Free bets convert ~15-25% better at signup; deposit matches retain ~2x longer — the incentive shapes the cohor

Free bets convert ~15-25% better at signup; deposit matches retain ~2x longer — the incentive shapes the cohort you keep

Welcome-incentive choice isn't just an operator decision — it shapes the quality of the cohort you're paid on, so it's your concern under RevShare. Compare the two dominant structures.

Across tracked welcome cohorts:
— Free bet / no-deposit: lowest friction, so click-to-FTD conversion runs 15-25% higher. But it attracts the thinnest commitment — these players over-index on the bonus-hunter profile and churn fast. Great FTD count, weak cohort NGR.
— Deposit match (e.g. 100% up to $X): higher friction at signup, so conversion is lower, but the player has put real money in. Retention runs roughly 2x the free-bet cohort and NGR compounds.

The strategic read for an affiliate:
— On CPA, push the free-bet offer — you're paid on FTD count and conversion is the lever.
— On RevShare, steer traffic toward operators running deposit-match — you're paid on the cohort's NGR tail, and the match incentive selects for players who hold.

Matching incentive to payout model is a free margin lever most affiliates ignore.

Benchmark of the day: free bets convert ~15-25% higher (favor on CPA); deposit matches retain ~2x longer (favor on RevShare) — let your payout model pick the operator's incentive.