Here at Blockdozer you have three middle-aged gamblers running the show, and I can already tell you that we’ve seen it all. There’s that traditional route that most of us follow. You visit Malta for a week, you learn about the iGaming industry, and then the next thing you’re buying your first aged domain, slapping the Poka Theme on it, you pump out content visualizing that Lambo you’ll drive, and then you ride the 40% commission into the sunset.
Sure, some succeed, others fail, but the gist of it all is that it’s the same playbook that has served casino affiliates well for over a decade.
But Let’s Be Honest, It’s Been Rinse and Repeat for a While Now
The same slot templates, the same recycled “best AU Crypto Casinos” hooks, the same “exclusive” bonuses dressed in different logos. Innovation has been rare, and when it does show up, it usually fizzles out before the industry pays attention.
Esports came, sure. It even grew a bit, especially during the pandemic. But from our side, we saw esports stagnating even during that COVID era. I mean for gods sake, people were literally betting on pool matches in some village in Guatemala, that’s how much they wanted real sports. Esports couldn’t get the spotlight away from traditional sports book, that was a fact then, and is one right now as well. You can fight me on it if you like.
But AI? Well, that’s a different story.
AI companions, specifically?
Now we’re talking about dating, engagement, and emotional connection. The kind of vertical that’s always had staying power. And when these platforms start offering affiliate deals with long-term 40% rev share? Well… now you have our attention.
So, How Does the Business Model of AI Companion Affiliates Look?
For affiliates familiar with the casino model, the AI companion space might feel surprisingly familiar. Only this time, the dopamine hit doesn’t come from spinning reels but from late-night chats and voice memos from a virtual girlfriend.
The current AI companion market is led by platforms like Candy AI, Kupid AI, Luvr AI, SpicyChat, and DreamGF, all of which follow a hybrid monetization model. Most offer users a free trial with limited messages or basic chat access. After that, monetization kicks in through monthly subscription plans, typically offered in 1, 3, or 12-month packages.
But the real spend begins once users start customizing their experience. Beyond subscriptions, users can buy tokens to unlock premium features: AI-generated images, voice chats, custom videos, erotic content, or “unlock packs” tied to specific personalities or fantasy scenarios. Each interaction drains tokens at varying rates depending on complexity. The same micro-transaction psychology that casino affiliates know well.
And make no mistake, these companies are not playing small ball. Many are pushing mid-six figures weekly into advertising. Open up any high-traffic adult content site and you’ll see banner placements from these brands on repeat. High-frequency, high-visibility, high-conversion. The targeting is aggressive, the retargeting even more so, and affiliates are being brought in to scale it further.
For seasoned iGaming affiliates, this is a familiar revenue structure wrapped in a brand-new vertical. It’s recurring, high-LTV, conversion-optimized traffic. The only difference? You’re selling a fantasy conversation instead of a bonus offer. And the margins are eerily similar.
And What About the Competition?
Yes, the adult affiliate veterans are already circling the AI companion space. Many have flipped the switch on their aged domains and dusted off their sprawling link portfolios to cash in on this new vertical. But here’s the twist: Google isn’t rewarding them. At least, not yet.
Just like in the early days of the crypto casino boom, when fresh-faced crypto-only affiliate sites outranked long-established fiat gambling brands, the same pattern is unfolding here. Google seems to favor relevance over legacy, meaning there’s real opportunity for new players to carve out territory.
So, if you’re thinking this niche is already saturated, think again. It’s early.
The SERPs are still fluid.
And if you follow the blueprint we mentioned at the top — aged domain, decent theme, focused content, and strong branding — you could build a serious foothold. A brand-new site, tailored to AI companions from day one, has every chance of ranking, converting, and dominating.
This isn’t a tired slot clone race. This is wide open.
But There Must Be Some Downsides, Right?
Oh, of course.
Unlike the casino or crypto world, where you’ve got a buffet of polished affiliate themes like Poka, LeadEngine, Gillion, and more, the AI companion space is still a design desert. There are no off-the-shelf themes tailored to this vertical. So, unless you want your site looking like a recycled casino blog with a few swapped-out buzzwords, you’ll need to build from scratch or heavily customize. If you’re a WordPress developer reading this, there’s a niche begging to be filled.
Then there’s the deal structure.
Don’t expect much variety. Hybrid deals are almost nonexistent. What you’re looking at instead are long-tail rev share models, 40% to 50% in most cases, and that’s about it. CPA? Maybe, if you’re lucky. Fixed placement deals? Those go to the same big players who already own traffic and can demand volume upfront. If you’re just starting out, rev share is your main route.
And the money? Well, it’s easy to do the math on 40% of a $49.99 yearly subscription. That’s $19.99. Compared to what we’re used to seeing on the casino side of the fence? A massive discrepancy, right?
There’s a Handful of Gamblers, and Billions of Potential AI Users
Let’s put it in perspective. The global online gambling market is valued at around $95 billion as of 2024 (source), with steady annual growth and plenty of regulation to dance around. Respectable, sure. But the adult industry? It’s an absolute juggernaut, estimated at $300 billion globally (source again).
Now combine that with the explosion of consumer AI and digital companionship platforms, and you’ve got a hybrid category that’s tapping into two of the most lucrative online behaviors: loneliness and curiosity.
So, is the payout smaller per user? Yes. But is the potential traffic pool exponentially larger? Also yes.
Now, it’s only up to you and your risk appetite to figure out if you’re up for jumping on it or not. From our side at Blockdozer? We’ll stay with the fruits and the coins. That’s our niche, and we know it pays.
