View source

There are hundreds of gaming affiliate programs.  As an affiliate, selecting the right programs to work with can be a daunting task, particularly if you are just starting out.  The purpose of this guide is to help share the expertise of GPWA affiliates in finding and evaluating affiliate programs with the goal of providing a framework you can use to make better, more informed decisions in the selection process.

Any reputable affiliate has a variety of goals to satisfy in chosing the affiliate programs with which they work.  Before working with an affiliate program you should ask yourself whether or not the affiliate program:

* Represents gaming sites that offer gaming activities you want to promote
* Represents gaming sites that deliver good value to the player
* Offers affiliate compensation and terms and conditions you find satisfactory
* Will work with you and support you in the fashion you expect from a business partner

==Finding Potential Affiliate Programs==
If you are looking for a complete list of iGaming affiliate programs the website [http://www.iGamingAffiliatePrograms.com www.iGamingAffiliatePrograms.com] aims to be comprehensive in its coverage, and includes all programs, good and bad.  Affiliate programs that provide funding to the GPWA are included in the directory of [http://www.gpwa.org/affiliateprograms/ sponsor affiliate programs] shown on the GPWA website.

* One criteria - online gaming markets you want to promote
** [[casino]]
** [[poker]]
** [[sports betting]]
** [[bingo]]
** [[skill games]]
** [[mobile]]
** [[forex]]
** other

==Evaluating if a Brand Delivers Good Value to Players==
* gaming software
==Evaluating Affiliate Program Compensation==
* payment methods
* compensation structure
** revenue share - percentage of revenue
** Cost Per Action (CPA)
==Evaluating Affiliate Program Terms and Conditions==
==Evaluating an Affiliate Program as a Business Partner==
* creatives available
* affiliate program software

The GPWA provides a variety of information about affiliate programs that are sponsors of the GPWA than can be considered in a determination about whether establishing a relationship with a sponsor program would be a good business decision. 

All GPWA sponsor programs sign a contract in which they agree that the affiliate program and the operators they represent will abide by the [http://www.gpwa.org/sponsor/codeofconduct.asp GPWA code of conduct] which includes the following provisions.

*  Abides by all laws, regulations, and license requirements of the jurisdictions within which they operate.
* Is truthful in all promotions and publishes only accurate information about their operations.
* Publicly discloses any rules and registration procedures affecting affiliates or the public.
* Uses only ethical means of promotion either directly or indirectly through others.
* Pays both affiliates and players promptly in accordance with published terms and conditions.
* Promptly responds to complaints either by affiliates or by affiliates on behalf of their players.
* Accepts responsibility for compliance with the terms of the sponsor code of conduct.

However, affiliate programs are run by people, and people sometimes make mistakes, so GPWA sponsor affiliate programs may sometimes fail to comply with the code of conduct. Good affiliate programs act in an ethical fashion, take responsiblity for their mistakes, and work hard to ensure they are corrected. The GPWA operates independent forums for sponsor affiliate programs to create an environment where there is visibility around the interactions between affiliates and sponsor affiliate programs. This transparency enables affiliates to review the experiences of their peers and factor that information into considering whether they wish to work with a particular affiliate program.  When evaluating whether a GPWA sponsor program is an affiliate program you would want to work with you should look at the comments of fellow webmasters made in the forum for the affiliate program to see if the program lives up to the commitment it has made as a sponsor program.

==Monitoring Affiliate Program Performance==