Starting an Online Casino in 2025: How Much Does It Cost?

Online gambling industry is growing rapidly, becoming a lucrative venture for aspiring entrepreneurs. Just consider the numbers: the global online casino market reached $95.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $257 billion by 2034. At the same time, the number of active gamblers is expected to exceed 210 million in 2025.

Even though many new online casinos open every year, starting such a platform takes a lot of effort and, obviously, a significant initial investment. Let’s sort out what is needed to launch an online casino and how much it may cost.

License

Every online gambling platform must have a valid license so that its members can play casino games legally in their area. Moreover, it’s evidence that the operator follows gambling regulations and provides an adequate level of player protection.

Licenses may be national and international, as well as differ in application time, reputation, and cost. The most common options include:

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license[1] : the most reputable gambling license recognized across Europe. Application takes from 6 to 12 months and costs €5,000. The annual license fee is €25,000. As a casino owner, you will also pay a compliance contribution for the financial year, which varies based on your license type and revenue:
• Type 1: €15,000 – €375,000
• Type 2: €25,000 – €600,000
• Type 3: €25,000 – €500,000
• Type 4: €5,000 – €500,000
• UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) license[2] : another reputable license known for its strong international credibility. Application time typically ranges from 4 to 6 months, and the costs are:
• Application fee: £370
• Annual fee: £4,100 – £790,000+ (based on GGY)
• Curacao license[3] : the most popular yet not so reputable gambling license. Compared to MGA and UKGA, it’s cheaper, faster, and easier to get. Plus, it has lower regulatory standards, which makes it ideal for novice casino operators.
• Application fee: €4,600
• Annual fee: €24,000 – €29,000

Software[4] 

Your success largely depends on the software you offer, and the more games your casino collection includes, the better. Quality also matters, so it’s crucial to partner with reliable software providers. Most game developers offer two payment options for their products: a one-time license fee and a revenue share model (paying a percentage of casino revenue on a regular basis).

The initial costs for gambling software may vary significantly depending on the developer. However, most casino operators pay €200,000 – €300,000 for these services.

Website Development and Maintenance

Building a website is not easy, especially when it comes to an online casino, which should have intuitive navigation and function seamlessly on any device. With that in mind, turn to professional web developers to get the job done in the best way possible. The cost of building a website may range widely (from €1,000 to €145,000+) depending on its design, complexity, and features.

Additionally, you will need to maintain the website properly to make sure it’s secure, up-to-date, and well-functioning. Monthly maintenance costs typically vary from €5,000 for a small casino to €50,000+ for a large-scale platform.

Marketing[5] 

Efficient marketing strategies can make your casino popular soon after its launch. To get the most out of it, allocate funds for different types of website promotion, including advertising campaigns, sponsorships, SEO, and social media marketing. At the initial stage, these expenses may range from €10,000 to €300,000+.

Noteworthy, you should not cease to promote your brand even if it runs successfully. The point is that making your online casino more visible is key to a steady flow of players. So, the profitability of your business will increase faster. You can also embrace other ways to make your platform more appealing for gamblers (e.g., introduce bonuses, discounts, loyalty programs, etc.).

Customer Support

Players often encounter different sorts of issues when gambling online, so it’s crucial to provide them with high-quality assistance whenever needed. 24/7 customer support is a great way to address player concerns and build up your credibility. Keep in mind that you may need to serve multiple requests simultaneously. Therefore, you should have enough specialists across several communication channels (email, online chat, and phone). The cost of hiring customer support representatives varies by region, working hours, and skill level. Monthly salaries often range from €500 to €1,500.