Build Your Own Casino Game: Cost, Guide, Tips
Gambling has always attracted people since casino games involve risk and potential rewards, causing excitement and thrills. This type of entertainment emerged long before the first computers and online games. The first known casino was opened in 1638 on the Grand Canal in Venice.
Ever since, gambling has been deeply rooted in pop culture, from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo and from James Bond to Ocean’s 11. And with the digital technology invasion, the popularity of online casinos began its rapid growth.
Not surprisingly, the gambling business is one of the most profitable in the online game industry. As Research and Markets claims, the casino and online gambling sector worldwide was approximately $57.11 billion in 2020. And it is expected to reach $97.69 billion by 2025. Therefore, many consider investing in this area highly beneficial. So how much does it cost to build a casino?
This step-by-step guide will introduce online casino software’s types, development processes, examples, and specifics. We at Whimsy Games create various types of online games, including casino games. This research is based on our expertise gained when working on these projects.
Types of Casino Game Software
Online casino development is a complex process that includes all production stages typical for building any other game software. Here are the most common types of casino game software:
- Web browser software provides instant access to the game from any device using the browser.
- Mobile apps are created specifically for smartphones and tablets.
- Installed software is accessible only if you download it to your PC.
As a rule, casino games are using cloud infrastructure. This approach is reliable and efficient compared to on-premise solutions. It’s much more cost- and time-efficient than to develop everything from scratch and hire the full set of specialists. Thus, game developers use the service of casino software providers (Playtech, Microgaming, Net Entertainment, etc.) The other important aspects of casino game software are the chosen programming language (C++, C#, Java, etc.) and the game engine (Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Phaser, etc.)
One of the most significant conditions for casino game reliability is its proven randomness. The software is equipped with random numbers generators (RNG) to assure fair game results. The use of such algorithms provides an unsystematic results delivery.
Types of Casino Games
These are the most popular and widespread types of casino games:
- Branded slot games
- Classic slot games
- 3D slot games
- AWP slots
- Mobile slot games
- Bingo
- Card games
- Fruit games
Slot Game Development
The concept of a slot game takes roots in the land-based casino gaming experience. The basics of the game involve spinning, where you bet on a certain reels combination. To develop such a game, you will have to create outstanding art, build the mechanics, use certain programming languages, a game engine, etc. Different slot game types (classic, branded, 3D, etc.) are some of the most popular online casinos.
Casino Game Development Process
The casino game development process is a complex set of several stages that are critically important. To build a casino game that will be outstanding and engaging, game development studios involve various specialists who brainstorm, create art, test, and code.
Brainstorming ideas
Before the very development begins, the designers’ team should define the game’s core idea. At this stage, it’s important to study and analyze the market and the target audience. Based on this, the genre, type, and style of the casino game are determined. Creating mind maps is very helpful since the visual approach enables getting a comprehensive vision of the project.
Defining Requirements
When building the casino development strategy, the team creates an early plan for further development. They decide whether the game will be 2D or 3D, which techniques and special effects to use, etc. The technologies such as VR, graphics style, and any specifications affect the cost and time required for the development.
Designing Visuals and Special Effects
The next step is the work on game art, visual components, and special effects. Although casino games are fairly simple, it’s not easy to create outstanding and stylish designs. Most interface components, symbols, characters, images, and messages should be drawn manually by game artists.
After sketches and concept arts are finished, it’s time to work on motion, dynamics, and special effects. Depending on the chosen technique, designers use various software tools for implementation (Adobe Photoshop, Animate CC, Blender, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, etc.)
Coding
Coding is a critically important stage of online casino development. It lies entirely on developers’ team shoulders. They rely on the chosen game software platform and select the most suitable programming language. The most popular options are Javascript, Java, C++, C#, Pearl, Assembly, etc.
When performing the coding stage, game devs use various software tools. Most of them prefer HTML5, which is supported by almost all device types. The other options are Angular, NodeJS, Vert.x, etc. The choice of the game engine also matters as it’s the determining tool for casino game development.
Testing
It’s extremely important to test the casino game before its release. The testing stage reveals all potential issues, code’s quality, and the general game’s readiness to launch. There are several approaches to online casino testing. In particular, QA specialists check functionality, compatibility, loading, and the gameplay itself.
Thus, any possible problems can be determined and eliminated on time. It’s highly recommended to test the casino game regularly during the whole development process.
Game’s Release
When all the stages of online casino development are completed, it’s finally ready for launch. But it doesn’t mean that the job is done. After the release, the game still needs constant support, regular testing, maintenance, and optimization. Users’ feedback delivers the game creators valuable information they can use to improve and update their product.
Marketing
You should deliver the online casino to the audience with a well-planned marketing campaign. It includes game trailers, presentations, advertising posts on relevant resources, and more. A successful casino game can grab the audience and break into the gambling market.
Casino Game Example
Our casino game development company, Whimsy Games, has well-established experience in going through the entire lifecycle of an online casino creation. Solitaire King is a vivid example of a classic single-player card game developed from scratch. The goal was to create challenging and attention-stealing gameplay that can be available for the users at any place and time. The rules of the game are quite easy. The player just needs to move cards with a single tap or drag them to their destination.
Our company designed 2D art of all characters and interface elements from scratch. We also used the Unity game engine, so this online casino is accessible from any device.
Features of Casino Game Software
The rapid growth of the casino game industry leads to fierce competition. So if you want to get involved and make your online casino stand out, ensure your software contains all features that will determine its success. To satisfy online gamblers’ needs, a game development studio should come up with efficient solutions.
Social Media Integration
Social media integration can benefit your online casino. It provides social interactions by enabling users to share results and gaming experiences. People spend a lot of time on social networks. Thus, linking the game to their social accounts can be a great advantage.
Bonuses
A good bonuses system feature attracts users, holding their excitement about the game. Online casinos can offer rewards and benefits such as free spins, internal purchases, lucky draws, etc.
Payment methods
Provide the gamers with a sufficient number of payment options. Give them a chance to choose the most convenient way of banking, including cryptocurrency, PayPal, online wallets, etc. Make the payment process easy and intuitive not to push the potential users away. Besides, ensure the fast payouts speed.
How much does it cost to develop a casino app?
Now, when you’re already aware of all development milestones, it’s time to reveal online casino software price. The cost will normally depend on many factors, but the game development complexity plays a key role. The location of the outsourcing development team also matters as prices in different countries may vary.
Here are the key aspects of casino game development that significantly impact its cost:
- Design
- Integrations with side apps or services
- The number of features
Design
Design is not the most expensive but a critically important phase. It will determine all further steps by analyzing the target audience to come up with the style, type, and overall concept. The average hourly rate of a video game designer is between $15 and $50.
Integrations
Developing an online game from scratch may be too time-consuming and costly. Thus, online casino game development companies consider the option of using a white-label business model.Buying white-label solutions may be beneficial in comparison to in-house development. Instead of building your own solution, you can buy and use a ready-made gambling product.
Using the iFrame HTML tag is another option to make the game available from any device without inflating your budget.
Finally, Game Engine integrations are used to provide you with a ready-to-use software environment. Developing your online casino on a GE basis will significantly decrease time and spendings. Unity’s annual subscription costs $1,800 per seat.
Features
Every single feature you want to be included directly affects online casino price. However, you will need to provide the users with all the necessary functionality. Now, let’s reveal the approximate prices of all basic casino game’s features.
Registration and Profile Management
These functions will provide gamers with the ability to create an account and then manage their profile. Users should be able to sign up via their phone, email, or social networks. Developing these features will cost around $3000.
Payment System
You should provide users with a sufficient number of payment options, including PayPal, Skrill, Mastercard, etc. Your application’s payment and deposit system should be clear and easy to use. To provide it, you may use a payment processor or an in-house processing unit. Depending on your choice, this function will cost you from $5000 to $15000.
Customer Support
This feature will enable gamers to seek help and contact support whenever they need it. It’s important to make your online casino reliable, secure, and user-centered. Implementing such a function may cost you approximately $5000.
Safety
Gamers want to feel safe and confident while gambling online. Personal data and users’ money security should be prioritized. Make sure to provide the application with SSL for traffic protection and RNG to make results random and fair. Safety features’ average price is $10000.
Social Media Integrations
Provide social media integrations to let users enhance interactions and share their gaming experience. This function may cost about $50000.
Bonuses
Various bonuses and rewards make users more excited about online gambling. The bonuses systems include free spins, lucky draws, etc. The price for bonus features is approximately $10000.
Affiliate Payments
You will have to involve partners to promote and spread information about your game. It’s especially important immediately after the casino’s release. Affiliate payments may vary between $5000 and $10000.
Casino Game Development Cost by Production Stages
This table represents the cost of each casino game development stage. These prices are approximate and reflect only outsourced game production.
Online Casino Development: Is It Worth It?
As the author of “The Black Book of Secrets,” F.E. Higgins said, “What is life if not a gamble?” Indeed, gambling in many ways resembles life itself. It’s risky, exciting, and full of surprises. And there’s always a good chance to make a fortune! That’s probably one of the main reasons why online casinos have gained such popularity.
To sum up, the casino game development cost depends on various factors such as complexity, required features, game type, team’s location, etc. So if you want to know how much money to start a casino, we hope this guide helped you answer this question.
To achieve success, you will need to find a dedicated team of talented game developers to entrust them with your project. Many people find it difficult to search for a game production company that will meet all of their requirements. If you’re confused and look for an appropriate team, we at Whimsy Games will be glad to help you out. To let our clients feel comfortable during the development process, we guarantee full price transparency and flawless communication. You may visit our website to see more examples of our works related to casino games.
