January 5, 2026 · 10 min read

CPA vs RevShare: Which Casino Affiliate Commission Model is Right for You?

Commission Structures

CPA vs RevShare: Which Casino Affiliate Commission Model is Right for You?

Here's the $10,000 question every casino affiliate faces:

Should you take the quick CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) payout, or go for long-term RevShare (Revenue Share)?

Take CPA and you could earn $1,500 next month from 10 sign-ups. Take RevShare and those same 10 players might earn you $400/month... forever.

Over two years, that's $1,500 (CPA) vs. $9,600+ (RevShare).

But here's the catch: CPA pays fast and lets you reinvest. RevShare takes months to compound but builds passive income.

So which is right for you?

This guide will break down the real math, show you exactly when each model makes sense, and reveal the hybrid approach top affiliates use to maximize both.

What is CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)?

CPA means you get paid a one-time commission when a player signs up and meets qualifying criteria—usually making their first deposit (FTD = First Time Depositor).

How CPA Works

You refer a player to the casino
They create an account
They make their first deposit (typically $50-100 minimum)
Casino pays you a flat fee (typically $50-$300)
That's it—no more commission from that player, ever

Typical CPA Rates

Deposit Size	Typical CPA Payout
$50-99	$75-150
$100-249	$150-250
$250+	$250-400

Important: Higher payouts usually require higher deposit minimums or additional wagering requirements.

Real Example

Scenario: You drive traffic from Twitter gambling content

Month 1: 50 clicks → 8 signups → 5 FTDs
CPA rate: $150 per FTD
Earnings: $750

Next month, those same 5 players keep gambling and collectively lose $2,000 to the casino.

Your cut of that $2,000? $0.

That's the CPA tradeoff. Fast money now, nothing later.

RevShare means you earn a percentage (typically 25-50%) of the casino's profit from your players, paid monthly, for as long as they keep playing.

How RevShare Works

You refer a player to the casino
Each month, the casino calculates that player's NGR (Net Gaming Revenue)
NGR = Player's total deposits - Player's total withdrawals
You get a percentage of NGR (e.g., 40%)
This repeats every month the player is active

Typical RevShare Rates

Performance Tier	RevShare %
Standard	25-35%
Mid-tier (50+ active players)	35-45%
High-tier (100+ active players)	45-50%

Note: Rates often increase as you refer more players (tiered commissions).

Real Example

Scenario: Same traffic, but RevShare instead of CPA

Month 1: 50 clicks → 8 signups → 5 FTDs
Those 5 players collectively lose $800 in Month 1
Your RevShare: 40%
Month 1 earnings: $320 (lower than CPA's $750)

Month 2: Those players keep playing, lose another $900

Month 2 earnings: $360

Month 3: They lose $1,200

Month 3 earnings: $480

Total after 3 months: $1,160 (already more than CPA's $750)

And this continues every month they play.

The Math: CPA vs RevShare Over Time

Let's compare real numbers over 24 months.

Assumptions:

You refer 10 new players per month
Average player loses $50/month (conservative)
CPA: $150 per FTD
RevShare: 40%
Player retention: 50% after 6 months (industry average)

CPA Model

Month	New FTDs	Monthly Earnings	Cumulative
1	10	$1,500	$1,500
2	10	$1,500	$3,000
3	10	$1,500	$4,500
6	10	$1,500	$9,000
12	10	$1,500	$18,000
24	10	$1,500	$36,000

Result: Consistent $1,500/month. Total after 2 years: $36,000

RevShare Model

Month	Active Players	Monthly NGR	Your 40%	Cumulative
1	10	$500	$200	$200
2	18	$900	$360	$560
3	25	$1,250	$500	$1,060
6	42	$2,100	$840	$4,200
12	70	$3,500	$1,400	$12,600
24	110	$5,500	$2,200	$38,400

Result: Starts slow ($200 month 1), but compounds. Total after 2 years: $38,400

RevShare wins by $2,400, and the gap keeps widening every month.

By Month 24, RevShare is paying $2,200/month vs CPA's flat $1,500.

Visual Comparison: When RevShare Overtakes CPA

Month 1:  CPA wins ($1,500 vs $200)
Month 2:  CPA wins ($3,000 vs $560)
Month 3:  CPA wins ($4,500 vs $1,060)
Month 4:  CPA wins ($6,000 vs $1,660)
Month 5:  CPA wins ($7,500 vs $2,360)
Month 6:  CPA wins ($9,000 vs $4,200)
Month 7:  Still CPA ($10,500 vs $5,180)
Month 8:  CPA ($12,000 vs $6,260)
Month 9:  Getting close ($13,500 vs $7,440)
Month 10: CPA barely ($15,000 vs $8,720)
Month 11: RevShare catches up! ($16,500 vs $10,100)
Month 12: RevShare pulls ahead ($18,000 vs $12,600)

Month 24: RevShare dominates ($36,000 vs $38,400)

Breakeven point: Around Month 11

After that, RevShare pulls away and never looks back.

Pros and Cons of CPA

✅ Pros

1. Immediate Cash Flow

Get paid within 30-60 days of FTD
Don't wait months for compounding
Easier to forecast income

2. Predictable Income

Know exactly what you'll earn per player
Simple math: 10 FTDs × $150 = $1,500
No variance from player wins/losses

3. No Player Performance Risk

Don't care if player wins $10,000 in month 2
Don't care if they quit after one session
Your payout is locked in

4. Great for Paid Traffic

Need quick ROI to fund next ad campaign
Example: Spend $800 on ads → Get 6 FTDs × $150 = $900 → Reinvest $900 in more ads
Scales faster with reinvestment

5. Simplicity

Easy to explain to partners/investors
Clear performance metrics
Less to track long-term

❌ Cons

1. Leave Money on the Table

That player who becomes a "whale" (high roller)? You got $150 once.
RevShare affiliates earn $500-2,000/month from that same whale, forever.

2. Constant Hustle

Need new players every month to maintain income
Can't take a break without earnings dropping to $0
No passive income

3. No Compounding

Your income in month 24 is the same as month 1 (if traffic stays constant)
Have to scale traffic to scale income

4. Lower Lifetime Value

Average player lifetime value: $600-1,200
Your CPA cut: $150
You capture: 12-25% of player value

5. Vulnerable to Traffic Fluctuations

Google algorithm update kills your SEO traffic? Income drops immediately.
RevShare cushions this (old players still paying you)

Pros and Cons of RevShare

✅ Pros

1. Passive Income Compounds

Refer 100 players over 6 months → Earn from all of them every month
Your income grows even if you stop promoting
True passive income

2. Lifetime Value Capture

Players keep gambling for months/years
You earn from every session, forever
Average player lifetime value: $600-1,200
Your 40% cut: $240-480
You capture: 40% of player value

3. Benefits from Whales

One high roller can earn you $1,000+/month
CPA affiliates get same $150 whether player deposits $100 or $100,000

4. More Stable Long-Term

Traffic dip in month 10? Old players still generate income
Less panic when you have a slow month
Acts as a "savings account" that grows

5. Higher Earning Potential

Top RevShare affiliates: $50k-200k/month
Top CPA affiliates: $10k-30k/month
RevShare scales better at high volume

❌ Cons

1. Slow Start

Month 1 might be $200 while CPA earns $1,500
Takes patience (most quit before it compounds)
Can feel discouraging early

2. Player Variance

Players can win (reducing your cut)
Bad month = lower earnings
Negative carryover risk if program has it (avoid these)

3. Harder to Forecast

Income fluctuates month-to-month
Difficult to predict exactly what you'll earn
Requires bigger cash reserves

4. Not Ideal for Paid Traffic (Initially)

Spend $1,000 on ads → Earn $300 month 1 → Lose $700
Takes 3-6 months to break even
Need capital to cover gap

5. Program Dependency

If casino shuts down, your income stops
If they change terms, you're affected
Need to vet programs carefully

The Negative Carryover Trap (Critical for RevShare)

If you're considering RevShare, you MUST understand negative carryover.

What is Negative Carryover?

Some programs subtract player wins from your commissions and carry that "debt" forward month after month.

Example of How It Destroys Your Business:

Month 1: Your 10 players lose $1,000 → You earn $400 (40%)

Month 2: One player wins $3,000 (lucky streak) → NGR is -$3,000

Traditional RevShare: You earn $0 this month (can't be negative)
Negative Carryover RevShare: You now owe the casino $1,200

Month 3: Players lose $1,000 → You should earn $400

But you owe $1,200 from month 2, so you earn $0
Debt reduced to $800

Month 4: Players lose $1,200 → You should earn $480

But you still owe $800, so you earn $0
Debt reduced to $320

Month 5: Players lose $800 → You finally earn $0 (paying off debt), then $320 on the remaining $800

Result: 5 months of active players. 2 months of earnings.

This is why PureOdds and other quality programs explicitly state "No negative carryover."

Read the full breakdown of how negative carryover kills your business.

Hybrid Model: Best of Both Worlds?

Many programs offer a hybrid model:

Example: $100 CPA + 25% RevShare

How It Works:

Player deposits $100+ → You get $100 (CPA) within 30 days
That player keeps playing → You also get 25% RevShare ongoing

The Math:

Player lifetime value: $800 (average)

Hybrid model:

CPA: $100 (upfront)
RevShare: 25% of $800 = $200 (over lifetime)
Total: $300

Pure CPA model:

$150 upfront
Total: $150

Pure RevShare model:

40% of $800 = $320 (over lifetime)
Total: $320

Hybrid earns more than CPA, but less than pure RevShare.

When Hybrid Makes Sense:

✅ You want some quick cash but also long-term income ✅ You're transitioning from CPA to RevShare mentally ✅ You run paid traffic (use CPA to cover ad costs, RevShare as profit) ✅ You're risk-averse (hedge your bets)

When Hybrid Doesn't Make Sense:

❌ You're 100% confident in long-term play (pure RevShare earns more) ❌ You don't need immediate cash flow ❌ You want maximum lifetime value per player

Most programs that offer hybrid have lower RevShare % to compensate for the upfront CPA.

When to Choose CPA

Choose CPA if:

✅ You Run Paid Traffic (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.)

Why: You need fast ROI to reinvest in ads.

Example:

Spend $500 on ads
Get 4 FTDs
Earn $600 CPA
Profit: $100
Reinvest $600 in more ads

RevShare would take 3-6 months to break even. Can't wait that long with paid traffic.

✅ You're Testing Traffic Sources

Why: Want quick feedback on what works.

Example:

Week 1: Test Reddit → 2 FTDs → $300 → Worth pursuing?
Week 2: Test Twitter → 0 FTDs → $0 → Pause for now

RevShare takes months to evaluate. CPA gives you data fast.

✅ You Need Cash Flow NOW

Why: Bills don't wait for compounding.

If you need money in 60 days, CPA delivers. RevShare doesn't.

✅ You're in a High-Churn Niche

Why: If players quit after 1-2 sessions, CPA captures more value.

Example:

Bonus hunters (sign up for bonus, withdraw, never return)
One-time visitors from viral content
Low-quality traffic

If average player only generates $200 NGR total, CPA ($150) captures 75% of value.

RevShare (40%) would only earn you $80.

✅ You're Promoting Multiple Casinos

Why: Easier to track/compare performance.

RevShare across 5 casinos = complicated math. CPA across 5 casinos = simple addition.

When to Choose RevShare

Choose RevShare if:

✅ You're Building for Long-Term Passive Income

Why: RevShare compounds. CPA doesn't.

If your goal is to build a business that earns $10k/month in 2 years, RevShare is the path.

Why: These traffic sources build over time (just like RevShare).

Example:

Month 1: Publish 10 blog posts → 5 FTDs → $200 RevShare
Month 6: Those posts now rank → 30 FTDs from old posts + 5 new → $1,200 RevShare
Month 12: Old + new content → 80 FTDs total → $3,200 RevShare

Your content and RevShare both compound.

✅ You Can Wait 6-12 Months for Big Payoff

Why: RevShare takes patience but pays more long-term.

If you have cash reserves or another income source, RevShare wins.

✅ You Promote High-Quality, Low House Edge Casinos

Why: Better retention = more RevShare.

Example:

Casino A: 5% house edge → Players lose fast and quit → 3-month average retention
Casino B: 1% house edge → Players lose slowly and stay → 18-month average retention

RevShare works best when players stick around.

Learn why house edge matters for your affiliate income.

✅ You're Confident in Player Quality

Why: High-value players = high lifetime RevShare.

If you know your audience is serious gamblers (not bonus hunters), RevShare captures more value.

The Strategy Top Affiliates Use

Here's what successful affiliates actually do (and if you're new to this, check out our beginner's guide to casino affiliate marketing):

Strategy 1: CPA for Testing, RevShare for Scale

Month 1-3: CPA Mode

Test traffic sources with CPA
Learn what content converts
Use earnings to reinvest in content/ads

Month 4+: Switch to RevShare

Once you know what works, switch to RevShare
Scale the proven traffic sources
Let compounding take over

Strategy 2: Hybrid for Paid Traffic, Pure RevShare for Organic

Paid traffic campaigns: Use hybrid or CPA (need quick ROI)

SEO, YouTube, social: Use pure RevShare (compounds with content)

Strategy 3: Negotiate Custom Deals

If you're driving quality traffic:

Ask for $200 CPA + 40% RevShare (instead of standard $150 CPA or 35% RevShare)
Programs will negotiate if you're valuable
Especially effective at 50+ FTDs/month

Email your affiliate manager:

"I'm currently sending 50 FTDs/month on CPA. I'd like to discuss a custom hybrid deal: $200 CPA + 35% RevShare. My players have high retention (18-month average) so this would be a win-win."

Strategy 4: Diversify Across Programs

3 programs on RevShare (long-term income) 1 program on CPA (cash flow for reinvestment)

Balances risk and reward.

Real Affiliate Case Studies

Case Study 1: Sarah (SEO Affiliate)

Background: Built casino review blog

Model: 100% RevShare (40%)

Timeline:

Month 1-6: Earned $100-500/month (frustrating)
Month 7-12: Earned $800-2,000/month (content started ranking)
Month 13-18: Earned $2,500-4,500/month (compounding traffic + players)
Month 19-24: Earned $5,000-8,000/month (passive income machine)

Total earnings year 1: $18,000 Total earnings year 2: $76,000

If she had chosen CPA: $1,500/month × 24 = $36,000 total

RevShare advantage: $58,000 extra over 2 years

Case Study 2: Mike (Paid Traffic Affiliate)

Background: Ran Google Ads for casino keywords

Model: Hybrid ($150 CPA + 20% RevShare)

Timeline:

Month 1: Spent $2,000 on ads → 15 FTDs → Earned $2,250 CPA + $120 RevShare = $2,370 → Profit $370
Month 2: Reinvested $2,370 → 18 FTDs → Earned $2,700 CPA + $280 RevShare (month 1 players) = $2,980
Month 6: Consistent $3,500/month CPA + $900 RevShare = $4,400/month
Month 12: $3,500 CPA + $2,100 RevShare = $5,600/month

Why hybrid worked: CPA covered ad costs immediately. RevShare became pure profit.

If pure CPA: $3,500/month cap (can't scale without more ad spend)

If pure RevShare: Would've gone broke in month 1-3 waiting for payback

Case Study 3: James (YouTube Affiliate)

Background: Crypto gambling YouTube channel

Model: Started CPA, switched to RevShare at month 4

Timeline:

Month 1-3: CPA ($150) → Earned $450, $750, $900 → Total $2,100
Month 4: Switched to RevShare (40%) → Earned $600 (lower than CPA would've been)
Month 5-6: $900, $1,200
Month 7-12: $1,500-2,800/month
Month 13-18: $3,000-5,500/month

Why the switch worked:

Used CPA earnings to fund better equipment
Once he knew YouTube worked, switched to RevShare
Old videos kept driving signups (passive)

Total earnings after 18 months: $48,000+

If he stayed on CPA: ~$27,000 (18 months × $1,500 average)

RevShare advantage: $21,000 extra

Decision Framework: Which Model for You?

Answer these questions:

Question 1: What's your traffic source?

Paid ads (Google, Facebook): → CPA or Hybrid
SEO/Blog: → RevShare
YouTube: → RevShare
Social media (Twitter, Reddit): → RevShare
Email list: → RevShare

Question 2: Can you wait 6+ months for income to compound?

Yes, I have cash reserves: → RevShare
No, I need money now: → CPA

Question 3: What's your player quality?

Serious gamblers, high retention: → RevShare
Bonus hunters, one-time visitors: → CPA

Question 4: What's your goal?

Quick cash to reinvest: → CPA
Passive income long-term: → RevShare
Both: → Hybrid

Question 5: How patient are you?

Very patient: → RevShare (higher payout)
Need fast feedback: → CPA

The Program Selection Factor

Not all RevShare programs are created equal.

Two programs might both offer "40% RevShare," but:

Program A:

Negative carryover (bad)
5% house edge (players quit fast)
Shady terms (might not pay)

Program B (e.g., PureOdds):

No negative carryover (good)
1% house edge (players stay longer)
Transparent terms (reliable payments)

Over 24 months:

Program A:

You earn $0 in 8 of those months (negative carryover)
Average player retention: 4 months
Total earnings: $12,000

Program B:

You earn every month (no negative carryover)
Average player retention: 18 months
Total earnings: $38,000

Same RevShare %. $26,000 difference.

Learn the 10 red flags to avoid in affiliate programs.

Common Mistakes Choosing Commission Models

❌ Mistake #1: Choosing CPA Because You're Impatient

Month 1 RevShare earning $200 feels bad when CPA would've earned $1,500.

But walk away from $20,000 in month 13-24? That's the real mistake.

Fix: If you need cash NOW, take a side gig for 3 months while RevShare ramps up. Don't sacrifice $50k+ long-term for $5k short-term.

❌ Mistake #2: Choosing RevShare Without Checking for Negative Carryover

This mistake can cost you tens of thousands.

Fix: Before choosing RevShare, ask: "Do you have a negative carryover policy?" If yes, walk away.

❌ Mistake #3: Choosing Hybrid and Getting the Worst of Both

Some hybrids are terrible:

$50 CPA (low) + 15% RevShare (low)
You get neither good CPA nor good RevShare

Fix: Only accept hybrid if:

CPA is at least 70% of standard CPA rate
RevShare is at least 60% of standard RevShare rate

Example: If standard is $150 CPA or 40% RevShare:

Good hybrid: $100+ CPA + 25%+ RevShare
Bad hybrid: $50 CPA + 15% RevShare

❌ Mistake #4: Not Switching Models as You Grow

What works at 5 FTDs/month doesn't work at 50 FTDs/month.

Fix: Reevaluate every 6 months. Be willing to switch programs or models.

❌ Mistake #5: Promoting High House Edge Casinos on RevShare

RevShare relies on player retention.

High house edge (5%+) = players lose fast = they quit = low retention = low RevShare.

Fix: Only do RevShare with casinos that have 1-2% house edge. Players stay longer.

See the math on why house edge matters.

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

Here's the TL;DR:

Choose CPA if:

You run paid traffic
You need cash now
You're testing traffic sources
Your players are low quality/high churn

Choose RevShare if:

You have organic traffic (SEO, YouTube, social)
You can wait 6-12 months
You want to build passive income
You promote quality, low house edge casinos

Choose Hybrid if:

You want both quick cash and long-term income
You run paid traffic but want upside
You're risk-averse

My recommendation for beginners:

Month 1-3: CPA

Get fast feedback
Learn what works
Use earnings to fund content

Month 4+: RevShare

Switch once you know your system works
Let compounding take over
Build towards $10k/month passive income

The best of both worlds?

Join a program like PureOdds that offers:

Up to 50% RevShare (among the highest in the industry)
No negative carryover (your earnings are safe)
1% house edge (better player retention)
Monthly payouts (no waiting 90 days)
Transparent terms (no surprises)

Learn more about the PureOdds affiliate program →

Quick Reference: CPA vs RevShare at a Glance

Factor	CPA	RevShare
Time to first payout	30-60 days	30-60 days
Monthly income (month 1)	High	Low
Monthly income (month 24)	Same as month 1	3-5x month 1
Passive income	No	Yes
Total lifetime value	12-25% of player value	35-50% of player value
Best for paid traffic	Yes	No (initially)
Best for organic traffic	No	Yes
Risk of negative carryover	No	Yes (if program has it—avoid)
Affected by player wins	No	Yes
Compounding	No	Yes
Simplicity	High	Medium
Long-term potential	$10-30k/month max	$50-200k/month possible

CPA vs RevShare: Which Casino Affiliate Commission Model is Right for You?

What is CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)?

How CPA Works

Typical CPA Rates

Real Example

What is RevShare (Revenue Share)?

How RevShare Works

Typical RevShare Rates

Real Example

The Math: CPA vs RevShare Over Time

Assumptions:

CPA Model

RevShare Model

Visual Comparison: When RevShare Overtakes CPA

Pros and Cons of CPA

✅ Pros

❌ Cons

Pros and Cons of RevShare

✅ Pros

❌ Cons

The Negative Carryover Trap (Critical for RevShare)

What is Negative Carryover?

Example of How It Destroys Your Business:

Hybrid Model: Best of Both Worlds?

How It Works:

The Math:

When Hybrid Makes Sense:

When Hybrid Doesn't Make Sense:

When to Choose CPA

✅ You Run Paid Traffic (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.)

✅ You're Testing Traffic Sources

✅ You Need Cash Flow NOW

✅ You're in a High-Churn Niche

✅ You're Promoting Multiple Casinos

When to Choose RevShare

✅ You're Building for Long-Term Passive Income

✅ You Have Organic Traffic (SEO, YouTube, Social)

✅ You Can Wait 6-12 Months for Big Payoff

✅ You Promote High-Quality, Low House Edge Casinos

✅ You're Confident in Player Quality

The Strategy Top Affiliates Use

Strategy 1: CPA for Testing, RevShare for Scale

Strategy 2: Hybrid for Paid Traffic, Pure RevShare for Organic

Strategy 3: Negotiate Custom Deals

Strategy 4: Diversify Across Programs

Real Affiliate Case Studies

Case Study 1: Sarah (SEO Affiliate)

Case Study 2: Mike (Paid Traffic Affiliate)

Case Study 3: James (YouTube Affiliate)

Decision Framework: Which Model for You?

Question 1: What's your traffic source?

Question 2: Can you wait 6+ months for income to compound?

Question 3: What's your player quality?

Question 4: What's your goal?

Question 5: How patient are you?

The Program Selection Factor

Common Mistakes Choosing Commission Models

❌ Mistake #1: Choosing CPA Because You're Impatient

❌ Mistake #2: Choosing RevShare Without Checking for Negative Carryover

❌ Mistake #3: Choosing Hybrid and Getting the Worst of Both

❌ Mistake #4: Not Switching Models as You Grow

❌ Mistake #5: Promoting High House Edge Casinos on RevShare

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

Quick Reference: CPA vs RevShare at a Glance