Definition
NGR (Net Gaming Revenue) is the core financial metric in iGaming that represents an operator's actual retained revenue after all major deductions, and it serves as the base figure from which most RevShare affiliate commissions are calculated. NGR is typically defined as total player deposits (or total wagers, depending on jurisdiction and product) minus player winnings, minus bonuses granted, and often minus additional costs such as payment processing fees or chargebacks.
The precise formula varies by operator and by regulatory jurisdiction, but a common calculation looks like this: NGR = Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) − Bonuses − Payment Processing Fees − Chargebacks − sometimes Regulatory Fees or Taxes. Because bonuses are deducted before affiliates are paid, heavy bonus promotions that attract players can simultaneously reduce the NGR pool available for RevShare commissions, even if the operator's headline GGR looks strong.
This is why affiliates need to understand whether they're being paid on GGR or NGR - a 30% RevShare on NGR can pay meaningfully less than 30% on GGR in markets with aggressive bonus competition.
NGR reporting cycles are usually monthly, with operators providing affiliates a breakdown per referred player or in aggregate, depending on the affiliate program's dashboard capabilities. Reputable operators provide granular, player-level NGR transparency so affiliates can audit calculations, while less transparent programs may only show a lump-sum NGR figure, making it difficult for affiliates to verify accuracy or detect errors such as double-counted bonuses or misattributed deposits.
NGR is central to iGaming economics because it represents the actual, sustainable profit pool an operator generates after accounting for promotional costs and payment overhead - making it a fairer basis for revenue-sharing than raw deposits or GGR, which don't reflect the true cost of acquiring and retaining players through bonuses. For affiliates operating under RevShare, understanding NGR trends for a specific operator (rising, flat, declining) is essential for forecasting long-term earnings potential from their referred player base.
A common mistake affiliates make is not requesting a clear contractual definition of what deductions apply before NGR is calculated, leading to unpleasant surprises when bonuses, chargebacks, or regulatory levies eat into their expected commission far more than anticipated. Best practice is to request sample NGR statements before committing to a program, compare stated deduction policies against actual monthly reports, and periodically reconcile a sample of individual player NGR figures against the affiliate's own conversion and deposit tracking data.
Worked example
Players deposit €10,000, win €7,000, use €500 in bonuses. NGR = €10,000 - €7,000 - €500 = €2,500.
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Frequently asked questions
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