Affiliate Boom 2026: Affilka Reports Massive Surge in Deposits

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking period for the gambling affiliate industry. Affilka, the specialized platform by Softswiss, has released its first-half report, showcasing impressive figures. Since its launch in 2018, the system has evolved steadily, but the momentum in the first six months of this year has exceeded many expectations. With a focus on technical excellence and infrastructure scalability, the company has solidified its position as a market leader.

Of particular interest is the shift toward higher quality traffic. While the raw number of new registrations remains stable, transaction counts from existing customers are exploding. This indicates that the marketing strategies of connected partners are becoming increasingly precise. It is no longer just about attracting any user to a site, but about acquiring players with genuine interest and long-term value. The platform processed over 2.17 billion unique visits during the reporting period, representing an increase of nearly 50 percent compared to the same period last year.

Numbers and facts

The raw data from the H1 2026 report provides deep insights. A total of 81,053 new affiliate accounts were registered on the platform, an increase of 12.29 percent. This brings the total network to an impressive 621,869 partner accounts. These partners currently serve more than 480 active brands, compared to 400 in the first half of 2025. A clear signal of success is the growth in processed affiliate payments, which rose by 16.89 percent. This shows that partners are not only delivering more traffic but that this traffic is becoming more profitable.

A closer look at player behavior reveals exciting details. While the number of First-Time Deposits (FTDs) grew by a moderate 13 percent to 3.92 million, total deposits skyrocketed by 38.65 percent. In concrete terms, this means 81.8 million individual transactions in just six months. Maksim Bodnar, Senior Marketing Manager at Affilka, sees this as a confirmation of their strategy.

"The staggering performance of overall deposit frequencies compared to FTD growth vividly demonstrates that the players acquired through Affilka possess strong retention rates and highly elevated lifetime value." - Maksim Bodnar, Senior Marketing Manager at Affilka

Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) also saw significant jumps. In the casino sector, GGR increased by 22.07 percent, while the sportsbook vertical delivered a phenomenal 42.32 percent expansion.

Background

Affilka was launched in 2018 and has since established itself as the technical interface between online casino operators and their marketing partners. The software allows for the management of complex commission models and the real-time measurement of marketing campaign success. In the current year 2026, the technical focus was primarily on improving postback accuracy and introducing flexible analytical tools like the "Formula Constructor." These tools allow operators to control their spending even more precisely and optimize the profitability of their marketing efforts down to the smallest detail. For the second half of the year, the company plans to expand further into markets such as Latin America and Asia, while also gaining a foothold in emerging European regions.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these global figures are primarily an indicator of the growing professionalization of the industry. When affiliate networks like Affilka grow, it means that players will encounter an increasing number of advertising offers. In Germany, the market has been strictly regulated since the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Players should ensure that the platforms being advertised are on the official whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Only there are strict protection measures guaranteed. These include the cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the connection to the central LUGAS blocking system.

The high growth in deposit frequencies described in the Affilka report would likely be somewhat dampened in the German market by the 1,000-euro limit and the 1-euro stake limit per spin for slots. Nevertheless, the report shows that interest in online gambling remains unbroken. For users in Germany, it is essential not to be blinded by aggressive affiliate campaigns that might promote casinos without a German license (often with MGA or Curacao backgrounds). These portals often offer no legally secure player protection and are illegal under German law.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, the report highlights how important precise analytical tools have become. To compete in the German market, operators must strictly control their marketing costs. Tools that can prove high player retention are invaluable. In an environment with high tax burdens and strict stake limits, the efficiency of affiliate marketing often determines whether a provider makes a profit or a loss. As Affilka is now also a certified Google Click Tracker, German licensees could benefit from improved data to make their legal offers more visible and hold their ground against the black market.