New and COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED!

[BrownPelican]

I decided to join GPWA for insight into the various gambling affiliate programs; however, I'm completely overwhelmed by the massive amount of content on this forum.

My goal isn't to run a casino website or blog; rather, I'm starting an Ebook publication business. Some of the books highlight the gaming industry or specific games such as poker, blackjack, craps, slots, etc. Strategic places within the books contain hyperlinks, and the links will lead to a squeeze page. My readers will have the option to sign up for online casinos at this point (or related affiliate programs).

Please help me narrow my search and list a few of the more reliable and better casinos online (visual appeal, customer service, player satisfaction, payouts for customers and as an affiliate). In addition, if there are popular affiliate courses to assist players, I'd like to know which ones you're working with.

Thanks in advance and really curious to learn what other member's experiences have been with the different affiliate programs.

Sincerely,
Todd G.
Brown Pelican Publishing, LLC

[edgarf76]

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of good companies on this site, I would take my time and read through the threads; it will give you a better idea.

[BrownPelican]

Thanks for the response.

The reason I decided to post, was to get recommendations on affiliates that other online marketers have had positive experiences with. It's a way to shorten the massive list. Certainly, there are a handful on favored online casinos with better reputations and payouts, thus the reason for this post - reduce my research time.

[edgarf76]

In alphabetical order. ... Afilliate edge, aff active , Commission .bz , Main Street, reward affiliates,


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[sweetbet]

For U.S. traffic, I recommend Ace Revenue
For non-U.S. traffic, I recommend Fortune Affiliates

[F-L-C]

I would look at the Affiliate Guard Dog approved programs

[Maria F]

Hi BrownPelican,

Welcome to the forum! All the best with your Ebook

[IhreConsulting]

I would look at the Affiliate Guard Dog approved programs

This is a great place to look for feedback on the affiliate programs, you can also check out casinomeister which will provide you with more information on the players thoughts on casinos.

[Anthony-Coral]

Hi BrownPelican, welcome to GPWA,

Is there anything about your ebook business model that allows you to target different territories? I ask because the distinction between casino brands that allow/do not allow US players is quite a distinct one.

Additionally, the UK market will have certain operators with greater brand recognition and trust than others, the same can probably be said of other territories too.

So, whilst you may not want to go down the route of creating multiple versions and multiple iterations for lots of different ebooks, each with their own suitable brands per territory, you may be able to find a way to sensibly start to target per territory.

For example, are the ebooks all in English? If you do get to the point of offering translated versions then you can make sure that any brands you link to have versions of their site n that language and offer decent customer support in that language too.

Good luck with the project, keep us posted on your progress.

[BrownPelican]

There is room to target other countries or territories; however, the initial focus will be here in the U.S. While I'm trying to make money on the back end (revenue stream/s besides book sales), the market here in the states sounds tricky. On one hand I'm reading it's illegal, the other suggests legal loopholes.

I'd like to provide my readers with the correct legal information and let them decide if gambling online is something they'd want to pursue. But will the online casinos even allow U.S. citizens to join and make a deposit? All the feedback is appreciated, gives me much to consider.

BTW - Edgarf, if you're still following this thread, I'm leaning toward "AFF Active". Thank You.

[TheGooner]

There is room to target other countries or territories; however, the initial focus will be here in the U.S.

While I'm trying to make money on the back end (revenue stream/s besides book sales), the market here in the states sounds tricky. On one hand I'm reading it's illegal, the other suggests legal loopholes.

You REALLY do need to do a lot of reading on this subject as pertains to online gambling for US citizens.

The US position is that only the recently established intra-state online offerings (in three states - New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada) are legal online gambling establishments - and only for residents within their state of operation. To offer those products affiliates need to be licensed and registered (at a cost) and typically not involved in promotion of other offshore entitites.

(There is a separate carve out for horse racing - which is outside the scope of your book?).

Any other form of online gamblnig within the Us has been squashed.

There are Offshore companies offering online games to US Citizens - but it is an offence and from time to time you do see action taken against operators who have websites or personnel inside US borders. There are no "legal loopholes" according to US Federal law. It's not grey - it's fairly black and white.

I've yet to see action taken against an affiliate though, this is thought to be because affiliates do not actually get involved in handling the money rather they are advertising or explaining options for individuals to choose from - although there are some views that you could make an "aiding and abetting" case against affiliates.

If you publish a high profile e-book that gets enough publicity, and you are offering links to these offshore operations then you might make yourself enough of a target to be an "affiliate test case".

[BrownPelican]

If you publish a high profile e-book that gets enough publicity, and you are offering links to these offshore operations then you might make yourself enough of a target to be an "affiliate test case".

That is correct. I'm not covering horse racing.

Judging by your statements, even though I'm not gambling, it's illegal to be affiliated with online casinos unless you reside in New Jersey, Delaware, or Nevada and have a license. Correct? I figured gamblers in the U.S. sign up on their own merit knowing it's illegal. I didn't realize having an affiliation was as well. Thank you. Good stuff and the reason I joined here.

Does anyone know of a popular educational, seminar or instructional affiliate program (series of videos, CDs, etc)? If I can't work with the online casinos, at least it's a potential way to help people and make more money.

[TheGooner]

Judging by your statements, even though I'm not gambling, it's illegal to be affiliated with online casinos unless you reside in New Jersey, Delaware, or Nevada and have a license. Correct?

No - that's not QUITE what I said.

Players need to be within New Jersey, Delaware, or Nevada (not residents of) in order to play at the respective licensed online site. This is currently done through both physical and IP address checking of the applicant. You could live in New York and drive to your friends place in New Jersey and play legally.

Affiliates need to be licensed by the specific state that gave the license in order to promote the licensed online site. That license currently is costing thousands of dollars and at least one state (Nevada) does have residential and/or registered office criteria. These licenses are currently quite detailed investigations.

Outside, but related to this is the question of paid advertising, which doesn't share in revenues directly, but is for a monthly fee. Many affiliates also use this model in part and it's unknown as to exactly what hoops need to be jumped to meet this criteria.

Whether there will be sublicensing, or a different licensing, or just normal advertising rules?
I have no idea.

I figured gamblers in the U.S. sign up on their own merit knowing it's illegal.

You'd be surprised at just how (wilfully?) dim some people are regarding legality. Of course the new "legally licensed" operations are doing their bit to explain the difference between offshore (and illegal) operations and their legal versions.

The real difference? You probably get a better experience offshore - but local states and Uncle Sam want their tax take - and that's really the whole crux of the matter. Offshore sites pay zero local tax and so they've been banned - and local tax-paying companies given licenses.

In many cases these local companies then use the same offshore companies to facilitate the whole operation anyway ...

I didn't realize having an affiliation was (illegal) as well. Thank you. Good stuff and the reason I joined here.

Technically, it is PROBABLY not. It is not specifically coverd ... but the main reason for this is that most of the legislation is based on the 1959 passing of the "Wire Act" for telephone betting across state lines. The idea of the internet, and gambling affiliates was not a twinkle in legislators eyes.

The UIGEA act of 2006-2007 simply laid on top of that 1959 definition making the movement of money in relation to this gambling also illegal, without expanding on the definition of what illegal gambling is.

So - an internet gambling affiliate takes money from an offshore gambling company for advertising services. That is not the same money as the money that is actually WAGERED on gambling. Although without the affiliate, the gambling would never have taken place.

You can see why I said that an "aiding and abetting" charge is possible if the offshore casino operation is really illegal - but I suspect that until the laws are revisited fully that the Federal Government does not want to push too hard on the antiquated 1959 definitions.

But ... one day I do expect to hear that a high profile US affiliate is turned into a test case ...

[BrownPelican]

Wow... Thanks, Gooner. This is eye-opening for me and gives me a lot to think about. And if I'm not mistaken, offshore transactions over a specific U.S. dollar amount ($8,000 - $12,000ish rings a bell) must be reported by the financial institutions. So, this could be another issue.

I'll reread your posts a few times and research the material. I've got time to decide on this, but an attorney would be the way to go. See if it's worth pursuing. I'm too pretty for prison

[feelthenoize]

Best of luck to you. I am new so I don't have a lot to add.

[Sherlock]

I would start with moving Brown Pelican Publishing, LLC to offshore. It has its own reasons to do it outside of USA, but if you are US based it has even more resons.

You can promote the US-offshore casinos without problems, because no gambling related money actually go to USA.

[BrownPelican]

You can promote the US-offshore casinos without problems, because no gambling related money actually go to USA.

Thank you for the response. That's a great idea; however, if I'm using a U.S. IP address will I still be protected?

[Sherlock]

Well since there is the NSA issue and big brother rather use VPN, while you will be dealing with your offshore bank in Liechtenstein or Belize

Affiliate programmes are not casinos, they do not check from what country you access affiliate platform (or I never heard of it). And in case you have problems accessing the webpage, just buy the UK VPN anyways. It changes IP address (and as bonus you will have the encryption).

[BrownPelican]

Going to this extreme, I'm assuming there is a lot of potential money as an affiliate. It's interesting how one project leads to another.

I like the way you think.

[BrownPelican]

I hope you find success! Best of luck to you as well.