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The Big Game: perfect target for cybercriminals?
In 2022, the BlackByte ransomware group published a 292MB file containing sensitive information from the San Francisco 49ers. Like teams, venues and vendors, bookmakers are also in danger as they handle a large volume of personal data in the run-up to major events, during the events themselves and in the aftermath.
With the Big Game coming up soon in Arizona, Sumsub, an all-in-one verification platform that secures the entire customer journey with customizable KYC, KYB, transaction monitoring and AML solutions, has outlined what to expect and how to avoid threats associated with major events.
Expected traffic increases
Last year’s Big Game registered more than 101 million viewers according to the Nielsen consultancy. American fans avidly continue to bet on major sporting events as more and more states legalize gambling following the removal of a federal ban. By the end of 2022, the online betting industry registered a growth of two billion dollars, driven by sports pools.
Based on its experience with traffic spikes at major sporting events, Sumsub expects to see a traffic increase of more than 83% at sportsbooks around the last game of the football season.
“Though major sporting events attract much-desired traffic to betting platforms, cybercriminals and scammers increase in number as well, so bookmakers need to take extra care. Manual verification is not optimal because, with the increased user traffic, onboarding time grows accordingly, so the best choice would be to find a trusted all-in-one verification provider offering an advanced automated solution for KYC, AML and anti-fraud,” said Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub.
As user traffic increases and verification takes longer, it can be tempting for betting platforms to cut some expenses. This is especially true for bookmakers used to performing manual verification, which can take more than 24 hours under normal circumstances and much longer during big events. Bookmakers know that if verification takes too long, users will go to the competition. As a result, they may be willing to sacrifice verification accuracy for speed.
However, this type of compromise inevitably leads to regulatory sanctions. For example, Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes, was fined £17 million ($20.6 million)—the largest ever fine in the UK—for failing to enforce player security and anti-money laundering measures.
Surge in fraud
Fraud is increasing in the gaming sector. In Q1 2022, fraud increased 50.1% compared to Q1 2021. There was also an 85% increase in fake account registrations compared to Q4 2021. The upcoming Big Game is expected to attract even more fraudsters.
The list of fraud schemes that bookmakers experience is extensive:
- arbitrage betting
- multiple accounts
- identity theft
- account takeover
- money laundering
- affiliate fraud
Cybersecurity threats
“Big sporting events and hacking go hand in hand and the bigger the event, the more threats there are. Attackers can be individual hacker groups looking to make a quick buck or politically oriented groups wanting to steal sensitive information,” added Andrew Sever.
Cyberattacks range from hacking into match broadcasts and security cameras to stealing the personal data of athletes, organizers and spectators. More attention needs to be paid to collecting and storing user data securely, as well as increasing the overall resistance of betting platforms to hackers.
Best ways to avoid threats while enjoying high traffic?
During major sporting events, the challenge for bookmakers is to onboard users without reducing approval rates, all while remaining AML (anti-money laundering) compliant and maintaining security.
The solution is to create an automated verification flow that allows users to easily onboard and go through extra checks only where and when it really matters. Below is a list of checks bookmakers can employ at each stage of the customer journey. There are also some suggestions on how to make this flow even more agile:
Request a minimum number of checks at the time of registration. When a user registers for the first time, platforms may limit verification procedures to collecting names and checking phone numbers or email, and verifying the user’s Social Security Number (SSN). This way, the user becomes familiar with the service and is more motivated to go through the full verification procedure when he really wants to place a bet.
Deploy simplified checks when appropriate. For low-risk users, bookmakers can introduce a simplified check using a single document, as long as it contains identity and address information. This allows users to avoid uploading additional documents to verify their address, thus increasing approval rates.
Add additional checks when users make their first deposit. This could include bank card verification and facial biometric check to ensure that the true cardholder is making a deposit.
Introduce facial recognition to prevent fraud. Doing this at the onboarding stage combats multi-accounting. Adding biometric verification when users log in or recover their account ensures that fraudsters can’t hack it. And it’s often even more important to use it at the stage of withdrawal of funds, which is where more fraud tends to occur.
“Adding these checks to the flow reduces verification time and still ensures security. For example, Kaizen Gaming moved from manual verification to Sumsub’s automated solution, reduced their average onboarding time to 1 minute 39 seconds and increased its overall performance by 350%, all while eliminating fraud,” concluded Sever.
eSports
Esports Charts and GG.BET have presented an interactive map with data on tournaments around the world
Esports Charts, an analytical service that analyzes esports viewership, has partnered up with betting brand GG.BET, to present Esports Map, an interactive map with data on the most popular esports tournaments in 110 different countries. Each tournament also comes with historical moments when favorites and outsiders unexpectedly switched places in the bracket.
The analytical service Esports Charts has added a new interactive tool to its website, the Esports Map. It features the most popular tournaments by country, as well as data on peak viewership, winners, and prize pools. It also contains information on the most popular games in each country. There are also separate analytics dedicated to the United States, with information available for each of the 50 states. Data has been collected for a period spanning from 2017 up to right now, and is continuously updated.
GG.BET, who partnered with the project, supplemented the tournament information with interesting facts about participating teams. The insights include historical breakthroughs by underdogs and unexpected losses by tournament favorites. The information is provided using past outright betting data.
Esports Map allows users to track the esports industry’s development in various parts of the world. For instance, although League of Legends remains the most popular game and the League of Legends World Championship has kept its spot as the top esports tournament for many years, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is visibly closing the gap between the two games. Worlds 2024 in London had 6,856,769 peak viewers, breaking the world record among all esports games since 2017. However, MPL Indonesia’s Season 15 of MLBB has kept its place in the top spot for 2025, with 4,132,224 peak viewers. Today, MLBB remains the only mobile game capable of attracting such a massive audience, and its fan base is growing, especially in Southeast Asia. Analysts are looking forward to Worlds 2025 in China, which will allow them to update the available data and compare how different games are developing.
“Esports Map is a new project from Esports Charts, which we’ve launched alongside GG.BET as our first partner. We aimed to create a tool that would be interesting and useful to both fans and industry professionals. At its core lies Esports Charts’ analytics, supplemented by betting insights from GG.BET—covering everything from peak viewership and prize pools to discipline trends and stories of unexpected victories.. When combined, this data turns into a live snapshot of esports that can be tracked by country and region,” said Esports Charts’ press office.
“GG.BET regularly supports projects that help people understand esports at a greater depth. Esports Map provides an easy-to-understand visual representation of the industry’s progress in individual countries around the world and displays the breakdown of games by region. It will be of interest to fans and will prove useful to professionals who are developing the industry,” added GG.BET’s press office.
Esports Charts and GG.BET have previously worked together on an analytical project dedicated to the BLAST Premier 2024 season. That project displayed data on views, unique statistics about both the game and bets placed, an analytical breakdown of the season, and exclusive infographics on teams and players.
Eventioz.cl is thrilled to announce the launch of its new comprehensive online casino resource in Chile. With an experienced team dedicated to utilizing thorough, transparent analysis and reviews, Eventioz.cl’s goal is to provide useful resources for Chilean players, whether they are just starting out or already experienced in casinos online chile.
“We warmly welcome you to the site that brings together the most renowned and safe casino experts in Chile,” said a spokesperson for Eventioz.cl. “Every veteran of the booking world knows the wide variety of online casinos in Chile. In our opinion, an online casino must meet several key features so that we can consider it a great online casino in Chile: our goal is to help you find sites that have them.”
Online casinos in Chile are experiencing rapid growth in popularity, offering players a diverse range of games, enticing promotions, and secure payment options. With so many platforms available, players need clear and trustworthy information that explains which casinos are reliable, which games are worth trying, and how to play responsibly.
Eventioz.cl helps players to find the best online casinos in Chile by focusing on safe and reliable platforms that offer the most popular games, including roulette, slots, blackjack, poker, bingo, and live dealer experiences. The new resource also features platforms that enable players to deposit and withdraw safely using local and digital options, such as Cuenta RUT, Mach, WebPay, RedCompra, bancoestado, and cryptocurrency.
From highlighting how to confidently choose a safe and reliable online casino in Chile by encouraging players to search for key signs of trustworthiness, including licensing, payment security, and reputation, to the best bonuses and promotions for Chilean players, such as welcome offers, free spins, loyalty programs, and other special deals, Eventioz.cl aims to showcase the casinos with the top user-experience.
Along with reviews, best online casino lists, and helpful guides, Eventioz.cl offers easy navigation to community forums, shared player experiences, and practical tips for managing play and finding support if needed, all with mobile compatibility and Spanish-language support.
With more Chileans choosing online casinos over land-based ones due to convenience, accessibility, and the gamification of online casinos with more achievements, tournaments, and interactive features that feel like video games, Eventioz.cl takes into account diverse player preferences, cultural habits, and new trends shaping the online gambling scene to offer an all-inclusive location to online casinos in Chile.
Eventioz.cl invites players seeking the best casino online chile to browse its new resource today to find the ideal platform to suit their unique needs, preferences and budget.
What does it really take to pick the right iGaming offer for promotion? With so many variables to consider, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially for affiliates just starting out.
To help clarify things, N1 Partners and the RichAds ad network joined forces to share practical advice on choosing profitable offers and avoiding common pitfalls.
The conversation took place during the N1 Puzzle Promo — a competition where affiliates, both seasoned and new, experiment with different traffic sources, tools, brands, and GEOs to achieve one main goal: maximize profits from their traffic. And selecting the right offer is the first step toward success.
Meet the Experts
Before diving into the tips, here are the people sharing their insights:
Daria Maichuk Affiliate Manager at N1 Partners |
 Veronika Ponomareva Head of Customer Service at RichAds |
What is RichAds?
RichAds is an ad network offering a wide range of traffic sources, including:
- Telegram ads
- Push notifications
- Popunders
- Domain redirects
- Native ads
- Display traffic
Prices start at just $0.005 CPC for push ads and $0.5 CPM for popunders, with access to traffic across 200+ GEOs from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
How to Choose an iGaming Offer: Expert Advice
We asked Daria and Veronika the most important questions affiliates have when evaluating iGaming offers.
1. What parameters of an iGaming offer should be analyzed first before launching?
Daria Maichuk
“Start with the GEO: is gambling legal, how competitive is the market, and how solvent is the audience? Then check the payment model (CPA, RevShare, Hybrid) and the funnel: registration flow, minimum deposit, and site usability. The product matters too — top providers, live casino, sports, esports, localization, and bonuses. Finally, look at retention: how long players stay active and what campaigns keep them engaged.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“First of all, it’s the payout conditions, brand and its reputation on the market, as well as the funnel flow and the content of pre-landing/landing pages to pay attention to. Many things can affect a campaign’s result such as verification before the first deposit, the lack of locally popular payment methods support and the first deposit amount.”
2. How can a beginner determine the potential of an offer? Which metrics should they focus on to avoid wasting budget?
Daria Maichuk
“Key metrics are Conversion Rate (CR), Earnings Per Click (EPC), and Click-Through Rate (CTR). A low CTR usually means the offer doesn’t match the audience or creatives. Test multiple landers — welcome pages and reg forms typically perform best. Also consider First Time Deposits (FTD) and retention, as they reflect the long-term potential of an offer.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Cost per registration, cost per conversion and ROI — are basic yet the most crucial things to look at. Potential means the long-lasting profit, so pay attention to the LTV (Lifetime Value). An offer could have a moderate EPC, but if the player retention is high and brings many secondary deposits, then the LTV would be extremely high accordingly. Ask your manager about the LTV of the offer in the required geo.”
3. How does a brand’s license affect the choice of GEO and traffic?
Daria Maichuk
“White licenses allow affiliates to work in regulated markets and run campaigns on official ad channels like Google Ads, FB, and TikTok. Grey licenses are also usable, but platforms often restrict or ban them, so affiliates need strong moderation skills.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“The licensing topic is highly important due to the fact that it determines the legality of traffic and what sources are acessible. Strict licenses (MGA, UKGC) approve only the cleanest traffic (mostly PPC and SEO). The traffic is very expensive, but provides quality leads. Curacao license gives more freedom as you can work with push-traffic, teasers and popunders. High risks come with no license at all as well as the accessible traffic sources are very limited.”
4. Which three GEOs currently deliver the highest ROI in iGaming, and why?
Daria Maichuk
“Germany: high purchasing power, stable LTV and retention, large deposits, strong conversion.
Canada: fast-growing, high trust in licensed brands, boosting CR and retention.
Australia: players spend more, stay active longer, and convert well into deposits.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Depends on the traffic source we’re looking at, for example, if it’s either push or pop, then Bangladesh, Brazil and South Africa are currently on top.”
5. How can you understand whether an offer fits your main traffic source (FB, PPC, push, etc.) before testing?
Daria Maichuk
“Beginners often test blindly, but it’s possible to know in advance. FB and Google are the most widespread sources. Google traffic is highly engaged because players search for the product themselves. Facebook is harder for retention, but we work actively to improve it, especially for this audience, where push campaigns are essential. Push/Pop works for most offers, though CR is lower. If an offer has working apps (ASO), it can also be promoted through stores.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Facebook and Google Ads are following strict guidelines on accessible content regarding iGaming offers, so it’s a common headache for marketers to test offers there and co-exist with moderation rules. Push and pop traffic doesn’t apply so many demands to the advertising content, so they’re way more preferrable for promotion means. So are Telegram Mini Apps, by the way, since they feature more tolerant moderation by advertising networks and fresh relevant audience.”
6. Top 3 traffic sources for iGaming in 2025?
Daria Maichuk
“Google: high-intent users, precise targeting.
Facebook: huge reach, flexible creative testing.
SEO: long-term stability, independent of traffic costs, especially effective for RevShare.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Telegram Mini Apps: fresh audience, broad opportunities for advertising formats and extremely relevant users who come from casual games and tap-to-earn clickers.
Push-notifications: proven traffic source with high CTR and pre-made user bases that provide easier outreach to converting players.
Popunders: high CR and cost-effective means for promotion, since quality landing pages are usually enough to convert impulsive gamblers.”
7. Do your affiliates drive traffic through Telegram and what are the specifics? What do you think about mini-app traffic?
Daria Maichuk
“Yes, we’ve seen such cases, but most affiliates still prefer other sources. Data is still limited, but we’re closely monitoring Telegram and mini-app traffic and see strong potential here.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“For us it’s a channel that we actively explore, since introducing Telegram Mini App ads showed us how much of a potential they hold straight away. First of all, TMAs themselves offer a global coverage and outreach to a variety of potential leads for the iGaming products, coming from all over games and applications. In fact, since the moderation policies there are independent from the official Telegram Ads platform, that gives additional interest to this traffic.”
8. How many FTDs are needed to objectively evaluate an iGaming offer?
Daria Maichuk
“PPC: 20–30 FTD.
Facebook (slots): 20–30 FTD.
Facebook (crash games): at least 100 FTD.
In-app: around 100 FTD.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“At least 30 FtD, but to evaluate the offer properly it’s best to look into the player activity in the long run, the average amount of the deposits and other in-depth metrics.”
9. Which KPIs do you recommend for testing: ROI, FTD, deposit, or retention?
Daria Maichuk
“We often use soft KPIs. On average, we expect the avg dep count to be >=2. Sometimes we also track the ratio of total deposits to partner payout.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“It’s a complex matter as hitting the KPIs is usually the result of a combination of factors getting along.”
10. What should affiliates do if an offer “drops” after two weeks — switch or optimize?
Daria Maichuk
“If results were good initially, optimize creatives and targeting. If not, check whether the creatives included slots actually available in the product. Our managers always provide updated slot and targeting recommendations.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Optimize the campaign, examine the metrics, check the creatives, change landing pages – try to find the correlation to this in the traffic performance.”
11. Which statistical indicators show that an offer can be scaled?
Daria Maichuk
“The main sign is stable positive ROI over several days or weeks. Also look at the funnel (click → registration → deposit) and player retention.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“Simply, a more or less stable ROI is the main indicator here.”
12. How to scale an offer within one source without lowering CR?
Daria Maichuk
“Increase budgets gradually — 10–20% every 1–2 days. Scale your best-performing bundles first. Always refresh creatives: without new content, audiences burn out and CR declines.”
Veronika Ponomareva
“The same level scaling is the key. If by creatives, then create new combinations of creatives and landing pages. If by the audience — gradually add more newcomer oriented targetings, instead of increasing the bids on the current ones. Just test everything by degrees.”
Conclusion
The N1 Puzzle Promo highlighted not only the competitive spirit among affiliates but also the importance of knowing how to pick the right iGaming offers. From choosing GEOs and traffic sources to tracking KPIs and scaling campaigns, the advice from N1 Partners and RichAds gives affiliates a clear roadmap to better results.
RichAds continues to support the iGaming community with its self-serve platform, offering access to 220+ GEOs and multiple traffic types from push and popunders to Telegram Mini Apps and native ads.
Launch smarter campaigns, work with the right offers, and grow your iGaming profits!
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