Table of Content
The cost of iGaming software ranges from $500,000 to $1.5 Million, depending on factors such as software complexity, features, licensing, cross-platform compatibility, technology stack, development team expertise, and location.
For a Minimum Viable Product Software with moderate complexity at $70/hour, estimated development costs are:
Investing in iGaming software for your business requires balancing quality and cost. A lower budget can limit advanced features, but a reasonable investment supports more robust and user-friendly software.
𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲? 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲!
iGaming software refers to online gambling or betting on games or events through a technological portal or platform. iGaming (also known as Internet Gaming) software is responsible for powering online gambling platforms such as online casinos, sports betting sites, poker rooms, etc.
These technological tools empower users to wager money on their favorite sports and casino games from the comfort of their home sofas.
Choosing the right software to power your platform is one of the first decisions to make when launching an iGaming business. Depending on what role they play in your ecosystem — whether casino games, sports betting, payment processing, or player management — iGaming software can be classified. The software you select determines not only the features of your platform but the costs as well.
1. Casino Software
Online casinos are powered by casino software that helps manage the affairs of the online casino just as if it were a physical establishment offering games such as slots, table games where different people can interact, live dealers, video poker, etc. This solution typically features a game library, a random number generator (RNG), and payment gateway integration. Moreover, this includes player management systems (player accounts, bonuses, loyalty programs, etc.).
Pros
Cons
2. Sportsbook Software
Sportsbook software is specifically designed for sports betting businesses. These include odds calculation, betting market creation, real-time feeds (for live betting), risk management, and payment processing. Given that sportsbooks deal with large financial transactions and sensitive user data, security features should be at the forefront as well.
3. Poker Software
Online poker rooms run on poker software, which supplies them with the tools necessary to support different poker variants, multi-table tournaments, cash games, player management features, and anti-cheating systems. Some poker platforms are standalone in nature, while others are integrated with larger gaming suites.
4. Lottery Software
Lottery software helps manage and operate online lotteries. Such software handles ticket sales, random number generation, drawing, jackpot management and distribution of winnings. Many online lotteries also offer instant-win games (scratch cards) and may be tied in with existing casino or sportsbook platforms.
The iGaming industry continues to grow rapidly, with regulatory frameworks evolving to meet the demand of a growing market. For businesses looking to enter the online gambling sector, obtaining the right iGaming license is becoming more crucial to ensure legal operations, build trust among players, and gain access to the global market.
A gambling license, in a nutshell, is more than just a legal requirement to run your business. It’s a mark of credibility and trust in a rising competitive market. A valid license assures players that an operator adheres to strict gambling regulatory standards, protecting their funds, personal data, and gaming experience.
On the other hand, a gambling license helps operators access payment providers, advertising opportunities, and business partnerships that might otherwise be out of reach.
Without a valid iGaming license, operators can put their business at several big risks, including financial fines, legal actions, and brand reputational damage. Many jurisdictions have strict laws that prohibit unauthorized gambling operations, and unlicensed operators may find themselves blacklisted or unable to operate in key markets.
There are several jurisdictions that have established legal regulatory frameworks all around the world that cater to the iGaming industry. These jurisdictions offer different benefits, requirements, and regulatory oversight regarding the license. Here are the most popular licenses that they offer to operators seeking to legalize their iGaming business in the market for wider reach.
Now that you’ve understood how important it is to obtain an iGaming license for your online gambling business let’s dive down into the factors that affect the iGaming software price. We will briefly go down and understand these factors in order to launch a successful business in the market with a wider reach.
Licensing & Regulation Compliance
The first and foremost important factor that gradually influences the iGaming software price is license and regulation compliance. Running a successful gambling business requires more than just a quality platform; it requires a valid license and adherence to regulatory compliance.
Licensing the gambling software from the regulatory authorities employs certain costs. However, an iGaming software provider usually delivers the gambling software with a valid iGaming license. Every jurisdiction has its own laws, rules, and regulations. Hence, businesses should review the software whether it complies with the laws and legal requirements.
Features & Functionalities of iGaming Software
Features are the most integral part of your iGaming software that offers interactive and immersive gambling experiences to your audiences. However, what kinds of features you are thinking of including in your iGaming platform greatly influence the types of software you have. And the level of features you will include may influence the cost of the software. The more complex the features will be, the more the cost will be.
Here are some key features of iGaming Software:
Cross-platform compatibility: People tend to play casino games and wager money on sports betting using various platforms like web apps and mobile applications (iOS and Android). Cross-platform ensures that users get access to casino and sports betting via any platform they prefer without any hassles. This not only enhances their gambling experience but also allows operators to have a broader reach.
Easy API Integration: The flexibility and seamless API integration service of your iGaming platform significantly enhances the gaming experience.
Safe and Secure Payment Gateways: Users mostly gamble on the iGaming platforms, and due to that, transaction flows are constant. Therefore, to keep the player's transaction details and other financial information secure and smooth, integrating smart payment gateways is a must. Multiple payment options like Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, UPI, Visa, etc., are the best options for iGaming platforms.
Referral Rewards: Referral Rewards, also known as the Invite & Earn system, allows users to refer the platform to their friends or people who have not joined the platform yet. When users invite them to join the platform with the shared link, and a non-platform user joins the platform using the link and makes the first transaction, both users earn rewards. This feature provides value to existing users and allows operators to earn more user base.
Live Chat: This functionality allows players to communicate and interact with other players using text, emojis, and voice. This fosters an interactive sense of community and increases the player's interaction.
RNG System: Random Number Generation is a system that makes a platform completely fair and unbiased results. The iGaming platform creates random results regarding which game users play. Integrating RNG programs into your platform is crucial for your online business success.
Crypto Supports: Many in the gaming industry, players prefer gambling on casino games and sports via cryptocurrencies. Enabling your platform to accept cryptocurrencies as payment methods can cater to diverse audiences.
AI-Powered Customer Support: Customer support is crucial for iGaming businesses. By integrating AI support systems into the iGaming solution, operators can leverage it to autonomously manage approximately 60% to 70% of users' inquiries, thereby decreasing the waiting times and enhancing overall customer satisfaction levels.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Cross-platform development is a more efficient choice as compared to native development. On top of that, native is not as costly as cross-platform. However, with native solutions, operators can only target single-platform audiences, and with cross-platform, they can target much broader audiences for their platform.
Cross-platform development may be costly, but it has its own benefits like you will get access to a wide user base, wider visibility, and massive revenue flow. However, which platform you choose depends on your business vision, and accordingly the cost structure will be influenced.
Technology Stack
The technology stack is also one of the integral parts of the iGaming software development. It is beneficial to choose a flexible technology stack beforehand to streamline the development process. Different platforms require different tech stacks; therefore, work with an iGaming software provider that has the expertise and knowledge in diverse technologies. Choose the technology wisely that offers you flexibility, robust backend, top-notch security, and overall enhances the platform experience.
Development Location
Development location is the most important factor which greatly influences the cost of iGaming software. The region you choose for hiring your development team directly impacts your budget. Different regions have different cost structures and models; therefore, choosing your developers that offer you competitive pricing is best for your project. Choose the development team that is ideal for your budget and meets your project requirements. Below are costs by different regions:
—> USA-based developers may charge around $100-$250/hour.
—> India-based development companies may charge around $30-$70/hour.
—> Australia-based developers may charge around $80-$200/hour.
—> UK-based developers charge around $75-$190/hour.
The most burning question that every business and entrepreneur who intends to enter the iGaming industry is, “what is the iGaming software price?” The cost of an iGaming platform cannot be calculated exactly as it relies on different factors such as the service provider, customization, licensing, features, platform, etc.
If we talk about the average price of iGaming software, a minimum of $1 million will be required, which includes a license. The cost of iGaming software is significantly affected by the complexity and the quality of the software.
Basic Solution
The cost of the basic iGaming software solution ranges from $10,000 to $30,000. The basic software only comes with limited basic features and functionalities like RNG, simple UI/UX, limited international payment options, a bonus system, and an invite & earn program. Businesses that have a very tight budget and are looking to launch a simple and basic iGaming solution can proceed with this software solution.
Moderate Solution
The moderate-level iGaming solution costs around $40,000 to $60,000 and beyond, based on the customizations. This type of platform comes with an integration of a wide array of games and quality features. This solution contains several key features such as a PAM system, cross-platform compatibility, secure payment gateway, live chat, 24x7 support, referral system, etc.
Premium Solution
An iGaming software that offers every gambling solution, including sportsbooks, casino games, affiliate marketing systems, and many more. The buying price of such iGaming software is around $500,000 and more up to $1 million. This solution includes every core feature that a business requires to stand out in the competitive market without any hassle. The software will be developed according to your desired specifications.
When it comes to iGaming software budgeting, it is not only the development cost; it is much more than that. Below are the high-level steps to follow to create a detailed budget for your iGaming platform:
Analyzing Your Business Needs
Understand your business needs — The first step in budgeting If you’re new on the scene or running a smaller operation, you may not require as many features and customization options as, say, a major casino or sportsbook. You should be reminded of the following tips for budgeting:
Target Market: Where are your players, and who are they? This will impact your licensing fees, games available, and payment processing options.
Game Portfolio: What games will you offer, and what genre of games are a must-have for your platform? If you’re licensing games from third-party providers, a bigger game library will drive up your upfront costs.
Player Volume: Estimating how many players you’re expecting to have in the beginning—including how that will scale—will help you model out scaling costs for infrastructure, customer support, and payment processing.
Comparison of Different Software Providers
You want to be sure you get the right value for your buck, which is why looking into iGaming software providers and comparing prices and what they offer is the right approach. Consider price only: The cost per user varies a lot from one vendor to another, but make sure to keep in mind the features on offer, both the vendor’s reputation and control over the tech stack and the availability of support.
Get Detailed Quotes: When you talk to providers, ask for detailed price breakdowns. This allows you to compare different solutions based on content (licensing, game development, maintenance services, etc.).
Customer Feedback Has Its Place: Read reviews and case studies to find out how other businesses have been working with the software and the service faculties. This will provide you a value beyond pricing and let you understand the quality of the product.
There’s no room for guesswork in budgeting in iGaming. The price of building or buying appropriate software depends on your business's current stage, the features, the customization you require, and the anticipated scale of your platform. Understanding the pricing model is crucial for your financial health and long-term success. To provide you with a better understanding, here is a breakdown of the Total Estimated Cost of iGaming Software:
Together, these components define the entire makeup of your startup investment. All these factors are important to ensure that your platform will launch successfully and be sustainable in a competitive market.
The bottom line is that although the figures may appear daunting on first look, being aware and anticipating them will frankly provide you with the peace of mind you need to head down that path. When breaking down your expenses, resource allocation becomes much simpler, but you must be efficient or else pay the price.
With so many technologies, it can be hard to know what to prioritize. Be it custom software features or affiliate tracking, we have it all!
Our experience in working through these expenses can guide you to launch a ready-to-succeed platform. Contact us today to begin planning for your iGaming project — prudent budgeting today builds a sustainable business tomorrow.
DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.