How to start an online casino

When you start your very own online casino there is an important number of steps involved that are vital for doing so.

Now though, compared to 20 years ago, it is a lot easier to start your own online casino, however, it is recommended that you have at least some knowledge of what it is like to work in the industry.

The online gambling industry is one of the most lucrative in the world and as a result, if you get it right, there is no reason why cannot be successful from the launch of your own casino site, though like in any industry, doing your research is fundamental.

Let’s take a look at the process of how to start your own online casino and the steps that you need to follow to turn it into a business that has a fighting chance!

Market research

Above everything else, this element is absolutely vital. This is because there are so many possibilities in terms of what you can offer, and which markets might have the most potential. However, before you even get to that stage, it is hugely beneficial to have a sound understanding of the industry and how it works. The most important thing really that you need is a license from a regulatory body such as the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission), MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), or the GGC (Gibraltar Gambling Commission). 

This will help to determine your market research because some licenses only allow you to offer your services to players in certain countries. Offering your site to players in the UK for example, if unlicensed could mean that you are quickly shut down by the UKGC.

When you have an idea of the regions where you want to operate, you can then start to ascertain what products might attract the most attention from potential customers. For example, certain types of slots and table games could be popular in different regions, while if you also plan to offer a sportsbook as well, it could mean that certain sports are more popular in certain regions. 

Once you have at least a base level of research about this, you will have been able to form a clearer idea in your mind about exactly what it is you want from your online casino and the potential directions that you can take it in. 

Creation and launch

For this, it really comes down to the budget that you have available. One of the reasons why it is easier than 20 years ago to create and launch your own online casino, is because there are white label companies who specialise in doing this and essentially take control of every aspect if you choose that this is the way to go.

As well as developing (building) and designing your casino site, after a consultation with you about exactly what you are looking for from the online casino, they begin to formulate a design. This will revolve around how you want it to be branded, including the logos and colour scheme, though you will have to come up with a name for it. The best thing to do is think of something that has brand potential here. 

Once you have agreed on this, they will start on the technical elements of the build. There are many different white label companies in the industry; all of which offer a number of packages based on what you are looking for. If you so wish, these will also sort out all of the licensing for your site as well, should you feel that this might be out of your depth. 

Decide on products

It probably goes without saying that you will want slots and table games for your potential customers and as a result, white label companies are partnered with most of the industry’s software providers. It means that they can seamlessly integrate slots and games onto your site though you might want to choose which ones you want based on popularity. Also, jackpot slots such as Mega Fortune are becoming popular as well and you can find more information about these which will give you an idea of how attractive these are. 

Marketing

While your white label provider will also offer marketing solutions, for many online casino owners, this is usually the most interesting part and an area where they tend to be more ‘hands-on’. Your white label company will invariably have ongoing site support included in the package if they have built your site, which is definitely recommended because they know about all of the technical details. However, when it comes to marketing, at least in the beginning, defining your own strategy is recommended.

This is because it will very much tie into the market research that you have done, prior to having the site built. In this respect, you could engage in many different types of marketing, from creating content to social media or even going down the more traditional route and devising PR campaigns. Arguably the most effective form though (especially from a budget perspective) is to go down the online route. 

Roles

If using a white label company, arguably the most important aspect will be taken care of (website maintenance and security), however, it still might be wise to either partner with someone or/and hire employees to take care of certain aspects of the brand, according to your business plan. 

Assigning roles at first can be difficult depending on what your growth strategy is, though if you are planning on a big content campaign, for example, you might want to hire a content editor who will be responsible for creating content and posting on various channels.

As your site grows you may find the need to even hire a project or operations manager to take care of the day-to-day tasks especially if you are wanting to focus on other things. When everything is in place, you are ready to launch!