We sit down with an online casino expert to uncover what drives player engagement, which games perform best, and the strategies affiliates use to maximize commissions in New Jersey.
iGaming is a serious business in New Jersey. Gambling as a whole is a key revenue stream for the state. It reached an all-time annual high in 2025, with turnover reported at $6.98 billion. While all sectors are doing well, iGaming is the proverbial rocket fuel. Internet gaming revenue in 2025 was $2.91 billion, up nearly 20% from the previous year. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to hear that gambling affiliates and review companies are focusing much of their attention on the Garden State.
We wanted to know what drives player engagement and which kind of games are most popular. How do affiliate companies make sure that they maximize payments in a noisy and competitive market? Therefore, we invited Casino.org’s Ian Zerefa to speak with us about their strategies and modus operandi. We wanted to get some inside information!
Vegas Hero
Thanks for taking the time to come and talk to us, Ian. Before we dive into the specifics, can you let us know a little bit more about yourself and the affiliate site you work for?
Ian Zerefa
It’s a pleasure. I am going to try not to give away too many trade secrets, but Casino.org is a proudly independent review site. We have been in the business for decades with the simple mission of helping players find safe, fun online casinos. Since 1995, the company has been helping players find their perfect casino. We offer expert reviews, smart tools, and trusted guides to help people play with confidence.
I am a content manager at Casino.org, and I have spent much of my career working on some of the industry’s top sites. I have spent four years in casino and sports, covering hundreds of products in different markets, including the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand. I am the platform’s go-to authority for English-language casinos worldwide, and I always aim to bring top-quality products to players. I currently lead our US team, so everything to do with New Jersey is very much on my radar – I aim to ensure players have all the information they need when deciding which top online casinos in New Jersey to choose from.. Because New Jersey is such a dynamic and busy market, it can sometimes be hard for players to cut through the noise and find what is best for them.
Ian Zerefa
Players want great games and platforms; it is as simple as that. iGaming is a great form of entertainment, and people want to be entertained. People do not want to feel that they are being pressured to spend more than they want. We look for online casinos that have great game libraries, fair terms and conditions, and offer genuine, achievable promotions and bonuses for players. Great online casinos want to build long-term relationships with their customers.
At Casino.org, we focus on helping players find the best sites. I said before that we are independent, which means we can provide players with honest feedback. We maximize our commissions by focusing on the player experience rather than the money. We do not accept payments from operators to rank their platform ahead of others. They are judged on merit alone, and we are not afraid to call out operators that underperform.
Our ratings framework is rigorous, transparent, and built on an unmatched 25-step review process. Every casino we recommend is tested by industry experts with decades of firsthand experience, giving us unrivaled insight into everything from bonus fairness and payout speed to player safety and customer support.
We use our insider knowledge and impartiality to create reviews that are thorough and trustworthy. We have built up a huge user base that follows our opinions. We earn our commissions from click-throughs, but we would never tell a player to visit a site we did not believe in.
Vegas Hero
Which games are the best for affiliate marketers to promote?
Ian Zerefa
Without wanting to sound like a stuck record, the best games for an affiliate to promote are the best games on the most highly rated platforms. Some affiliates (not us) will try to guide players to sites and games that return higher commissions. We think this is very short-sighted because players see through fakery. We review all games and formats, including slots, classic casino table games, video poker, and live dealer games.
The predictions market has also grown significantly across the country recently, so we have pages dedicated to reviewing those platforms as well. While it is not strictly gambling from a legal standpoint, it shares many similarities, so we bring our expertise to this vertical as well.
It is the same with bonuses. We do offer exclusive bonuses on our site, but we only promote them if we genuinely believe they offer good value for players. A great bonus is achievable and comes with no arduous wagering conditions.
The affiliate business is about building long-term relationships. We guide over a million players a week to top-quality content across 100+ countries. However, we never rest on our laurels and are always striving to do better. We have a 4.4 score on Trustpilot, and that helps us cement our reputation.
Vegas Hero
What about responsible gambling? Is it something you consider when making recommendations?
Ian Zerefa
Absolutely, responsible gambling is the beating heart of our business. Our site features a responsible gambling hub, as we believe safety and enjoyment are top priorities. We want everyone to have fun, but we do not want iGaming to have a negative impact on our readers. We have brought together some useful tools, tips, and resources to help readers keep the entertainment entertaining.
We understand that different people are affected in varying ways, but our golden advice is always the same for our readers:
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Never chase losses
- Take regular breaks from gambling
- Be aware that gambling is a business, and the odds are stacked against you winning every time.
- Do not gamble when you are emotional. While gambling can be a great stress reliever, it requires a cool head.
- Don’t play under the influence of alcohol or other substances because you could make bad decisions.
Vegas Hero
Thanks, Ian. It seems Casino.org’s mantra of ‘safe and fun’ is a great route to successful site affiliation.