iGaming Updated Jun 2026 2 min read

What Are First-Time Depositors (FTD)?

The conversion event that turns a registration into a paying customer

In short:

FTD (First-Time Depositors) are customers who have made their first real-money deposit with an operator. The FTD event is the canonical conversion that turns a registration into a paying customer.

What is an FTD

FTD is the standard label for a customer’s first real-money deposit. The conversion event is the dividing line between a registered user and a paying customer. Counts of FTDs per period are one of the most-watched volume indicators across iGaming, alongside registrations and active customers.

The FTD definition can include a minimum qualifying amount, especially in affiliate contracts. A deposit of 10 units may not qualify as a billable FTD in a deal that specifies a 20-unit minimum. Methodology has to be agreed in writing between operators and partners to avoid downstream disputes.

FTD in funnel reporting

FTD is the second canonical conversion in the standard iGaming funnel, after registration and before qualifying active. The registration-to-FTD conversion rate is one of the highest-leverage operator metrics: a 10-point improvement in this rate produces 10% more paying customers from the same registered volume. Operators invest heavily in the welcome flow, the first-deposit interface, and the welcome offer specifically to lift FTD conversion.

FTD in affiliate deals

FTD is the most common trigger for affiliate CPA payouts. The contract specifies a minimum qualifying deposit and any further conditions (verified KYC, completed first wager) before the FTD is billable. Hybrid deals combine an FTD-triggered CPA with an ongoing revenue share on the customer’s NGR. Operators and affiliates negotiate the exact FTD definition during the deal-onboarding stage and codify it in the partnership agreement.

Frequently asked questions about What Are First-Time Depositors (FTD)?

A registered user has an account. An FTD has made their first real-money deposit. The conversion from registration to FTD is one of the highest-leverage funnel stages in iGaming.

Many affiliate contracts specify a minimum qualifying deposit (commonly 10 to 20 units in local currency). Below that amount, the deposit may not trigger a billable FTD even though the platform recognises it as the customer’s first deposit.

Listed operators usually report FTD counts in trading updates and earnings releases, often alongside MAU and GGR. The metric is used to gauge acquisition volume and channel performance over the reporting period.

Related terms

Fraud Detection Fraud detection is the discipline of identifying and blocking abusive activity in iGaming, including identity fraud, payment fraud, bonus abuse, collusion, and account takeover. Front-End The front-end is the customer-facing layer of an iGaming platform, including the website, native apps, and PWA, which renders the casino and sportsbook experience. Fully Managed Service A fully managed service is a commercial model in which the vendor operates the platform and adjacent functions on behalf of the operator, from trading to risk to customer support. Gambling Gambling is the activity of staking value on an uncertain outcome in exchange for the chance of a larger return, defined in law across stake, chance, and prize. Game Developer A game developer is a studio that designs, builds, and certifies casino games for licensing by operators and aggregators across regulated iGaming markets. Game Lobby A game lobby is the customer-facing catalogue of games on an online casino, organised into categories, filters, and merchandised modules that drive title discovery.
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