Yes agree its an over-simplification.
Poker has always been huge, millions play in regular home games ever week, it’s just never had an outlet.
With online games and spyhole TV cameras it’s been brought into the spotlight so that those with an interest can enjoy it to the full.
Sure, it’ll reach a peak and then drop off – but it will always be huge.
Yup but when something gets the attention its getting now, all the money pours in from anywhere and everywhere. Everyone wants a chunk of the “next big thing”. Ultimately that will dry up or level out and heavy-investors at “boom time” will either pull-out or lose a lot. As an affiliate, one should be very careful who one promotes.
When the investors pull back, some programs will suffer financially and affiliates will bear some of that pressure. Some poker rooms will disappear altogether. Obviously short-term gains might be high, but longer term gains will depend on prudence.
And dont forget we’ve recently seen some program’s attitutude to affiliate agreements which could well set a precedent.
Was it Empire currently floating? Can’t remember, but whoever it was is very canny. Cash-in while the goings good, make your money, sell up, move on. Everyone assumes floating is a good thing, but it opens the company up to market forces which will ultimately totally affect the control. If i was a major affiliate with this company, personally, I’d be looking for a quick short-term gain and then to de-prioritising them.
If I’m right, you’ll see the shares rise sharply after listing, followed by a long steady decline eventually levelling out well-below the offer price, with small fluctuations from thereon. Until takeover speculation kicks in, then it’s anybody’s guess 
But Poker will always exist, agreed.