Crypto casinos run two flavors of referral: player “refer-a-friend” schemes that pay a cut of house edge or net revenue, and full affiliate programs with revenue share, CPA, or hybrid deals. Real value hinges on commission formulas, cookie/attribution windows, negative carryover policies, and payout timing. Compliance is non-negotiable: licensees are responsible for affiliates’ conduct; gambling ads must avoid strong appeal to under-18s, be clearly labeled as ads, and must not target self-excluded customers. Expect KYC/AML checks on both players and affiliates, including crypto-specific Travel Rule developments.
Referral models you’ll actually see
Player “refer-a-friend” referrals
Some crypto casinos let any verified user generate a code and earn a cut of friends’ wagering. Rollbit’s help center states referrers “earn 10% of the house edge of the games [referrals] play” and can create multiple codes.
BC.Game routinely promotes a player-level referral that pays staged USD rewards up to around $1,000 based on the friend’s VIP progress, alongside a commission on their wagers, as covered in popular referral explainers. Details and amounts vary by region and promo.
Full affiliate programs
Operator-run affiliate schemes offer classic pricing:
- Revenue share on “net gaming revenue” or theoretical house edge. Stake publishes a formula that uses edge and wagered amounts: for casino, commission ≈ (edge × wagered ÷ 2) × your rate; sportsbook uses a 3% theoretical edge. Default commission is listed as 10% unless negotiated.
- CPA/CPL/CPM and hybrids. Roobet’s affiliate page lists Revenue Share, CPA, CPL, CPM and custom deals; sub-affiliate commissions may be available.
- Partnership tiers. Rollbit’s program advertises milestones like 100 signups with $100k total referred handle to unlock elevated 20% commissions.
How the money is calculated
House-edge based commissions
If a program pays a % of house edge on handle, your commission for a player is roughly commission_rate × house_edge × wagers. Rollbit’s 10% of house edge is a textbook example; if a referred player wagers $50,000 on a 2% edge game, expect around 0.10 × 0.02 × $50,000 = $100 in commission. Exact mechanics depend on the site.
Operator-specific math
Stake’s published formula halves the edge term before applying the commission rate ((edge × wagered ÷ 2) × rate), and uses a 3% assumed theoretical for sportsbook. Always model payouts using the operator’s own math, not a generic template.
Net-revenue rev-share
Many programs pay on net revenue after admin fees, bonuses, chargebacks, and fraud adjustments. Terms will specify if negative months carry over. Thunderpick’s affiliate T&Cs explicitly define Net Revenue, allow negative carryover (with a Big Winner policy), and pay in crypto, typically monthly after thresholds.
Terms that change your real earnings
Negative carryover
If allowed, negative months roll into the next period until cleared. Thunderpick documents negative carryover and a Big Winner policy; by contrast, other programs publicly market “no negative carryover,” resetting to zero monthly. Verify the actual contract.
Cookie and attribution windows
Attribution windows (often 30 days) define how long a click can convert to commission; some iGaming programs claim first-click or lifetime credit. Examples in affiliate software ecosystems show 30-day defaults and lifetime/first-click variants—check the brand’s tracking platform.
Sub-affiliates and overrides
Second-tier commissions are common in iGaming. Thunderpick’s terms show a 5% override on sub-affiliate commissions, including rules about inheriting negative carryover from sub-affiliates.
Holds, thresholds, clawbacks
Expect minimum payout thresholds, rights to delay or withhold payments under investigation, and clawbacks for fraud or error. Thunderpick specifies monthly calcs, thresholds, up to 60-day payment holds during checks, and crypto payouts.
Compliance and risk checks you cannot skip
Licensees are responsible for affiliates
UK regulators make it explicit: licensees are responsible for third parties’ actions. The UKGC’s LCCP 1.1.2 and guidance on affiliates and third parties require operators to ensure affiliates follow the same codes of practice. That includes ensuring people who self-excluded do not receive marketing.
Marketing rules for gambling ads
Ads must be socially responsible and clearly identifiable as advertising. The ASA/CAP require influencer ads to be labeled (#ad) and prohibit content of strong appeal to under-18s; the Gambling Commission reiterates the “strong appeal” standard. Review the CAP/ASA guidance before posting.
Jurisdictional advertising standards
Malta’s MGA Commercial Communications Guidelines require responsible-gambling messaging and ban targeting minors or vulnerable persons. Curaçao’s reformed framework under the CGA is tightening supervision and extending provisional licenses while new rules bed in; marketing partners should expect heightened compliance oversight.
AML/KYC on affiliates and payouts
Affiliate contracts can require identity and address verification and AML attestations. Thunderpick’s terms include KYC document requests for individuals and entities and anti-money-laundering warranties, with rights to suspend or recover funds in case of fraud. Crypto-wide, the FATF continues to press for Travel Rule implementation.
Geo-blocking and VPN circumvention
Terms typically prohibit accessing or marketing into restricted jurisdictions or bypassing blocks with VPNs. Stake’s T&Cs state that attempts to circumvent prohibited-jurisdiction restrictions breach the agreement.
Real-world examples to benchmark
Stake: affiliate math on edge and handle
Stake publishes product-specific commission formulas and lists a default 10% rate; the program pays on wagers whether players win or lose. Always model with their formula, not generic rev-share.
Roobet: multiple pricing models and marketing rules
Roobet advertises Revenue Share, CPA, CPL, CPM, and custom deals; its marketing guidelines explicitly ban targeting known self-excluded customers.
Rollbit: player referrals from house edge
Rollbit’s player referral explains 10% of house edge on referred play, illustrating the “wager-based, edge-based” structure many crypto sites use.
Thunderpick: classic affiliate clauses, in crypto
Thunderpick’s T&Cs are a compact tour of real-world frictions: negative carryover, Big Winner policy, sub-affiliate overrides, AML/KYC, payment holds, and crypto payouts. Use it as a checklist when reading any contract.
How to evaluate a referral or affiliate offer
1) Map the commission math
Confirm if it’s house-edge-based or net-revenue-based, and plug sample numbers into the operator’s exact formula. Stake’s casino formula halves the edge term; others pay a flat cut of house edge. Small math differences compound at scale.
2) Check carryover and attribution
No-negative-carryover and first-click/lifetime attribution can materially improve earnings consistency. Programs publicly stating no carryover include Roobet and many BC.Game overviews, but rely on the operator’s contract, not a blog headline.
3) Confirm payout logistics
Look for payment frequency, method (many crypto programs pay in BTC/USDT), minimum thresholds, and hold rights. Thunderpick’s terms detail monthly cycles, thresholds, crypto methods, and 60-day investigation holds.
4) Align your marketing with rules
Before posting content or codes, review ASA/CAP labeling rules, “strong appeal” restrictions, and operator guidelines that ban targeting self-excluded users. Keep an audit trail of approvals and suppression lists.
5) Prepare for AML/KYC
Be ready to pass identity and corporate checks and to document traffic sources. Expect enhanced scrutiny where crypto is involved and keep up with Travel Rule implementation status in your market.
Frequently asked questions
Do referral earnings depend on whether my friend wins or loses?
Many crypto programs pay on house edge or theoretical hold, so commissions accrue from wagering regardless of short-term outcomes. Stake and Rollbit materials both reflect wager-based math, not net losses. Details vary by site.
What is “negative carryover” and why does it matter?
If a referred player wins big and your rev-share goes negative, some programs carry that loss into next month. Others reset to zero (“no negative carryover”). Read the contract; Thunderpick carries negatives, while Roobet and several BC.Game overviews advertise resets.
How long do I have to get credit after someone clicks my link?
Cookie or attribution windows are commonly 30 days in affiliate platforms; some iGaming programs claim lifetime credit or first-click priority. Always confirm the window and model your funnel accordingly.
Are there rules for influencer posts with referral links?
Yes. ASA/CAP require that ads are clearly identifiable and not strongly appealing to under-18s; labels like #ad are typically needed. Operators are responsible for affiliates’ conduct under UKGC rules.
Quick, practical checklist
- Identify whether your opportunity is a player-referral or a full affiliate contract; the math and obligations differ.
- Confirm commission math, attribution window, carryover policy, payout timing, and crypto payment options.
- Read operator marketing guidelines and regional rules (UKGC, ASA/CAP, MGA, Curaçao CGA). Keep suppression lists up to date.
- Be ready for KYC/AML as an affiliate and stay current with Travel Rule progress in your geography.
- Avoid any activity that suggests bypassing geo-blocks or targeting prohibited regions; it violates T&Cs and can forfeit commissions.
