Emre Goktas Shares Expert Insights at Budapest’s AWC 2024 Panel

Key Insights from Emre Goktas at AWC Europe

At the heart of Europe’s Affiliate World Conference 2024 (AWC) in Hungary, industry leaders gathered to unlock the secrets behind the billion-dollar affiliate marketing opportunities in iGaming. The event, held from the 5th to the 6th of September, brought together top affiliate marketers and e-commerce professionals to exchange strategies, discuss future technologies and trends, and share actionable tips.

Among the standout voices at the event was Emre Goktas, founder and CEO of Revpanda Group. In their discussion, “iGaming Gold Rush: Tapping into the Billion-Dollar Affiliate Opportunity,” Emre offered his insights into the rapidly growing affiliate market, discussing regulation, SEO traffic, and the power of choosing niche markets. Here are the key points from Emre, and how affiliates can leverage his strategies to succeed in today’s dynamic iGaming world.

Overregulation in Europe: Navigating the Challenge

Emre addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing iGaming operators and affiliates in Europe: overregulation. While regulation is essential to ensure fairness and transparency, Emre argued that the increasingly stringent laws in Europe are driving many players to offshore platforms with more favourable conditions. He emphasised that while larger affiliates have the resources and compliance teams to adapt, smaller affiliates often face greater hurdles.

To overcome these challenges, Emre suggested that smaller affiliates should work closely with trusted partners, such as Revpanda Group, who can guide them through the regulatory landscape and help them stay compliant while avoiding illegal practices.

SEO: The Secret Weapon for Affiliates

One of Emre’s core messages was the unparalleled power of SEO traffic in driving success for iGaming brands. He pointed out that while platforms like X and Facebook come with heavy restrictions and limitations, SEO marketing offers freedom and flexibility.

“Unlike paid advertising, no one can dictate how you create or run your SEO campaigns,” Emre said. He stressed that organic search traffic remains the most effective way to attract players to iGaming businesses at a fraction of the cost of paid campaigns. This makes iGaming SEO marketing a game-changer, especially for newer affiliates looking to make their mark without the high price tag associated with paid traffic.

Focus on Emerging Markets and Niche Products

To stay ahead in the competitive iGaming space, Emre advised affiliates to target emerging markets and niche products. He cited the early rise of crypto casinos in 2015-2016 as an example, explaining how marketers missed out on valuable opportunities because few were creating content for this emerging market.

His recommendation? Choose a specific niche—whether it’s crypto casinos, sportsbooks, or online casinos—and become an expert in that area. By producing content for a specific product or emerging market, affiliates can position themselves as pioneers and reap the rewards of being first to market.

Human-Generated Content vs. AI Content: A Clear Preference

Emre didn’t shy away from his stance on AI-generated content. Drawing from his personal experience at Revpanda Group, he highlighted the limitations of AI in creating high-quality, engaging content that ranks well on Google.

“I haven’t heard of anyone succeeding with AI-generated content alone,” he remarked. Despite AI’s growing role in content creation, Emre remains a strong advocate for human-generated content, emphasising that Google still prioritises quality, originality, and expertise. While AI may offer efficiency, Emre stressed that it’s not a shortcut to success, especially in such a competitive space.

Lessons from the Panel: Insights Beyond SEO

The conversation wasn’t limited to SEO and content strategies. Other panelists, such as Eman Pulis (founder of SiGMA World), delved into the changing landscape of global regulation. Mr. Pulis noted that governments in emerging markets are starting to recognise the importance of regulating the gaming industry, citing the recent creation of a gaming regulatory board in the United Arab Emirates. He talked about partnerships between affiliates and game providers as a new source of revenue for affiliate markets, further highlighting the evolving opportunities for those in iGaming.

Meanwhile, Alexander Skrbo, Co-Founder of Maxrev.ai, and Todor Minev, CEO of TokaCity, shared their views on building partnerships and leveraging new monetisation models to maximise affiliate success in the iGaming industry. Their insights complemented Emre’s, painting a full picture of where the industry is heading and how affiliates can prepare.

Key Takeaways from Emre’s Speech at AWC Europe

The 2024 Affiliate World Conferences in Budapest were a great opportunity for affiliates, industry leaders, and online digital marketers to share their expertise on the multi-billion dollar iGaming industry. From harnessing the power of SEO to venturing into emerging markets and avoiding the pitfalls of AI content, Emre Goktas delivered a roadmap for affiliate marketers to follow.

Here are the key takeaways from Emre’s speech:

• Leverage SEO traffic as the most effective and cost-efficient way to drive organic traffic.
• Avoid AI-generated content, focussing instead on high-quality, human-written content that meets Google’s standards.
• Target niche products and emerging markets, where competition is lower but the growth potential is high.
• Collaborate with trusted partners to navigate regulatory challenges and build sustainable affiliate businesses.
• Recognise the shift as restrictive governments are increasingly becoming aware of the need for regulation, opening new opportunities in previously inaccessible markets.

Do you want to take your iGaming brand to the next level? All you need to do is work with an award-winning iGaming marketing agency like Revpanda Group. Our seasoned SEO and content marketing experts are readily available to improve your marketing efforts and advise on the most effective strategies to convert visitors into regular customers.