US based site affiliate issues?

I'm a few weeks away from launching a tennis data site that i think will fill a void in the industry for that sport.

I'm looking at ways to monitize the site from the start, without plastering adds all over the place. I'm considering signing up with some of the affiliate programs for gambling sites but i'm concerned about the legal environment in the US.

I'd appreciate any feedback from US based site owners. Specifically:

Have you or anyone you know ever had issues with the DOJ?

Do you believe it is beneficial to avoid direct endorsement of the advertising programs? Obviously this is going to reduce signups, but if it helps avoid legal problems it would be worth it?

Are there any programs that will pay directly for advertising as opposed to a REV share or CPA payment? Those options seem to be the most risky for a US company.

Any other advice for someone starting out in the US?

DOJ, no.

Only affiliate I ever heard of with legal problems was flying down to Panama and Costa Rica often. He was moving cash and got criminally charged IIRC.

If one is paranoid about legal issue, avoiding Rev Share is probably best as one could possibly construe it as acting as the house in some weird world. I think with that line of thinking, CPA would be much safer. I don't know of anyone that would direct advertise offhand, but I'm sure some exist.

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Originally Posted by PROFRBcom

DOJ, no.

Only affiliate I ever heard of with legal problems was flying down to Panama and Costa Rica often. He was moving cash and got criminally charged IIRC.

If one is paranoid about legal issue, avoiding Rev Share is probably best as one could possibly construe it as acting as the house in some weird world. I think with that line of thinking, CPA would be much safer. I don't know of anyone that would direct advertise offhand, but I'm sure some exist.

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Thanks for the response PRO.

I guess what I'm wondering is if there are a lot of US based affiliates that are able to operate (and get paid) without any issues. Or if most of the gambling affiliates are located outside the united states.

I'd love to hear input from some others that host their sites and businesses in the states.

Best thing to do is talk to an attorney regarding legal questions.

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Originally Posted by edgarf76

Best thing to do is talk to an attorney regarding legal questions.

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Normally I would say this is the best advice. In this case though, I think most lawyers will tell you it is a grey area where no one has really taken a stand against the DOJ, but the general belief is that advertising potentially illegal activity is not illegal.

But more importantly, I guess I'm just really asking if there are a lot of US affiliates that don't have any issues, or if most of the focus on this type of arrangement is on Europe and Asian markets.

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Originally Posted by indepthstats

Thanks for the response PRO.

I guess what I'm wondering is if there are a lot of US based affiliates that are able to operate (and get paid) without any issues. Or if most of the gambling affiliates are located outside the united states.

I'd love to hear input from some others that host their sites and businesses in the states.

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Quite a few as I understand it.