E-commerce vs iGaming
Physical goods and gambling — different worlds inside the same affiliate industry. Where they pay, where they grow, where work gets duller.
E-commerce and iGaming — both verticals attract traffic buyers, but the earning logic differs. In e-commerce the margin is on the sold product; in iGaming it is on lost deposits. That changes everything: creatives, sources, KPIs, team culture.
| Parameter | E-commerce | iGaming |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Goods: clothing, gadgets, cosmetics, dropshipping, marketplaces | Casinos, sportsbooks, sports betting, lotteries |
| Payout model | CPA per sale $5–50, RevShare 5–15% per order | FTD $30–150, RevShare 25–45%, CPA $80–300 |
| Regulation | Light: GDPR, consumer protection | Strict: MGA, Curacao, UKGC licences; banned in Russia |
| Traffic sources | Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Google Shopping, Pinterest, YouTube | SEO, push, ASO, native, partly PPC via whitelist |
| Creatives | Product videos, reviews, demonstrations, UGC | Bonus landing pages, casino reviews, win promises |
| Seasonality | Black Friday, New Year, Mother's Day; demand year-round | Championships, New Year; summer dip |
| Active jobs | 4 (remote 1) | 134 (remote 64) |
| Average salary in catalogue | — | $2 252 |
| Who it suits | You love product marketing, creatives, video, white market | Ready for high stakes, grey market, long game with RevShare |
Business models
E-commerce — white niche, low commission per sale, but big volume. The team has product marketers, creatives, videographers. The key: find a product that takes off and scale it.
iGaming — grey niche, high payouts per client, long game with RevShare. Teams are large: buyers, analysts, SEO specialists, ASO, product. The key: attract a player who will keep losing for years.
Salaries by role
In E-commerce a junior media buyer gets $1,500–2,500, middle — $3,000–5,000, senior — $6,000–10,000 plus a ROAS bonus. In iGaming the range is wider: junior starts at $2,000, a senior buyer at a major brand reaches $12,000–20,000 with a profit share.
E-commerce teams are usually smaller — 5–15 people per project. iGaming can be 100+ employees: buyers, AMs, retention, analysts, product, HR.
Where remote is more real
E-commerce teams are spread worldwide. Big dropshipping agencies are often 2–3 people from any country. iGaming requires office more often: large brands hire to Cyprus, Malta, Georgia, the UAE — with relocation. Even so, half of the jobs are fully remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is demand more stable — E-commerce or iGaming?
E-commerce is more stable across seasons — goods are bought year-round. iGaming depends on sports events and regulation. But iGaming pays more for a single player than E-commerce does for a buyer.
What traffic sources fit E-commerce and iGaming?
E-commerce: Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Google Shopping, Pinterest, YouTube. iGaming: SEO, push notifications, ASO, native, niche communities, partly PPC via whitelist.
Who pays more for a specialist?
iGaming pays more on average — large brand budgets are higher, margin per player is higher. E-commerce wins on volume and order count.
What skills are needed?
E-commerce: creatives, video for short formats, product-funnel analytics, Shopify/WooCommerce literacy, retargeting. iGaming: FTD/NGR understanding, Facebook anti-ban, SEO for casino queries.