How to determine which model will be beneficial for you: a guide to choosing between CPA, RS, hybrid

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate programs in iGaming are an effective way to make money for those who are ready to promote casinos, betting, or other online games. Success directly depends on the monetization model chosen by the affiliate. To avoid losing profit and wasting resources, it is important to understand the difference between popular formats: CPA, Revenue Share, and the hybrid model.

CPA: quick profit for a specific action

CPA (Cost per Action) is a model in which an affiliate receives a fixed amount for each player who performs a required action, usually making the first deposit.

This model works well:

For arbitrage providers with high-quality and stable traffic.
In campaigns with a limited budget where quick payback is important.
When you need to test an offer or geo without the risk of long-term losses.

Advantages of CPA:

Quick profit.
Simple analytics.
Predicted income from each player.

Example: At Melbetpartners, for the first deposit of $20 or more, you can get $60 for each player on the CPA model. If you bring 50 players, you will get $3000.

Revenue Share: playing the long game

Revenue Share (RevShare) is a model that implies that the partner receives a part of the casino or betting company’s revenue from each attracted player.

This is a passive income that can grow over time.

Suitable for:

SEO traffic that is long-lived.
Content websites and blogs.
Authoritative sources with a loyal audience.

Advantages of RevShare:

Potentially unlimited income.
You can earn for years from one player.
Works great with constant organic traffic.

Example: At 1xCasinoPartners, the standard RevShare rate is 40%. If your player spends $500 on slots and the company earns $300 (after payments), you will receive $120.

What is a hybrid payment model: a universal solution for flexible income

The hybrid payment model in iGaming affiliate marketing is a combination of the two most popular formats: CPA (cost per action) and Revenue Share (percentage of player’s income). It is ideal for those who want to get a stable income at the start but also expect long-term benefits.

The hybrid model works as follows: the partner receives a fixed fee for each attracted player (as in CPA), as well as a percentage of the profit that this player brings to the casino over time (as in RS).

Advantages of the model:

A balance of stability and prospects: a one-time payment plus regular passive income.
Flexibility of conditions: partners can agree on the CPA/RS proportions – for example, $40/player + 25% of the revenue.
Suitable for different traffic: both paid and SEO or social media.
Improved partner retention: if the traffic is of high quality, the partner receives more in the long run.

The hybrid payment model allows you to combine immediate income from CPA and long-term profit from Revenue Share. It will be beneficial for those who work with mixed traffic or do not want to lose the potential of active players. The versatility of this system lies in the fact that it flexibly adapts to different styles of promotion – from fast arbitrage to stable SEO marketing. If it is difficult for you to immediately determine the quality of traffic, a hybrid will be a reliable start for testing.

Calculation of income: CPA, RevShare, or a hybrid

To choose the best model, it is important to evaluate what income looks like in each case. Examples:

CPA model. Terms: $50 for each confirmed player. If you have attracted 20 players in a month: 50 × 20 = $1000. The advantage is a quick income. However, nothing is received after the payout.
RevShare model. Terms and conditions: 40% of the player’s income. If players bring an average of $100 to the casino every month, and you bring 10 of them: 100 × 10 × 0.4 = $400/month. In 3 months, it will be $1200 if players remain active.
Hybrid model. Terms: $25 CPA + 25% RS. You have attracted 15 players: 25 × 15 = $375 CPA. With an average income of $80/player: 80 × 15 × 0.25 = $300 RevShare. In total, 375 + 300 = $675, and RevShare will be accrued in the future.

Thus, CPA is beneficial for newbies or traffic from advertising, RevShare is more suitable for organic long-term traffic, and the hybrid model is a golden mean for experienced affiliates.

Who to work with: affiliate programs worth trying

To choose a profitable affiliate program, it is not enough to understand the payment model – it is also important to choose a reliable platform. Proven programs that have flexible terms, stable payouts, and transparent analytics:

1xpartners.com is one of the largest affiliate hubs that works with 1xBet, 1xGames, and 1xSlots. All models are available here: CPA, RS, and Hybrid. The program is known for high rates and personalized management.
melbetpartners.com is an affiliate program for the promotion of the bookmaker Melbet. The platform offers CPA up to $70, RS up to 40%, or a hybrid with individual conditions. It is suitable for arbitrage specialists and SEO traffic from Asia, the CIS, and Europe.
1xcasinopartners.com is focused on online casinos. It is an ideal choice for those who promote slot traffic or have YouTube/Telegram channels with casino reviews. It guarantees timely payouts and the growth of bets based on the results.

By working with these affiliate programs, you will get access to up-to-date statistics, customized promotional materials, and technical support. But the most important thing is the ability to scale your income through convenient monetization models.