Choosing how you’ll get paid is one of the most important early calls for any casino affiliate. In 2026, there are three main options: CPA, RevShare, and Hybrid (CPA + RevShare). All are widely available, but they suit different types of traffic and different stages of growth. Picking the wrong one can leave money on the table; picking the right one can make your campaigns sustainable. N1 Partners offers flexible payment models: RevShare / CPA / Hybrid.
Let’s walk through how each model works, what you can realistically expect, and how to decide.
What is CPA and when to use It
CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) in the casino affiliate space generally means a fixed payment for each qualifying new depositing player (often called FTD, “First Time Deposit”). You get paid once when the user meets defined criteria (e.g. makes a deposit, passes qualification).
Pros +
Easy to scale
Clear ROI predict - easier to increase budgets.
Predictable returns
A fixed rate per FTD makes ROI modeling simpler.
Lower tail risk
The operator bears the risk of inactivity or churn.
Cons -
High acquisition pressure
Operators often demand strict quality metrics (e.g. deposit minimums, retention) and may include negative carryover.
Limited upside
If your referred players bring high lifetime value (LTV), you miss out on sharing that extra.
Higher initial terms
For high-value markets, CPAs can be steep.
In terms of market averages, Tier-1 sportsbook and casino CPA offers in 2026 can reach $200–$750 per player in premium markets. More typical ranges are between €50 and €150 depending on the GEO, traffic quality, and operator terms. Some programs, including N1 Partners, go as high as €650-700 in certain regions for top performing partners.
CPA works best when traffic converts quickly, when affiliates prefer immediate cash flow, and in highly competitive markets where operators are willing to pay a premium for guaranteed volume.
RevShare: The long-term strategy
With Revenue Share (RevShare), you earn a percentage share of the net revenue (i.e. net player losses) generated by your referred players. That means you continue earning as long as they play (minus negative carryovers, depending on contract terms).
Pros +
Recurring income potential
A loyal, high-LTV player base can pay dividends over months or years.
Aligned incentives
You’ll naturally promote quality players and retention-oriented strategies.
Scalable over time
As your user base grows, earnings compound.
Cons -
Slow start
Players might churn, or winnings might reduce your share in early months.
Volatility
Your month-to-month earnings depend heavily on player behavior.
Operator risk
You share more operator risk, especially in low-margin periods.
In practice, most casino affiliate programs in 2025 offer between 25% and 45% of net gaming revenue as RevShare, and some go as high as 50% in special promotions. A common setup is around 30–40%, depending on the GEO and volume. N1 Partners provides its partners working under this model with RevShare up to 45% with high traffic turnover.
This model is particularly effective if your traffic is organic or retention-driven. For instance: SEO sites, content platforms, or communities. It rewards affiliates who can deliver long-term value and who are comfortable with short-term fluctuations in exchange for long-term upside.
Hybrid models explained
A Hybrid (CPA + RevShare) model combines CPA payment with a revenue-share component. You get a “floor” from CPA, plus upside as your players generate revenue.
For example: “$65 CPA + 20% RevShare” is a typical hybrid combination seen in the iGaming space.
Pros +
Flexible negotiation and custom deals
Higher CPA rewards and revshare percentages
Higher lifetime revenue potential
With good-quality traffic, the RevShare portion can exceed the CPA value many times over
Better alignment
You have incentive to bring valuable players who stay active.
Cons -
Delayed revenue
RevShare payments usually come weeks or months later, depending on reporting cycles
Negotiation needed
Operators often reserve hybrid offers for top-tier affiliates.
Potential disputes
More room for disagreement on revenue calculation, payout schedule, etc.
The hybrid model often suits affiliates who already have a track record and bargaining power. It can be a strong choice for medium-to-high quality traffic that balances volume with retention, especially if you want to smooth out cash flow while still benefiting from long-term revenue potential.
Comparison table: Commissions by 100 FTDs
Below is a simplified illustrative table. Use this to benchmark scenarios, so your design team can turn this into a visual format.
Model
Assumptions
Commission Outcome (100 FTDs)
Risk Profile
CPA
€100 per first-time depositor
€10,000 reward for qualified players
Low tail risk, acquisition risk high
RevShare
30% share; each player generates €150 NGR in Month 1
€4,500 in Month 1 (with potential recurring earnings in later months)
Volatile, but high upside with retention
Hybrid
€30 CPA + 15% RevShare; each player generates €150 NGR in Month 1
€3,000 + €2,250 from play = €5,250 total (recurring possible)
How to choose based on traffic type
Selecting the right model really comes down to matching your traffic profile with the commission model. Here are guidelines:
Traffic Type
Model Fit
Why
Paid media/media buying
CPA or Hybrid
You need upfront pay to cover ad spend risk
SEO/content-driven/email lists
RevShare or Hybrid
You can afford a longer “payback window”
Mixed traffic (some high value, some volume)
Hybrid
You hedge with CPA while capturing retention upside
Low-deposit players/
casual players
CPA
They might drop early before generating revenue
High-value/
VIP-type players
RevShare
Their long-term play gives more upside
Consider the geography as well. High-revenue markets often tolerate higher CPAs and more aggressive hybrid models. In lower-margin regions, RevShare may be more viable.
Always negotiate negative carryover terms, tiers, and baseline. Even the best RevShare or Hybrid deal can be destroyed by harsh carryover conditions.
Final thoughts & conversion focus
There is no one-size-fits-all in 2026’s iGaming affiliate space. But there’s a decision path:
Start with CPA if you’re new or your traffic is performance-driven.
Move to Hybrid once you’ve proven quality and need residual income.
Lean into RevShare only when your traffic and retention prove sustainable.
At N1 Partners, we support CPA, RevShare, and hybrid commission models, giving flexibility to affiliates across varied verticals and markets.
If you’re not sure which model fits your traffic best, our affiliate managers can walk you through case studies, provide payout simulations, and help you test different setups risk-free. The easiest way to find out what works is to start experimenting with a model today, and adapt as your traffic grows.
Join N1 Partners now, test different commission models with our team, and be the first to optimize your casino affiliate earnings strategy for 2026.
source - N1.Partners
