Expert Review: 1st.partners Affiliate Program Analysis

The iGaming affiliate industry is rapidly evolving. The era of focusing solely on volume and broad geographical targeting is yielding to a focus on compliance, quality player value, and technological integration. To thrive in this environment, affiliates need partners who are not just networks, but direct advertisers deeply invested in long-term success.

In this review, we check out 1st.partners, an international affiliate program that launched in 2023 and has quickly established itself as a go-to platform for iGaming, betting, and casino verticals, particularly those targeting high-value Tier-1 regions.

The New Affiliate Standard: Reliability and Direct Partnership

The most significant challenge for media buyers today is stability and trust. Working through intermediaries can lead to tracking discrepancies, payment delays, and sudden offer changes. 1st.partners addresses this head-on by operating as a direct advertiser.

Mastering Tier-1 Traffic: Localization and Compliance

With regulatory oversight tightening across North America and Europe, the ability to convert traffic in licensed, Tier-1 jurisdictions (like Canada, DACH, and Australia) is paramount. 1st.partners focuses on these key areas, ensuring their exclusive brands are fully localized for each country—offering local payment methods, language support, and appropriate bonuses.

This localization is crucial for conversion optimization. It’s not just about getting the click; it’s about providing a seamless, compliant player experience that maximizes the First Time Deposit (FTD) rate and the long-term Net Gaming Revenue (NGR).

Expert takeaway: in a mobile-first world, affiliates need brands that invest in player retention. 1st.partners’ focus on direct advertiser relationships and deeply localized, quality brands directly supports the trend of increasing player LTV, which is the cornerstone of sustainable performance marketing.

Transparency in Numbers: Commission and Payments

1st.partners maintains clear, profitable terms designed for serious arbitrage teams and webmasters:

1. Flexible commission structures: they offer the full suite of models: high RevShare rates (starting typically at 40% NGR), aggressive CPA deals (negotiated based on volume and quality), and Hybrid options. The ability to customize these terms signals a genuine commitment to building a win-win partnership, a key differentiator from standard networks.
2. Reliable payments: perhaps the most reassuring feature is the strict commitment to fast, transparent payments with a low minimum threshold (€100) and, crucially, a No Hold policy. This reliability is foundational for affiliates running paid campaigns who need consistent cash flow.
3. Advanced analytics: utilizing the robust Affilka by SoftSwiss platform, partners gain access to granular statistics necessary for advanced conversion optimization, helping teams leverage data to refine campaign targeting and creative deployment.

Summary: A Long-Term Partner in iGaming

The market is shifting toward strategic alliances where the affiliate is valued as much as the advertiser. 1st.partners’ philosophy—focusing on long-term, direct relationships, offering exclusive high-converting deals, and providing dedicated managerial support—establishes them as a reliable, expert-driven option.

For affiliates looking to move beyond generalized offers and secure consistent, high-value performance in the competitive iGaming sector, 1st.partners provides the stability and technology required to scale.

Ready to Partner?

• Sign up with 1st.partners here
• Verticals: Casino, Betting
• Launch Year: 2023
• Socials: Linktree for 1st.partners

Expert Niche: Affiliate marketing, iGaming, Traffic Arbitrage, Conversion Optimization.