

Affiliate Industry
What a Mature Market Means for US Affiliates
When the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in 2018, it opened the floodgates to sports betting in the US. From the middle of 2018 to now, states with some form of legal sports betting went from the four states ‘grandfathered’ by PASPA to 39 states and Washington, D.C. allowing betting. That’s 36 jurisdictions legalizing in eight years.
Soon after the annulment of PAAPA, market activity exploded with several states legalizing and launching every year thereafter. Each state had millions of new customers that operators wanted to reach quickly, and unique regulatory constraints around marketing and betting. That’s where affiliate marketing stepped in, providing local expertise to help these operators rapidly establish a foothold with customers.
That gold rush has now ended. While states with significant populations like Texas and California remain without legal sports betting, the majority of players in the US have access to it. Several states won’t be legalizing sports betting every year like in the past.
If operators no longer rely on affiliates to help them conquer several new markets every year, what roles do these large, third-party marketing companies have to play moving forward? As the market matures, we’re seeing that affiliate marketing has a crucial role to play in the current marketing climate.
What the Mature Market Looks Like
Aside from the lurking possibility of states with huge populations like California and Texas legalizing sports betting, the market is broadly set. Many states that haven’t introduced betting are unlikely to change that position due to the political climate, like in Utah and Alaska.
Sports betting has never been more popular, with total GGR for sports betting hitting $13.71 billion in 2024, according to the American Gaming Association. That was a 25.4% increase year-on-year. However, sports betting has also never been more competitive. Most US states have intense competition between operators competing in saturated ecosystems.
There’s evidence this is impacting affiliate companies, with Catena Media generating 35% less from US operations in 2024 compared to 2023. Another significant operator in US affiliate marketing, Better Collective, saw US revenues drop from $113 million in FY2023 to $112 million in FY2024.
However, this doesn’t spell the end of affiliate marketing. Without the potential to expand into new states, operators are looking to strengthen and grow market share in the states where sportsbooks are already operational and companies have already conducted marketing campaigns with affiliates.
Companies that have quickly grasped this new approach have shown positive signs. Gambling.com Group reported record Q4 revenues in 2024 and finished with full-year revenue of $127.1 million, a 17% rise from the year prior.
It’s made affiliates effectively take a u-turn to recover all the ground they covered so rapidly with the expansion of the market. For example, the first online sportsbooks launched in Michigan in January 2021, so there was a flurry of marketing activity in the state before that attention moved to other states that launched in the same year, like Arizona in September. Now, affiliates are returning to states like Michigan with new approaches.
Trust and Authority and Blitz Tactics
What do these new marketing approaches entail? Rather than acquiring as many users as possible in a short time, affiliates are now focused on increasing brand loyalty. Affiliates want to increase customer lifetime value (CLV), and are more aware of this metric than the base number of how many new users are added.
That’s led to more personalized advertising campaigns with features like exclusive offers, user engagement tools, and more to keep the focus on retaining players rather than adding more and more customers. Brands are looking to build authority and trust with customers.
Adding a few customers with high CLV is priceless for operators compared to hundreds of customers who will drop off quickly. Affiliate marketing supports these platforms with tailored campaigns using specific state knowledge and personalized customer retention measures.
More Sophisticated Customers
When sports betting first started spreading across the US, most people probably confused parlay bets with the French word parley used in popular movie franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean. That was the average American bettor’s education level on the topic.
So, early affiliate marketing efforts focused on introducing common sports betting terminology to customers while explaining the benefits of sports betting brands. Guides would explain how to sign up with a sportsbook and the difference between a moneyline and a point spread. That easy access to sports betting information made it more straightforward for a broader audience to get involved.
It’s a different market eight years on. Most bettors are far more educated than before and don’t need to be babyfed the basics. If an operator wants to appeal to bettors, it must do more than just offer betting.
That’s why affiliate marketing has shifted to a more detailed and data-driven approach. Rather than explaining how American odds work, affiliate marketing campaigns now compare the value of odds between operators and highlight the best value.
Unique betting features are more important to marketing campaigns as these can help attract bettors with accounts at other sportsbooks to sign up with a new platform.
This is where affiliate marketing can help operators in mature markets, as these campaigns can highlight those strengths against other brands and make each platform’s unique proposition clear to savvy bettors.
Broadening Audience Demographics
Considering odds regularly appear on major league broadcasts and are discussed by commentary staff for games, it’s clear that betting is becoming increasingly mainstream. As sportsbooks look to consolidate and compete in competitive markets, reaching new demographics is a valuable marketing tool.
While bettors in the US are more educated now, operators are looking to attract more than just players willing to learn all the jargon. New marketing strategies must make betting relatable and appealing to various ages and demographics.
The campaign to capture the attention of bettors in their 20s should look very different from one for older players, and the best affiliate marketers are helping operators tailor these campaigns to hit specific demographics.
Affiliates’ Role as Strategic Partners to Operators
The relationship between affiliates and operators has shifted as the operators need affiliate marketing companies to deliver different marketing services. Many operators see affiliates as strategic partners rather than just sources of traffic.
These new data-driven dynamics will let affiliates play a wider role in operators’ marketing schemes, providing data integration like live stats, API odds feeds, and more. Additionally, affiliates use years of knowledge and expertise to help these platforms run campaigns through different media sources, including mobile.
Affiliates also play a helpful role in compliance and responsible gambling. Each state has its own requirements, and while no new markets are opening, states that already permit betting can shift rules around what’s available. Scrutiny from regulators is also increasing. Therefore, affiliate marketing can provide operators with tailored campaigns that take a state-by-state approach.
Conclusion
Affiliate priorities have shifted, moving into 2025 and beyond. The gold rush is over, and the market is consolidating. Affiliates need to expand their services to keep up with the evolving demands of sports betting operators, focusing on longer-term customer acquisitions rather than adding masses of low-value players.
Successful affiliate sites will be the platforms that adapt to the new mature market the fastest and with the most effective strategies. Affiliates are no longer just tools that operators use to attract broad traffic. These companies must provide ongoing data and personalized marketing strategies to provide the best support to operators.
Author: Shmulik Segal, Founder and CEO of Media Troopers
The post What a Mature Market Means for US Affiliates appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Affiliate Industry
Galaxsys Joins Forces with First Look Games to Boost Global Reach

Fast and slot games developer Galaxsys taps into First Look Games’ affiliate network to drive growth across key markets.
First Look Games, the London-based B2B platform that helps game studios connect with over 1,000 trusted publishers, has teamed up with award-winning fast and slot game developer Galaxsys to bring its entire portfolio to a global audience.
Thanks to the new partnership, Galaxsys’ fast, slot, and skill games—including hits like Tower Rush and Olympian Legends — are now available to First Look Games’ network of more than 1000 affiliate publishers, reaching over 20 million players across Europe, LatAm, and Asia.
Affiliates will get exclusive access to game assets, certified marketing materials, and playable demos through First Look’s platform, making it easier than ever to promote Galaxsys’ high-performance titles.
Tom Galanis, CEO at First Look Games, said: “Fast games are having a real moment right now, and Galaxsys is right at the heart of that trend. Their titles not only grab players’ attention but keep them coming back. It’s exactly the kind of content our publishers love.”
Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer at Galaxsys, commented: “Partnering with First Look Games is a great opportunity for us to put our games in front of a wider global audience. Their platform gives affiliates everything they need to promote our titles effectively, from marketing tools to demo access. We’re excited to work with a partner that truly knows how to amplify a studio’s presence in the market.”
Galaxsys enters the partnership with strong industry momentum, having recently picked up several major awards. Known for its focus on skill-driven, short-format gameplay, the studio is tapping into a growing player demand for fast, engaging experiences that offer more than just chance.
First Look Games, meanwhile, continues to be the go-to platform for game studios looking to scale their affiliate marketing. To date, the company has helped over 50 studios extend their reach and level up the quality of their campaigns.
The post Galaxsys Joins Forces with First Look Games to Boost Global Reach appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Affiliate Industry
Amusnet Enters into Partnership with Casino.Online

Amusnet has entered into a partnership with Casino.online, an affiliate dedicated to delivering in-depth reviews and comparisons of online casinos targeting players in multiple languages and regions, including Bulgaria, Spain and Portugal. This collaboration will focus on showcasing comprehensive reviews of Amusnet’s extensive portfolio of premium casino titles to a broad global audience, starting with the slot Extra Crown Deluxe.
The slot’s is a sophisticated evolution of the company’s signature and top-performing slot Extra Crown, highly recognised in various markets. Extra Crown Deluxe stands out with its 5 reels, 20 fixed paylines and top-notch sound effects complemented by a number of special features including the popular Gamble feature, allowing players to multiply their winnings, as well as the Jackpot Cards bonus game, where players have the chance to win one of four progressive jackpots.
“Partnering with Casino.online presents an opportunity to expand the reach of our games and connect with an audience that values high-quality gaming experience. We’re thrilled to highlight top-performing titles like Extra Crown Deluxe and deliver even more engaging content designed to enhance the player experience across all platforms. Casino.online’s solid reputation and deep insight into local player preferences – particularly within our valued Spanish, Portuguese, and Bulgarian markets – make them an ideal partner as we expand our international presence,” said Liliya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Amusnet.
“At Casino.online, we genuinely care about our audience and are committed to connecting them only with the best brands in the industry. Amusnet stands out as one of the top gaming providers worldwide, and we’re proud to do everything we can to support their brand awareness and bring their exceptional games to more players,” said Joshua Rawlings, Head of Strategy at Casino.online.
The post Amusnet Enters into Partnership with Casino.Online appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Affiliate Industry
Comic Con India and IICT Sign MoU to Advance Talent Development in the AVGC-XR Sector

In a move that bridges academia and the creative industries, Comic Con India and the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives across animation, gaming, comics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR). The agreement was signed by Ashish Kulkarni, Board Member, IICT, and Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, during the inauguration of the IICT-NFDC Campus and the release of the WAVES Outcome Report in Mumbai.
The event was attended by senior government leaders including Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Honourable Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India; and Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
Comic Con India is the country’s premier pop culture celebration and the largest platform for fans and creators of comics, gaming, animation, cosplay, movies, and all things geek culture. Since its inception, it has become a cultural phenomenon, bringing together millions of fans through annual events across multiple cities.Now part of NODWIN Gaming’s growing portfolio of youth-focused IPs, Comic Con India continues to champion original content and homegrown talent, playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s pop culture landscape and providing young creators with a vibrant stage to showcase their work.
IICT, a National Centre of Excellence exclusively dedicated to the AVGC-XR sector, was announced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with industry bodies FICCI and CII.
Positioned to be a game-changer for India’s creative industries, IICT is envisioned to follow the successful model of India’s prestigious IITs and IIMs, offering world-class education, training, and industry exposure to aspiring students.
This strategic partnership brings together Comic Con India’s legacy of building fan-first platforms for creators with IICT’s national mandate to foster next-generation talent across creative disciplines. The collaboration aims to offer students immersive opportunities to showcase their work, engage with industry leaders, and participate in real-world creative environments.
Key highlights of the MoU include:
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Student engagement at Comic Con India events, with a dedicated IICT Creative Showcase zone
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Masterclasses and guest lectures by industry professionals from the comics, gaming, animation, and XR fields
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Hackathons, design jams, and content showcases to promote original IP development
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Internships and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities for IICT students at Comic Con India
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Initiatives to grow India’s grassroots creator ecosystem, with a focus on youth, fan art, and indie content.
Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, said, “We are proud to collaborate with IICT as part of the broader AVGC-XR vision for India, and we are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have in nurturing homegrown creative talent—especially in the field of comics. This collaboration is about creating meaningful pathways for IICT students to engage directly with the industry. Through Comic Con India, students will be able to gain valuable mentorship from leading creators and professionals, connect with the wider pop culture community, enhance their creative skills, and understand the commercial aspects of their craft. We also aim to contribute to building a curriculum that reflects the practical needs of the industry, ensuring students are fully prepared to step confidently into their professional careers.”
Ashish Kulkarni, Board Member, IICT, added, “Our goal is to make India a global hub for creative content creation & build the leadership through Indigenous Intellectual Property for AVGC-XR and Film making. I believe this partnership perfectly aligns with the government’s AVGC-XR vision of building a globally competitive talent pool, and it will pave the way for Indian creators to make their mark not just nationally but on the world stage. Together with Comic Con India, we look forward to building a vibrant pipeline of storytellers, innovators, creators, publishers, and cultural ambassadors from India, carving the pathways for Indigenous IPs using transmedia eco-system.”
According to the FX & Beyond: Shaping India’s AVGC Landscape report, India’s AVGC XR sector currently represents nearly 20% of the broader media and entertainment industry, with revenues expected to grow from around US $3.9 billion in 2023 to US $6.8 billion by 2026. The sector is projected to generate over 160,000 new jobs annually, building toward more than 2 million direct jobs by 2030.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent, accelerating IP creation, and building a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals in AVGC-XR fields. Specific programs and activations under the agreement will be announced in the coming months.
The post Comic Con India and IICT Sign MoU to Advance Talent Development in the AVGC-XR Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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