RevShare vs CPA in gambling: which pays more
"RevShare or CPA?" is the first question everyone asks when entering gambling. The right answer depends on your traffic, cash flow and planning horizon. Let's break down both models using real terms from programs in the catalog.
How RevShare is calculated
RevShare is your percentage of NGR (net gaming revenue): player losses minus wins, bonuses and payment fees. Every program has its own formula, and that's where the nuances hide:
- Admin fee — some programs deduct an "administrative fee" before calculating your share. At King Billy Affiliates it's 35% — a nominal 50% RevShare effectively becomes ~32.5% of gross revenue.
- Negative carryover — at bet365 and 888 Affiliates a negative month rolls forward until you cover it. Most direct CIS/Asia programs (PIN-UP, GGBet, Mostbet) have no carryover — every month starts from zero.
RevShare upside: income compounds — players referred a year ago keep paying. Downside: the first months are thin, and when a player wins, you're in the red.
How CPA is calculated
CPA is a one-time payment per player who meets the baseline (usually a minimum deposit plus basic activity). Catalog rates: PIN-UP Partners — $25–200 depending on GEO, N1 Partners — €150–650 for Tier-1, V.Partners — up to €350.
CPA upside: money now, easy unit economics for paid traffic. Downsides: strict quality KPIs (junk traffic gets cut or unpaid), and you hand the player's entire long-term value to the operator.
Simple math
Take a player who loses $40/month on average for 6 months (a typical Tier-3 LTV profile):
| Model | Calculation | 6-month income |
|---|---|---|
| CPA $60 | one-time | $60 |
| RevShare 40% | 6 × $40 × 0.40 | $96 |
| Hybrid ($30 + 20%) | $30 + 6 × $40 × 0.20 | $78 |
RevShare wins over time — but only if players stick around and you can afford to wait. Buying traffic with a weekly budget cycle? CPA or Hybrid.
What to pick when
- SEO, YouTube, Telegram channels (free traffic, long-living players) → RevShare. Prefer programs with no negative carryover and no admin fee.
- Paid traffic (Facebook, push, ASO) → CPA: fast payback, predictable math.
- Mixed or proven traffic → Hybrid, offered by 1win Partners, PIN-UP, N1 Partners and others — usually after a test period.
Bottom line
There is no "best" model — only the model that matches your cash flow. Rule of thumb: start with RevShare if your traffic is free, CPA if it's paid. Compare terms across all 30 programs in the catalog.