The idea of competing in the fastest-growing digital sector, applying up-to-date marketing methods and earning millions of dollars, sounds attractive. However, you have to pass a tough test and see if you are smart, passionate, and creative enough to deliver a competitive product. Rhyker Hackarry has created a guide that can be a good starting point on your way to building a casino website.

Step 1: Choose a Software Provider

There are hundreds of software providers that deliver online casino games. The ideal option for an online casino owner is to sign deals with every reliable supplier and present all popular games on the digital gambling platform.

However, let's get back to reality and limited budgets, at the beginning at least. Although the casino games market is huge and competitive, we have to consider tiny details. Almost all providers have similar cooperation conditions, where a casino owner pays fixed prices for adding games. Also, the gambling venue has to share profits with the provider after launch. The price for buying one slot and in bulk is different, just like the cost of a poker game with a live or virtual dealer.

Of course, if one has an unlimited budget, adding all possible software providers and gambling activities is a good idea. If not, that should be a goal to achieve. In the beginning, it's better to start with the most notable names to attract more attention and user trust, such as:

Top game providers for online casinos

Step 2: Develop a Design

While the design seems only a visual concept, it's not. User-friendliness and ease of navigation play a crucial part in retaining visitors and turning them into loyal players. Here is what to include in the technical task for online casino designers:

• overall idea and concept (choose the best colors and text fonts)
• detailed UX plan (understand user interaction and number of web pages)
• technical possibilities (determine tools to use)

When you receive the first mockup, don't get upset if it doesn’t look as expected. Discuss it with the designer once again — maybe you aren’t aware of all the trends in the industry. By the way, here are some of them:

• Animated interactions to grab the attention of gamers
• 3D design for a realistic feeling 
• Unique color combinations to stand out from the rest
• Nice sounds to create a pleasant atmosphere

Although that is only the tip of the iceberg, this info should be enough for the future online casino owner.

Step 3: Determine the Functionality

The functionality of the online gambling site should be full-fledged to give more opportunities for its users. To get more users, consider adding the following elements:

1. More software providers and games (already described).
2. A variety of payment options (will be described further in the article).
3. Creating a partner program for affiliate marketing. This is one of the most popular ways of promoting online casinos, as it can attract a lot of marketers. Of course, the casino owner will have to share profits with them, but they can save significantly on the marketing department.
4. Develop a mobile app and adjust the web version. 46% of Americans stay online using their mobile devices for five to six hours daily. So, a mobile-friendly website (and an app) is a must.
5. Live dealers. People tend to believe other individuals much more than a random number generator. That is why the popularity of live dealers in card games or online roulette grows. It can be even a core idea of the whole site — live dealers only, thus increasing trust from the beginning.
6. Exclusive features. Here creativity is your best friend, but you should mind the functionality of your website. If you can add live streams of top poker events — do it.

Step 4: Create Game Content

First of all, there are three focus points:

1. Variety (add as many slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, bingo, craps, and poker games as you can)
2. Ease of integration
3. Games quality

We've already described the first element, so there is no need to repeat the importance of game diversity on the website.

Integration requires additional attention, though. All games from software providers are connected through the API (application programming interface). That is a technical intermediary that allows “attaching” additional functionality to the website without overloading it. Take YouTube, for example. It is linked to numerous news sites or blogs. You just tap the "play" button and watch the video without going to an additional tab. However, API isn't the easiest feature and should be manually adjusted for every content source. That is why you should pay attention to how the game developers integrate their games into your casino site.

Lastly, game quality. Independent agencies should approve every game and check the truthfulness of RTP rates. So, to attract clients and keep them returning for more play, make sure that the games in your casino collection feature RTPs of >95%. Don’t forget to ask your software provider for particular certificates and other confirmation documents.

Step 5: Get a License for Online Casinos

The license type you need depends on the operating location:

1. Country's licensing department (for states that control digital gambling within their borders).
2. Reliable offshore licensing department (if a country allows particular overseas licenses).
3. No need to have permission (if online gambling is prohibited in a particular country).

Curacao licensing is relatively cheap and quick to get (2 months max.). Note that you must place your servers on the island. Curacao’s budget greatly depends on gambling activities, which is why it has an appealing tax system (2% corporate tax).

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission provides several types of licenses. For online gambling houses, you will need the Client Provider Authorization license. All in all, it will cost you up to $70,000-80,000.

The Malta Gaming Authority issues two types of licenses for 5 years. With this option, you will get on the “white list” of the UK Gambling Commission and can offer your services to British gamblers. The tax you will pay depends on the annual income.

Step 6: Payment Gateways

Last but not least is introducing a variety of payment gateways. The approach is similar to gaming content: more variants improve clients' satisfaction and retention. There are three major types of payments you can consider:

• banking (local and international bank cards like Mastercard or Visa)
• e-wallets (PayPal, ecoPayz, Neteller, Skrill, etc.)
• cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, XRP, etc.)

You should not integrate all the possible options unless you want to conquer the globe. Also, don't forget about crypto, which is gaining momentum thanks to fast transactions and the best privacy protection.

All in all, starting an online casino business is a complicated task. However, it opens great opportunities to earn a lot if you have enough money, creativity, and stress resistance.