How Much Does It Cost to Launch an Online Casino in 2025–2026?

What the Online Casino Budget Consists Of

In reality, an online casino launch isn't a single cost but a set of components forming the full investment structure:

• Casino platform and engine. Software, back-office, game provider integrations, bonus system, affiliate module.
• Licence and legal structure. Company setup, jurisdiction filing, compliance and legal support.
• Game providers and content. Slots, live games, table games, crash and instant games.
• Payment systems. PSPs, crypto gateways, local deposit & withdrawal methods.
• Marketing and affiliates. Budget for traffic testing and player retention campaigns.

The most common mistake for new operators in 2025–2026 is calculating only the cost of the platform while ignoring licensing, payments and traffic. As a result, the project launches but cannot grow.

Platform Pricing: $5,000–$30,000 — What Each Level Provides

SoftIGaming identifies three realistic platform entry levels for 2025–2026:

• Starter level: $5,000–$10,000.
  Ideal for testing niches, GEOs and conversion. Includes basic back-office and essential integrations but limited scalability and customization.
• Operational platform: $10,000–$18,000.
  A functional business solution with FTD/LTV/ROI analytics, flexible bonus system, player segmentation, multi-language support and full mobile optimisation.
• Premium source code: $20,000–$40,000.
  Designed for scalability: advanced analytics, expanded provider lists, RTP/segmentation tools, VIP logic and high-load readiness.

Unlike custom development — where costs easily exceed $100,000–$200,000 — ready-made SoftIGaming solutions allow operators to launch quickly and efficiently.

Licensing and Legal Model: What to Budget for 2025–2026

By 2025–2026, operators increasingly move away from grey zones. A proper licence impacts:

• access to payment providers and banks;
• player trust and deposit conversion;
• willingness of affiliates to drive traffic.

Licensing costs vary by jurisdiction and service depth. Simple documentation may start at a few thousand dollars. Full packages “platform + licence + infrastructure” typically cost:

• Anjouan packages — from $28,000.
• Nevis packages — from $38,000.

Final pricing depends on GEO, payment solutions, required providers and corporate structure. SoftIGaming helps operators choose the most effective setup.

Game Providers and Marketing: The Hidden Half of the Budget

Even the best platform earns nothing without content and traffic. Operators should plan:

• Game providers. Starter packages may begin at a few hundred USD/month; full portfolios require several thousand monthly.
• Marketing and affiliates. Traffic testing: $2,000–$5,000/month. Growth phase: $10,000+.

SoftIGaming’s built-in analytics for deposits, retention and traffic sources helps operators avoid burning budgets blindly.

Common Budgeting Mistakes in 2025–2026

Recent operator cases show several repeating mistakes:

• Calculating only development. Ignoring licence, payments and marketing results in early stagnation.
• Underestimating marketing. “Organic traffic will come” is not a strategy.
• Choosing the cheapest platform. Saving a few thousand leads to conversion losses and constant technical issues.
• No financial model. No break-even plan, no LTV forecasting, no acquisition cost limits.