Affiliate Industry

Exclusive interview with Joonas Karhu (Bojoko.us)

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

Bojoko is an award-winning online casino affiliate that has dominated the UK market since its launch in 2017. But now it is making a play in the fast-growing US market via Bojoko.us. We sat down with Joonas Karhu from Bojoko to learn more about what the company has planned for the US where it has recently launched in West Virginia and Michigan, and whether the market has lived up to its potential so far.

You have been live in the US market for many months now. Has it lived up to expectations or has it proved to be more challenging than expected?

From an affiliate’s perspective, the intent that players have is quite universal and that is to find a gambling site that has a solid offering from bonuses to payment methods, is reliable and preferably is peer-reviewed. Of course, it needs to be marketed by the affiliate in a way that players want to engage with the brand and what it has to offer. This is the same in the US as it is in other regulated markets around the world.

In terms of being more or less challenging than anticipated, prior to making our entry into the US we expected the process of applying for affiliate licenses to be paperwork heavy and laborious. But we have been pleased to discover that this has not been the case with regulators in each of the markets we are currently live in – New Jersey, West Virginia and Michigan – very welcoming and committed to making the process as smooth and seamless as possible.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

What have been the main challenges faced and how have you overcome them?

It is better to consider the US as 50 countries instead of one. There are tremendous differences between states in terms of legislation and compliance, as well as what each operator offers to players in terms of brands, bonuses, payment options, etc. The Bojoko platform was not initially built for such a complex setup, so we have had to rethink and rebuilt the site’s infrastructure almost from scratch. This was ultimately an excellent exercise for us because we hadn’t undertaken such a thorough audit since we launched in 2017. I also believe it puts us in the driving seat to succeed in Canada which will undoubtedly take a similar province-by-province approach as the US.

You recently launched in West Virginia and Michigan – what are your plans for these states?

When we launch into any new market, we spend the first few months gathering data to better understand what the local quirks and player preferences might be in terms of what they look for in the online casino brands they want to play at. We also want to make sure that we are providing the information that players in that state/market are seeking while also allowing them to browse and choose the brands that best match their preferences. From this, we can then improve our offering in each state and this is exactly what we are now doing in West Virginia and Michigan. Ideally, we would scale Bojoko with the same technical template across the US and beyond, but we know we must be flexible and localise for each market if we are to succeed.

How do you think these states will stack up against the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

I will give you a direct answer to what is a direct question. I have no idea. It is still very early days for all US markets so we will just keep having to collect and analyse data and see how it all plays out in the long term. That being said, we believe that all regulated online casino states have tremendous potential and that is why our plan is to apply for and secure licences in each.

Are you localizing Bojoko to each state? If so, what does that entail?

I began my career working in the Finnish market, first working with the Finnish monopoly operator Veikkaus and then moving abroad and working with big international companies active in the Finnish market. One of the most important factors in the market that separated growth companies from laggards was localisation. How well a brand could localise, in as micro-level as possible, made all the difference and I think it will absolutely be the same in the US. That is why at Bojoko we will continuously analyse states on an individual basis and work tirelessly to localise to the most micro level that we can.

How are you using your experience in the UK and other markets to guide your approach in the US?

The combination of explicit and tacit knowledge that our 15-person team has learned over the years will help guide us towards success in the US. The many trends and changes the team has seen in player preferences, as well as in terms of regulation and compliance, give us the experience and understanding needed to take on the US market and come out on top. We have always believed in regulation, licensing and compliance, and know exactly how to work within the rules while still providing a valuable product and service to players. I believe this is what sets us aside from other affiliate organisations.

Do you still believe the US will be one of the largest – if not the largest – legal online gambling markets in the world?

For me, there is no doubt about it. Sports betting has been the biggest focus for companies so far in the US, but I think over the years this will shift towards casino which is historically a more stable and profitable vertical for operators. The US market is only just getting started and I for one cannot wait to see how it is going to unfold. Of course, Bojoko will play a key role in helping players find the best brands for them.

Affiliate Industry

MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites

Published

3 days ago

January 16, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

metabet-inks-gentoo-media-partnership-to-enhance-flagship-sites

MetaBet, the pioneering provider of sports betting engagement tools, has partnered with Gentoo Media, a leading affiliate, to integrate its cutting-edge sports betting widgets into two of Gentoo’s flagship websites, World Sports Network (WSN) and Time2play.

MetaBet’s proprietary widgets are designed to nurture engagement, increase sportsbook conversions, and maximize affiliate revenue, all through seamless integration with just one line of code. With market-setting load speed and contextual placements, MetaBet’s products will empower Gentoo to focus on what they do best.

WSN and Time2play are trusted platforms for sports betting and casino enthusiasts in the US and Canada. Between them, they have captured an audience of millions of sports fans on the back of expert reviews, exclusive offers, and accurate content. As Gentoo amplifies its presence in the US, MetaBet’s innovative technology will be a key element in their success.

MetaBet Founder, Mark Phillip, said: “Partnering with Gentoo Media, a data-driven company with a new name but long track record, is a testament to our market-leading status. Our technology, leveraged through their trusted platform will enhance engagement and conversions to accelerate Gentoo’s growth strategy within the US and beyond.”

The post MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Affiliate Industry

7 Years of Affiliate Innovation: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Celebrates Anniversary

Published

4 days ago

January 15, 2025

George Miller

7-years-of-affiliate-innovation:-affilka-by-softswiss-celebrates-anniversary

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Today, on 15 January, SOFTSWISS, an international tech company with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, celebrates the 7th anniversary of its affiliate marketing platform and highlights some key product milestones.

Launched in 2018, Affilka by SOFTSWISS has quickly become a leading affiliate management platform powering the iGaming industry. Celebrating its 7th anniversary, the product now supports over 440 brands, reflecting its growing influence. Notably, the number of iGaming operators using the platform increased by 37% over the past year.

Providing cutting-edge tools like the newly presented Geo-Distributed Redirect feature, the trusted Comprehensive Reporting, Flexible Commission Constructor, and Built-in Payment Processing, the platform ensures operators are aligned with relevant affiliate marketing trends, optimising affiliate program management and elevating operational efficiency.

User Experience Optimisation with Geo-Distributed Redirect Feature

This feature aligns with the increasing focus on user experience optimisation and minimising friction in user journeys. Rapid, seamless redirects fastened by 2.5 to 5 times maximise user engagement, reduce bounce rates, and improve conversions, reflecting the industry’s shift toward prioritising customer-centric design.

Simulated tests conducted in one region showed a reduction from 1.5 seconds to just 300–500 milliseconds – ranking among the fastest response rates in the industry. As a result, the feature has driven a 3.5% to 7% increase in users successfully reaching casino sites, leading to higher registrations and deposits.

Comprehensive Reporting for Data-Driven Decision-Making

Affilka by SOFTSWISS offers comprehensive reports with near real-time statistics. This advanced analytics tool aligns with the growing reliance on complete actionable data. It provides a competitive edge, as both operators and affiliates can receive timely information to make informed decisions. The faster affiliates receive data on player activity, the quicker they can adjust their marketing strategies to attract higher-quality traffic.

Flexible Commission Constructor Empovers Customisation

Affiliates and operators are moving toward highly tailored commission structures to better align with performance metrics. The Flexible Commission Constructor provided by Affilka by SOFTSWISS reflects this demand, enabling the creation of CPA, RevShare, Hybrid, and other bespoke models to meet diverse business needs.

Built-in Payment Processing for Seamless Financial Operations

As the affiliate industry expands globally, ensuring timely, secure, and multi-currency payment solutions is critical. Built-in Payment Processing aligns with the trend of streamlining financial workflows, fostering trust, and improving affiliate retention through hassle-free payouts.

Affilka by SOFTSWISS integrates multiple payment systems, including Neteller, Skrill, Cryptoprocessing, and bank transfers, facilitating efficient and timely affiliate payouts directly from the platform’s back office. This seamless payment processing enhances operational efficiency and ensures affiliates receive their earnings promptly.

Sharing plans for 2025 Anastasia Borovaya, Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, highlights: “We are going to enhance our platform with powerful features like Cohort Analysis, Traffic Report for affiliates, and improved Subaffiliate Module with new commission plans and reporting tools. The additional geo-specific payment methods for affiliate cashouts will strengthen the platform. We will also continue to focus on optimising traffic delivery, load balancing and enhancing system stability and fault tolerance to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow.”

Cohort Analysis will provide deeper insights into player behaviour over time. Traffic Report for affiliates will ensure comprehensive data on user clicks by click country, user agent, device, operating system, and other vital criteria.

The Affilka by SOFTSWISS team anticipates insightful discussions and potential collaboration at iGB Affiliate on 21–22 January in Barcelona. Partners and customers can book a meeting at stand C10 via the link.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post 7 Years of Affiliate Innovation: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Celebrates Anniversary appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Affiliate Industry

Affilka by SOFTSWISS to Present Updates at iGB Affiliate 2025

Published

1 month ago

December 16, 2024

George Miller

affilka-by-softswiss-to-present-updates-at-igb-affiliate-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS, a leading tech provider with over 15 years of experience, announces that its innovative affiliate marketing management platform, Affilka by SOFTSWISS, will participate in the upcoming iGB Affiliate presenting new features.

iGB Affiliate 2025 will take place in Spain on 21-22 January at Fira Grant Via Barcelona. The event will host over 200 companies and more than 8,000 attendees from around the world.

Participating with the stand for the second year in a row, Affilka by SOFTSWISS is going to present new features and share 2024 year’s results. The platform currently powers over 410 brands, with more than 40 new additions in Q3 2024 alone. Since the beginning of the year, the platform has welcomed over a hundred new brands.

The number of new affiliate accounts registered on the platform increased by 39.6% during the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. Additionally, new player registrations grew by 62.7%, and the number of unique clicks on referral links increased by 8.9% during the same timeframe.

The growing metrics show the popularity of affiliate marketing in elevating iGaming projects. According to the recent iGaming Trends 2025 Report, affiliate marketing, along with SEO enhancement, paid advertising, and collaborations with influencers, remains one of the key tools for marketing promotion.

Constantly working on improving user experience, Affilka by SOFTSWISS recently introduced a new Geo-Distributed Redirect feature that reduces redirect times by 2.5 to 5 times. With tests showing a time drop from 1.5 seconds to 300–500 milliseconds, this improvement boosts site traffic by 3.5% to 7%, increasing registrations and deposits. It also enhances reliability and fault tolerance and ensures seamless traffic rerouting during disruptions, offering a faster and more dependable user experience.

Anastasia Borovaya, Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, summarises: “We acknowledge the essential role of affiliate marketing for promoting iGaming projects in a rapidly evolving landscape. The new feature is a game changer, addressing the common issue of players leaving sites due to lag. By drastically reducing latency, the Geo-Distributed Redirect feature ensures seamless navigation and maximises user engagement. Come to our stand at iGB Affiliate to learn more and share your ideas”.

Current and potential clients can book a meeting with the Affilka by SOFTSWISS team at stand C10 via the link.

About SOFTSWISS

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