I can see the point for getting CPA on the casino going forward. As for Party in general, remember that they are now answering to a board of directors and many many shareholders who are only concerned with profitability. If 34% of their revenue stream is currently shared with affiliates, what’s to keep them dropping their program altogether. It would instantly give them an additional 8.5% in revenue (34% x 25%) with no additional cost. I would expect the affiliate community would arrange some sort of lawsuit, but Party could easily say the cost of a lawsuit, even if they lost, is worth the additional 8.5% increase in revenue.
Simmo makes a good point though, this is a hyper-competitive industry and any marketing edge you can gain will help, and affiliate marketing is after-all free marketing for them.