How to monetize Russian slot players?

[mashed]

We receive a large QTY of new players from Russia, they like our free slots. The current offers aren't converting though, so where should we send these slot players?

 

[Iosya299]

Hi. Try this

https://1win[dot]run/
https://mostbet[dot]partners/
https://champion[dot]partners/
https://welcome[dot]partners/

 

[mashed]

Are you affiliated with any of these? How are their reputation etc?

 

[Iosya299]

Are you affiliated with any of these? How are their reputation etc?

These are some of the pretty good Russian casino brands. Some you might see on SIGMA

And a few more options:
https://pu-partners(dot)com/
https://royal(dot)partners/

 

[mashed]

So, as an update, we talked to most of the brands, and so far, RU/CIS is the hardest market in terms of strange affiliate manager discussions. We usually work on CPA or Hybrid, and before we have barely started talking, they act like we're scammers and send long terms that seem to do all they can to never pay for CPAs unless they meet all sorts of strange KPIs...
Has anyone else experienced these things in CIS markets?
We need someone who has strong brands that convert and where the players are actually happy to end up.

 

[AussieDave]

We usually work on CPA or Hybrid, and before we have barely started talking, they act like we're scammers and send long terms that seem to do all they can to never pay for CPAs unless they meet all sorts of strange KPIs...

Way too many "scammers" have fleeced not only Russian aff programs but many others too. There's been a huge influx of India CPA scammer crews over the last 12 months, who have wrecked havoc, by using incentivized player scams. I think anything CPA that's a new affiliate these days, will raise flags.

 

[Iosya299]

Try working with affiliate networks first, instead of working directly with the brand. That way you'll get a chance to test several offers at once, and in some cases the affiliate network will protect your interests if the advertiser decides to refuse payment.

I can recommend these:
huge(.)partners
trafflab(.)io
3snet(.)co

 

[mashed]

Thanks for the insights,
CPA scammers are a fair concern. In my case, I operate a network of sites with real traffic, but the RU AMs seem to not get this, where it hasn't been an issue for other GEOs.

I will consider some of the aff networks, thanks.

 

[AussieDave]

Try working with affiliate networks first, instead of working directly with the brand.

While I understand your reasoning behind this statement, I'm not a fan of affiliate networks. They don't have a great reputation in the igaming industry. A LOT of affiliates have been burnt by them.

I always recommend dealing with an affiliate program, directly. Yes they can stiff you too. However, if a network goes ass up, your deal is with the network not the program, so you get doubly screwed.

Anyway... just my 2 cents from 23 years in this gig!

 

[mashed]

I agree with you, Dave. I also haven't worked with any aff. Networks so far, but for CIS, it might be needed as a test as something is just very odd for these GEOs.

 

[Iosya299]

While I understand your reasoning behind this statement, I'm not a fan of affiliate networks. They don't have a great reputation in the igaming industry. A LOT of affiliates have been burnt by them.

I always recommend dealing with an affiliate program, directly. Yes they can stiff you too. However, if a network goes ass up, your deal is with the network not the program, so you get doubly screwed.

Anyway... just my 2 cents from 23 years in this gig!

Yeah, you're right, buddy.

Unproven affiliate networks are trouble. And the problems there start from loss of traffic and shave and end up in a complete scam. You have to be very careful in this business. And especially greedy of them can take up to 50% of the commission paid to them by the brand.

But if you are at the beginning of the way and work on CPA, the option with affiliate networks can be good, to gain experience and statistics. And you can also get conditions even better than when working with an affiliate program directly.

I even came across a case when an affiliate network paid out to a webmaster when an affiliate program decided to cheat. But this is rather an exception to the rule.

It is definitely better to work with affiliate programs. But my concern is that single webmasters are still poorly protected, even if a "trusted" affiliate program decides to screw him over.

 

[Rudolph_Advertise]

I agree with you, Dave. I also haven't worked with any aff. Networks so far, but for CIS, it might be needed as a test as something is just very odd for these GEOs.

A lot of publishers work with aff. network in CIS, if you wanna try the market ( and especially if you don't know anyone there) its the best way to start