With the surge of startup businesses this day in age, you might be wondering just how easy it is to set up a fully-functional casino company! Well, we can tell you now it is certainly not an easy task and requires a lot of careful planning, research, maintenance, patience and of course – money. But, that doesn’t mean it’s next to impossible! In this article, we’ll touch on some fundamental basics needed to operate a land-based casino from the ground up, as well as what it takes to launch an onlinecasino in the very lucrative yet expensive world of gambling.

Starting Your Own Brick-and-Mortar Casino

Starting up your online casino is never easy; it’s a daunting task. You have a lot of things to consider, from iGaming software providers, payment mechanisms, gambling licenses, to marketing strategies. There’s always a need for ongoing efforts in maintaining high standards and keeping your clients fully satisfied.

So, how hard is it to start your own online casino? According to industry insiders, starting a real money online casino can be quite a headache, with plenty of factors that one needs to take into consideration. For example, there are gaming licenses that need to be applied for, and online casino software providers that need to be partnered with.
Essentially, starting a casino is no different in the early stages to any other start-up in that you will need to have a comprehensive business plan written.

Naturally, operating a land-based casino is going to cost you mammoth sums in comparison to an internet-based platform; however, if you do happen to have a few million tucked away in the bank, and you’ve got a ruthless and proactive mindset – you might just be able to get away with it!

#1 – The Legal Part

Before you even think about putting a plan together, the first thing you need to do (and something which will save you a lot of time) is to check whether it’s actually legal to operate a casino in your area. All casinos are regulated by a specific gaming commission or gaming control board. These are also the gambling deities responsible for dishing out operating licenses, and who also regulate the gambling activities in your region/state etc. On top of a license, there is a lengthy string of other major legalities which must be addressed such as liability insurance, other licenses for things like alcohol, and several other factors which we’ll detail as we go!

#2 – The Plan

No successful business, operation or empire ever got to where it is without some kind of contingency planning. The thing is, when trying to execute and pull off such a big move as opening a casino – you really need to plan ahead, long into the future. The market is constantly changing, as are the rules, the games, and the people who play them – so keeping all of these factors in mind when setting up your business is essential. Not only that, but there are probably a few other people who will have the same idea at some point, and if you face some stiff competition, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to keep the place ticking over. A good plan will account for every eventuality including marketing & PR, human resources, accounting, equipment, staff, security, maintenance, competitors – the list could really go on!

#3 – Money, money, money!

It’s all fair and well scoping out the first 2 points, but unless you were a highly successful entrepreneur before reading this, or just happen to have robbed a bank – the next thing you’re going to need is money – and A LOT of it. The license fee alone will cost a minimum of $200,000 and even then, that’s not taking into account the taxation system the license will be subject to. You’ll also need funds for building the casino site including all of its interior circuitry, plumbing, and décor. Then you’ll need to budget for staff salaries, promotions, software, and the products themselves such as gaming machines, poker tables, roulette wheels etc. Kitting out the place is going to be one of the most expensive processes, so you should have plenty of budget, and also look for investor input.

#4 – Marketing

Marketing is one of the most fundamental aspects of any successful business. When it comes to casino operators – there’s a lot of competition out there both online and offline. So how do land-based casinos make sure they keep players coming back and not heading to the joint down the road? They pay close attention to what their “enemies” are offering, and make sure they come up with something far more enticing. For a startup company, proving you’re the crème da la crème is going to be tough, that’s why many casinos will hire SEO agencies, PR agencies, hand out flyers, free gifts, and push for media coverage as much as possible in the lead up to launching.

#5 – Employees

Now that you have everything in place, it’s time to appoint people to managed and handle the casino for you. These people come in the form of security staff, surveillance staff, pit bosses, dealers, cashiers, croupiers, waiters and waitresses, chefs, bar staff, valets, receptionists etc. Each one of these people will require their own gaming license issued by the relevant state regulator and must also undergo a background check. This part is to make sure they have no criminal history or secrets which could be detrimental to your business and its overall reputation. You’ll also need to hire technicians to maintain the machines from time to time, etc. Make sure that’s something which stays in the long-term budget!

#6 – Launch

Get those scissors ready to cut the big ribbon and make sure the paparazzi are present – because it’s crunch time! Your opening day should be a memorable one for you, your staff and your soon-to-be precious guests; making sure you have a grand opening is the surest way to make that happen. Think free drinks, welcome offers, competitions, live music, fireworks, magicians, and other forms of entertainment which will leave a mark on anyone who is present for the big day. Remember, first impressions count – so this is your chance to shine and show the world just how fabulous your new casino is, as well as give punters a taste of what’s to come!

Starting Your Own Online Casino

We won’t both listing every individual step for opening an onlinecasino, simply because the processes are practically the same. Of course, it’s going to cost you much less in comparison, but you will still require a lot of money to get it off the ground at first.

#1 – License, Website and Software

So… we’ve established the legal requirements for opening an onlinecasino, and the fact you’re going to need a ton of cash to get started. But you’ll still need an operating license for your country, as well as a site for hosting the platform on. Researching website developers and reputable software providers to power the games are the first things to consider.

Some tips for choosing a software provider are:

Check they are certified
Find out what other casinos they work with
Read up on client reviews
Establish a cost
Check their terms and conditions
Make sure they have a technical support team

#2 – The Games

You need to attract as many players to your onlinecasino as possible, so ensuring you have a mixture of the latest, hottest and most popular games and content is essential. You should also consider the fact that there are multiple variants of online gaming categories these days – so don’t just stick Texas Hold’em on your site and hope for the best – think bigger and research what other online casinos are offering. The more options you have the better, because at the end of the day, everyone has their own preference and not all games are suited to one type of sportplayer. If the relevant authority permits, you could even look to go beyond things like slots, blackjack, craps and typical games, and incorporate other features such as a sportsbook, bingo, even live dealers and VR are proving to be popular trends found to be enticing players online these days. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

#3 – Payments and Transactions

In an age where hackers and cyberattacks are so common, making sure you have a secure and safe gateway to carry out payments is an absolute must. We’re not just talking password protection either – you’ll need special encryption technology for securing all payment details, and you’ll also need a variety of different e-payment options available for ma

Start Your Own Casino