IMO, and it's just my opinion.... you should beware those 25% deals. Empire affiliates, for example, make 25% - total. That's the max they take home - I know because I am one. So if someone says they will pay YOU that 25%, what does that leave them? This is not difficult math.
In addition, offering rakeback is against the Terms of Service for many sites, so there is the risk of the unknown affiliate getting shut down or equally likely, deciding he doesn't want to pay you any more and skipping town.
One more thing of note. Guess how much money I made through all the people that have ever signed up under my Empire link from this site in the month of May? Go ahead and guess.
-3.61. That's right,
negative $3.61. Why? Because apparently all I have signed up are a bunch of bonus hoes that actually end up costing my money
Bonuses come out of the rake, so the affiliate pays for them too.
My point: Beware of 25% offers. Go with someone you can trust that is willing to give you a fair deal.
The "loophole" to the above would be if someone referred you as an
affiliate, and then you signed up through your own link (they then get a small cut of whatever rake you earn). Playing through your own affiliate program is another violation of the Terms and conditions, of course, but anyone who is interested is trying this sort of thing, let me know. I'd be happy to refer you. I don't have anything to lose by you doing that.....