What it means in practice
Rakeback is a cashback mechanism originating in online poker, where the "rake" is the fee the poker room takes from each pot or tournament buy-in. A rakeback deal returns a percentage of the rake generated by a player back to that player or their referring affiliate. The concept is similar to IB rebates in Forex, where partners earn a portion of the transaction cost generated by referred clients.
In affiliate marketing, rakeback deals function as a form of RevShare (Revenue Share) tied specifically to poker revenue. An affiliate referring poker players may receive a percentage of the rake those players generate, providing ongoing income as long as the players remain active. Some operators extend the rakeback concept beyond poker, using it as a broad term for any player-facing cashback or loyalty rebate across casino and sportsbook products.
Rakeback has implications for how operators calculate GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) and NGR (Net Gaming Revenue). Player-facing rakeback is typically treated as a cost that reduces NGR, which in turn affects affiliates on NGR-based RevShare deals. Operators must carefully structure rakeback offers alongside affiliate commission terms to avoid margin compression -- where the combined cost of player rakeback and affiliate commissions exceeds the revenue generated by the player.
How Rakeback works across industries
See how rakeback is applied in the verticals Track360 supports, from qualification logic and payout structure to the operational context behind each model.
How Track360 handles this
Track360 enables iGaming operators to track player activity across product verticals and configure affiliate commission structures that account for rakeback and other player incentive costs within GGR and NGR calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about rakeback, how it works in affiliate programs, and where it shows up across Track360's supported verticals.
Rakeback is a rebate that returns a percentage of the rake -- the fee charged by the poker room on each hand or tournament -- back to the player or their referring affiliate.
Related Terms
GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)
GGR is the total amount wagered by players minus the total amount paid out as winnings. It represents the raw revenue an iGaming operator earns from player activity before any deductions for bonuses, taxes, or operational costs.
NGR (Net Gaming Revenue)
NGR is the revenue that remains after an operator deducts costs such as bonuses, taxes, and platform fees from GGR. It is a common base for RevShare calculations in iGaming affiliate programs.
RevShare (Revenue Share)
RevShare is a commission model where an affiliate earns an ongoing percentage of the revenue generated by their referred customers, typically calculated on a monthly basis.
Player Tracking
The process of attributing individual player activity -- registrations, deposits, wagering, and revenue -- back to the affiliate who referred them.
Deposit Bonus
A promotional incentive offered by an iGaming operator to new or existing players, typically matching a percentage of their deposit amount as bonus funds with wagering requirements.
Rakeback vs Cashback
Rakeback returns a percentage of the operator's rake or fee to the player. Cashback returns a percentage of net losses. Both affect affiliate RevShare calculations differently.
Continue Learning
Free structured courses that cover this topic and more.
Setting Up an iGaming Affiliate Program
iGaming affiliate program setup. GGR vs. NGR, player tracking, MGA/UKGC/Curacao compliance, and how to scale.
Casino Affiliate Program Management
How to build and manage casino affiliate programs. Covers RevShare, NGR, player attribution, fraud prevention, and multi-brand operations.
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