Complete Online Casino Launch Guide

It is difficult to run a gambling business, but with our extensive industry practice and large sector know-how, we can help you launch your casino or bookmaker effectively and establish a stable market presence.

In this article, we’ll outline the essential steps and key players needed to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) for your gambling business. While these recommendations are not exhaustive, they represent the fundamental setup required to get started. Scaling and solidifying your market position will require significantly more resources and effort. While starting a new casino platform may be straightforward, making it successful and profitable is complex.

Platform Selection

The foundation of a casino is its platform, and that's the central part of the entire product. There are numerous offers available out there, but 90% of them are dead-end and fail to gain self-sufficiency. A proper platform choice is crucial for the success of your project.

To decide the most suitable platform for you, follow these questions:

What are your primary areas of activity?

Do you plan to open a casino alone, or a bookmaker and a casino?

What are the citizenships of the directors and shareholders?

What are your opening dates?

By answering these questions, we can propose a number of platforms that will be suitable for your needs. We have experience with various platforms and have constant contact with their providers.

Platform connection fees will cost between $5,000 and $200,000. A relatively running platform will range from $20,000 to $30,000. On top of an initial connection cost, expect flat monthly fees of between $1,500 and $20,000 that commonly cover technical assistance, hosting, and additional modules. Platforms will also typically levy a percentage of the casino's monthly GGR, ranging between 0% and 15%.

Most newcomers look to develop their own platform. But unless you have some gambling industry experience behind you, we advise against this because the costs are so high and the complexities so great. If you'd like to know more about the pitfalls, give us a call for a full briefing.

Legal Considerations

Your company structure and license selection will depend on a number of factors:

• What are your core regions of activity?
• Will you be opening only a casino, or both a bookmaker and a casino?
• What are the directors' and shareholders' citizenships?
• What are your founders/shareholders' tax residencies?
• What are your launch timetables?

The most common system is to include a company in Curacao and obtain a license along with a company in Cyprus as a paying agent. In recent years, licenses from governments like Tobique or Anjouan are also common.

The cost of this model varies with the number of shareholders, the platform selected, and the client's willingness to provide required documents and an acceptable business plan. Curacao license prices can be seen here. Though market suggestions are to operate under a platform holder's license, we don't recommend it due to the limitations and hazards. For a single commercial offer, contact our professionals.

Opening Current Accounts

Opening current accounts for companies in Curacao and Cyprus is imperative. We recommend having a minimum of two accounts with each company to ensure smooth operation should unforeseen issues arise. The account opening cost typically starts at $3,000 depending on how well the institution knows and can manage your business line. Otherwise, you are vulnerable to account blocking, freezing funds, and numerous compliance issues.

Connecting Payment Methods

Although payment methods come in the default cost on some platforms, others necessitate further purchases due to different reasons. It typically takes around $1,000 for a payment method and varies according to various criteria.

In case you require any additional guidance or comprehensive consultation of any of the above points, do not hesitate to contact us.

Analytics

Analytics form the backbone of any successful gambling establishment. While some platforms come with built-in analytics tools, which can be quite effective, it is often necessary to develop your own independent analytics system. A casino generates a vast stream of big data that must be accurately interpreted to make informed decisions. Without robust analytics, a casino is essentially squandering its potential.

Essential Specialists for a Successful Launch

Analyst

You need more than a generic business or data analyst; you need an analyst with particular experience working in the gambling industry. It is not just about collecting figures; the problem is interpreting them correctly and knowing which metrics to prioritize.

Payment Operator

Successful withdrawal of funds, prompt settlement of clients' issues concerning deposits, as well as prompt processing of payment method concerns are critical to the smooth functioning of a gambling business. Your payment provider should possess significant experience within the gambling sector and profound familiarity with the focus territories you will be operating in.

Anti-Fraud Specialist

Casinos and bookmakers are the perfect targets for user fraud. To protect your business from losing huge amounts of money, having a seasoned anti-fraud expert with knowledge in the gaming sector is crucial. This expert will help you detect and prevent threats from scammers, abusers, bonus hunters, and other malicious actors looking to exploit your casino.

Marketing and Traffic

Offering real-world recommendations for marketing and traffic is hard because strategies, budgets, and team structures vary greatly. However, it should be noted that marketing and traffic generation are second only to the platform in importance.

Design Team

Design is necessary to facilitate conversions and retain users. At least two designers should be present in a well-balanced design team due to the amount of work involved, such as the creation of promotional designs, creatives, landing pages, social content, affiliate content, newsletters, website assets for A/B testing, and so on. Skilled designers specializing in the gambling sector are required since the niche requirements of the industry differ greatly from those of other industries.

CRM Team

Customer retention and expansion are of highest priority. Retaining an existing customer costs many times less than acquiring a new one, so the CRM staff is an integral part of your business. The number of the staff will depend on the areas and services you plan on offering, but you at least require two experts to handle the huge workload. This includes developing and maintaining loyalty schemes, bonus campaign strategy, and player activation, retention, and reactivation management through various channels. These specialists should have in-depth experience in the gambling industry.

Customer Support

For a business gaming operation, it is always better to have the support provided in the house. Leasing third-party support can lead to client information leaks, loss of clients, response lag, and communication breakdowns, which could end up affecting your revenue and reputation. The amount of support staff you will require will depend on the regions you operate and the time zones you serve.

Time Frame to Open an Online Casino

From conceptualization to deployment, you would at least take 3 months, although the entire process will generally take 4-6 months.

Conclusion

To initiate operations and launch your online casino, you would need at least 7-8 members, a timeframe of 3-6 months, and at least $100,000, considering the fact that the team is strongly motivated and focused. The marketing expenses are not included in this estimate. If you need to ask questions or get a piece of advice, feel free to reach out. We will walk you through the complexities of the gambling industry, steer you clear of pitfalls, and help you establish a successful gambling business.