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How to start an online casino

How to start an online casino

The online casino business has experienced remarkable growth since its inception. Adapting to emerging technologies and ever-evolving consumer demands, the industry has grown exponentially. Many new operators are now trying to enter the business and start an online casino. Still, for some, it might seem like a big challenge, but with the right approach, it’s entirely achievable.  

And that’s what we are going to discuss here. The given article will explain how to start an online casino and provide a clear overview of the key ways to get started—whether you’re a newcomer trying to build a platform from scratch or partnering with established providers.

How iGaming Software Solutions Have Evolved Over the Years

Global revenue from online gambling - How profitable it is to start an online casino
Image 1 – Global revenue from Online Gambling

Today, the iGaming business is a multi-billion dollar industry driven by technological advancements and innovation. The revenue from online gambling in a worldwide scope was $97.26 billion in 2024. As statista claims, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.42%, it will reach 107.70 bn in 2025. The trend of growth that you see in picture 1 can be attributed to the increasing penetration of smartphones, accessibility of high-speed internet, and the innovative development of iGaming software solutions

Initially, iGaming providers created tailored platforms for operators. However, gradually, the demand grew. Many new operators emerged who wanted to start an online casino from scratch but had no experience operating a casino. At this point, the providers changed their tactics and diversified their platform offerings into white label and turnkey solutions.

White label casino was better suited to the needs of the new operators. Mainly because it offered an off-the-shelf, ready-to-use platform with small changes in design. With this solution, the operators didn’t need to develop the website and platform, as white label casino already provided it to them. Thus, white label enabled them to focus on branding, marketing, and customer acquisition. 

Moreover, white label casinos provided operators with a license and payment system, which new operators found hard to get due to the time and resources involved. Since it was for the new operators, the cost was also one of its advantages. Nonetheless, it had its drawbacks. For instance, there is a lack of customization— you can only change the colors, brand logo, and simple visualizations.

On the other hand, the providers had a turnkey casino solution for operators who needed a more unique platform. It offered unlimited customization, including the design and the gaming content. In essence, it was a fully customizable and comprehensive casino solution for experienced iGaming operators who already owned their license and payment system but wanted a solid platform to start their online casino business ASAP.

The problem with the turnkey casino was that it didn’t incorporate licenses and payments. So, by acquiring a turnkey solution, operators couldn’t get a new license or additional payment methods.

Due to this problem, most operators were tied to one market (if they had a license). If they wanted to move to other regulated regions and countries, they must have acquired a proper license themselves. After that, they should have contacted the provider for the turnkey solution. That was the most problematic point of the turnkey casino platform.

Considering the pros and cons of both casino solutions and the trends in the market, Upgaming has decided to move to the next stage and offer an Enterprise platform. It is a unique blend of the convenience of white label casino and turnkey customizations. In other words, it combines the advantages of white label and turnkey casinos and solves the problem of both by undermining their drawbacks. 

How Can You start an Online Casino

To start an online casino, you need casino software (game aggregation software) and an iGaming platform.

There are four basic ways to acquire these software solutions:

A self-service solution implies that you create and design your platform and casino website yourself without the provider’s help. This approach is very expensive and requires a lot of time and resources. 

On the other hand, getting the software (iGaming platform and game aggregation software) from the provider is easier and more cost-effective. Providers offer off-the-shelf products with white label and turnkey online casino solutions that’ll enable you to start an online casino in weeks. 

White Label Online Casino Solution

A white label online casino solution is designed to launch your casino from the get-go. First, it provides you with the license, so you don’t need to undergo lengthy bureaucratic processes.

In addition, the platform is equipped with online casino content, payment infrastructure, and a back office. In brief, you get a fully functioning casino in the shortest amount of time. Starting a white label online casino requires your brand name and design customization. 

Turnkey Casino Solution

A Turnkey casino solution enables you to choose the design of your website and customize the whole platform according to your choices. It allows you to work under your license and provides a complex, high-level platform with a user-friendly interface.

With turnkey, the provider’s team will build your online casino from scratch, fitting it with your specific requirements and standards.

Enterprise Platform

The Enterprise platform combines the best features of white label and turnkey solutions. It gives you a hassle-free way to start an online casino. It comes with an MGA or Curacao license, so you don’t have to go through complex licensing procedures. And it includes casino software with over 12,000 games from Upgaming’s award-winning game aggregator.

This platform is designed for top-tier operators who need a flexible and scalable solution. It offers full customization options while keeping the convenience of a ready-made platform. With the Enterprise platform, you get a complete, high-performance iGaming solution that adapts to your business needs and growth plans.

Casino API - Game Aggregation Software

If you already have the iGaming platform, the next step is to get online casino software with gaming content through API integration. To do this, you’ll need to work with a casino aggregator software provider.

Aggregators are companies that offer casino software packed with various games sourced directly from game developers. Once you have the game aggregation software, you’re ready to start. 

If you want to learn more about comparing each type of solution, you can read our iGaming solutions comparison article. 

On the other hand, it’s a must to find the provider that offers the product that you are looking for. This process takes research and careful consideration. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of key factors to keep in mind when choosing an online casino content provider.

How to Choose the Online Casino Platform Provider

When starting an online casino, picking the right provider is a key decision. Before diving into research, it’s important to define what you need. Consider your goals, budget, and the features that matter most to your business.

If you are about to start an online casino you should also know which market you are targeting. This will help you to narrow down the scope of your search and reach the providers that have experience in your target market. 

Experience In The Targeted Market

If you are planning to start an online casino, it is essential to choose a provider with experience in your target market. Your provider should have the knowledge to understand the industry’s challenges, trends, and regulations and have a history of working with operators in that market.

Here are key points to consider:

  • Does the provider have experience working with operators in your target market? If so, find out how many and which ones.
  • Check the provider’s reputation and credibility in the iGaming industry.
  • Read online reviews and user feedback on iGaming forums.
  • Reach out to operators who have used their services to get firsthand insights.

A provider with proven track record and market experience can help you avoid pitfalls and set up a strong foundation for your online casino.

Casino Content (Wide Selection of Games)

The success of your online casino business depends on the games you offer to the players. So, when searching for casino software to start an online casino, remember that a diverse game selection is key to attracting players and keeping them engaged.

Your platform should include a mix of classic online casino games like blackjack, roulette, and poker. It also must offer a wide range of slot games with various themes, such as adventure, fantasy, and mythology.

Game quality is just as important as variety. Ensure the games come from reputable providers known for delivering top-tier gaming experiences. Lastly, consider the number of games available. Players should have plenty of options to explore, keeping them entertained and returning for more.

Upgaming’s award-winning casino game aggregator gives you access to over 12,000 games from 180+ leading providers. The games are categorized by genre, theme, and other criteria, ensuring a diverse, high-quality selection. If you’re planning to start an online casino, having a wide selection of premium games will set your platform apart and boost player engagement.

Back Office

A user-friendly, efficient back office is essential for managing your online casino. It serves as the central control panel where you handle operations, track performance, and make adjustments.

The back office should allow you to easily generate custom reports and help you monitor key metrics like player activity and revenue. It should also let you update your platform, add new games, and adjust settings without constantly relying on the provider.

Another essential feature is an integrated CRM system, which helps manage player interactions, personalize promotions, and boost customer loyalty.

In short, a well-designed back office gives you the control and flexibility to run your online casino business smoothly and efficiently.

Mobile Compatibility

Mobile gaming dominates, and the rollout of 5G networks is set to enhance it even more. Currently, almost 80% of all users in the online gambling industry are mobile users.

To stay competitive, your online casino platform and website must be fully optimized for mobile use. So, when choosing a provider, ensure their platform adapts to different screen sizes and runs smoothly on Android and iOS devices.

A mobile-friendly casino website must offer the same features as the desktop version. Players must be able to register, deposit funds, play games, and withdraw winnings without restrictions and time lags. Taking care of these things and ensuring seamless mobile compatibility will keep players engaged and maximize your casino’s reach.

Scalability

Scalability is a measure of how well a system (in our case, a platform) can perform when the number of users increases or decreases. As your online casino grows, so will the number of players and betting activity. And the last thing you want is to start an online casino with a platform that slows down or crashes when traffic spikes.

In high-traffic regions like Brazil, online casinos experience massive user engagement (millions of users) daily. Your platform should be capable of handling this demand without slowdowns, crashes, or glitches. So, whether hundreds of players are betting at the same time or thousands join daily, the system should run smoothly, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay and fast transactions.

So, when choosing a provider, confirm that their platform can handle increasing traffic and maintain peak performance, no matter how fast your casino expands.

Payments

Online casinos are a subject of international activity. Therefore, international clients will access your casino, and it must support international commercial transactions. Thus, before starting an online casino, ensure your payment system includes credit/debit cards, e-wallets (Paypal and Skrill), cryptocurrencies, and other local payment methods. 

It will definitely help to acquire a safe payment solution with an anti-fraud system and chargeback fraud control to secure verified payment methods. So, reach out and ask the provider. If they have a strong payment system with these features in place. The support of cryptocurrencies is crucial. They are frequently used in online casinos. There are even a lot of crypto casinos in the iGaming business that support only crypto methods. So, you must ensure that your provider can offer payments in currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc. For more information about the payment options, please check our article about the most popular payment methods of online casinos.

If we examine the iGaming industry in depth, we will find that each region has a different level of acceptance of iGaming activities. Regulations differ from country to country and region to region. So, markets can be divided and distinguished according to the level of regulation. Regulated markets are referred to as white markets, while countries that forbid gambling are referred to as black markets.

In other regions, there’s a a mix of regulations or the complete absence of legal adjustments. Such areas are grey markets.

White markets offer stable leverage and provide a firm ground for starting an online casino business. Knowing and following a specific administration’s rules ensures that your casino won’t be shut down or canceled.

The other thing is that when choosing the jurisdiction for starting an online casino and gaining a gaming license, you submit your iGaming business to a specific string of regulations active on the specific market. X regulations only work in X jurisdiction. Therefore, before commencing an application process, you must double-check and confirm that the given gaming license permits you to access the target market you aim for. 

For instance, you won’t be able to start online casino in Brazil with a Curacao License. You need a local permit for that. And just like that, you need a UKGC license to start an online casino in the UK. But Curacao and MGA Licenses open the doors for you to many EU countries. Read the article about online casino licenses to get more information about the topic.

How much money do you need to start an online casino?

It is probably the first question you will ask yourself before the outset of your journey in the online gaming world. How to start an online casino, and how much does starting an online casino cost? Indeed, it is a tricky question. And the answer depends on the specific requirements you have, the goals you want to achieve, under which Gambling jurisdiction you want to run your business, etc.

How much you are willing to pay to start your online casino is up to you. But typically, pre-launch expenses are higher and require more budget than post-launch expenses.

In general, you have to pay for company setup, Gaming license, iGaming platform and online casino software, marketing, staff, and operating costs. Nevertheless, expenses for those above are higher before launching your casino business. At the post-launch stage, marketing, player acquisition, and retention require 50% of your expenses. Other expenditures include taxes, iGaming software providers, staff, online casino license fees, office rental, equipment, and utilities.

Conclusion

The online casino business is expanding with rapid movement. The diversity of the available online platforms has facilitated the advancement of gaming practices. In addition, there is a significant change toward more liberal gaming regulatory frameworks during the last two decades. Such politics gave a fresh breath to iGaming businesses.

The business’s success is tied to the creative resolutions you provide to the client. The iGaming business has a susceptible, receptive platform for “breakthrough” projects and novel modernizations. This means that you can write your success story on blank paper. So, do not hesitate to contact us, and we will help you fill out the empty pages of your book.

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