changes in affiliates’ approach to selecting partner brands
Affiliates are increasingly shifting their focus toward non-financial factors when choosing partners – primarily brand reputation, payment reliability, and transparency of statistics. These criteria are becoming critical amid rising risks and the instability of certain offers.

As a result, the trend toward long-term partnerships is strengthening: more teams are favoring sustainable collaboration models over short-term offers with potentially high but unpredictable payouts.

“This approach reduces operational risks and enables building a more stable long-term unit economics,” says Vlad Chernov, Deputy Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

3.3 Types of partners that will see the most active growth in April
Media buying teams working with paid traffic will continue to grow most actively, along with content affiliates and SEO-driven projects focused on long-term organic traffic acquisition. These models remain key due to their scalability and more predictable long-term economics.

At the same time, growth in alternative sources is accelerating – particularly influencer and Telegram traffic, which attract affiliates with help of flexibility, a lower barrier to entry, and the ability to test hypotheses more quickly.

3.4 What changes in partner behavior are likely to be most noticeable in April?
Partners will increasingly diversify their traffic sources and GEOs to reduce dependence on any single channel. More cautious scaling and deeper analysis of unit economics can also be expected, especially in light of first-quarter results.

Part 2

1. PR trends

1.1 Top PR trends in April 2026
In the second quarter, PR activity noticeably picks up: after revisiting strategies at the beginning of the year, brands start engaging more actively with media and building more structured communication. Against the backdrop of increasing competition, having a strong offer alone is no longer enough – what matters is how the brand presents itself and what it communicates.

“At the same time, formats are also evolving: traditional press releases are gradually taking a back seat, giving way to case studies, interviews, and more ‘authentic’ content,” says Maria Bobrovskaya, Team Lead PR, Event, Production at N1 Partners.

The market is saturated, so those who deliver real value and communicate with their audience not in abstract terms, but through experience and concrete results, are the ones who win.

2. Brand marketing strategy

2.1 Which aspects of marketing strategy should brands focus on in April amid increasing competition?
The key focus should be on differentiation through brand positioning, not just through offer terms. In a market saturated with similar propositions, partners begin to make decisions based not only on numbers, but also on trust and stability.

This is reflected in affiliate behavior: strong partners are more likely to work with brands that have a clear reputation and predictable processes.

2.2 What changes in marketing strategy should brands consider in April to maintain a competitive advantage?
Companies are gradually shifting their focus from short-term acquisition to long-term partner retention, strengthening efforts in content, PR, loyalty programs, and community development. This approach not only reduces dependence on a constant influx of new affiliates but also improves the quality of engagement with existing partners.

This shift is largely driven by market saturation: acquisition costs continue to rise, while competition for active affiliates intensifies.

“In such conditions, retaining and developing the existing partner base becomes strategically more effective than aggressively acquiring new partners, especially given the increasing demands for transparency, support, and level of service,” notes Maria Bobrovskaya, Team Lead PR, Event, Production at N1 Partners.

2.3 How can marketers find the right balance between short-term results and long-term brand development?
The balance is achieved through a combined strategy: performance drives immediate results, while brand communications ensure long-term stability. If a brand focuses only on short-term gains, it becomes vulnerable in a highly competitive environment.

2.4 The most effective approaches to marketing budget allocation in Q2
In the second quarter, many companies begin reallocating budgets toward a more diversified strategy. In addition to performance channels, there is increased investment in PR activities, content marketing, and event participation.

This shift is driven by the fact that relying solely on paid traffic is becoming less stable, prompting brands to seek ways to strengthen their organic presence and build trust.

Marketing challenges

3.1 What new challenges may marketing teams face at the beginning of Q2?
The key challenge remains the growing competition for partner attention, making it increasingly difficult for brands to differentiate themselves amid similar terms and offers. In an oversaturated market, standard acquisition tools are no longer delivering consistent results.

As a result, marketing teams are forced to shift their focus from purely commercial terms to building reputation, improving communication quality, and shaping overall brand perception. This includes more systematic work with content, greater transparency in interactions, and the development of long-term relationships with partners.

3.2 Which marketing strategies may become less effective in April?
Approaches based solely on financial terms are gradually losing effectiveness. When many programs offer similar payouts, partners begin to pay attention to other factors – such as brand reputation, quality of support, and operational stability.

3.3 Will it become more difficult to attract strong partners amid the large number of affiliate programs on the market?
This is largely due to the fact that strong affiliates have already formed a stable pool of partners and have become significantly more selective when choosing new brands. Decisions are increasingly made not only based on terms, but also considering reputation, stability, and quality of interaction.

In practice, this results in a longer onboarding cycle: new programs require more time to pass the evaluation stage and build trust. As a result, partnership launches slow down, and affiliate expectations become more demanding.

3.4 What signals in April may indicate that brands should reconsider their marketing strategy?
A decline in partner engagement, weak response to new products, and lack of brand visibility in the media are key signals.

“This is due to the fact that in a highly competitive environment, even a slight drop in activity quickly impacts a brand’s position,” says Maria Bobrovskaya, Team Lead PR, Event, Production at N1 Partners.

April confirms a key shift in the iGaming market: increasing competition and rising traffic costs are driving higher demands for quality, sustainability, and a more strategic approach to marketing. Quick tactics and short-term solutions are gradually giving way to more systematic efforts – with a focus on LTV, partner retention, and traffic source diversification.

Join the first tournament of the N1 Traffic Cups 2026 series – the N1 SEO Traffic Cup by N1 Partners!

Period: March 1 – April 30, 2026
Results: by May 10
Entry: from 20 FTD per brand

Why N1 Partners:

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners + hybrid models

Be number one with N1!

News

N1 Partners at iGB L!VE 2026: Bringing Together Affiliates, Art and Innovation

Published

10 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Master Editor

N1 Partners team has wrapped up its participation at iGB L!VE London 2026. Over the course of the two-day conference, the company unveiled its new N1 Duality booth concept, presented exclusive art collaborations as part of a capsule collection created with fashion illustrator Clym Evernden, launched the first drop of custom designer toys in collaboration with Yoomoota, and introduced the limited-edition SPLIT: London merch collection.

Special attention was also given to N1 Sport Promo — a campaign for affiliates working with sports traffic and the Prediction Markets vertical.

Over the two days, the conference served as a platform for hundreds of meetings with partners, conversations with industry media, and presentations of new opportunities for scaling affiliate businesses.

N1 Duality: When Art Becomes a Part of Networking

Throughout both days, N1 Partners’ booth remained one of the busiest destinations at iGB L!VE London. N1 Duality concept brought together business networking, contemporary art, and interactive experiences, transforming it into a space for meetings, new connections, and discussions of future collaborations.

The experience centrepiece was a live art performance by British artist Clym Evernden, who has collaborated with global luxury brands including Hermès, Prada, Tiffany, Diptyque, and others. Throughout the exhibition, he created a large-scale artwork directly on the booth walls using his signature continuous-line illustration technique.

Visitors were able to watch the creative process unfold in real time, receive original sketches, signed postcards, and exclusive merchandise from the capsule collection designed specifically for N1 Partners by the artist, including a tote bag, T-shirt, scarf, socks, and scented candles.

Another major premiere was the collaboration with designer and creator Yoomoota, whose works have been exhibited at PAD London, Art Miami, and the Red Dot Museum and featured in Forbes, Hypebeast, Vice, Elle Decor, and Designboom.

Exclusively for the conference, Yoomoota created a collectible designer toy that became part of N1 Partners’ limited-edition gift collection and quickly turned into one of the most talked-about pieces of the brand’s exclusive drop.

And this is only the beginning — new exclusive designer toys created by N1 Partners and Yoomoota are already in development for SBC Summit Lisbon and SiGMA Europe Rome.

The interactive DICES game, branded giveaways, and an atmosphere of open communication made the booth a natural meeting point for affiliates, clients, and industry professionals throughout the event.

iGB L!VE London 2026 Highlights

iGB L!VE London provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with existing partners, meet new industry professionals, and discuss future cooperation opportunities.

Among the key outcomes of the conference for the N1 Partners team:

Presentation of the N1 Duality concept and the new SPLIT: London merchandise collection;
Exclusive art collaborations with British fashion illustrator Clym Evernden for the capsule collection and designer Yoomoota for the custom collectible toy series;
Presentation of N1 Sport Promo for affiliates working with sports traffic and the Prediction Markets vertical;
300+ meetings with existing and prospective partners;
10+ interviews and media productions with leading industry publications;
More than 2,400 pieces of exclusive merchandise and branded gifts distributed by N1 Partners.

“iGB L!VE London 2026 has been one of the most exciting and productive exhibitions of the year for us. We held dozens of meetings with partners, explored new opportunities for business growth, and received an outstanding response to N1 Sport Promo.

I’d also like to highlight our creative collaborations with designers Clym Evernden, who developed our exclusive capsule collection, and Yoomoota, who created our custom collectible toys. Together, we succeeded in bringing affiliate business, art, and creativity into one shared experience.

We’re grateful to all our partners for the productive meetings we had during this event in London. Face-to-face communication is what lays the foundation for new projects, stronger partnerships, and long-term growth,” said Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

Collaboration with N1 Partners

N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, offering affiliates:

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high Reg2Dep
10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners

Be number one with N1!

News

LEON announces LEON.bet Masters, a new CS2 tournament in Portugal

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Master Editor

LEON continues to strengthen its presence in esports with the launch of LEONBET Masters, a new Counter-Strike 2 tournament set to take place from September 24 to 27 at the SAW Esports Arena in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

The tournament will bring together 16 teams competing for a €30,000 prize pool and valuable VRS points, which play a key role in qualification opportunities for major international events, including the Singapore Major later this year.

LEONBET Masters will feature a group stage with four groups of four teams, followed by playoffs that will determine the tournament champion. The event is expected to attract some of the strongest Tier 2 and Tier 3 teams looking to improve their rankings and continue their path toward the highest level of professional Counter-Strike competition.

The launch of LEONBET Masters marks another step in LEON’s long-term commitment to esports. Over the past few years, the company has actively supported the competitive gaming ecosystem through partnerships with prominent organizations and by hosting its own tournaments across multiple disciplines. Previous initiatives include the LEON Masters Dota tournament, the LEON Masters Deadlock competition, and the LEON Esports Cup Free Fire, further demonstrating the brand’s investment in developing competitive gaming.

LEON currently partners with German esports organization GamerLegion, supporting both its Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 rosters. The company also partners with teams such as SAW, one of Portugal’s most recognizable esports organizations, and FlyQuest, further strengthening its presence across key international esports markets.

By creating LEONBET Masters, LEON aims to provide emerging teams with additional opportunities to compete at a high level, gain valuable ranking points, and showcase their talent on a larger stage.

Additional information about the participating teams, tournament format, broadcast talent, and where to watch the event can be found on the official tournament page here:

https://leonbetmasters.com/

About LEON

LEON is an international sportsbook and online casino brand with over 17 years of industry experience. The company actively supports esports through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and competitive gaming initiatives, working with organizations and communities across multiple regions worldwide.

News

Behind the Game Anatomy of a Strong Brand

Published

5 days ago

June 29, 2026

Master Editor

At iGaming, dozens of solutions are behind the high conversion, retention, and LTV rates of the product: from UX and payment infrastructure to personalisation and constant hypothesis testing.

Behind the Game is a series of expert materials where N1 Partners team explains how successful iGaming products work from the inside.

In this issue, N1 Partners’ Product Line Manager will tell you how to identify a promising brand at the start, what distinguishes a strong product from an average one, and how to choose offers with maximum potential.

What distinguishes a strong iGaming product from dozens of similar offers in the market today?

Today, many products are focused on the rapid monetisation of the player. A strong product has a different approach: it is built around long-term value, player loyalty, and audience retention.

Personalisation, usability, and the ability of a product to adapt to the interests of a particular user play a key role.

Modern analytics and AI tools allow you to predict user behaviour more accurately, offer relevant mechanics, and create a more personalised gaming experience.

UX is equally important. In Tier-1 GEOs, even minor inconveniences can cost a player. If the user has to perform unnecessary actions or encounter an inconvenient interface, the probability that he’ll leave increases significantly.

What early signs show that a product has the potential to become a strong brand?

From the product’s point of view, two metrics are crucial: conversion and retention.

If a product consistently shows good player engagement rates and at the same time keeps the audience at or above market benchmarks, this is a strong signal of its potential.

An additional indicator is the team’s ability to regularly test new hypotheses and implement mechanics that expand the possibilities of interaction with the audience.

Practical criteria are also important for partners: the availability of in-demand payment methods for a specific GEO, high-quality localisation, a strong game library and a convenient user path.

A separate recommendation for affiliate teams is to independently walk the player’s path before launching traffic. This allows you to quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses of the product before scaling.

What is more important for long-term growth: constantly attracting new players or working with the existing base?

One cannot exist without the other.

Attracting new players remains a prerequisite for growth, but without strong retention and working with a loyal base, the product will not be able to show stable results over the long run. That is why the N1 Partners products have a high retention and players’ LTV, those are really crucial metrics to pay attention to.

A high churn leads to a situation where the operator constantly compensates for losses due to new traffic. This model becomes unprofitable both for the product itself and for partners working on RevShare.

That’s why long-term growth is built around retaining players and building a loyal audience that keeps coming back to the product.

What mistakes do new casino projects most often make in the early years of their work?

Many new projects begin to actively increase traffic even before they are convinced of the product effectiveness on test volumes.

Before opening large amounts of traffic, it is important to make sure that all key processes are working correctly: funnels, retention mechanics, payment infrastructure and user path.

Many problems arise due to flaws from the product’s side itself. Errors in payments, incorrect localisation, problems with the availability of functions or an inconvenient interface quickly affect conversion and retention.

For the player, such shortcomings become the reason for leaving even before he has time to get acquainted with the product.

How do you know that a player is returning because of the product itself and not just bonuses or individual games?

One of the key factors is emotional attachment to the product and the level of personalisation.

Bonuses can attract attention, but long-term loyalty is shaped by familiar mechanics, individualised interaction and high-quality communication with the user. This is especially noticeable in the VIP segment, where personal support, attention to the player and long-term relationships are of great importance.

A strong product is always based on treating players as people, not as a set of numbers in reports.

What metrics best show that a product will be successful at a distance?

Among the main indicators:

repeated deposits;
deposit funnel depth;
Retention Rate;
Churn Rate;
technical stability of the product;
key scenarios’ speed.

Special attention is paid to the transitions between deposits and the product’s ability to return players a week, a month or more after the first deposit.

How are the expectations of the players changing in 2026, and what is already considered a mandatory brand standard today?

A mandatory standard is perfect GEO localization, the most user-friendly interface, as well as brand reputation.

Another underestimated factor is the brand’s reputation. Products need to actively work with ORM (Online Reputation Management): monitor the brand’s reputation on feedback (for example, Trustpilot) and third-party sites and respond to comments and questions from players, forming loyalty.

N1 Partners pays special attention to this: the company systematically works with feedback from partners and players, maintaining the brand’s reputation on thematic websites.

What helps N1 Partners products stay competitive in Tier-1 GEOs?

Constant testing of new mechanics and flexibility in product development remains one of the factors.

N1 Partners team adheres to an approach in which new solutions are first tested under controlled conditions and only implemented on a larger scale after effectiveness confirmation.

Among the mechanics that have shown a good effect are Lucky Spin/LuckyBox, Puzzle Hunt and a number of other gamification solutions aimed at increasing player engagement and retention.

Deep audience segmentation and the development of specialised retention areas for different groups of players also play an important role.

If you had to choose a product for RevShare, which indicators would you look at first?

First of all, it is worth paying attention to:

player retention;
user path quality;
the presence of errors and technical problems;
payment infrastructure;
the range of games;
indicators of repeated deposits.

In the RevShare model, the key is how long a player remains active and how often they return to deposits.

What do partners most often underestimate when choosing a product to drive traffic?

Partners often start scaling a new product too early.

Even with a strong offer and good terms of cooperation, it is crucial to first check the actual performance of the product and only then proceed to scaling.

Another underestimated factor is the brand’s reputation. Before driving traffic to an offer, it is important to check player reviews, ratings on relevant sites, and the general perception of the product on the market.

If you had to launch a new brand from scratch today, which three things would you focus on first?

First of all, attention should be paid to three fundamental elements:

a strong payment infrastructure for chosen GEO;
a high-quality set of gaming providers and content;
technical stability of the product and an optimized user path.

Even minor problems with download speed, payments, or registration can significantly reduce conversion and affect the further growth of the product.

The effectiveness of all subsequent marketing and product initiatives directly depends on the quality of these components.

To summarise, a strong iGaming product begins where the pursuit of short-term results ends. Attention to user experience, audience retention, localisation, and continuous product improvements allows brands to grow from a distance and turn the attracted traffic into long-term value.

If you are looking for brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep, join N1 Partners, a multi-brand affiliate program with 14+ casinos and betting brands in Tier-1 GEO with payouts up to €700 CPA and RevShare up to 55%.

Be number one with N1!