News
Growth of Illegal Casinos and Betting Sites
Plenty of reports have surfaced in recent times over the increase in the number of people taking to online gambling sites during lockdown across the world. Yet, what hasn’t been touched on just yet is the number of illegal platforms that have cropped up recently, too. Yet, Australia has just released details of the increase in the amount of illegal online betting sites springing to life during these tough times.
Despite Australia’s government going all out in a bid to block such sites from penetrating through to the country’s gamblers, it seems as though offshore sites are once again targeting such players in their masses. According to analytics from SEMrush, the number of searches for “online pokies” within Australia went through a swift leap in April to 40,500, which is massive in comparison to February’s result of 12,100.
Even more than that, an increase in the search for “online casino Australia real money” spiked by 540%, showing that the country still has quite the desire to gamble, despite strict gambling laws being in place there.
It was only a few months prior that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) ordered its internet service providers (ISPs) to block 52 illegal online casino sites. Those platforms remained blocked to Australia gamblers, but this hasn’t stopped numerous other offshore and illegal casinos and sportsbooks to appear during lockdown.
Australia Fighting a Losing Battle?
Some might suggest that the Australia government is fighting a losing battle when it comes to blocking access to offshore online gambling sites. There are so many in existence, that by the time they finish blocking them, plenty more will have opened their virtual doors. While it’s not specifically illegal to play online casino games in the country, it is illegal for websites to provide Australians with that sort of service.
This is different to nearby country New Zealand, where online casino gambling is licensed and regulated. That’s why it’s possible to find various lists of the best bookmakers in New Zealand, as these are fairly commonplace to residents. Yet, Australia is a bit more conservative when it comes to the accessibility of such. Could Australia learn from New Zealand’s setup? Well, possibly. But, it does seem like Australia has a bigger problem with people becoming addicted to gambling, in general.
That being said, research does suggest that the number of people in Australia participating in online gambling declined during the months of March and April this year. However, those who were accessing gambling sites did actually end up spending more money than normal at them. This doesn’t fare well for the industry in general where Australia is concerned, as the government estimated that last year, citizens lost around $400 million by participating in online gambling expeditions.
However, statistics did display that participation in gambling at offshore platforms prior to the pandemic had been on the decline. Unfortunately, that seems to have now become a little irrelevant with more Australians looking to satisfy their gaming needs while having nothing better to do with their time at home.
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.
Awards
2RBO Affiliates Secures Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
2RBO Affiliates has been named Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at the 19th edition of the International Gaming Awards (IGA), one of the most respected global events recognizing excellence across the gaming and gambling industry.
The award ceremony took place on January 18, 2026, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Barcelona, welcoming senior leaders and professionals from both online and land-based gaming sectors.
Recognizing innovation and performance in affiliate marketing
The Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year category is among the most competitive at the IGA, highlighting affiliate programs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, measurable commercial impact, and strong brand development.
In selecting the winner, the judging panel evaluates campaign execution, audience engagement, scalability, and the ability to drive sustainable growth for both operators and partners.
2RBO Affiliates stood out through its data-driven approach, modern campaign structure, and focus on long-term affiliate value rather than short-term performance spikes.
Commitment to transparency and scalable growth
Commenting on the recognition, Aviv Rosenblit, Head of Affiliates at 2RBO, said:
“We are extremely proud to receive this award from industry peers. It confirms our commitment to innovation, transparency, and delivering sustainable growth for our partners. Our goal has always been to build long-term relationships supported by technology, trust, and measurable results.”
A high-performance affiliate ecosystem
2RBO Affiliates operates a comprehensive affiliate platform supporting several established iGaming brands, including Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, and ToonieBet.
The program combines:
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advanced gamification tools
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flexible commission models
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real-time performance analytics
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proactive compliance monitoring
This integrated approach enables affiliates to maximize engagement, improve retention, and optimize revenue across multiple regulated markets.
Strengthening its position in the global affiliate market
The International Gaming Awards, supported by leading industry publication The iGaming Post, are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious charity-driven events in global gaming.
By securing this award, 2RBO Affiliates further reinforces its position as a high-performance affiliate program focused on sustainable partnerships, innovation-led marketing strategies, and long-term value creation.
About 2RBO Affiliates
2RBO Affiliates is a global affiliate program representing premium iGaming brands. The platform is designed to support affiliates through modern gamification mechanics, flexible commercial structures, detailed performance tracking, and strong compliance standards — enabling partners to scale efficiently in competitive markets.
About the International Gaming Awards (IGA)
The International Gaming Awards celebrate excellence across the global gaming industry, bringing together stakeholders from mobile gaming, online casinos, sportsbooks, and land-based operators. In addition to recognizing leadership and innovation, the IGA supports charitable initiatives worldwide.
Conferences
Mondoplay to sponsor Gamblers Connect at ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has revealed that Mondoplay will be the official conference sponsor of its delegation at the upcoming ICE and iGB Affiliate Summit in Barcelona, Spain.
This sponsorship marks a significant collaboration between two innovative forces in the iGaming sector as the industry gathers for its most prestigious annual event. This partnership serves as another prime example of how strategic alliances can amplify impact within the community.
Both Gamblers Connect and Mondoplay share a unified vision of prioritising quality and user experience above all else. This sponsorship perfectly reflects that shared belief and commitment to excellence.
The summit in Barcelona represents a new chapter for the industry, and this partnership ensures Gamblers Connect can connect directly with operators, affiliates, and industry leaders from across the globe with greater resources and presence.
Mondoplay has established itself as a dynamic operator brand known for its comprehensive sportsbook and casino offering. Its platform is built on delivering seamless player experiences, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the editorial standards of Gamblers Connect.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “By supporting our delegation, Mondoplay is directly investing in independent media coverage and the fostering of transparent industry dialogue. This partnership is more than just a sponsorship agreement. It is a celebration of shared ambition and mutual growth. Together, we can continue to prove that meaningful collaboration and genuine value creation are what truly move the iGaming industry forward.”
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