If you’re new to iGaming affiliate marketing, “deal types” can feel confusing because two offers can look identical (e.g., 30% RevShare) yet pay very differently.
The reason is simple: The headline model matters, but the definitions and rules in the terms matter more.
Most disputes (and most “surprises”) come from how a program defines FTD, NGR, deductions, and whether it applies negative carryover or a high-roller policy.
This guide explains the main deal types and shows you, with numbers, how to evaluate them.
Quick glossary
- CPA: you get a fixed payout for a qualified acquisition (very often a First Time Depositor / FTD).
- FTD: a first-time deposit (often used as the qualifying event for CPA).
- RevShare: you earn a % of revenue generated by your players (usually based on NGR).
- GGR: gross gaming revenue (commonly simplified as bets minus wins).
- NGR: net gaming revenue (GGR minus deductions like bonuses, fees, chargebacks, taxes/ops costs depending on the agreement).
- Negative carryover: if a month ends negative, that negative balance can roll into the next month and reduce future commissions.
- High-roller policy: a “ring-fence” approach that isolates extreme wins so one player doesn’t distort earnings/revenue.
CPA deals (usually CPA on FTD)
What a CPA deal is
In iGaming, CPA most commonly means: you get paid when a referred user becomes an FTD (not just a registration). Programs often add activity requirements (minimum deposit, wagering, KYC completion, time window).
Why operators like CPA (operator-friendly view)
- Predictable cost per acquisition (easy to budget).
- Low long-term risk from player variance.
- Works well for rapid scaling and testing new sources.
Why affiliates like CPA
- Faster, predictable cash flow.
- Less “month-to-month volatility” from big wins or retention swings.
Example: CPA deal
- Deal: €120 per qualified FTD
- You deliver: 20 qualified FTDs in a month
- Earnings = 20 × €120 = €2,400
What beginners must check
These aren’t “tricks”, they’re standard controls to protect both sides from fraud and low-quality traffic:
- FTD definition (min deposit? must be “new customer”? time limit?)
- Qualification rules (wagering, KYC, “first deposit only counts once”)
- Hold period (payout is delayed while deposits/players are validated)
- Chargebacks/fraud reversals (some CPA can be clawed back if the deposit is reversed or flagged)
Tip: Ask the AM for a one-liner: “What exactly counts as a qualified FTD for this CPA?”
RevShare deals (the compounding model)
What RevShare is
You earn a percentage of revenue from your referred players often based on NGR, not GGR.
Why operators like RevShare
- Incentives align: affiliates are motivated to bring players who stick, not just quick deposits.
- Risk is shared: if players don’t retain, operator isn’t locked into fixed CPA spend.
Why affiliates like RevShare
- Long-term compounding: one good cohort can earn for months (or years).
- Upside grows with retention + strong CRM.
The big question: “RevShare on what, GGR or NGR?”
Many programs describe NGR as GGR (bets – wins) minus bonuses, transaction fees, taxes and/or other operational costs defined in the agreement.
That means “30% RevShare” can vary massively depending on:
- bonus policy
- payment fees
- chargebacks
- taxes/ops deductions (if included)
Example: RevShare on NGR
- Assume your players in a month generate: GGR: €10,000
- Deductions (bonuses, fees, chargebacks, etc.): €3,000
- NGR: €7,000
- Deal: 30% RevShare on NGR
- Earnings = 0.30 × €7,000 = €2,100
RevShare “gotchas” to understand early
A) Negative carryover
If your players have a very lucky month (big win), the month can end negative. Some programs roll that negative into next month.
Example (how it feels in real life):
- Month 1 NGR: €2,000 → commission negative/€0
- If negative carryover applies, Month 2 starts at €2,000, so you must “earn back” before you get paid.
This isn’t automatically “bad”, it’s a risk-sharing mechanism but you must know whether it applies and how.
B) High-roller policy
High-roller policies are often described as ring-fencing to avoid revenue distortion from a single large win.
What varies is how it’s applied (thresholds, time windows, whether the player is isolated, etc.).
Hybrid deals (CPA + RevShare together)
What a Hybrid deal is
Hybrid combines:
- an upfront CPA (usually for a qualified FTD), plus
- ongoing RevShare on the same cohort.
This is increasingly popular because it’s a balanced model: affiliates get cash flow, operators keep quality incentives.
Example: Hybrid deal
- Deal: €60 CPA per qualified FTD + 20% RevShare (NGR)
- You deliver: 20 qualified FTDs → CPA = €1,200
- Same month NGR from those players: €4,000 → RevShare = €800
- Total = €2,000
What to verify in Hybrid
You’re effectively signing two deals at once, so check:
- CPA qualification rules (FTD definition, wagering, KYC)
- RevShare base (NGR definition and deductions)
- negative carryover + high-roller policy on the RevShare portion
Other deal types you’ll run into
CPL (Cost per Lead)
Sometimes used where the “lead” is a registration (varies by offer), but in iGaming it’s often less common than CPA/FTD because a deposit is the true value event.
Tiered RevShare
Your % increases if you hit targets (FTDs, NGR levels). This can be great for scaling just verify what’s counted and whether targets reset monthly.
Flat fees / sponsorships
Big sites negotiate fixed placements. These are operator-friendly when you can guarantee exposure and compliance.
The 7 deal terms that matter most
Copy/paste these questions to an affiliate manager:
- Is CPA paid on registration or on FTD? What qualifies as a valid FTD?
- What is the hold period and when are conversions approved?
- Is RevShare calculated on GGR or NGR? Please share the NGR definition.
- Which deductions apply to NGR (bonuses, transaction fees, taxes, chargebacks)?
- Is there negative carryover? Full / partial / none?
- Do you use a high-roller policy (ring-fencing)? When does it trigger?
- Any traffic restrictions (geo, brand bidding, ad claims, compliance requirements)?
Which deal should a beginner choose?
Choose CPA if:
- you need predictable cash flow
- you’re testing traffic sources
- you’re still learning which audiences convert
Choose RevShare if:
- you have SEO/content traffic and can drive retention
- you want long-term compounding income
- you trust the operator’s product + CRM
Choose Hybrid if:
- you want cash flow + long-term upside
- you’re scaling steadily and want balanced risk
Note: A good program will often steer beginners toward CPA/Hybrid until traffic quality is proven, then open stronger RevShare tiers. That’s a healthy partnership dynamic.
Need help choosing or negotiating the right affiliate deal for your geo?
We’ve worked with multiple clients across different markets, including the Czech Republic (e.g. kasina s licencí) and can help align deal structure with traffic quality, regulation, and long-term performance.