News
SEO Wizardry – How gambling affiliates can stay ahead of the new Google Penguin update
The first Google Penguin update was confirmed on April 24, 2012. It’s role was to algorithmically penalize those websites that were considered to violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines by being involved in so called “link schemes”. It’s main focus was on those thought or found to be buying links or to acquire them through link farms or networks, whose sole purpose was to boost and increase their Google rankings artificially.
This first Penguin update has changed SEO strategies since it’s introduction by removing those who were thought to be using this kind of techniques or simply pushing them down on the SERP’s!
This update gave birth to a whole new era, where SEO’s had to place a whole lot more accent and time on obtaining those highly desired quality links and to produce highly relevant and unique content that would generate on-page engagement an thus getting those relevant and why not organic backlinks!
The first rumours about a new Penguin Update appeared in 2015, Google’s spokespeople declared that this time it would be a real-time update, meaning that any site caught on operating against Google’s Webmaster guidelines would be downgraded instantly – but there’s no need to panic, the recovery will be made a lot more faster too!
Where are you at?
Two years have past since the last Penguin update, so before you dive into a new plan you might wanna check your current status! It would be wise to have a look at your strong points and your weak points, focusing on how the previous updates may have impacted your link/content strategy!
Your main focus should be on your backlink profile! Where are your links coming from, are they from relevant and authoritative sites and domains, or from spammy sites!?! You should also check what kind of links your domain has, footer or sidebar links or even worse links from comments or forum signature links? Don’t forget to check your anchor text distribution, making sure that you’re not using any money or spammy anchor text’s. Your anchor text’s should be natural and your external links from trusted sites, keeping in mind that your brand or domain name is a perfect and a very natural anchor text too!
Anchor text diversity
In the pre Penguin era, webmasters frequently used their keywords also as anchor texts for backlinks thus achieving higher positions in the SERP’s for the given keywords. This technique as many others in the past became abused leading to a mass scale of penalties from Google!
There is no perfect or exact balance on the diversification of anchor texts, but if you keep your anchors relevant and engaging to the visitors you shouldn’t encounter any problems! And if you like it on the safe side, than here are a few anchor texts that will keep you there:
- Partially matching or long tail keywords, anchor texts with synonyms, naked URL’s (in all variations), brand names, image links with optimized alt text.
Internal links
Another vital step is to assess your internal link profile and make sure that it’s well structured and relevant for your site but also for the users so that they can browse trough your site easily! Having this done you should be able to offer Google and your users a safe and clear hierarchy!
Quality content
One of the core targets of the Penguin update is to find and penalize sites that use black-hat techniques such as manipulating links. The most effective way in making a penalty free site is to provide Google with quality and highly relevant content thus making sure that your visitors also find the information relevant and engaging and shareable.
Nowadays Google’s algorithm changes switched the focus from the simple and fast ranking techniques to a more user experienced journey where marketers should focus on creating the right content and making this available for all devices, having this done you should easily sail towards that highly desired #1 SERP’s for your website!
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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News2 weeks agoTaking Off with N1 Partners at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona: Grand Final and a Helicopter for the N1 Puzzle Promo Winner
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News2 weeks ago
N1 Faces: Daria Maichuk — “Communication as the Key to Strong, Effective Partnerships in Affiliate Marketing”
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Conferences1 week agoMondoplay to sponsor Gamblers Connect at ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona
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Awards1 day ago2RBO Affiliates Secures Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
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News9 hours agoN1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards

