Creating an online casino has become one of the most promising ventures that have lately gained so much attention. First, however, this iGaming industry involves very specific planning, a significant investment, and of course an understanding of the costs involved.
If you’re among those who are considering creating your online casino, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is how much casino game development costs.
The online casino development cost varies a lot depending on numerous factors the standard of the platform to the games presented, licensing requirements, and marketing costs.
According to reports published by Statista, The global online gambling and betting market was valued at 85.62 billion USD in 2023. In comparison, the sports betting and lottery market was reportedly around 244 billion USD as of March 2024.
In addition, the sports betting industry also employs over 2,00,000 people and comprises approximately 22,000 businesses.
In the following article, we will break down the different elements involved in the online casino development cost, the influencing factors, and what you can expect when working with a casino game development company.

Key Costs When Starting an Online Casino

The costs that could go into the establishment of an online casino range from several thousand dollars up to millions. However, depending on the primary expense factors, the final costs may largely depend on the following considerations:

1. Licensing and legal fees:

The biggest cost that any online casino incurs is the actual license to operate. Licensing is a legal requirement, and the fees of acquisition vary according to the jurisdiction you decide to choose. The following are some of the favorite jurisdictions for licensing of an online casino:

• Malta: Highly regarded for the regulation framework, highly acceptable in Europe.
• Curacao: The cheapest and most widely used license for operators worldwide.
• Gibraltar: Another respected jurisdiction with a price tag to match.
• UK Gambling Commission: For the operators targeting the UK market, in this case, a good reputation is guaranteed but at the cost of higher regulatory fees.

The game license would cost between $10,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of the application. Then, you will need to add consultation and legal setup fees, at another $5,000 to $20,000.

2. Casino Software Platform

The second major expense would be the acquisition or development of a white-label casino-specific solution. An efficient, secure, and friendly platform is the backbone of your online casino. There are two options available here:
White-Label Solutions: This option would be pre-built casino software platforms that you can adjust according to your branding and games. The white-label solutions would mostly be less expensive, and a starting point may be around $15,000 to $50,000 in setup, according to the provider.
Custom Development: If you want complete control over the functionalities and features that your platform should have, then you may choose to have a fully custom-built casino software solution. This can prove to be highly flexible but would cost much more than the other options and could run anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 or more.
In selecting a casino game development company, you can opt for one of the available software solutions or choose to go for a completely bespoke build, which aligns with your business model. Custom development means that you have a platform built to specifically serve your casino needs, including unique features such as bonus integration, live dealer games, payment gateway, and a well-rounded user interface.

3. Casino Game Development

Other significant costs go to casino game development. The game library is the lifeblood of your online casino. It is a high-quality, entertaining game that will attract and retain players. Here’s a list of some of them:

• Slots: These are generally the most popular games in an online casino. You are going to need lots of video slots, classic slots, and progressive jackpots.
• Table Games: This includes Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat as well as poker.

Live dealer games come with real-time streaming of real dealers, which resembles an authentic experience.
Customized games may prove to be expensive to develop from scratch or licensed by known providers. In general, a custom game can easily go between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on complexity, graphics, and features. A license fee may range between $5,000 and $20,000 depending upon the provider and the number of games you wish to license.
You will also have to ensure that all the games are well integrated into your casino platform and that they meet the regulations. Integration is always costly, particularly when it involves third-party games from a multitude of providers.

4. Payment Gateway Integration

Having secured payments should be top of any online casino’s agenda. You will, have to avail yourself, and use combinations of, several methods to reach your international customer base. This would include the more traditional, such as bank transfers and credit/debit cards, but also include e-wallets, cryptocurrency, and other newer forms of payments.
Introducing a payment gateway costs between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on how complex your payment options are. For example, the Payment providers charge a processing fee, usually 1.5% to 5% per transaction, which you should also factor into the pricing of your games.
Beyond that, if you want to be sure that the player’s information is kept safe, you will have to include SSL encryption and other cybersecurity measures that can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 to put in place.

5. Web design and User Experience

The beauty and simplicity of your design, as well as the user experience of your online casino, widely determine the success of your venture. Players should find your website easy to navigate and visually appealing, responsive on a multitude of devices. Cost of website designing: This costs money, and varies with your desired features, and overall design.

• Basic Design: If you prefer simple, functional designs, then costs should fall in the range of $5,000-$10,000.
• Custom High-Quality Design: This will have costs in the $20,000 to $50,000 or more range, depending on the complexity and sophistication of the high-end, custom-built website, with greater emphasis on UX/UI.

It is worthwhile to invest in good design because a poorly designed website can drive players away and bad-mouth your brand.

6. Marketing and Promotion

Once you start your online casino, it is now time to attract players. The cost of marketing is high and can include the following:

• Search Engine Optimization: Your casino has to rank well in search results, which makes SEO critical for your online casino.
• Paid Advertising: You will probably pay for paid ads through Google, Facebook, and so on.
• Affiliate Marketing: You can find customers through affiliate marketing by paying them in terms of commissions.

Such marketing budgets may vary from one online casino to the other, but they can range between $10,000 and $50,000 or even more. A well-planned marketing campaign may be able to drive the players to your site while keeping your online casino well above the rest in a highly competitive market.

7. Continued Operations Costs

Beyond the cost of installation, you will have ongoing operational costs that range as follows:

• Server Maintenance: Online casinos require solid servers; thus maintenance costs can be $1,000 to $5,000 per month. This figure is highly dependent on traffic.
• Personnel: Customer support representatives, casino managers, security professionals, and even a marketing office will be required for sure. Salaries and payroll are other monthly expenses.
• Taxes and Fees: Every state has its tax rates and reporting requirements.

Starting an Online Casino: How RG Infotech Can Help in the Successful Launch

The process of launching an online casino costs a lot, from licensing and software development to marketing and compliance. Above all, notable specialties at RG Infotech include the best solutions for online casinos.
Their services range from custom software development to integrating a payment gateway or supporting regulations with a view to ensuring a smooth launch at an appropriate cost, given the complexity of this iGaming business.

Conclusion: How Much Will it Cost?

Putting everything in a nutshell, the opening online casino development cost is summed as follows:

the development cost of the online casino will come in between $100,000 and above 1 million dollars the first year, depending on your project scope.
Establishing an online casino is quite a costly business, but if done right, it’s extremely profitable. By teaming up with the right experienced company for casino game development, you can avoid many efforts and troubles involved in setting up an online casino, from developing a platform to making game choices, and everything in between.
Investment in quality, the right licenses, and a good marketing strategy are all that are needed for setting up a successful online casino business.