In the fast-paced world of iGaming affiliate marketing, driving traffic is only part of the equation. The real differentiator that separates high-earners from the rest, is their ability to negotiate smart, well-balanced deals. Operators are always looking for high-quality traffic, but the best affiliates know how to use their strengths to land agreements that go far beyond the usual commission structures.

To break down what makes a successful negotiation, we spoke with Arturs Korolkovs, Head of Sales at Media 24, a top-tier affiliate company. With years of experience building and managing affiliate-operator relationships, Arturs shared some key insights that can help affiliates level up their deal-making.

Do Your Homework

One of the biggest mistakes affiliates make? Not doing enough research before starting talks. According to Arturs, knowing the operator’s product inside and out can give you a real advantage in negotiations.

“Does the operator cover the leagues and sports your audience bets on?” he asks. “Are the right payment methods available? Is support offered in your players language? These things aren’t just nice extras. They directly affect how well the brand will perform with your audience.”

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When you know as many details about the operator as possible, you can fine-tune your pitch and show why your traffic is a perfect fit for their product. Then, if you can prove that your players deposit more, stay active longer, or have better retention than average, you’re in a strong position to negotiate better terms. Knowing the operator well lets you negotiate smarter.

Let the Numbers Speak for You

If you’re aiming to negotiate better deals, don’t just show up with a request. Show up with results.

“Too many affiliates just ask for a better deal without showing any numbers,” says Arturs. “But data is your best argument. The more you know about your traffic, the stronger your position at the table.”

Bring everything you know about your audience. Where is your traffic coming from (geo)? How do their deposit sizes and retention rates compare to the average? Are they bonus hunters or loyal bettors?

These insights don’t just help you understand your business. They help the operator tailor offers, optimize funnels, and understand where their product fits best.

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“When you walk into a deal showing that you understand your traffic, how it behaves, and what kind of value it brings, that’s when operators really listen,” Arturs adds.

The more data you bring, the more confident and credible you’ll sound. And the easier it becomes to negotiate terms that reflect the real value of your traffic.

Build Real Relationships

Affiliate deals work best when there’s trust and transparency on both sides. It’s easy to chase short-term gains, but Arturs warns that overly aggressive deals often backfire.

“We’ve seen deals fall apart after one good month because they were too one-sided,” he says. “The most successful affiliates build strong, long-term partnerships. Traffic always goes up and down, but if you’ve been fair and open with your partners, they’re much more likely to stick with you through slower periods too.”

Just as important as transparency is understanding what the operator actually needs. It’s easy to go into a deal focused only on your own numbers — your traffic, your conversions, your commission. But if you want to build something that lasts, you have to think about what’s happening on their side too.

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“If you sell just to close a deal, you might get a quick win,” he warns. “But if you sell based on what the operator truly needs, you’ll be the first one they call for new markets or budgets.”

Ask yourself: what’s the operator trying to achieve? Are they focused on acquiring new users in a specific market? Are they trying to promote a new feature? When you understand their goals, you can align your strategy to support them. And that’s when real partnerships happen.

In short: be a reliable partner, not just a traffic source.

Make Deals that Make Sense

When it comes to commission models, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to pick a side: CPA for quick wins, or RevShare for long-term gains. But the truth is, a hybrid deal often gives you the best of both worlds.

“At Media 24, we find hybrid deals to be a smart middle ground,” Arturs explains. “You get a CPA, which helps with immediate cash flow, plus a RevShare that pays off over time as your players stay active.”

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This model works well for both affiliates and operators. Affiliates get paid early while still benefiting from players with high lifetime value. And operators are reassured that affiliates are motivated to send quality traffic. It’s a win-win.

It also makes conversations with partners easier. Instead of arguing over which model is better, you’re aligning incentives on both sides. You’re saying: We believe in our traffic enough to take a long-term view, but we also want to keep the lights on today.

Final Thoughts

Great traffic is the starting point. But knowing how to negotiate — based on data, timing, and mutual value — is what unlocks the full potential of your affiliate business.

As Arturs Korolkovs sums it up: “Operators don’t want more links. They want partners who understand the market, who know the funnel, who can tweak their products to improve conversion. The more value you add, the less replaceable you become.”

And in this industry, the right deal can make all the difference.

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