I'm new here and I'm not sure if we're allowed to talk about it(idk if 2plus2 is an affiliate), but private rake back deals can go a long ways towards increasing our ROIs. I could be wrong, but only the smaller sites allow for private agreements. I'd love to contact some of the smaller sites to see if I can work out an arrangement, but contacting support seems like a dead end. If anyone has advice, please pm or post.

Rakeback deals are generally not allowed per site TOS so there are no official large rakeback providers like there are (were?) for poker sites.

If you're a high volume player, you might be able to negotiate a specific deal for a reduced rake in exchange for a volume guarantee. I don't believe DK/FD do this but smaller sites might be willing. It doesn't hurt to ask. If you do be sure to obtain a written guarantee that any deal is non revoke-able for as long a period of time as possible. The easiest way to do so is a gigantic bonus balance that depending on the play through requirements would be around a 50% rakeback.

I appreciate the feedback. I realize that because of their relationships with affiliates, it's a touchy subject. However, I think it will become the norm in the not so distant future. It just makes too much sense for all involved(unless you're an affiliate, of course). I play a decent amount of volume(avg. of 70k+ in entry fees per month during mlb) and primarily grind cash games. I play heaviest during NBA season and I plan to up my NFL significantly this year. I signed up at Victiv and Aces awhile back without any referrals, but they seemed hesitant(Victiv implied that they could accommodate, then reneged).

Using bonus as rakeback seems like an ideal situation. I read that KillberB has rackeback deals with 3 smaller sites so I'm optimistic that I can work something out. Thanks again for the advice.

how about just moving to whichever site has the least vig and telling the other sites they can have your action when they cut vig for everyone

Rakeback was one of the worst things to happen to poker (and I made significant money as poker rakeback affiliate.) It cuts margins and feeds the sharks.

DFS has recognized this and has made adjustments by not allowing it. In fact, some of the affiliate platforms do not allow you to see who is playing under you at all (like DK.)

I'm a little confused by your post. DFS DOES allow it. Currently, it's just the big 2 sites(fd/dk) that don't. As it is, dfs sites pay around 40% to affiliate fees. Rakeback would be in lieu of that.

The sites give the same amount to affiliates though, so they are just ripping off the players. I'm sure as a former affiliate you would have loved the current situation. I would be perfectly fine with no rakeback, if they weren't giving 35% to affiliates. I'd be perfectly fine with giving affiliates 5-10% and no rakeback to players, but 35% to affiliates with nothing to the players is just stupidly lopsided. Lower that and give a better rewards program or lower rake instead.

I also believe these sites can grow just fine without bowing over backwards to affiliates. Pokerstars turned into one of the top sites because they did not give up too much of their future revenue to affiliates at the cost of short-term growth.

Me too, please.

Same here.

Create a shell affiliate account then sign up through your affiliate. Boom rake back.