Affiliate Interview Series - Philipp G.

[GPWA Daniel]

(This interview was originally published in the January 2026 issue of the GPWA Times Magazine.)

You grew up in Gmünden, Austria, in a bilingual household. How did your early life and upbringing shape who you are today?
Growing up bilingual in Gmünden was my first crash course in adaptability. As a kid, I learned to switch between cultures and mindsets, which became my ace in the hole when dealing with international partners and understanding what players want. In a small town like Gmünden, where everyone knows everyone, I soaked up the value of honesty and trust. Reputation is everything there, and I carried that into my business. Cheat someone? That’s just not me.

You are an accomplished poker player, winning the Austrian Masters in 2008. How did that victory change your perspective on professional gambling and your career path?
Winning the Austrian Masters in 2008 flipped my view on poker. It’s not just luck - it’s a mix of strategy, psychology, and cold, hard math. The thrill of outsmarting opponents with your brain, not chance? Pure adrenaline! That experience taught me patience and risk management - skills I lean on hard in my affiliate business. Plus, it showed me how easy it is to cross the line from playing to addiction, so now I guide others to play smart.

You've had some major gambling wins aside from the poker table, including €1.7 million at Mega Moolah. Do you think being a player as well as an affiliate gives you an advantage in understanding your audience?
Absolutely! Hitting that €1.7 million Mega Moolah jackpot was a wild ride. I felt it all: the high when the numbers go crazy, the nail-biting wait during verification. I know what it’s like to chase a big withdrawal, trip over fine print in bonus terms, or wonder why a payment’s stuck. That’s not textbook knowledge. I lived it. That’s why my reviews aren’t just words; they’re practical, born from real experience.

What first drew you to poker, and how did that journey lead to your career in online casinos and iGaming?
Poker hooked me with its intellectual buzz. It’s not just cards. It’s a game where your brain trumps luck. While playing online, I started digging into platforms, comparing them, spotting the catches, and getting the lay of the land. At some point, it hit me: I could help others avoid the same pitfalls. That’s how I stumbled into the world of online casinos.

You've since reviewed more than 265 online casinos. What motivated you to launch OnlineAustriaCasino.at?
At first, the site was just a hobby. I wanted to organize everything I knew about casinos. I jotted down my experiences and shared my thoughts. Then people started writing, “Thanks, this actually helps!” That’s when I realized: this isn’t just notes; it could be a real business. The internet’s full of garbage - fake reviews and empty promises. I set out to build a resource I’d trust myself, a beacon for players.

Your site's slogan is "Don't play without me!" What does that mean to you, and how does it reflect your mission as an affiliate?
“Don’t play without me!” is my call to players: trust my experience. I test casinos myself, play, check every bonus, and only then write reviews. What’s my mission? To shield you from scams and wasted time. Before you risk your cash, let me check if that casino’s worth your time.

With so many casino review sites online, how does OnlineAustriaCasino.at set itself apart from the competition?
For six years, I’ve been diving deep into Austria’s iGaming scene. I know every trend, new brand, or provider. Austria’s got a monopoly, and players often hunt for alternatives that aren’t always safe. My team and I test every casino ourselves: we play, we check, we dig into the details. If a casino doesn’t cut it, we flat-out say “no.” Plus, we score exclusive bonuses for Austrians and write reviews so clear even a newbie gets it.

How do you and your team ensure that reviews remain fair, independent, and trustworthy for players?
You can order a review on our site, but buying a high score? No way. Our 10-point scale is the law, and we don’t bend it. We’re straight-up with partners: if something’s off, we tell them what to fix. Honesty isn’t just a buzzword - it’s the foundation of our readers’ trust.

You've built a small but specialized team at OC24 LTD. What qualities do you value most in your team members when it comes to content, SEO, and player guidance?
Back in 2019, my buddy Milan Rabszski (TopKasynoOnline), from the Poland poker tourney, and I launched our first sites just for kicks. Who knew a hobby would start paying off? That’s when we thought: it’s time to scale up!

We built the team bit by bit, finding like-minded folks at conferences and gambling chats. What I value most? Their drive - they’re fearless about trying new things, tackling Google updates, and staying afloat in this wild market.

With a team like that, giving up isn’t an option - they bring the energy every day!

Security and trust are central to your platform. What steps do you take to make sure players can feel safe following your recommendations?
Every review screams: read the rules! Most issues we see on forums or in our inbox come from skipping the fine print. We break down every detail so players know what they’re getting into. We champion responsible gaming and steer clear of shady brands. I remember a guy who won €2,000 and begged us to help get it out before his birthday. We wanted to help, but he hadn’t read the withdrawal terms - we were powerless.

In terms of SEO, what strategies have worked best for growing and maintaining visibility in the Austrian market?
We bet on local content and the long game. No chasing quick clicks. We build authority step by step. We get what Austrians search for, their pain points, their needs. Regular updates and top-notch quality content. That’s our recipe for success.

What are the most common misconceptions about online casino reviews that you hear from players?
Lots of players think reviews are all bought or that a bad review means a casino’s trash. Truth is, most problems come from not understanding the rules. People also assume if signing up is quick, cashing out will be too. That’s the biggest mistake, and we’re here to set them straight.

You also host a podcast about legal real-money gambling in Austria. What role does that platform play in connecting with your audience compared to the website and does it help attract FTDs?
The podcast is my way to reach folks too busy to read. I sum up essential review stuff and toss in some personal stories. We’ve got loyal listeners, but the podcast and site are different beasts - listeners want info, while the site’s users hunt for bonuses and demos.

You provide your name and a complete bio on your website. You, by no means, hide your identity, which is relatively unusual for an iGaming affiliate. Why are you so open about yourself and your background?
At first, I hid behind an illustration on the site. I didn’t want to show my face. But in this age of AI-generated content and dodgy sites, people crave real humans. Being open builds trust. Plus, it’s a game-changer at conferences. When people know your face, making connections and partnerships is way easier.

You're a regular at major industry conferences. What do you gain from being at these events, and what aspects do you enjoy the most?
Conferences are a breath of fresh air. Online chats can’t beat face-to-face time with partners. In tough market times, it’s gold - swapping case studies, laughing over flops, getting inspired. You come back pumped and ready for the next big thing.

What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur looking to start an iGaming affiliate site today?
Ditch the AI-content craze. Readers and Google aren’t fans. Find a niche where the competition’s thin and become the king of it. Be the expert people trust - that’s your ticket to success.

Outside of work, you're passionate about football, travel, and charitable causes. How do these activities balance out the intensity of working in the gambling sector?
I’m convinced you can’t work hard without solid downtime. Football, travel, and charity work are my reset buttons - they keep me from being glued to casinos 24/7. Sometimes, just browsing a random non-gaming site sparks a fresh idea.

If we were visiting Vienna for 24 hours under your guidance, where would you take us?
We’d kick off with a stroll through Vienna’s heart: Schönbrunn’s gardens, the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Then, a cozy café for a melange and crispy strudel like true Viennese. Evening calls for a heuriger - a local tavern with young wine and hearty Austrian dishes. If there’s time, I’d show you Vienna from above - views that’ll take your breath away.

Finally, can you share three fun or unexpected facts about yourself that most people in the industry wouldn't know?

1. The site’s first version of me was an illustration (you can still spot it lurking around the site). I drew it myself in Illustrator because I had no budget for a team or designer. It turned out so good, I nearly fell in love with my pixelated self!
2. As a kid, I dreamed of being a priest, after going to church with my parents, I thought it was the most powerful gig around. Laughable now, but I was a serious little guy back then.
3. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, especially Philosopher’s Stone. But the movies? Not my thing - the book characters are so vivid, and the films just lost that magic.

[eenzoo]

I always wonder what this hypocritical bulls*** is all about?! So your “minimum requirement” in terms of security is an EU license, you say on your site? At the same time, you promote almost exclusively casinos with licenses from areas outside the EU. Just cut the nonsense talk... “we test and show you...” – I bet you don't do a damn thing, just like everyone else, you list casinos that work. So stop talking rubbish and tell it like it is...