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GAMBLE LABORATORY (“GAMLABO”) is an independent information platform focused on affiliate marketing in the iGaming industry. We strive to provide fair, honest, and reliable content for both operators and affiliates, always from a neutral and unbiased standpoint.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

© 2023 Gamble Laboratory

 

FAQ

Who are you guys?

We are Gamble Laboratory – GAMLABO for short, an affiliate info website dedicated to providing helpful information for everyone interested in iGaming affiliate marketing—from beginners taking their first steps to experienced affiliates looking to boraden their options.

What makes you guys trust worthy?

We don’t collect any personal information from you, and we will never ask for details about you or your affiliate accounts. Gamble Laboratory is simply an information site created for affiliates like you. Our team has real experience—we run our own sites and include members who have worked as affiliate managers on the operator side. Our goal is to provide straightforward, top-quality info with no BS, so we hope you entrust us with what we share.

Is it free to become an iGaming affiliate?

Yes, signing up for most iGaming affiliate programs is completely free—there’s no cost to join and start promoting. That said, nothing is truly free if you’re serious about growing. You may need to invest in things like a domain, hosting to run a website and other marketing tools to take your efforts to the next level. We also recommend useful services and programs along the way, some of which you may be redirected to the product site where can purchase directly—but just to be clear, we never collect personal data or affiliate account info from you. We’re here purely to guide and support you.

Are you different from an affiliate ASP (Affiliate Service Provider)?

Yes, we’re completely different. We’re not an affiliate ASP and we don’t manage or operate any affiliate programs. We don’t handle contracts, commissions, or player tracking. Instead, we’re an independent site that shares helpful information, guides, and honest reviews for anyone interested in becoming an iGaming affiliate. Think of us more like a resource hub—not a middleman.

Why are you doing this? What’s the catch?

Honestly, there’s no catch. We’ve been in the iGaming affiliate space for years—on both the affiliate and operator sides—and we know how confusing it can be to get started. There has been too many miss leading information circulating the internet and as well as so called Gurus exploiting both casino and bookmaker operators and affiliates for unresonable and unethical prices. That is why we created this site to share what we’ve learned, without fluff or fake promises. Yes, as a full disclosure, we may earn a small commission if you choose to sign up for certain tools, services or programs we recommend or feature but that never affects our opinions or what we choose to feature. We’re not here to push sell you anything. We just want to make things clearer and just for people trying to break into this industry or Help veteran affiliates to find clarity in this messy market.

How are affiliate commissions generated?

In the case of online casinos and sportsbooks, commissions are earned when a player you referred uses the site. As the player bets or plays games, the operator earns revenue—and a portion of that is shared with you as your affiliate commission.

Do I need a website to become an affiliate?

Not necessarily! While having your own website can be helpful and make it easier to get approved by the affiliate manager, it’s not always required. You can still promote affiliate links through social media platforms or even through video contents and streaming platforms. There are many ways to get started—your creativity matters more than having a website.

I’ve never done affiliate marketing. I’m not sure what to do.

That’s totally okay—everyone starts as a beginner. The good news is, there are plenty of free resources, communities, and tutorials out there to help you learn at your own pace. Start by exploring how iGaming affiliate programs work, pick a platform that feels right for you (like a blog, social media, or video), and take it one step at a time. You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. Youc an check out our blogs and list of Affiliate program to get started.

Is it legal to promote gambling?

It depends on where you live and where your audience is. Every country has its own rules about gambling promotion, and some regions have strict regulations or outright bans. As an affiliate, it’s your responsibility to check the laws in your country and make sure your content follows any platform policies or local advertising guidelines. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to do a bit of research or consult someone familiar with your local regulations.

Can I promote iGaming products worldwide? Even out side of my country?

You can promote iGaming products in many countries, even target audiences outside of your country, but not everywhere. Some regions have restrictions or outright bans on gambling-related content. It’s important to check the laws in the countries you’re targeting and make sure your promotions comply with local rules and advertising guidelines.

How do I become an iGaming affiliate?

Becoming an iGaming affiliate is simple. You sign up for an affiliate program offered by a casino or sportsbook, get your unique tracking link, and start promoting it through a website, blog, social media, or other platforms. Once players sign up and play through your link, you start earning commissions.

What are the best affiliate programs for online casinos and sportsbooks?

The best program depends on your audience and niche. You can look our list of affiliate programs that offer good commission models, reliable payments, solid tracking, and helpful affiliate support.

How do I track my referrals and commissions?

Most affiliate programs provide a dashboard where you can track clicks, sign-ups, player activity, and your earnings in real time. You’ll get access to reports and statistics that help you understand how your promotions are performing.

How often and by what methods are affiliate payments made?

Payment schedules vary by program, but most pay monthly—usually around the beginning or middle of the month. Common payment methods include bank transfer, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, Skrill, and sometimes PayPal. Minimum payout thresholds may apply.

What does “Minimum payout thresholds may apply” mean?

It means you need to earn a certain amount of commission before you can request a payout. For example, if the threshold is $100, you can only withdraw your earnings once your balance reaches or exceeds $100. This helps keep payment processing efficient for both you and the affiliate program.

How much can I earn as an iGaming affiliate?

Earnings can vary widely depending on factors like the affiliate program, the number and quality of players you refer, and the commission model (CPA, revenue share, or hybrid). Some affiliates make a modest side income, while others earn full-time salaries or even more. Success usually grows as you build your audience and optimize your marketing efforts.

What is the typical player lifecycle and how does it affect my commissions?

The chances of earning commissions mostly come from players who make their first deposit. From our own experience we see players who made a deposit within the first 3 hours after registering are crucial in building your income. That being said, it’s also important to keep an eye on the conversion rate from registration to deposit for the brand you represent—the higher this conversion rate, the better your chances of earning commissions. And if you know which brand succeeds better in conversion you can build a strategy around it.

A successful online casino might be able to extend a player’s active lifetime to 6 months or more, but this is quite unique and challenging due to intense competition, market availability, promotional campaigns, and players’ preferences.

You should also pay close attention to how long a player continues to play after making their deposit. For example, is the player still active a week after their first deposit? If not, understanding why can provide valuable insights. These data points are crucial not only for improving your brand’s performance and increasing commissions but also serve as strong leverage when negotiating higher commission rates with operators/affiliate managers.

What is the difference between CPA, revenue share, and hybrid?

These are the three most common types of affiliate commission structures in iGaming:

CPA (Cost Per Acquisition): You earn a one-time payment for every referred player who meets certain criteria (e.g., makes a deposit). It’s fast and predictable, but has no long-term earning potential.

Revenue Share: You earn a percentage of the net revenue that your referred players generate over time. This model can generate passive income as long as players stay active.

Hybrid: A mix of both—usually a smaller upfront CPA plus ongoing revenue share. It offers some quick returns along with long-term earnings.

Each model has pros and cons, so the best choice depends on your goals, traffic quality, and how long you plan to be in the game.

How is Revenue Share Comission calculated?

Revenue share commission is usually calculated as a percentage of the Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) generated by the players you refer.

Revenue Share Commission = (Net Gaming Revenue) × (Your Commission Rate)

NGR is the amount the operator earns after deducting player winnings, bonuses, chargebacks, and other costs from the total bets (turnover).

For example, if the NGR from your referred players is $10,000 and your revenue share rate is 30%, your commission would be $3,000.

Keep in mind that some programs may have their own way of calculating your commission while claiming to be under revenue share, so it’s important to review the terms of each affiliate program carefully.

What is NGR (Net Gaming Revenue)?

NGR stands for Net Gaming Revenue. It’s the amount of money an operator earns after deducting bonuses, fees, and other costs from what players have lost. This is usually the base amount used to calculate your affiliate commission if you’re on a revenue share model.

How is NGR (Net Gaming Revenue) calculated?

NGR is the amount your affiliate commission is based on. It’s calculated by subtracting certain costs from the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).

General formula:
NGR = GGR – Admin Fees – Bonuses – Chargebacks – Payment Fees – Other Applicable Fees

What is GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)?

GGR stands for Gross Gaming Revenue. It refers to the total amount players lose—before any deductions like bonuses, admin fees, or transaction costs. Think of it as the raw income generated by the players you refer.

What is Bet Amount or Turnover?

Bet amount (also known as turnover) is the total amount of money wagered by a player, regardless of wins or losses. For example, if a player deposits $100 and places ten $10 bets, the turnover is $100—even if they win some of those bets back. It’s a key metric often used in sportsbook affiliate programs and can affect your commissions, especially under turnover-based deals.

Is GGR the same as Turnover? If not, how do they differ?

No, GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) and Turnover are not the same.

Turnover refers to the total amount of money wagered or bet by players. It’s the sum of all bets placed, regardless of whether players win or lose.

GGR is the revenue that the operator actually earns from those bets. It’s calculated as the total bets minus the total winnings paid out to players (and sometimes adjusted for bonuses or refunds).

In simple terms, Turnover is the total betting volume, while GGR is what remains as revenue after paying out player winnings.

What is FTD (First Time Depositor)?

FTD stands for First Time Depositor. It means a player you referred has made their first-ever deposit. Most CPA commissions and many affiliate metrics are based on how many FTDs you bring in, so it’s a key number to keep an eye on.

What is a Minimum Threshold for FTD mean?

The Minimum Threshold for FTD (First Time Deposit) refers to the smallest amount a new player must deposit for it to count as a valid first deposit in affiliate tracking and especially for CPA commission calculations. This amount varies depending on the casino or sportsbook operator but is typically set to prevent very small deposits from triggering commissions. For example, a Minimum Threshold might be $10 or $20. Deposits below this amount may not qualify for affiliate rewards.

What is a Bonus?

A bonus is an incentive offered by online casinos or sportsbooks to attract and retain players. It can come in many forms—such as welcome bonuses, free spins, free bets, or deposit match offers. While bonuses can help improve conversion rates, they often come with wagering requirements or restrictions that players must meet before they can withdraw winnings.

How does bonus affect my commission?

Bonuses are a key tool used by online casinos and sportsbooks to attract and retain players. While they are regarded as a “cost”, they encourage players to deposit and play more, which can increase the overall potential for the revenue generated. As an affiliate, bonuses can directly impact your commission:

Attract More Players: Attractive bonuses can boost the number of new sign-ups and deposits through your referral links.

Increase Player Activity: Bonuses often motivate players to stay active longer, increasing the chances of ongoing commissions through revenue share models.

Affect Net Revenue (NGR): However, some bonuses and their costs might be deducted from the operator’s revenue before calculating your commission, potentially reducing your earnings.

Therefore, understanding the bonus structure and how it influences player behavior and operator revenue is important to maximize your affiliate earnings.

Why should I keep an eye on bonuses?

Over-bonusing can actually hurt your earnings. While bonuses attract players, giving too many or too large bonuses can reduce the operator’s net revenue, which means lower commissions for you. Excessive bonuses may also attract less loyal players who only join for the freebies and leave quickly, shortening player lifetime value. From our own experience we view generally 15% to 25% against GGR a safe zone for bonus cost. By keeping an eye on bonuses, you can avoid promoting overly generous offers that might seem good but end up lowering your overall income. Balancing attractive bonuses with sustainable player quality is key to long-term success.

Can I promote multiple casinos or sportsbooks at the same time?

Yes, absolutely and you should. Many affiliates work with several brands at once to diversify their income and offer more options to their audience. Just be sure to follow each program’s terms and avoid conflicts, like promoting competing offers on the same page without transparency.

What is an Admin Fee? How much are they usually?

An Admin Fee (also known as an administrative fee) is a percentage deducted from the gross revenue generated by your referred players before your affiliate commission is calculated. It helps operators cover operational costs like payment processing, licensing, support, and more.

Admin fees typically range from 15% to 25% (some operators going up to 33%) of the GGR depending on the brand or affiliate program. For example, if your referred player generates $100 in gross revenue and there is a 20% admin fee, only $80 would be considered for revenue share commission calculations.

Why is the admin fee subtracted from the commission calculation?

The admin fee (or administrative fee) covers the operational costs the operator incurs to run the platform, such as payment processing, customer support, fraud prevention, and general maintenance.

This fee is deducted from the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) before calculating your Net Gaming Revenue (NGR), which determines your commission. Subtracting the admin fee ensures the operator covers their expenses before sharing profits with affiliates.

This is a standard practice in the iGaming industry to keep the business sustainable and fair for all parties.

What is a Payment Fee?

A payment fee refers to the cost charged by payment providers (like banks, e-wallets, or crypto platforms) to process player deposits and withdrawals on the casino or sportsbook platform.

In iGaming affiliate programs, this fee is often deducted from the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) before calculating your Net Gaming Revenue (NGR)—which is what your commission is based on. That means the affiliate effectively shares part of the operational cost, even though the operator manages the platform.

Why is Payment fee deducted from my commission?

While it may seem unfair, this practice is common across the industry. It helps operators offset the rising cost of payment processing, especially in high-risk sectors like gambling.

Example:
If a player deposits $100 and the payment fee is 2%, then $2 is deducted. Your commission is calculated based on the remaining amount, after all such fees and other deductions.

Tip: Always check the affiliate program’s terms for how payment fees are handled. Some operators are more transparent or offer better revenue share rates to offset these costs.

What is a Chargeback?

A chargeback happens when a player disputes a transaction with their bank or payment provider—usually claiming they didn’t authorize the deposit or didn’t receive the service. When this happens, the deposit amount is reversed and taken back from the casino.

For affiliates, chargebacks are important because they reduce the Net Gaming Revenue (NGR), which affects your commission. If a referred player’s deposit is charged back, that amount is deducted from your earnings. In addition, frequent and susupicious charge backs can risk your enrolment in the affiliate program.

What are other applicable fees that may affect my commission?

In addition to bonus costs and chargebacks, two common deductions to be aware of are negative carryover and pre-arranged deal fees.

Negative carryover occurs when a referred player generates a net loss for the brand (for example, by winning more than they lose); in some cases, this negative balance is carried over to the next month and must be offset before new commissions are paid.

Meanwhile, pre-arranged deal fees may apply when you’ve negotiated exclusive campaigns or other custom arrangements. These costs are often handled separately and not included in standard bonus and admin deductions.

Understanding these potential fees is important for accurately estimating your long-term earnings.

Are there risks involved in iGaming affiliate marketing?

Like any business, yes. Earnings can fluctuate based on player activity, regulation changes, or program updates. Some affiliate programs have negative carryover, meaning a player’s big win could impact your monthly earnings. That said, with research and a solid strategy, many affiliates build reliable long-term income.

What is “negative carryover”?

Negative carryover means that if your referred players win more than they lose in a given month, your earnings go into the negative—and some programs carry that balance over to the next month until the negative balance is completely cleared out. Other programs reset your balance each month. Always check the terms before signing up.

How do I handle player complaints or disputes?

Direct players to the casino or sportsbook’s customer support, as affiliates we recommnend not to intervene as we do not manage player accounts or handle payouts.

What Kind of Services that Gamblabo offer?

Gamblabo is an info hub for iGaming affiliates. We don’t run our own casino or sportsbook—instead, we provide helpful insights, tools, and resources to help both new and experienced affiliates succeed. From explaining how affiliate programs work to showcasinig brands, we aim to give you no-nonsense, practical guidance based on real industry experience.

How are you selecting your affiliate programs?

We carefully select the affiliate programs featured on our site by considering several key factors — including brand reputation, conversion performance, commission structure, reliability of payments, and the overall quality of support. We also take into account how transparent and affiliate-friendly the operators are, as well as the effectiveness of their CRM strategies.

That being said, the iGaming industry is not without its challenges. Even globally recognized operators have, at times, made unexpected decisions that negatively impacted affiliates. While we strive to showcase the most trustworthy and high-performing programs available, we always encourage you to review the terms, stay informed, and maintain a healthy level of discretion before committing to any partnership.

What Language do you support?

If you are interested in contacting us, please send us a message in English.

I am an operator and I want to be featured on your site.

Simply drop us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What should I consider when using this website?

When using our website, please keep in mind that we provide information and recommendations about iGaming affiliate programs based on our experience and research. However, the final decisions and responsibility for participating in any affiliate program rest with you. Always review the terms and conditions of each program carefully. We aim to offer accurate and helpful details, but the iGaming market can change rapidly, so we reccomend staying informed and cautious. For more details our site, please check our Site Policy.

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