🏫 Business & Licensing 📈 Startup

How to open an online casino?

👤 By Business Consultant 📅 Updated March 2026 ⏱ 8 min read

Short answer

To open an online casino, you need a gaming license ($20k-$100k), a turnkey platform provider ($30k-$150k), payment processing setup, and a marketing budget. Total startup costs range from $200,000 to $1,000,000 depending on licensing jurisdiction and software complexity.

📖 7 steps to open an online casino

Step Action Timeline
1. Company formation Register entity in Malta, Curacao, or Gibraltar 2-4 weeks
2. License application Submit application, pay fees, due diligence 3-12 months
3. Platform selection Choose turnkey provider (SoftSwiss, EveryMatrix) 1-2 months
4. Game integration Sign contracts with game providers 1-3 months
5. Payment setup Integrate payment gateways, crypto processors 1-2 months
6. Compliance & testing KYC/AML setup, RNG certification 1-2 months
7. Launch & marketing Soft launch, affiliate recruitment, SEO Ongoing

💰 Estimated startup costs

  • Licensing & legal: $30,000 - $100,000 (first year)
  • Turnkey platform: $50,000 - $150,000 (setup + first year)
  • Game provider integration: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Payment processing setup: $10,000 - $30,000
  • Compliance & KYC tools: $10,000 - $25,000/year
  • Website design & development: $15,000 - $50,000
  • Marketing & affiliate setup: $50,000 - $200,000 (first year)
  • Operational reserves: $100,000 - $300,000 (for payouts, salaries)

🏆 Minimum budget:

$250,000 - $400,000 for a Curacao-licensed casino with turnkey platform and basic marketing. Premium operations (MGA license, custom platform) start at $750,000+.

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LD
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