Who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of gambling especially if you can enjoy it while making money by promoting casino affiliate programs? According to the stats, nearly 4.2 billion around the globe have gambled in their lifetime. And, 1.6 billion will gamble at any given time throughout the year whether it's on-site or finding games through casino partner opportunities.
One of the biggest attractions are casinos – a wild collection of games of chance where lives can change with the roll-of-the-dice.
Casino affiliate programs are one of the best and easiest ways to monetize a gambling website. Why? Because it’s passive entertainment. You’re not trying to teach strategy – you’re simply pointing people to the online casinos and wishing them best of luck.
Casino affiliate earnings are dependent on the quality of players you refer. Land a couple whales and you can see your monetization efforts skyrocket. Promoting the highest paying casino offers and promotions gives you an easy way into this exciting industry; that is if you know what you’re getting into…
The Gambling and Casino Niche: What You Need to Know
So, you’re thinking about becoming a casino affiliate, eh? There’s a lot to know about the industry before you begin placing ads and links across your site. First, online gambling is in a grey area meaning it’s not exactly legal but not illegal either – it’s banned in some countries (U.S.) but openly available in others. Sorry U.S. affiliates, you’re a bit out of luck…
However, an opportunity is there for those in areas where restrictions are laxer. That’s not to say you can’t build a gambling site in the West (actually, it would do pretty great since few people are willing to take on the challenge). But, you’ve got to understand your country laws before you’re investing in the site.
With that said, you’ve got options with what’s promoted through the casino affiliate programs:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Craps
- Poker
- Baccarat
- Bingo
All your favorite table games in a virtual environment. These gambling sites are constantly refreshing their games list and adding new, exciting ones to the mix. There’s almost always a sign-up bonus to do a couple games for free which will make the promotions quite easy.
The Casino Industry: By the Numbers
Online gambling is still going through its growing pains. The market wants access to gambling, but governments are laying down tough jurisdiction. Many circumvent these restrictions by using VPNs or lesser-known gambling portals.
We don’t encourage that.
What makes the casino niche so attractive to bloggers and marketers able to get in on the action?
- The global gambling market brought in $452 billion and projected to $511bn by 2019
- Casinos make up 25% of the gambling market
- The size of online gambling (worldwide) is $37.9 billion and growing
Online casinos have been around since the early days of the Web. They’ve become sophisticated sites with the same thrills as Vegas, Macau, and Atlantic City. The ease of casinos and chance of big wins has your average adult spending around $600 a year!
Why Promote Casino Affiliate Programs
Casinos are a catch-all for online gambling which is part of their attraction. The digitalization of table games and betting provides the same thrills and chills as you’d find at real locations. The social aspect of online casinos is worth a note, too, since it creates a sense of community and rivalry.
Why promote casino affiliate programs when there are so many other, less restrictive affiliate ventures?
- Few affiliates stick to the long-term
- Revenues are incredibly high (many pays recurring)
- The community is tight-knit
- It’s fun and exciting
A lot of affiliates getting into the casino niche go for the quick rank and tank approach. This means quickly setting up a site, promoting it like crazy, and letting it burn. Then repeat. This is tiring and doesn’t offer long-term stability. Instead, you should focus on building something valuable for the community and marketplace (within the restrictions) to keep people coming back.
For the others: Many have reported monthly earnings of $5-$10k+ promoting casino programs. That’s attractive if you ask us. Likewise, the gambling community tends to remain tightly knit for those that stick around – meaning it’ll create a community within a community. Plus, promoting casino offers is fun.
Making Money as a Casino Affiliate
What makes for a good casino experience?
Think of how they do it in Vegas:
Anyone can slap together a gambling site, list some strategy, and send people on their way. But, the real value comes when casino affiliates tailor the experience.
You become the handler for these gamblers.
This means more networking, relationship building, and brand awareness. It’s about understanding what gamblers want out of the casino affiliate programs versus blasting them with aggressive pitches.
There is a lot to choose from so choose carefully (your reputation is on the line):
- Anna Casino
- BGO Casino
- Caesars Casino
- DoubleDown Casino
- Tivoli Casino
There are even bitcoin casinos in the works for those wanting to put some plays in using cryptocurrencies. Quite some exciting stuff!
Here’s where the money comes in – the programs often offer
- 30-50% revenue share
- Sign up bonuses
- Several gaming options
- Community
- Multi-platform support
A handful of regulars to the casino sites, signed up under your referral, can create a constant cash flow.
Online hubs like 7Stars, Lapalingo, VIKS, Bit Starz, and Gunsbet are all great places to begin. Commission structures for each will reward for net revenue brought in from each referral. Many have a multi-tiered scheme which pays out whenever gamblers refer their peers, too.
Look for casino programs with no negative carryover to further improve your odds with earnings.
How to Promote Casino Affiliate Programs in the Gambling Niche
Here’s where things get tricky:
Google and other major ad networks don’t take kindly to gambling ads. Google, for example, is okay with it but you must apply for certification before promoting online gambling. Sites get delisted on a whim for reasons unknown a lot of the time.
Since PPC is out of the window (for most), where do you go?
- Content creation
- Forums
- Social
Content Creation
Content creation is your best bet. You’d do well-covering topics related to game strategy for the core content. Other content avenues would include live streaming bets. Promotions for free plays and bonuses, news, and lifestyle posts are another option for the casino affiliate.
Content could also include:
- Downloadable guides
- Live play sessions with other community members
- Interviews and case studies
- Reviews and roundups
Figure out what
you would want from a gambling niche site. Then, make it awesome.
Forums
Forums like GamblingForums, GamblersForum, and AskGamblers are another great outlet for spreading the brand awareness to your casino blog. These communities attract active and retired gamblers. There, you’ll find interesting ideas for content topics from faqs and strategy discussions.
You may also use the forums to build a network (bring gamblers on to create user content) or refer them to casino sites.
Social
Social, as you’d expect, gives you a go at promoting your casino niche site. Browse through hashtags like #casino, #slots, #lasvegas, #monaco, and #gambling to see what users share and discuss. Then, build a following with these active gamblers and share great content.
Need some ideas?
- Post your winnings
- Share your lifestyle
- Talk about strategy
- Share industry updates
You know… the type of stuff discussed around those table games.
Choosing the Right Casino Offers and Promotions
Normally, we use this section to talk about how to promote the individual offers. But, those highest paying casino promotions usually sell themselves. Instead, let’s focus on picking the right gambling brands to work with so you’re not burned.
- Rankings – Check out casino reviews and see what other affiliates are saying about the program. This will guide your decision especially if other affiliates are willing to share their experiences and income reports.
- Terms – Browse the site and look for professional cues. The terms of service are a great place to start. If their terms and conditions are looking a bit off (or sloppily copied and pasted) then you probably don’t want to get involved.
- Support – How well do these casinos handle issues with their games? What about payout? Contact their customer service to see how quick and professional they respond.
- Reputation – There have been quite a few rogue casino sites to have popped up throughout the years. The ones still going have built their reputation on innovation, transparency, and authority. Go with the ones showing longevity and experience in the market.
Your reputation is on the line whenever you partner with casino programs. One bad referral can quickly spread negativity. Always keep up-to-date with online gambling news to see what’s moving and shaking.
We also recommend you dedicate a section about
responsible gambling. This provides valuable content for those with gambling problems and helps people from betting beyond their means. Adding this section will increase your brand authority and transparency.
Roll the Dice, Become a Casino Affiliate Today
There are hundreds of great casino affiliate programs to choose from when monetizing your gambling site. It’s an exciting industry, no doubt, with tough competition and incredible riches to be had.
It’s not for everyone… but the market is there.
We think you’ll have a blast promoting these offers and promotions. Look through our casino directory and find the programs best suited for your site. Add in some great content, be passionate about what you do, build a real community, and you’ll see what makes the casino niche so lucrative.