How to start an online casino business? Create a casino app

 min read
11 August 2022
Adam Gontarz
Adam Gontarz
CEO
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Contents

  • Intro

Starting an online casino app can be a lucrative and exciting business venture. However, there are several things you need to take into account before starting development. This blog post will discuss some tips and good practices for creating your own casino app. 

So if you’re thinking of entering the world of mobile gambling, read on!

Why is it worth building a casino app?

The market of online casinos is growing rapidly in recent years. More and more people are using their smartphones to gamble, which creates a great opportunity for businesses.

There are many reasons why you should consider building a casino app. First of all, it is a very profitable business venture. The global online gambling market is expected to reach $127 billion by 2027, so there is definitely a lot of money to be made.

The development of a casino app can also be an interesting and exciting project. If you are a gambling enthusiast, then working on your own casino app will be a great challenge for you. You will get to create an innovative product that has the potential to change the way people gamble.

Online casinos are usually operating on higher profit margins than sports betting and other forms of gambling. This is because the house always has an edge in casino games. So if you can create a casino app that is popular and generates a lot of traffic, you can be sure to make good money from it. And, on top of that, such apps are of lower risks for operators. 

Since the market is highly competitive,  it is important to offer something unique and innovative in order to differentiate yourself from the competition. Therefore, if you are building a casino app, make sure to come up with a unique concept that makes your app stand out. If you care about all the quality aspects, you need to be aware that the entry barrier is really high and cost-consuming as maintaining such a platform is on the pricey side. 

However, it’s worth the hassle. 

People are looking for new and exciting experiences in general and when gambling online, so if you can provide that, you are sure to be successful. That’s why fine-tuning factors such as the game’s logic, design, and user experience are crucial for the actual performance and usage of your app – as we’ll describe in the next paragraphs.

How to create your own casino app – first steps

#1 Define your needs

The first thing you need to do when creating a casino app is to define your needs. You need to decide what type of app you want to create and what features it will have. 

  • Do you want to create a simple slot game or a more complex one with multiple games? 
  • What kind of design do you want? 
  • How user-friendly do you want your app to be?

Answering these questions will help you determine the scope of your project and the budget you will need. It is also important to research the competition and see what types of apps are already available. This also will give you an idea of what is possible and what needs to be improved.

Here’s a quick list of factors to consider before proceeding with your idea:

  • set up your requirements for the project as this will help you determine the features your app will have;
  • analyze the competition and market in order to find a gap that your app can fill;
  • create a business plan and establish how many resources you are willing to invest in your project;
  • define the budget for the development so  that you know how much money you need to raise;

#2 Check the target market and  study the users you want to reach with your app

In terms of the market, it is important to study the users you want to reach with your app. What type of gambling do they prefer? What type of devices do they use? How much do they spend?

The more you know, the better you can choose the features your app will need and the platform it will be developed for – or even if it can be developed for a specific country at all.

Some other things to rethink when choosing your target market are: 

  • the size of the potential market – is it big enough to justify the development costs?;
  • the level of competition – is there room for another casino app or are all the niches filled?;
  • the regulation landscape – as we mentioned before, different countries have different regulations when it comes to online gambling.

All of these factors will help you determine whether or not your app has a chance to be successful in the chosen market.

#3 Verify all legal aspects

The location is one of the most important factors to consider when creating a casino app. Different countries have different regulations when it comes to online gambling. For example, in some countries, online gambling is completely banned, while in others it is only allowed for licensed operators. Opening your own casino in the former case may result in a false start. 

So before you start development, make sure to check the regulations in the country or countries you want to target with your app. 

Another important legal aspect is data protection. When creating a casino app, you will be dealing with sensitive user data, so you are legally binded to have your app compliant with all the relevant data protection laws and regulations.

If you plan on adding real-money gambling to your app, you will also need to get a gambling license. This process can be quite complicated and time-consuming, so make sure to start early.

There is a bit of workaround that can be done by using blockchain technology instead of real money. This way, you may be able to develop your app without a gambling license. Nevertheless, your app must meet the other legal requirements mentioned earlier.

We advise you to consult with a lawyer specializing in gambling law to get all the necessary information and advice before proceeding with your project – or a software development company that knows the ropes and can help you with development and compliance.

#4 Pick what gambling games your casino app will offer

Knowing your target audience and the type of gambling they enjoy is the first step in choosing which games your app should feature.

The most popular casino games are slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. But there are many other types of gambling games out there. 

You can also offer a combination of different types of games, and even create your own unique games.

You can also think of adding extra features to your app, such as a live dealer casino, sports betting, or a virtual reality casino. These features can help you become more noticeable and attract more users. With lotteries, bingo, and other games of chance growing more popular, you can also consider adding these to your app.

Finding the right balance between functionality and user-friendliness is key, so don’t overload your app with too many features.

The important thing is to make sure that the games you offer are of high quality and that they meet the needs and preferences of your target audience. To do so, you need to find a technology partner with a high level of understanding and expertise in the gambling industry.

A good development partner will also be able to advise you on which games are most popular in your target market and how to make your app more appealing to users.

#5 Find a reliable development team that can turn your vision into reality

This point can make or break the success of your casino app, so choose wisely.

The development of a gambling app is a complex process that requires special skills and knowledge. You need to find a team of experienced developers who have a deep understanding of the gambling industry and know how to comply with all the legal regulations.

This is not something you want to entrust to just any software development company. 

You need to find a reliable partner who can turn your vision into reality and help you navigate the regulatory landscape.

It’s imperative for your software partner to understand all nuts and bolts, such as having experience with developing apps meeting the strict criteria of Apple Guidelines. Implementing apps that are based on WebView is not possible and your software partner needs to be fully aware of this. 

Your development partner should also be able to help you with the design and user experience of your app. The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are crucial for the success of any gambling app, so make sure to find a team that can create an amazing product not only for you but also for your end-users.

For example, if you decide to run your casino app project through Crustlab, you can be sure that you get access to our know-how on gambling and betting solutions, so you can concentrate on growing your business.

We have a team of experienced developers ready to take on your project and help you create a successful casino app. 

Can you build such an app yourself? 

Of course, you can try, but unless you have the necessary skills and knowledge,  it’s better to leave it to the professionals. The development of a gambling app is a complex process that requires more than just an idea –  it requires a deep understanding of the industry, the regulatory landscape, and the technology, and it all sums up to one thing: expertise.

We have the expertise and the experience to make your ideas come to life, so feel free to contact us, and let’s get started on your project.

start online casino image

Designing an online casino – things to keep in mind

#1 Create an MVP of your casino app…

Your casino app needs to be able to stand out in a sea of competition. You may not be able to achieve this overnight and may want to ship it quickly – an MVP may offer the solution. 

This will help you save on costs and time while still allowing you to tailor your product.

Some features that should be included in your MVP are: 

  • registration and login functionality 
  • the ability to make deposits and withdrawals 
  • a selection of games that can be played for real money 
  • customer support

Even though building an MVP isn’t necessary, it can prove to be valuable in helping you validate your product.

#2 …or go all-in with a dedicated casino mobile app 

If you wish, you can also create a full-fledged casino mobile app from the very beginning. This will give you more control over the design and user experience – and more time you don’t have to spend on creating MVP. 

It is important to keep in mind that creating a dedicated casino app will require a larger budget than building an MVP. But if you have the resources, a dedicated app can be a great way to ensure your product is top-notch.

And as we keep mentioning, you need a solid partner that knows how to design and develop a quality casino app.

At Crustlab, we have a good few years of experience in the iGaming industry. We know what it takes to create a successful online casino – and we can help you build your own casino app.

With prototypes of your slot machines, we can quickly show you how your online casino will look and feel. We can also help you with the more technical aspects, such as setting up a payment gateway and choosing the right hosting solution.

Before you start picking features, make sure you have a platform that will support your casino app. The right and scalable platform plays a role of a skeleton for your business and determines how easy it is to develop and grow your casino app. 

At Crustlab, we use the latest technology to create high-quality products that meet the needs of our clients. We can help you build a scalable and reliable platform for your online casino. Plus, we’ll be there every step of the way for you and your product.

#3 Check all the options

There are many things to consider when you are building an online casino app, and one of them is the actual development model. There are many different models of developing casino products, so you need to do your research and choose the one that is right for you.

You can choose to develop your online casino as a turnkey, white-label, or a custom solution (which, for many reasons, we recommend the most).  

Turnkey means that you will be provided with a ready-made solution by another company, which already has the necessary licenses, games, payment methods, etc. White label is when you use someone else’s platform and brand it with your own logo. 

A custom solution is when you build everything from scratch according to your needs and requirements. 

Of course, the most important thing is the games. You need to make sure that you have a good selection of games that your players will enjoy playing. There are many different types of casino games, so you need to choose the ones that are right for your app.

What else is there to consider when sketching your own casino app? 

#1 Figure out features and functionalities

No matter if now, ever, or never – you may want to have this set of features in your casino platform:

  • CRM system
  • Marketing tools
  • Content management system
  • Reporting system
  • Financial and fraud modules
  • Player segmentation
  • Live chat

Adding any of them is rather a breeze if you have a custom casino platform. This means you can start with a basic set of features and add more as your business grows. Such a setup may not be possible if you go for a turnkey or white-label solution. It is important to be guaranteed to continue dynamic development, especially the UI part. In addition to the open elements, the platform must offer APIs so that it is possible to define extensions.

#2 Set up a design approach

Design can be crucial for the actual success of the platform. Since it is a UX-heavy product, the design must be thought out from the first steps of development. 

Design should be user-centric and address the needs of the target audience. The color scheme, typography, and layout – all these elements must be taken into account when designing an online casino platform. You also don’t want your own casino app to look like other applications, so it is important to find a design that is unique and represents your brand. And then, the design should be also responsive so the experience on each device is undisturbed. 

We recommend working with a company that specializes in casino app development and has experience in designing for iGaming products. 

At Crustlab, we have worked on many different projects, and we know what it takes to create a successful online casino platform. We can assist in all stages of the process, from choosing the right model to designing and developing your app. In terms of design, we’re happy to suggest our ideas or work on the canvas you’ve already prepared. What works for you – works for us.  

#3 Verify security and discrecy

Let’s face it – not everyone wants others to know that they are gambling. 

This is why security and discretion are important factors to consider when building an online casino app. You need to make sure that your platform is trustworthy and that your players’ personal information is protected. Keeping the data confidential is important, so you need to make sure that your platform is compliant with the relevant regulations. 

In this step, you need to examine the way of storing client data, their money or winnings, and saved payment methods. You should also check if the platform is PCI DSS compliant. 

#4 Keep engagement loops

What makes casino apps so addictive? 

Engagement loops. 

They are designed to keep users coming back for more, and they need to be taken into account when developing an online casino platform. If you want your players to keep coming back, you need to make sure that they have a reason to do so. 

Here’s how you can take care of this aspect:

  • offer rewards for playing, or you can create a leaderboard where players can compare their scores.
  • give away bonuses for inviting friends or for playing on a regular basis.
  • send push notifications to remind players about the app.
  • create a loyalty program to encourage players to keep coming back.
  • provide a special VIP club for the most loyal players.
  • run tournaments and offer prizes for the winners.
  • implement gamification by adding elements of games to the platform, such as achievements, challenges, or levels.

The better you design this process from the moment of registration, the longer users will stay with you.

#5 Deliver bespoke support

High-quality support is one of the most important aspects of an online casino platform. After all, you’re dealing with real money, and people can get upset in many connected situations. This is why it is so vital to offer 24/seven support and to make sure that your team is always available to help players. 

Surprisingly, not everyone is focused on providing solutions to users’ problems – and that’s why many apps get negative reviews and comments. In order to stand out from your competitors, you must offer a superior support experience.

Make sure that your team is available 24/7, train your team members to be patient, responsive, and helpful – and encourage your team to go the extra mile for each player. It will pay off sooner than you think it will.

sketching your own casino app image

Start your own casino – with Crustlab

Creating an online casino is a big undertaking – but it can be a very rewarding one. 

With the right team by your side, anything is possible.

If you want to learn more about how to build your own casino app, contact us today. We would be happy to chat with you about your project and see how we can help. 

At Crustlab, we have years of experience in developing iGaming solutions. We’ve worked on many different projects, and we understand the challenges of developing an online casino. We can assist you in your casino development journey, starting even tomorrow!

Let’s talk! 

Contact us and get a free project estimation!

Let’s talk

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