iGaming Knowledge Hub: Expert-Led Podcasts, Insights, and Meetups

Quick recap

The panel discussion focused on how affiliate networks are empowering startups in the iGaming industry, exploring their advantages over direct partnerships and strategies for new affiliates to stand out. The conversation covered the importance of communication, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the industry, as well as the growing emphasis on responsible gaming initiatives. The panelists also discussed the adoption of AI and automation in iGaming, highlighting its potential to revolutionize various aspects of the industry while acknowledging the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Next steps

• Affiliate networks: Continue innovating and exploring new traffic sources beyond traditional SEO to provide incremental value to operators.
• Operators: Evaluate affiliate networks based on personal relationships, honesty, and quality of tracking technology when selecting partners.
• Operators: Consider working with established affiliate networks when entering new jurisdictions to gain speed to market and consolidated management of affiliate partnerships.
• Operators: Improve tech stacks and tracking capabilities to enable better data sharing with affiliate networks.
• Operators and affiliate networks: Prioritize open communication channels, including more frequent video calls and face-to-face meetings.
• New affiliates: Focus on creating value through innovative approaches, particularly leveraging social media and AI technologies.
• Affiliate networks: Assist operators in scaling quickly in new markets by providing access to multiple traffic channels and experienced affiliate management.
• Operators: Develop benchmark data for affiliates to perform against before launching affiliate programs.
• Affiliate networks: Implement regular meetings with key operators and affiliates who meet certain revenue thresholds.
• Operators: Consider attending a wider variety of industry conferences throughout the year to build relationships and stay updated on industry trends.
• Affiliate networks: Enhance compliance screening processes to ensure all campaigns meet regulatory standards.
• Yoni: Consider implementing AI notetaking tools for more efficient meeting follow-ups.
• Affiliate networks: Continue investing in compliance teams and processes to maintain licensing and protect operator partnerships.
• Industry professionals: Attend a mix of large and boutique conferences to maximize networking opportunities and industry insights.
• Operators and affiliate networks: Collaborate on promoting responsible gaming initiatives and tools to improve industry reputation.
• Affiliate networks: Explore AI and automation technologies to enhance tracking, attribution, and reporting capabilities.
• Operators: Continue prioritizing regulatory compliance and responsible gaming initiatives to protect their licenses and business.
• Affiliate networks: Maintain strict compliance policies, including one-strike rules for non-compliant affiliates.
• iGaming companies: Explore and adopt AI and automation technologies to improve operations, product development, and customer experiences.
• Marketing teams: Investigate using AI for campaign optimization and management.
• Operators: Leverage AI for analyzing player data to generate actionable insights for personalization and responsible gaming.
• Creative teams: Utilize AI for generating and iterating marketing content for A/B testing.
• iGaming companies: Hire talent skilled in leveraging AI to maximize its potential across business operations.

Summary

Affiliate Networks Empowering iGaming Startups

The panel discussion focuses on how affiliate networks are empowering startups in iGaming. The speakers include Shmulik Segal from Media Troopers, Yoni from Wiz Tech, and Allan Petrilli from Acquire Bet. Each panelist introduces themselves, highlighting their extensive experience in the iGaming industry and their current roles. The discussion is set to explore the impact of affiliate networks on startups in the regulated markets of North America, particularly the US and Canada.

Affiliate Networks: iGaming Industry Advantages

The discussion focuses on the advantages of affiliate networks compared to direct partnerships with operators in the iGaming industry. Alan explains that affiliate networks offer benefits such as access to multiple offers, streamlined payments, and vetting of brands for affiliates. He notes that in regulated markets like North America, networks provide access to deals that are difficult to obtain directly and offer better tracking technology. Shmulik adds that affiliate networks provide a single point of contact for multiple brands and valuable insights for affiliates. Yoni, speaking from an operator’s perspective, emphasizes that networks offer ease of management, consolidated invoicing, and faster market entry. The conversation also touches on the professionalization of the affiliate industry and the trend of B2B news websites implementing affiliate marketing features.

Innovative Strategies for Affiliate Success

The discussion focuses on how new affiliates can stand out in a crowded network environment. Alan emphasizes the importance of bringing incremental traffic opportunities and thinking outside the box, noting that the industry is shifting quickly and often lags behind others in adopting new traffic types. Sam believes there’s always a chance for new affiliates who can create value and generate high-quality customers, especially given the constant changes in the industry. Yoni prefers working with established networks like Alan’s or Sam’s due to existing relationships and lower risk, but acknowledges the industry’s lack of innovation compared to other sectors and suggests that AI might be the next big opportunity for affiliates to stand out.

Affiliate Innovation and Growth Strategies

Yoni emphasizes the importance of social media for affiliates to innovate and engage users, as traditional SEO methods become less effective. Allan disagrees with claims that the affiliate industry is dying, noting that while SEO-reliant affiliates may struggle, others are experiencing record growth by exploring different traffic sources. Yoni stresses the value of honest relationships and good technology when selecting affiliate networks. Both Sam and Allan highlight the importance of scalable technology, data transparency, and experienced account management for operators looking to expand in new markets. Allan also advises operators to establish benchmark data before launching with affiliates.

Building Trust in Affiliate Marketing

The discussion focuses on the importance of communication, transparency, and trust in the affiliate marketing industry. Yoni emphasizes the need for more frequent, personal interactions between affiliates and operators, suggesting regular calls and face-to-face meetings. Allan shares that his company requires bi-weekly meetings with important partners who meet certain revenue thresholds. The group also discusses the value of industry conferences, with differing opinions on their frequency and effectiveness. They agree that maintaining trust is crucial, as operators often share information about affiliates with each other, and burning bridges can have far-reaching consequences in the industry.

Regulatory Compliance in Online Gambling

The discussion focuses on regulatory compliance and responsible gaming in the online gambling industry. Allan and Sam emphasize the critical importance of compliance for maintaining their licenses and business operations. They implement strict policies, including content review and a one-strike rule for non-compliant affiliates. Yoni, representing an operator, views networks as a compliance buffer and stresses the importance of trust in these relationships. The participants agree that the industry has made significant progress in responsible gaming initiatives, including implementing tools and safeguards to protect players, and they believe the industry deserves more credit for these efforts.

AI Adoption in iGaming Industry

The panel discusses the adoption of AI and automation in the iGaming industry. Alan notes that while some operators are using outdated technology, the industry is starting to adopt AI, particularly for responsible gambling. Sam emphasizes the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on product creation, while also highlighting regulatory challenges. Yoni stresses that operators who don’t embrace AI will fall behind, as it’s becoming an essential tool for optimization and campaign management. The panelists agree that AI is here to stay and will be crucial for leveraging data, improving efficiency, and staying competitive in the industry.