Performance Without Pressure: Ethical Growth Strategies for High-Conversion Affiliates

Sebastian Jarosch is a German entrepreneur and iGaming affiliate expert, whose years in the industry have given him enough experience to discuss it with a level of expertise.

He is here to discuss the ethical growth of affiliates in the future. But just what are the German entrepreneur’s bona fides?

Jarosch is the founder of Mithrillium Media Ltd. During his iGaming career, he has won a slew of awards, including the following:

  • Casinomeister 2020 Awards Best Casino Group
  • Askgamblers Awards Best Partner 2021
  • EGR Nordics Awards for Best Affiliate Programme 2022
  • Affpapa Awards Affiliate Programme of the Year 2022

Sebastian Jarosch also operates as a judge at three of the most noteworthy and respected iGaming organizations. He works at Sigma, iGB and SBC in the aforementioned position.

Interview Questions

What does “ethical growth” mean to you in the context of affiliate marketing in the iGaming space?

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Ethical growth means scaling a business through unbiased comparisons that truly help players make informed decisions.

It focuses on sustainable traffic and conversions by delivering educational content, clear explanations, and player-first experiences instead of relying on misleading or overly promotional reviews.

Can affiliates truly scale performance while maintaining ethical standards, or is that a trade-off?

A player-first approach built on high ethical standards drives stronger long-term performance.

Platforms like Casino Groups earn trust by putting users first, which leads to higher-quality traffic, better retention, and stronger conversion rates. 

How do you define high-conversion metrics that align with ethical practices rather than short-term wins?

We look beyond player behavior like clicks, registrations and first-time deposits.

KPIs like player retention, repeat deposits, lifetime values, and withdrawals give us an indication of player satisfaction. High-quality conversions are those where players stay active and happy.

What are some common affiliate practices that may boost conversion but ultimately undermine player trust?

Outdated bonuses, missing bonus terms, exaggerated reliability, or scoring operators purely based on commercial agreements are common pitfalls that undermine player trust.

While these tactics may generate short-term clicks, they ultimately harm credibility and long-term performance.

How important is transparent messaging (about bonuses, T&Cs, and operator reputation) in building long-term user engagement?

Being honest and transparent with your visitors is essential for building trust. Clear disclosure of bonus terms, withdrawal conditions, and operator reputation helps players make informed decisions.

When users feel guided rather than pressured, it builds loyalty and encourages them to return.

Do you believe responsible gambling and ethical marketing can actually improve performance outcomes? Why?

Explaining responsible gambling tools and linking to problem gambling prevention organizations builds trust and credibility.

Affiliates have an obligation to use responsible messaging and care for their players’ well-being. Ethical marketing fosters healthier player relationships and supports sustainable, long-term performance.

What role does UX play in balancing commercial goals with clarity and fairness for players?

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A great UX creates clarity and removes friction. It improves the user journey and leads to higher conversion and stronger retention.

Clear layouts, intuitive navigation, and personalization tools help players understand their options without feeling overwhelmed.

How can affiliates work with operators to ensure value-aligned messaging without sacrificing conversion potential?

Communication about expectations and goals is key to ensuring alignment. Continuous dialogue around compliance, performance, and player experience helps both sides optimize results.

Operators benefit from higher-quality traffic, while affiliates maintain trust and credibility with their audience.

How do you measure success when ethics and performance are both priorities, what KPIs matter most?

Great performance often goes hand in hand with high ethical standards. We track core KPIs such as clicks, FTDs, deposits, lifetime value, retention, conversion rates, and net revenue alongside compliance performance.

Fewer player complaints and a higher share of returning visitors are strong indicators that ethical strategies are working.

Looking ahead, how do you see ethical performance strategies shaping the future of affiliate marketing in iGaming?

Ethical performance will become the standard as affiliates realize that satisfied visitors turn into loyal customers.

As regulation tightens and players become more informed, affiliates that prioritize trust, transparency, and long-term value will outperform those relying on questionable tactics. The future belongs to affiliates that grow responsibly.