Costs to Start a Casino: Top Factors 2026
How much is it to start a casino? In 2026, costs range $1M-$500M+ depending on online vs. land-based. This list breaks down key expenses with current data.
Licensing and Legal Fees
$50K-$5M; Malta MGA cheapest at $30K, US states $1M+.
Software and Platform Development
Online: $200K-$2M for white-label. Custom: $5M+ with AI integration.
Gaming Content Acquisition
$100K/year for 1,000 slots/tables from NetEnt, Merkur.
Marketing and Player Acquisition
$500K initial; CPA $100-300 per depositor in 2026.
Operations and Staffing
Land-based: $10M/year salaries. Online: $1M for support/security.
Physical Build for Brick-and-Mortar
$50M+ for 50K sq ft venue with slots/tables.
Ongoing Compliance and Tech
$200K/year audits, cybersecurity upgrades.