How to Advertise Betting and Gambling with Push Ads

Newcomers to affiliate marketing often stumble upon blogs, channels, or ads for the latest course and come away thinking that this industry is mostly about promoting sportsbooks and online casinos via Facebook, TikTok, or similar platforms. However, a closer look reveals that this approach requires proxies, anti-detect browsers, multiple accounts, cloaking, and ideally, a team to handle everything — tackling all this solo as a beginner can be overwhelming.

This is where push traffic comes in. Having entered the affiliate marketing roughly five years ago, it quickly secured its place as one of the top sources of high ROI and profits across a variety of offers. Today, running a profitable ad campaign requires optimization and a strategic focus on traffic quality. Despite this, push ads remain one of the simplest advertising sources. But is it really that simple? How high-quality can push traffic be? And how can you maximize profits with push campaigns for Betting and Gambling offers? Let’s break it down with the 888STARZ Partners team!

What are push ads

We encounter push ads almost daily: on social media, messaging apps, and mobile applications. Push notifications are short alerts sent directly to a user’s screen, often leading them straight to an offer. This advertising format is highly relevant: according to Statista, global spending on push ads is projected to reach $2.90 billion by the end of 2024 and grow to $3.51 billion within five years.

“When it comes to push traffic in betting and gambling, only an aggressive approach works. Push is not about branding or aesthetics — it’s about grabbing attention in a second: a bright icon, a clickbait headline, a tough offer like ‘bet today — get paid tomorrow’ — and that’s it, the user clicks. From there, it’s crucial to send them to a pre-landing page with a quick warm-up and no fluff, because in push traffic the lead’s lifespan is extremely short”.

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iGaming ranks in the top 10 verticals for push notifications
Source: Business of Apps

Push notifications are any type of alerts that pop up in a user’s browser or on their smartphone. For example, a message notification from a messenger app is also a push. Users subscribe to these notifications, click on them, register, and even make purchases. While many users might not know how to unsubscribe and simply dismiss the notifications, a creative and engaging push can catch their attention and lead to a click. Let’s take the example of push notification:

On a technical level, this type of advertising works by sending messages to users who have agreed to receive them. Their “agreement” is a key here, as it distinguishes push traffic from annoying spam campaigns.

The audience for push notifications is any user who subscribed to a push newsletter on their own, or installed an app where push notifications are enabled by default. One major advantage is the lack of restrictions regarding GEO, age, gender, or interests, making it a highly flexible format.

“Push traffic hasn’t burned out yet. With the right creatives and proper testing, you can build a strong funnel that converts just as well as social media. Of course, for a clean and effective experience, it’s essential to test different push bases to avoid wasting budget on low-quality traffic”.

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Affiliates primarily deal with Web Push Notifications — alerts sent from various websites. These appear on Android devices and desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). Here’s how it works: a website owner adds a script to collect push subscriptions. Here’s how it looks like:

Once a user subscribes, he starts receiving notifications almost immediately, generated by other webmasters via ad platforms. Some networks take a less aggressive approach, delivering fewer notifications and branding their pushes as “higher quality”. These notifications serve to attract audiences to Betting and Gambling offers, promoting announcements, bonuses, and special deals like welcome offers, no-deposit bonuses, free bets, or free spins. This helps drive website traffic and increases audience engagement.

But would a website owner, who has invested significant effort into the development of his website, allow affiliates to send gambling-related ads to the subscribers? At first glance, this seems unlikely. However, push notification campaigns don’t require website owners to hand over their subscriber lists. Affiliate networks have already collected subscriber databases and provide access to their use.

“When it comes to the push formats we use most often at 888STARZ and how they perform in an affiliate funnel, there are two options: in-page and classic pushes. The choice depends a lot on the offer and the funnel. For instance, if a partner’s app or website is focused on iOS, then only in-page pushes will work. In all other cases, classic pushes remain just as effective and reliable”.

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In general, push ads are considered one of the most affordable advertising formats. They can be used in various approaches, including simple testing campaigns, which requires minimal investment.

Features and benefits of push traffic for iGaming in 2025

Push notifications remain one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to drive traffic, especially while starting. They allow working with broad audiences and test various strategies without significant investments. With well-configured ad campaigns, push traffic can achieve excellent results, particularly in high-revenue niches like Betting and Gambling.

Despite long-standing claims about the decline of push traffic, this source continues to bring dividends for webmasters. By following our recommendations, it’s possible to maintain steady positive financial results, as the volume of traffic only keeps growing. However, success in push affiliate marketing requires constant innovation and fresh approaches to sustain user interest. Some of the recent changes in push ads include the following:

• Popular formats:

Two formats have gained popularity over the past year: in-page push (a type of ad that integrates directly onto a website page), and calendar push (a new notification format that utilizes a user’s calendar to send messages);

• Expansion of GEOs and offers:

Affiliate networks have broadened GEO coverage and added more offers. For instance, 888STARZ Partners now supports gambling traffic across over 100 countries;

“For cold traffic the go-to choice is usually classic pushes (icon, headline, text). For web and mobile where the user is already online, in-page pushes work better. Calendar pushes via subscription are used less frequently. In practice, the funnel looks like this: the push drives to a pre-landing page with a quick offer, and from there the user proceeds to registration and deposit”.

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• Entry and optimization requirements:

Due to the increased entrance barrier, trackers, AI tools, and campaign optimizations (you’ll need blacklists and whitelists) are now essential. 

• Increased competition and bid costs:

Competition has intensified, raising bid prices for each GEO. The offer may occasionally be so overextended that it is no longer advantageous to cast;

• Integration of information and creativity:

Since affiliate networks and the source itself have changed, you may now obtain all the information you need for ad campaigns at once. Some partners even provide approaches with ready-made creatives.

“A separate pre-landing page is almost always necessary to warm up push traffic. It should load quickly, present a simple offer, and include a ‘Play/Register’ button. Sometimes a mini-game or quiz is added to hold the user’s attention. The best practice is to create the pre-landing page for a specific offer: Aviator, Free Spins, or Live-bet”.

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Push traffic has several clear advantages in affiliate marketing, such as:

High conversion rates

Push notifications drive good conversions because they reach users directly, and can be customized for specific actions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone is devoted to push notifications, and that not all verticals will benefit from them.

User-focused targeting

Push traffic in the Gambling niche allows precise targeting based on user interests and preferences. Most push ad networks offer detailed audience segmentation. Such an approach also removes the chance of advertising shown to bots because push traffic always comes from actual subscribers.

Low cost

Compared to contextual or Facebook advertising, push traffic is significantly cheaper, making it attractive for beginner affiliates. Campaigns can be launched on a pay-per-click (PPC) model with budgets tailored to any Tier.

Simplicity of operation

All it takes is joining an affiliate program, selecting a relevant Betting or Gambling offer, driving traffic to it, testing, and scaling up once the campaign becomes profitable.

Pro tip: It’s better to stick with classic push ad networks like Propeller or RichPush, but always cut off junk placements — otherwise, you’ll just drain your budget.

Loyal content policies

Push ads adaptability makes them a useful tool for promoting Betting offers. Unlike Facebook or Google Ads, push notifications allow the advertising campaigns without the risk of bans or the need for cloaking.

Guaranteed visibility and no banner blindness

Another advantage of the push format is its guaranteed visibility. Push notifications appear in the active user area, such as on top of mobile screens or in desktop corners, making them hard to ignore. Also it’s almost impossible to skip push notifications. 

“When it comes to which push format converts better for betting and gambling overall, and how much promotion depends on the Tier, the best approach is to follow the advice of the push network’s account manager. And if you’re working with your own push base, there’s no way around it — you have to keep testing until the funnel starts converting.

Over the past year, we’ve had several strong push advertising cases. In Egypt, pushes for Aviator delivered a 65% ROI. In Bangladesh, a classic push with a welcome bonus achieved 45% ROI. In Poland, an in-page push for live hockey betting maintained around 30% ROI”.

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Push notifications might seem intrusive, with overly aggressive headlines that turn users away. However, statistics suggest otherwise: push traffic consistently delivers strong results, with opt-in rates averaging 81% on Android and 51% on iOS. Success lies in selecting the right iGaming offer and configuring targeting correctly. 

It should be noted that not all advertisers are ready to pay for this type of traffic. Due to the challenges in filtering it effectively, inexperienced webmasters risk directing campaigns to irrelevant audiences. To avoid such pitfalls, below we will highlight the core elements of a high-performing push campaign tailored for online Betting and Gambling.

How to create converting push notifications for Betting and Gambling

Push notifications are a versatile tool for promoting almost any offer. Although push traffic moderation is somewhat lax, stay away from offensive or 18+ images in your creatives. The Gambling vertical has its own peculiarities, so here are some basic recommendations for creating converting push notifications.

So let’s start with textual requirements for iGaming ads:

1. Headline.

Keep it short yet engaging to grab the user’s attention. Use vivid, memorable words like “profitable“, “incredible“, and others.

2. Description.

This is where you can provide more detailed information.  It’s important to be concise and clear. Adding a touch of mystery works well to spark curiosity and encourage the user to click on the advertisement.

3. Call to action (CTA).

This is a mandatory element of any push notification. Examples include “Play now“, “Learn more“, or “Claim your bonus“. Always use the local language — it motivates users to take action.

“In Tier-2 and Tier-3 GEOs, classic pushes with direct offers — bonuses and freebies — perform best. In Tier-1, softer wording is required, and in-page pushes usually deliver a stronger CR. The difference is significant: in Asia and Africa you can go straight to the point, while in Canada or Europe only a more careful, polished approach works”.

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Now let’s move on to image requirements:

1. Relevant images.

Your visuals should align with the message. If you’re promoting an iGaming product, showcase it from different angles or, better yet, highlight its impact — like hitting a casino jackpot.

2. Simplicity.

Avoid cluttering the image with unnecessary details. Simplicity often brings better results across all Tiers.

3. Format.

Carefully consider the format of your image. Some platforms favor vertical layouts, while others prefer horizontal. That’s why it’s better to check the specific platform requirements in advance.

Pro tip: Instead of using free stock images, opt for paid stock photos — there’s a trick to get them at no cost. Platforms like Styled Stock, Adobe Stock, Depositphotos, Shutterstock, and Alamy offer high-quality images. Use the service Getpaidstock to bypass watermarks by pasting the URL from the address bar. This way, you’ll get all necessary visuals for iGaming without watermarks.

“The best practice is to pick 2–3 offers in parallel, prepare at least 5–7 creatives, and experiment with headlines, emojis, and images. Starting bids should follow the network’s recommendations, then be raised by 10–15% after launch. The optimal frequency is 2–3 impressions per user per day. Headlines need to be short, number-driven, and tied to the offer: ‘100 Free Spins’, ‘Bet $1 — Win $100’. Example setup: Aviator offer, headline ‘✈️ Play & Win Instantly!’, pre-landing page with a demo, followed by registration”.

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And the last point to consider is formatting of push ads:

1. Testing.

Before launching your campaign, test your push notifications across different devices and browsers. Ensure they display correctly and are readable on both mobile and desktop.

2. Mobile optimization.

Push notifications are predominantly accessed via smartphones: nearly 90% of clicks come from mobile devices (mostly Android). Optimize your iGaming offer specifically for mobile users.

“When we talk about budgets for push campaigns — from the smallest to the largest — a test usually starts at $50–100 per offer. Standard working budgets are in the range of $500–2000 per week. For larger campaigns, budgets can reach $10,000 and more per month. In today’s market, the optimal setup is starting from $1k per GEO”.

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3. Detailed approach to creatives.

Creating high-quality push notifications requires imagination, time, and experience. Initially, this might be challenging, so leverage spy tools to study a variety of Betting push ads from different ad networks. This will help you visualize their popularity and effectiveness, allowing you to adapt them for your ad campaigns. With time, you will eventually catch on and be able to complete these tasks independently, and most importantly, real quick.

Now you’re equipped with potentially powerful advertising materials for attracting push traffic in the Gambling niche. Afterward, set up targeting, postbacks, integrate trackers, and generate traffic — business as usual. Most push campaigns direct users straight to a landing page featuring interactive elements, such as a prize wheel or a pre-landing page with a bonus wheel. This timeless classic remains highly effective.

“888STARZ does provide partners with creatives and all the visual materials needed for push campaigns — upon request and based on proven funnels. This way, partners can launch right away without extra prep work. On our side, the affiliate program always ensures full support: supplying visuals, additional materials, and campaign management guidance.”

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When you browse spy services to find examples of push ads, it might seem like every other webmaster is working in the Gambling and Betting vertical. And this high demand is justified. Here’s what you can find in just 20-30 seconds on the first pages of a random spy service:

Most commonly, online Gambling ads feature wheels, cash prizes, bonus information, popular slots, attractive live dealer models, or brand identity (if the offer accepts branded traffic).

“1% CTR can already be considered statistically solid. For classic pushes, the acceptable CTR is 0.5–1%, while in-page formats typically perform higher at 1–2%. Conversion to registration averages 5–15%, and to deposit — 1–3%. In terms of ROI, successful funnels usually fall within the 30–80% range”.

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The main challenge with push notifications is conversion. As with any other promotion format, users eventually get annoyed by intrusive ads unrelated to the resource they subscribed to. They ignore push notifications, block them using ad-blocking services, or even unsubscribe entirely. This results in relatively low traffic conversion rates at the source.

One solution to this issue is using blacklists (filtering out ineffective approaches) and continuously optimizing the “creative-preland-land” approach. It’s crucial to design creatives that not only grab users’ attention instantly but are also highly informative, building a strong associative connection. For instance, when studying an offer, start by analyzing its search queries, volume, and other key metrics.

Our years of experience working with mobile apps have led to the creation of a unique in-house product. For webmasters, we offer private streams that include push ad collections, PWA app links, bonuses, and more. Everything is fine-tuned to maximize user engagement in iGaming, resulting in registration and first deposit conversion rates 2-3 times higher than classic streams. So if you’re ready to level up your traffic now, join 888STARZ Partners!

Tools for working with push traffic in Gambling

Managing push traffic involves numerous technical aspects tied to a variety of tools for affiliate marketing. If you’re planning to dive into this, you’ll need to get familiar with the following software:

• Push trackers:

This is the first and most critical tool on the list. Trackers like BeMob, Voluum, Binom, and Keitaro help monitor and analyze the performance of every campaign. They provide detailed statistics, enabling you to efficiently optimize and scale successful ad campaigns;

• Automated management systems:

Platforms such as RedTrack and FunnelFlux allow you to automate many aspects of traffic management. These systems integrate with various push networks and enable the creation of complex conversion approaches;

• Competitor analysis tools:

Popular software like SpyOver and AdPlexity are quite helpful for analyzing competitors and identifying successful campaigns in the chosen niche. They provide insights into push messages, including text and visuals;

“Push traffic performs best in Africa (Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania) and Asia (Bangladesh, India). Tier-2 and Tier-3 countries generally deliver the strongest performance. Before launching, it’s important to look at the average CPC: around $0.01 in Tier-3 and $0.15–0.20 in Tier-1. These benchmarks help assess budget needs and potential risks upfront”.

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• Creative design tools:

Excellent tools for producing top-notch images and creatives for your push alerts include Canva and Adobe Spark. A well-executed design can significantly boost your click-through rate (CTR);

• VPN and proxy services:

For testing and analyzing push traffic in the Gambling vertical, using VPNs and proxy services is essential. These tools grant access to different geographic markets. Additionally, tools like Bitly and TinyURL can simplify tracking redirects and managing URLs.

“The risk of getting banned with push traffic is much lower compared to Facebook or Google, since push networks themselves actively run gambling campaigns. Still, it’s better to limit the frequency to no more than 3–4 impressions per user per day. Otherwise, performance drops and complaints start to rise. From partner cases, we haven’t seen bans happening”.

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Practical tips for driving traffic with Gambling push ads

Push notifications, much like native advertising, have long been a staple for promoting offers. Users receive pop-up messages containing ads, but only after they’ve subscribed. To maximize positive responses, here are practical tips for running push traffic campaigns in the iGaming niche:

1. Segment campaigns by device.

Separate your campaigns for mobile and desktop devices — bids often differ between the two, and dividing them allows for easier campaign optimization. Additionally, always set up postbacks to enhance the quality of your optimization efforts.

2. Test offers and creatives.

Start by testing various offers, whether for online casinos or sports betting. Ideally, launch 3-4 creatives with different approaches to determine what resonates best with your specific audience.

“We always keep our partners updated on the latest trends and provide regular recommendations for push campaigns. We share insights on funnels, creatives, and GEOs, highlighting what’s currently performing best. Whenever there’s a need, a qualified manager steps in to guide and support optimization”.

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3. Choose competitive bids.

Traffic from the minimum bid often includes older subscriptions, so the principle “quality doesn’t come cheap” applies here too.

4. Limit the frequency of ads.

Restrict ad impressions to 1-2 times per day when starting out. After driving traffic, analyze conversion timing. There might be “non-converting” periods for your traffic — sometimes this happens when a call center doesn’t work.

5. Use original images.

Avoid sourcing images from Google or free stock sites whenever possible. Rather, use AI tools, high-quality images from premium stock sites (the life hack was already demonstrated to you above), or collaborate with a designer.

“The most effective CTAs are simple and straightforward. In betting, phrases like ‘Place Your Bet Now!’, ‘Live Odds Inside’, or ‘⚽ Bet & Win Today’ work great. For casinos, stronger options are ‘100 Free Spins Waiting!’ or ‘Deposit $10 – Get $50 Bonus’. Headlines should stay under 35 characters, descriptions under 80, always highlighting value and bonuses. There’s a golden rule here: the simpler the message, the better it converts. I can’t go into full detail, but experience proves it”.

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6. Write catchy headlines.

Consider the creative’s title and description carefully. Include localization (city or country), the relevant language, a clear call to action, and even emojis to make it more engaging.

The Gambling and Betting vertical offers a vast array of highly convertible offers for push traffic. The variety here is crazy: you can target almost any GEO, experiment with creatives, and refine your strategies.

It’s crucial, however, to tailor your approach to each specific case. For example, if you’re targeting Tier 1 countries, remember that people there often view casinos as a hobby or form of leisure. In contrast, in lower-tier countries, sports betting and casinos are seen as a way to make money quickly. Naturally, this requires different marketing strategies and creatives, as discussed above.

Conclusion

Push notifications are a great source of traffic. Their relatively low cost makes them highly popular among webmasters. As we’ve outlined, working with Gambling push ads is fairly straightforward: there’s no need for cloaking, massive budgets, or complex setups. All you need is to select an offer, fund your account, set up targeting and campaigns in just a few clicks, then create suitable gambling creatives and launch your ad campaign.

Many beginners are drawn to push traffic without fully understanding what it means. They may spend too much time overthinking creatives, hoping they’ll automatically attract clicks and conversions. In reality, this channel is far more dynamic and expansive than it might initially appear. Whether push traffic is the right choice for you and how effective it can be is up to you to decide.

At 888STARZ Partners, we provide new landing pages that allow users to subscribe to push notifications and transition to PWA applications. Additionally, we offer an unlimited selection of offers tailored to the top traffic sources for any popular GEO. Contact your personal manager for more details and get the best deal on the market!