Three years is a long time in this industry. And if you're wondering which payout model makes more sense over that stretch — RevShare wins. Almost every time. But it takes patience, and not every affiliate can afford to wait. Based on eight years of real partner data, the N1 Partners team breaks down exactly how these models stack up over time and why Hybrid keeps winning as the middle ground. 

CPA vs RevShare Over 36 Months

Let's run the numbers. Say you bring in 100 players month one. With CPA, that's €150 a pop — €15,000 straight up. With RevShare at 35%, you're getting a cut of the NGR, but that number shrinks over time as players drop off.

RevShare overtakes CPA at around months 8–14. By the end of three years, RevShare generates four times more income. However, this assumes that players remain active.

Important: in practice, player activity drops sharply after the third month, and by month 12 only the core group of loyal players remains. Any earnings model should account for declining retention.

N1 Partners works with CPA, RevShare, Hybrid, and spend models. Top affiliates can access CPA commissions of up to €700, RevShare of up to 55%, and exclusive individual offers tailored to their traffic and strategy.

Factors That Influence Model Selection

Traffic source is the main factor. PPC and paid media require a fast payback, so CPA performs better here. SEO, organic traffic, and streamers bring players with higher LTV who stay longer, making RevShare the stronger option.

Negative Carryover is another important factor. If an operator applies it, a single large player win can wipe out an affiliate's income for several months.

If players remain active for less than three months, CPA may be more profitable than RevShare. If they stay longer, RevShare wins.

N1 Partners is a trusted online casino affiliate program and direct advertiser that has offered leading brands and high commissions for more than eight years. N1 Partners has no negative carryover.

Hybrid Model

Hybrid combines a lower CPA (€50–€100) with a lower RevShare rate (15–25%). It offers an ideal balance for affiliates who want both fast cash flow and passive income.

When to choose Hybrid:

• The affiliate is testing a new GEO or traffic source.

• The affiliate is uncertain about player LTV.

• The affiliate needs a fast return on budget but wants to preserve the opportunity to earn passive income.

N1 Partners managers provide affiliates with complete information about products across a portfolio of more than 14 brands, including casinos with high LTV, strong conversion rates, and Reg2Dep. This allows affiliates to choose offers that match their traffic source.

How to Model Earnings

To forecast earnings:

• Start with LTV — what does one player actually bring in over their lifetime? Then look at retention: how many are still around at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

• Multiply LTV by your RevShare percentage. If that number beats your CPA rate, RevShare wins. If not, CPA makes more sense. 

• Here's a quick example. LTV of €500 at 35% RevShare gives you €175 per player. CPA at €150? RevShare wins. But if LTV drops to €300, you're looking at €105 — and CPA takes the lead. 

Example: if LTV is €500 and RevShare is 35%, the income from one player is €175. If CPA is €150, RevShare is more profitable. If LTV is €300, the income is €105, making CPA more profitable.

N1 Partners gives you the data to figure this out — daily analytics, clear reports, and real advice on what's actually working. They help calculate LTV and retention for each traffic source.

N1 Partners works with Tier 1 GEOs. Player LTV is higher in premium GEOs, making RevShare especially attractive.

CPA and RevShare aren't competing — they're just built for different situations. Over three years, RevShare almost always comes out ahead. But only if you've got the patience and the traffic quality to back it up. Hybrid? That's the middle path — quick payouts now, steady income later. 

With years of industry experience, an expert team, and trusted brands, N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to manage traffic effectively. Top affiliates can access individual terms and flexible payment schedules upon request and with manager approval. Choose the model that fits your traffic and build income for the next three years with N1 Partners.