How to start an online casino: a guide to starting an online gambling business

Starting an online gambling business is lucrative, but it requires careful planning, adherence to legal regulations, and strategic implementation. As the digital landscape continues to expand, the appetite for online gambling has surged, creating ample opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the gambling industry, this article will help you navigate the complexities of setting up an online gambling business, ensuring compliance, and maximising profitability.

Ready to start your success story?

See our platform in action, share your challenges, and find a solution you’ve been looking for.

Get started

What is a gambling business?

Gambling businesses are enterprises that operate games of chance or betting activities, either online or offline, to generate revenue. These can include traditional casino games such as blackjack, roulette, slot machines, and poker, as well as sports betting, horse racing, and other types of wagering.

Gambling businesses can take various forms, such as physical casinos, online gambling sites, and mobile betting apps. Some online casinos or gambling websites are owned and operated by governments, while others are run by private companies or individuals.

The gambling industry is heavily regulated in many jurisdictions, with laws and regulations in place to protect consumers and prevent problem gambling. Operating in regulated markets often requires obtaining local licenses, responsible gambling measures, and adhering to strict compliance standards, which can impact operational costs and expansion strategies. These regulations also often include restrictions on advertising and marketing.

Market research and analysis

Before launching an online casino business, conducting thorough market research and analysis is essential. The online gambling market is highly dynamic and competitive, making it crucial for casino operators to understand current trends, player preferences, and the strategies of established competitors. By analysing the online casino market, you can identify gaps, discover emerging opportunities, and tailor your offerings to meet your target audience's needs.

Effective market research involves gathering data on consumer behaviour, such as preferred casino games, payment methods, and promotional incentives. This information is invaluable for shaping your business plan and developing a marketing strategy that resonates with your audience. Additionally, understanding the regulatory landscape and the unique characteristics of different regions helps online casino owners position their brand effectively and operate within legal boundaries.

A comprehensive market analysis also enables you to anticipate shifts in the online gambling industry, such as the rise of mobile gaming or new payment technologies. By leveraging these insights, casino operators can make informed decisions about game selection, payment integration, and user engagement strategies. Ultimately, investing in market research lays the foundation for a successful online casino business, helping you attract and retain players while staying ahead in the competitive online gambling market.

How to choose a payment gateway for your gaming business

Choosing the right payment gateway for your gaming business is a crucial decision. A reliable payment solution can impact your revenue, customer experience, and regulatory compliance.

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a payment gateway:

By paying special attention to these factors, you can choose a white-label payment gateway that meets your gaming business's needs while providing a secure, seamless payment experience for your customers.

6 steps to take before launching an online gambling project

Launching a gambling project is quite a challenging process. Ensure you take these six key steps to take before starting your own online casino or another type of gambling business:

1. Competitor analysis. After you have researched the gambling market to understand your target audience, competition, and potential demand for your services, analyse your competitors. It is an essential first step in developing a strong marketing strategy, as it helps you identify trends, gaps, and unique opportunities for differentiation. This can help you refine your project’s concept, identify key features, plan your game portfolio to ensure a diverse and appealing selection for your target audience, and develop a marketing strategy.
2. Develop a plan. Define the scope, goals, and milestones of your gaming project. Set clear business objectives, including research and technology investments, as part of your strategic planning to stay competitive and innovative. This can include creating a project timeline, budget, and resource plan. It is important to set realistic goals and deadlines and to have backup plans in place for unforeseen challenges.
3. Hire a team. Depending on the scope and complexity of your project, you may need to hire designers, developers, marketers, and other specialists. Make sure to hire qualified and experienced team members who share your vision and values.
4. Test and refine. Before launching your project, conduct rigorous testing to identify and fix issues, improve the user experience, and optimise the gameplay, if it’s a game. This can include alpha and beta testing with a select group of users, as well as usability testing to ensure your game is intuitive and easy to play.
5. Choose a jurisdiction and obtain a license. Choosing the right licensing jurisdiction is crucial for your online gambling business. Consider factors such as regulatory compliance difficulty, player protection, market access, and cost. Once you have chosen a jurisdiction, you will need to obtain a license from the regulatory body. We'll dwell on it in the next chapters.
6. Select a casino platform and software provider for your online casino business. A reliable software provider ensures your project operates smoothly, offering a seamless gaming experience that keeps players engaged and satisfied. As a quality gaming platform, it should facilitate secure transactions by supporting multiple payment options, including debit cards, credit cards, and e-wallets. This flexibility helps casino operators cater to players from different regions. With the growing popularity of mobile gaming, it's essential that your casino platform is optimised for mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy their favourite games anytime, anywhere. Partnering with a reputable software provider allows online casino operators to focus on marketing, player acquisition, and business growth while the provider manages the platform's technical aspects.
7. Launch and market your project. This can include creating a website or landing page, running social media campaigns, implementing email marketing, and running paid advertising for your online gambling business. It is important to track and analyse your marketing efforts to identify what works and what needs improvement.

Take these steps to increase the likelihood of a successful launch and establish a strong foundation for the growth of your online gambling business.

Evaluate your gambling business' payment setup

Take this 2-minute quiz to assess the effectiveness of your gambling payment setup. You'll receive customised recommendations and the opportunity to book a free comprehensive payment health check with our experts.

How much does it cost to set up an online gambling business?

According to Fortis Media, starting an online gambling business typically costs between $200,000 and over $1 million. This includes:

• licensing fees, which can be up to $100,000 alone;
• software purchase or development costs between $200,000 and $300,000;
• additional operational and marketing expenses, which vary depending on the scale and location of the operation.

Turnkey solutions and white-label casino solutions are comprehensive, ready-to-use packages that can simplify the process and reduce time to market by providing all essential features for licensed operators.

The cost depends on several factors, including the type of business, location, licensing requirements, and regulatory compliance costs. For example, starting a physical casino is more expensive than launching an online gambling site, as it typically involves buying or leasing premises, purchasing gaming equipment, and hiring staff. The cost of obtaining a license and complying with regulations varies by jurisdiction where you'll operate, and you must pay licensing fees as a mandatory step in the regulatory approval process.

On the other hand, setting up an online gambling site can also have its own costs, such as gambling software development, establishing gambling payment processing, and marketing expenses. The regulatory compliance costs remain and can vary by licensing jurisdiction.

The time frame to open an online casino varies: it typically takes 1 to 3 months for a white-label solution, while building your own platform can take 6 months to over a year, depending on various factors.

Therefore, it is difficult to provide a specific cost estimate for setting up an online gambling business, as it can vary widely depending on the circumstances. However, it is important to note that starting a gambling business can be a high-risk venture, and careful planning and due diligence are essential to ensure its success.

Why is an online gaming license important?

Obtaining an online gaming license is a must for operating a legal and compliant online gaming business.

Here are some of the reasons why you need an online gaming license:

• Legal compliance. Operating an online gaming business without a license is illegal in most jurisdictions. A gaming license provides legal authorisation to run your business and demonstrates your compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Gamblers' protection. Online gaming licenses are designed to protect players from gambling fraud, unfair practices, and other risks associated with online gaming. Regulatory bodies typically require licenses to implement responsible gaming policies, such as player account verification and age verification, to ensure the safety and security of players.
• Trust and reputation. Holding a gaming license is good for the reputation of your business. It increases the trust and credibility among players, investors, and other stakeholders. It demonstrates your commitment to operating a fair and transparent gaming business and can help you differentiate your brand from unlicensed and unregulated competitors.
• Access to payment processing. Many payment processors and banks require gaming businesses to hold a valid gaming license before they partner up. Without a license, you may face challenges in finding a reputable payment processor or bank that is willing to work with you.
• Expansion opportunities. Holding a gaming license in one jurisdiction can make it easier to obtain licenses in other jurisdictions and expand your business into new markets. Many regulatory bodies have reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions, which can streamline the licensing process and reduce costs.
• Regulatory requirements. Obtaining a gambling license typically requires proof of financial stability, compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, and adherence to responsible gaming policies. Regulatory authorities also conduct background checks and ongoing inspections to ensure continued compliance.

As you see, obtaining an online gaming license provides legal authorisation, protects your gamblers, enhances your reputation, and opens up new opportunities for your business expansion. International gambling licenses, such as those from Curacao or Malta, can provide access to multiple markets but come with different regulatory complexities and costs depending on the jurisdiction.

Watch the podcast where our CBDO, Den Melnykov, and BPY Services Founder, Dan Lagémi about the regulatory landscape for online gambling payments and the compliance requirements that gambling operators must meet 👇

Comparison of gambling licensing jurisdictions

Security and compliance are non-negotiable priorities for any online casino operating in today's online gambling industry. To operate legally and build trust with players, online casino operators must obtain a gaming license from a respected regulatory authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. A valid gaming license not only legitimises your business but also demonstrates your commitment to responsible gambling and player protection.

Here is a comparison of some of the best gambling licensing jurisdictions:

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

The MGA is a well-established and respected licensing jurisdiction that offers a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling operators. It has strict licensing requirements, including financial stability, responsible gaming policies, and player protection measures. Malta is a member of the European Union, which makes it an attractive jurisdiction for operators looking to expand into the EU market.

United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)

Being one of the most reputable and stringent regulatory bodies in the world, the UKGC requires operators to meet strict standards for player protection, responsible gambling, and AML compliance. The UK is a large and mature market, making it an attractive jurisdiction for operators targeting UK players.

Curacao eGaming

Curacao is a popular jurisdiction for online gambling operators due to its relatively low licensing fees and straightforward application process. However, the regulatory requirements are less stringent than in other jurisdictions, and Curacao does not offer the same level of player protection and security as some other licensing jurisdictions.

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory that has been licensing online gambling operators since 1998. The Gibraltar Gambling Commission has a reputation for being a well-regulated jurisdiction with high standards for licensing and regulatory compliance. It also offers favourable tax rates for operators.

Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC)

Alderney is a small island in the English Channel that is home to the AGCC, a regulatory body that has been licensing online gambling operators since 2000. The AGCC is known for its rigorous licensing and regulatory standards, including stringent requirements for AML, responsible gambling, and player protection.

Each gambling licensing jurisdiction has its own strengths and weaknesses. When choosing a licensing jurisdiction, it is important to consider factors such as regulatory compliance, player protection, market access, and cost. Working with experienced legal and regulatory advisors will ensure that you comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

Online gambling future trends

Check the episode of our Payment Agenda podcast, where a distinguished figure in the gambling and casino industry, Nick Hill, with over 18 years of experience, shares how technologies are transforming the gambling industry.

How can Corefy help?

We help businesses launch and develop online gambling projects through Corefy's comprehensive payment orchestration platform. Our platform enables the seamless integration of various payment methods and providers globally, facilitating payment processing and management for online gambling operations and platforms with just a few clicks.

Opting for Corefy's gambling payment processing solution, businesses get tools for customising their payment flows and ensuring compliance with regional regulations. Additionally, the platform offers anti-fraud features and detailed analytics to help businesses manage their financial health and optimise payment strategies based on informed decisions.

Contact us to learn how to start an online gambling business or enhance your existing project with Corefy.