Player Retention Problems and Solutions

Referred players who deposit once and never return are worth far less than players who stay active for months or years. Ignoring retention is one of the biggest mistakes affiliates make.

Under RevShare models, player retention directly impacts your income. Understanding why players leave—and what you can influence—helps maximize lifetime value.

Why Retention Matters

RevShare Math

Player A (low retention):

• Deposits $100, plays, loses $20
• Never returns
• Your 40% RevShare: $8 total

Player B (high retention):

• Deposits $100/month for 12 months
• Average loss: $20/month
• Your 40% RevShare: $96 total (12x more)

Same acquisition cost, 12x difference in value.

What You Can (and Can't) Control

You can influence:

• Who you send (player quality)
• What you tell them (expectations)
• Which casino you recommend (experience)
• Content that supports them (education)

You can't control:

• Casino operations
• Individual player behavior
• Game outcomes
• Personal financial situations

Common Retention Problems

Problem 1: Wrong Player-Casino Fit

What happens:

• You send players to casinos that don't match their preferences
• Players have bad experience
• They leave quickly

Signs:

• High signup rate, low deposit rate
• Players deposit once and leave
• Complaints about casino features

Example: Sending poker players to a slots-focused casino

Problem 2: Unrealistic Expectations

What happens:

• Your content overpromises
• Players expect to win
• Reality disappoints
• They blame the casino and leave

Signs:

• Players leave after first losing session
• Complaints about "rigged" games
• Angry messages to you

Problem 3: Poor Casino Experience

What happens:

• Casino has slow withdrawals
• Support is unresponsive
• Technical issues frustrate players
• They leave for better options

Signs:

• Complaints about the casino
• Players asking for alternatives
• Low activity after initial deposit

Problem 4: Bonus Chasers

This is such a common issue we wrote a full guide on dealing with bonus hunter audiences.

What happens:

• Players only sign up for bonus
• Complete wagering requirements (or not)
• Withdraw and never return
• Zero long-term value

Signs:

• Activity spike during bonus period
• Sudden stop after bonus clears
• Pattern of one-time players

Problem 5: Problem Gambling Burnout

What happens:

• Player deposits more than they can afford
• Loses significantly
• Stops gambling entirely
• May have negative feelings about gambling/you

Signs:

• Very high initial activity
• Sudden complete stop
• Sometimes followed by complaints

Solutions

Solution 1: Better Casino Matching

Improve fit:

• Understand your audience's preferences
• Recommend casinos that match
• Be specific about what each casino offers
• Segment recommendations by player type

Actions:

• Create content for specific player types
• Different recommendations for different needs
• Be honest about what each casino is good (and bad) at

Solution 2: Set Realistic Expectations

In your content:

• Explain house edge honestly
• Frame gambling as entertainment, not income
• Discuss realistic outcomes
• Include responsible gambling messaging

What this does:

• Attracts players with right mindset
• Reduces disappointment
• Builds trust
• Players who stay have healthy approach

Solution 3: Recommend Better Casinos

Not all casinos deserve your traffic. Learn to spot affiliate program red flags and understand the shady side of this industry.

Prioritize:

• Fast withdrawals
• Good support
• Fair terms
• Quality game selection
• Reliable operations

Long-term thinking:

• Players who have good experiences stay longer
• Your RevShare benefits from their loyalty
• Short-term commission vs. long-term value

Solution 4: Minimize Bonus Chasers

Approaches:

• Don't over-emphasize bonuses
• Explain wagering requirements honestly
• Focus on casino quality, not just bonus size
• Attract players interested in the casino, not just free money

Target:

• Players looking for a new casino home
• Not players gaming the bonus system

Solution 5: Support Responsible Gambling

Why it helps retention:

• Players who gamble responsibly play longer
• Players who burn out quit entirely
• Sustainable players = sustainable RevShare

Actions:

• Include responsible gambling content
• Recommend bankroll management
• Link to problem gambling resources
• Don't encourage over-gambling

Content Strategies for Retention

Onboarding Content

Help new players:

• "Getting started at [Casino]" guides
• How to use features
• Best games for beginners
• Bankroll management tips

Goal: Players feel supported and informed

Engagement Content

Keep players interested:

• New game announcements
• Strategy tips
• Tournament coverage
• Community content

Goal: Ongoing value beyond signup

Problem-Solving Content

Help with issues:

• FAQ content
• Troubleshooting guides
• Contact information
• How-to articles

Goal: Players solve problems instead of leaving

Working with Casinos

Feedback Loop

Share with affiliate managers:

• Common player complaints
• Feature requests
• Comparison to competitors
• Retention patterns you notice

Why it helps:

• Casinos want to retain players too
• They may address issues
• Relationship building
• You become more valuable partner

Exclusive Deals

Negotiate:

• Exclusive bonuses for your players
• Better terms than standard
• Retention bonuses for returning players
• Special promotions

Benefits:

• Players have reason to stay
• Feel special/valued
• Loyalty to you and casino

Measuring Retention Impact

Metrics to Track

If available:

• Player activity over time
• Active players vs. total signups
• Average player lifetime
• Revenue per player over time

Proxies if direct data unavailable:

• Conversion to deposit ratio
• Multi-month commission trends
• Player complaints
• Feedback and engagement

Optimization Cycle

1. Track current retention indicators
2. Identify potential issues
3. Test solutions (content, recommendations)
4. Measure impact
5. Iterate

Retention-Focused Program Selection

What to Look For

Programs that support retention:

• Quality casino (players want to stay)
• Fair player treatment
• Good withdrawal experience
• Active player engagement
• Loyalty programs

Red flags:

• Known for player complaints
• Slow/problematic withdrawals
• Aggressive against winners
• Poor reputation

Commission Structure Implications

RevShare:

• Retention directly impacts earnings
• Long-term value matters more
• Quality player acquisition key

CPA:

• Less impacted by retention
• Get paid regardless of player lifetime
• May be better for bonus chaser traffic

Hybrid:

• Balance of both considerations
• May be optimal for mixed traffic
• Learn more about hybrid affiliate models

Ethical Considerations

Player-First Thinking

The alignment:

• Players who have good experiences stay longer
• You earn more from players who stay
• Everyone benefits from positive experiences

The conflict:

• Some tactics increase short-term signups
• But decrease player satisfaction
• Hurting long-term value

Best approach: Optimize for player satisfaction, which optimizes for your long-term earnings

Responsible Gambling

Remember:

• Problem gambling harms players
• Players who harm themselves eventually stop
• Sustainable gambling = sustainable RevShare
• You have ethical obligation beyond earnings

Conclusion

Player retention directly impacts affiliate income under RevShare:

Key problems:

• Wrong casino fit
• Unrealistic expectations
• Poor casino experience
• Bonus chasers
• Unsustainable gambling

Solutions:

• Better casino matching
• Honest content
• Quality casino recommendations
• Focus beyond bonuses
• Support responsible gambling

The principle: Players who have good experiences and gamble sustainably stay longer. Your job is to set them up for that—good fit, realistic expectations, quality experience.

Long-term player value > short-term signup volume.

Looking for a program that values quality over volume? PureOdds offers transparent RevShare with no negative carryover.