February 7, 2026 · 7 min read

FTC Disclosure Requirements for Casino Affiliates

Legal & Compliance

FTC Disclosure Requirements for Casino Affiliates

Not disclosing affiliate links = FTC fines. But disclosing wrong kills trust. Here's how to do it right. Disclosure requirements are a critical part of casino affiliate legal compliance.

Important note: This guide focuses on US FTC requirements. Other jurisdictions have similar rules (UK ASA, EU consumer protection laws). The principles apply broadly, but check your specific jurisdiction's requirements.

Why the FTC Cares About Your Affiliate Links

The Federal Trade Commission enforces truth-in-advertising laws. Their position is simple: consumers deserve to know when someone is being paid to recommend something.

When you promote a casino and earn commission, you have a "material connection" to that casino. The FTC requires you to disclose that connection so readers can evaluate your recommendation knowing you have a financial interest.

The legal basis: Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits "unfair or deceptive acts or practices." Failing to disclose material connections is considered deceptive because it misleads consumers about the nature of your endorsement.

Enforcement reality: The FTC has pursued cases against influencers, bloggers, and affiliates who failed to disclose. Fines range from warning letters to six-figure penalties. Most enforcement targets large influencers, but the rules apply to everyone.

The Four FTC Requirements for Disclosures

The FTC's Endorsement Guides specify four key requirements:

1. Clear and Conspicuous

Your disclosure cannot be hidden, buried, or hard to find. It must be:

In a readable font size (same as or larger than body text)
In a visible location (not footer-only)
In contrasting colors (not gray text on gray background)
Not hidden behind clicks or hovers

Bad example: Tiny text at the very bottom of a 3,000-word article that says "Some links may be affiliate links."

Good example: A clearly visible box at the top of the page stating "This article contains affiliate links. I earn commission from qualifying signups."

2. Close to the Claim

Disclosures must appear near the affiliate links or promotional statements, not pages away.

The proximity rule: A disclosure at the top of your homepage does not cover affiliate links on individual pages. Each page with affiliate content needs its own disclosure.

Where to place:

At the beginning of articles with affiliate links
Directly before or after comparison tables
Near individual affiliate links (especially if the page is long)
In video descriptions AND verbally in video content

3. Plain Language

No legalese. No jargon. The average reader must understand the disclosure.

What works:

"I earn commission if you sign up through my links"
"This is an affiliate link - I get paid if you join"
"Sponsored content - I was paid to write this"

What doesn't work:

"This site utilizes affiliate monetization mechanisms"
"Material connections may exist with featured partners"
"Pursuant to FTC guidelines, compensation may be received"

4. Before the Click

Users must see the disclosure before taking action—before clicking your affiliate link, not after landing on the casino site.

Timing matters: Disclosing only in a separate "Disclosure Policy" page that users might visit after clicking doesn't satisfy FTC requirements. The disclosure must appear where the promotional content appears.

Disclosure Examples: What Works and What Doesn't

Bad Disclosures (Avoid These)

"We may earn commissions" Too vague. "May earn" sounds like maybe you do, maybe you don't. Be direct.

Tiny text in footer only Not conspicuous. Users scroll past without seeing. Fails the "clear and conspicuous" test.

"Affiliate links present" Not specific enough. Doesn't explain what that means for the reader.

"See our disclosure policy" (with no actual disclosure on page) Fails proximity requirement. Each page needs its own disclosure.

Gray text on gray background Not conspicuous. Design choices that hide disclosures violate FTC guidelines.

Hover-only disclosures Not conspicuous on mobile. Must be visible without user action.

Good Disclosures (Use These Templates)

Standard blog/website disclosure: "Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you sign up through my links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site."

Shorter version: "Affiliate disclosure: I earn commission from the casinos featured on this page."

For review articles: "Full disclosure: I'm a paid affiliate of [Casino Name]. I receive compensation for referrals, which may influence my recommendations."

For comparison tables: "Note: All casinos listed below are affiliate partners. I earn commission if you sign up through these links."

Sponsored content: "Sponsored: This article was paid for by PureOdds. My opinions are my own, but I was compensated to write this review."

Where to Place Your Disclosures

Website/Blog Articles

Primary placement (required): At the TOP of every article containing affiliate links. Before the reader encounters any affiliate content.

Example placement:

[Article Title]

[Disclosure box - clearly visible]
"This article contains affiliate links. I earn commission if you sign up through my links."

[Article content begins...]

Secondary placements (recommended):

Next to or directly before affiliate links within the article
Below comparison tables
Before "sign up" or "join now" buttons

Dedicated disclosure page (supplementary): A full disclosure/affiliate policy page is good practice but does NOT replace on-page disclosures. Think of it as additional detail, not a substitute.

Platform-Specific Requirements

YouTube

YouTube has specific requirements beyond FTC rules.

Required:

Verbal disclosure in the first 30 seconds of video
- "Quick disclosure - the casinos I mention today are affiliate partners, meaning I earn commission if you sign up through my links in the description."
Written disclosure in video description (above the fold - visible without clicking "show more")
- "AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Links below are affiliate links. I earn commission from qualifying signups."
YouTube's built-in disclosure - Check "This video contains paid promotion" in upload settings

Example script opener: "Hey everyone, quick heads up before we dive in - this video includes affiliate links to the casinos I'm reviewing. If you sign up using my links, I earn a commission. That said, let's get into it..."

For more YouTube-specific guidance, see our YouTube casino affiliate guide.

Twitter/X

Character limits make Twitter disclosures tricky but not impossible.

Required:

#ad or #affiliate in the SAME tweet as the affiliate link
Must be visible, not buried in hashtag spam
Disclosure in reply tweets doesn't count

What works: "Just tried [Casino] and the slots are great. Sign up through my link: [link] #affiliate"

"Reviewing the top 5 crypto casinos this month. Full breakdown: [link] #ad"

What doesn't work: "Best casino ever!!! [link]" (no disclosure)

"[link] #casino #gambling #winning #money #crypto #ad" (buried in hashtags)

See our Twitter gambling ads guide for more platform-specific details.

Instagram

Instagram's visual nature requires clear disclosures.

Required:

Use "Paid partnership with [brand]" feature when available
Include #ad VISIBLE in caption (not buried in 30 hashtags)
Stories need verbal or text disclosure

Caption example: "Trying out [Casino] today and loving the new slots. Link in bio to sign up. #ad #affiliate"

Stories:

Text overlay stating "Affiliate link" or "Paid partnership"
Verbal disclosure in video stories

TikTok

TikTok has both FTC requirements and platform-specific rules.

Required:

Verbal disclosure in video
Branded content toggle in post settings
Caption disclosure (#ad visible)

Example: Open video with: "Partnered content - I earn if you sign up through my link in bio..."

Note: TikTok heavily restricts gambling content. Even with proper disclosure, your account may be at risk. See our TikTok casino content guide.

For channel operators:

Required:

Pin a disclosure message at the top of your channel
Include disclosure with promotional posts

Pinned message example: "Channel Disclosure: Posts in this channel may contain affiliate links to casinos. I earn commission from signups made through my links. All recommendations are my genuine opinions."

For more on Telegram marketing, see our Telegram casino marketing guide.

Does Disclosure Hurt Conversions?

This is the question everyone asks. Here's the honest answer:

Short-term: Yes, slightly. Studies show 5-15% reduction in click-through rates when disclosures are prominent.

Long-term: No. Transparency builds trust. Trust converts better over time.

The math:

Option A: No disclosure, 100 clicks, potential FTC fine
Option B: Clear disclosure, 90 clicks, no legal risk, higher trust

Understanding first deposit psychology shows that trust is essential for conversions. Users who trust you are more likely to actually sign up and deposit, not just click.

The real impact: Users who would be deterred by knowing you earn commission weren't going to be valuable conversions anyway. Qualified, trusting traffic converts better than deceived, suspicious traffic.

Creating a Disclosure That Doesn't Kill Conversions

You can be compliant without being annoying. Here's how:

Keep it brief but clear

Too long: "In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, this website discloses that it has financial relationships with the online casinos and gambling platforms featured herein. When you click on links contained within this website and subsequently make a purchase or create an account, this website may receive monetary compensation..."

Just right: "This page contains affiliate links. I earn commission from casinos featured here."

Frame it positively

Negative framing: "Warning: I get paid when you click these links."

Positive framing: "Disclosure: Using my links supports this site at no cost to you."

Integrate it naturally

Instead of a harsh disclaimer box, weave disclosure into your intro:

"I've tested over 30 crypto casinos to find the best ones. Full disclosure - I earn commission from casinos I recommend, which is how I fund this research. Here's what I found..."

Design matters

Use a subtle but visible design (light background, clear text)
Don't make it look like a warning label
Match your site's design language
Make it part of the content, not a disruption

FTC Enforcement: What Actually Happens

Understanding enforcement helps you assess risk appropriately.

Who gets targeted

Large influencers with millions of followers (highest priority)
Brands running deceptive campaigns
Patterns of deception (not isolated incidents)
Consumer complaints (reported violations)

What enforcement looks like

First offense (typical):

Warning letter requiring corrective action
No fine if you comply

Repeated/serious violations:

Civil penalties up to $50,000+ per violation
Required consent decrees (ongoing FTC oversight)
Public announcements (reputation damage)

How to stay safe

Disclose everywhere - When in doubt, disclose
Document compliance - Screenshot your disclosures
Respond to complaints - If someone reports you, fix it fast
Stay updated - FTC guidance evolves

International Considerations

FTC rules are US-specific, but similar requirements exist elsewhere.

United Kingdom

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requires:

Clear identification of paid content
#ad on social media
"Advertisement" labels on websites
CAP Code compliance

European Union

Various consumer protection laws require:

Clear disclosure of commercial relationships
GDPR-compliant consent for tracking
Country-specific advertising rules

Australia

ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) requires:

Clear disclosure of paid endorsements
No misleading advertising
Strict gambling advertising rules (beyond disclosure)

General rule

If you're targeting international audiences, follow the strictest applicable standard. FTC-compliant disclosures generally satisfy international requirements too.

Disclosure Checklist

Use this checklist for every piece of content:

Pre-publish

Does this content contain affiliate links?
Is there a disclosure at the TOP of the content?
Is the disclosure in plain, understandable language?
Is the disclosure visually clear (font size, color contrast)?
For long content: Are there additional disclosures near affiliate links?
For video: Is there verbal disclosure AND written disclosure?
For social: Is #ad or equivalent visible in the post?

Design check

Is disclosure visible without scrolling on desktop?
Is disclosure visible without scrolling on mobile?
Does disclosure appear before first affiliate link?
Is disclosure not hidden by pop-ups or other elements?

Language check

Does disclosure clearly state "I earn commission" or equivalent?
Is the language accessible (no jargon)?
Does disclosure explain the relationship (not just "affiliate links present")?

Legal Safe Harbor: Over-Disclose

When in doubt, disclose more. The FTC has never penalized someone for being TOO transparent.

Better to be slightly annoying than legally exposed.

The safe harbor approach:

Disclosure at top of every page with affiliate links
Disclosure next to comparison tables
Disclosure in video descriptions AND verbally
Clear #ad tags on social posts
Dedicated disclosure policy page (in addition to on-page disclosures)

Bottom Line

Clear, prominent, honest disclosure protects you legally and builds audience trust.

The formula is simple:

Tell people you earn commission
Tell them before they click
Tell them in plain language
Tell them where they can see it

Review our full compliance checklist to ensure you're covering all bases, and understand gambling advertising regulations for platform-specific rules.

Compliant programs like PureOdds provide clear affiliate disclosure templates to help you stay on the right side of regulations. They make compliance easier by giving you the language and structure you need.

New to affiliate marketing? Start with our beginner's guide which covers disclosure as part of setting up your affiliate business properly from day one.

Remember: The cost of proper disclosure is minimal. The cost of FTC enforcement is not.