David Arutinyan, 1xSlots: “Transparency is a cornerstone of our program”

David Arutinyan, Head of Affiliates at 1xSlots, spoke with Focus Gaming News about European market opportunities, expansion strategies, and how the company builds long-term partnerships with affiliates.

Exclusive interview.- 1xSlots is seeking ambitious growth across Latin America and Europe while navigating an increasingly competitive regulatory landscape. In this exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, David Arutinyan, head of affiliates at 1xSlots, shares his insights on different markets, sustainable expansion, and the innovative partnership models driving the company’s success.

From your experience, what European markets are still worth entering in 2025 — and which are already oversaturated or too restricted? 

Europe remains one of the most attractive markets due to the higher lifetime value of customers and the fact that an increasing number of brands are actively targeting the EU. However, operating across the region comes with significant challenges. Regulatory frameworks differ from country to country, and many regulators block casino operators that do not hold a local licence.

For brands operating under national licences, mature markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Finland, and Norway continue to be highly appealing, offering strong player bases and well-established infrastructures. On the other hand, brands leveraging global or regional licences, which provide greater flexibility, may find compelling opportunities in countries like Portugal, Italy, Poland, and Hungary. In these markets, affiliate partnerships and marketing campaigns tend to be more accessible and cost-efficient compared to Northwestern Europe, making them attractive alternatives for expansion.

“Europe remains one of the most attractive markets due to the higher lifetime value of customers and the fact that an increasing number of brands are actively targeting the EU.”

David Arutinyan, head of affiliates at 1xSlots.

What have you learned about the market in that time?

Since our last meeting in July, I wouldn’t say that there have been any major changes. Our strongest markets remain in LatAm, particularly Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia, where we encounter the highest level of competition. At the same time, we are actively looking toward opportunities in both the African and European markets.

One of the key lessons we’ve reinforced is the importance of building a sustainable and stable marketing strategy. Rather than entering new markets with aggressive spending or attempting to create instant impact through high initial investments, we prioritise long-term growth. Our approach is based on a 6–12 month strategy, which allows us to ensure consistency, maintain stability, and achieve stronger results over time without unnecessary financial pressure at the early stages.

Where are you looking to expand now?

LatAm remains our primary focus, and we plan to open new destinations across the region, while also strengthening our presence in CIS countries. In addition, as we highlighted earlier, our performance in Hungary has been very strong, which makes it a natural direction for further expansion. Southern European markets are also of strategic interest, given their growing potential and accessibility. By the end of the year, we anticipate launching new offers and entering additional countries, broadening our footprint and diversifying our market portfolio.

How do you approach payment models across regions? Do you see more success with CPA, RevShare, or hybrid deals, depending on the geo?

Payment models in our industry are influenced primarily by the traffic source rather than the country itself. Each source tends to align with a specific monetisation approach. For instance, SEO partners have traditionally worked with us on pure RevShare models, given the long-term value and sustainability of organic traffic. On the other hand, META (Facebook) advertisers typically prefer CPA models, which provide faster returns and more predictable cash flow. Google PPC partners often lean toward hybrid deals, balancing the advantages of both CPA and RevShare. Ultimately, the choice of model depends on the nature of the traffic source, its scalability, and the balance between short-term performance and long-term value.

Are you actively looking for affiliates, and what do you look for in partners?

Yes, absolutely. Our managers are consistently seeking out new opportunities and building relationships with partners who bring fresh ideas and innovative traffic generation models. What I value most in partners are creativity and the ability to introduce new sources or unconventional approaches. When someone comes to us with bold, ambitious ideas, it’s not only inspiring but also drives us to explore new directions. This mindset motivates me personally, as I strive to be a market pioneer and to shape the industry together with forward-thinking partners.

How do you keep your top-performing partners loyal? Are there any exclusive benefits or incentives they get?

First and foremost, we offer stability in our partnerships. This is a key factor, as every partner values reliability—timely payments, transparent communication, and precise execution from our affiliate program managers. We ensure a dedicated and personalised approach, especially for our top partners, who enjoy exclusive advantages such as early access to new GEO offers, more favourable deal terms, and higher traffic caps.

Beyond that, we emphasise building real synergy. We regularly meet with our partners in person, explore innovative traffic generation models, and proactively share new ideas from our side. This creates a collaborative environment where both sides grow together, fostering not just transactional relationships but long-term strategic partnerships.

What benefits do you offer for affiliates?

We ensure transparent and reliable cooperation with all our partners, supported by clear tracking and accessible reporting tools. Weekly payments are guaranteed for every partner, while our top-tier affiliates benefit from exclusive offers, higher deal values, and premium conditions:

• Revenue Share — up to 45 per cent RS NNCO.
• CPA Deals — up to $500 depending on GEO; in top markets such as Argentina, min.baseline CPA ranges from $25–80, depending on the traffic source.
• Hybrid Deals — customised to combine the strengths of CPA and RevShare.
• High Fixed Payments — available for selected partners and traffic models.
• Weekly payments
• Transparent Statistics

Transparency is a cornerstone of our program. All partners have full access to detailed statistics, allowing them to track performance with precision by click ID or player ID. This ensures accountability, accurate optimisation, and confidence in long-term cooperation.