How to Open Your Own Online Casino – Interview with Clara Hazel (Rosloto)

Are you curious about opening an online casino? We sat down with the expert on this topic: Clara Hazel, senior consultant at Rosloto, to learn more. She specialises in client assistance in starting a gambling project and she has guided numerous operators from initial concepts to fully functional and successful ventures.

In this exclusive interview with Slotsoo, Clara Hazel shares practical insights, dispels myths about the iGaming business, and highlights essential considerations for new entrants in the online gambling world. Continue reading to find out how much money do you actually need to start an online casino!

Interview Participants

• Interviewer: Markus Björk, Head Writer at Slotsoo
• Interviewee: Clara Hazel, Senior Consultant at Rosloto

Part I: From Casino Player to Casino Entrepreneur

Let’s imagine you are a casino player who is tired of all the bad casinos out there, and who thinks you can create a better casino yourself. What’s the first thing you should do?

That is an excellent starting point! A transition from a punter to an entrepreneur means you already have valuable insight into what players want from an online casino. The first step is clearly to define your vision. Ask yourself: what will make your project stand out? Is it transparency, unique slot games, innovative features, or exceptional customer service?

Once your vision is clear, you will need to research the market thoroughly. Understand your potential competition, target audience, and regional regulations. These are fundamental to your success. Also, a realistic financial plan and the right casino platform partner early on are crucial. A trusted organisation can significantly smooth your journey in the iGaming business.

Rosloto offers different models such as White Label, franchise, or a proprietary strategy. Could you break down the pros and cons of each option, please? Which one is the least risky?

Absolutely! This is one of the most common questions we get. Each of these options has its unique advantages and potential drawbacks. A wise choice can make all the difference for anyone who is looking to start an online casino.

White Label

This approach allows you to rent an existing, fully-equipped online casino platform for sale. You do not have to worry about licensing, technical infrastructure, or initial setup, which dramatically reduces upfront investment and launch time. It is excellent for beginners who want to test the waters with minimal risk. On the downside, you are limited in customisation opportunities. Branding options and game portfolios might be somewhat restricted, and you will typically share revenue with your casino software provider.

Franchise

This model gives you even fewer troubles than a White label platform. You operate under an established casino brand’s licence and reputation. You get to benefit from the marketing strength and user trust. It offers a balance between independence and support. However, you will pay even larger fees and share revenue. Besides, you are expected to adhere strictly to the franchise rules that limit flexibility.

Turnkey

A casino from scratch offers maximum freedom. You have full control over branding, game providers, payment methods, and design. You select everything from your backend system to fraud prevention tools and custom integrations. This model can yield high long-term profitability and brand equity. But it involves a significant investment in time and money. You will have to cover substantial licensing costs, technical resources, and software integration.

The least risky option is the rental casino model. It is affordable, quick, and the easiest way to enter the iGaming business without extensive financial or technical commitment. It lets you learn and scale progressively. Later, once your brand is proven, you can seamlessly move toward more independent strategies and explore advanced turnkey casino solutions.

A gambling platform is nothing without viable games, payments, and other key features. Could you list the building blocks required for a project? Can Rosloto help with all of them?

Definitely — there are several fundamental aspects every successful online casino platform for sale must have:

1. Software This is the heart of your project. You will need high-quality, certified slot games, tabletops, live dealer products, and possibly virtual sports. Rosloto collaborates with top-tier developers and provides a diverse and attractive library from proven names like Microgaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and many others.
2. Payment systems Reliable financial gateway integration is essential. Punters expect quick, secure, and smooth transactions. Your casino should support cards, e-wallets, and crypto assets within region-specific payment methods. Rosloto handles integration seamlessly and includes top services like Trustly, Skrill, Neteller, and cryptocurrency solutions.
3. Licensing A reputable gambling permit like MGA, Curacao, or UKGC is a cornerstone for trust and legitimacy. Rosloto guides clients thoroughly through each licensing process and helps them comply with all regulatory requirements.
4. Backend system The admin panel is crucial for the management of operations, customer accounts, bonuses, marketing, reporting, and analytics. Rosloto provides resilient, user-friendly backend platforms to ensure you can handle your platform efficiently.
5. KYC, AML, and fraud prevention These instruments are mandatory for regulatory compliance and secure operation. Our solutions include advanced verification systems and foolproof fraud prevention modules designed specifically for the iGaming business.
6. Mobile casino support A significant percentage of punters prefer gaming via portable devices. Responsive design and mobile compatibility are essential. Our experts ensure your platform performs smoothly across all platforms.
7. Customer support tools Integrated service solutions are vital to maintain user trust and satisfaction. Our platforms come equipped with these systems, or we integrate your preferred ones.

Rosloto indeed provides a comprehensive turnkey casino solution and handles each of these core components. We aim to simplify the process and ensure you can focus primarily on brand growth.

Your casino configurator is really user-friendly! Let us pretend Slotsoo wanted to create a gambling site with Trustly payments, an MGA license, and slots from Play’n GO and Pragmatic Play. How much would this cost?

Great example! The Rosloto platform configurator is designed to give you full control over your casino concept without any tech background.

Now, let us break down the estimated costs for your setup:

• Website and background preparations. A customisable online casino platform for sale with a strong backend, mobile optimisation, bonus system, and reporting tools usually starts at around $15,000–$25,000. This includes access to the configurator and full setup support.
• MGA casino licence. The Malta Gaming Authority is one of the most respected regulators in the industry. However, it is also one of the more expensive options. You will need a budget of around $40,000–$50,000 for the application, setup, legal support, and compliance documentation.
• Game integrations. The addition of well-known slot games from Play’n GO and Pragmatic Play would cost about $10,000–$15,000 in setup and installation fees. Such a casino software provider also charges monthly royalties, typically based on the gross gaming revenue.
• Payment method addition. The integration of a reliable financial gateway like Trustly requires compliance checks and a one-time installation fee. Additional payment service provider deductions will also apply to transactions.

In total, you are looking at an initial investment of approximately €100,000 to start an online casino with the setup you described. Keep in mind that this is a realistic figure for a premium build that meets European compliance standards and delivers an excellent player experience. If your budget is more limited, we can offer cost-effective setups. The configurator helps you play with options and see how each choice impacts your budget in real-time.

Part II: The Minimum Requirements to Start an Online Casino

Say you want to open an international gambling site that can accept EU players. Which option would be the cheapest and quickest for this purpose?

If speed and cost-efficiency are your priorities, going for a Curacao licence is your best bet. While it does not carry the same prestige as the MGA or UKGC, it still allows you to operate an online casino internationally. This includes access to many EU markets, especially if you focus on territories without strict local regulations.

Reasons why the jurisdiction is ideal for a fast launch:

• Licensing timeline. A Curacao permit can typically be obtained in 4–6 weeks, compared to several months with an MGA.
• Cost. Total expenses, including registration fees, legal support, and corporate structuring, usually start around $15,000–$20,000.
• KYC and AML compliance. Although lighter than European standards, Curacao still requires you to implement anti-fraud, verification, and responsible gaming policies.
• Cryptocurrency gambling. The licence is one of the most crypto-friendly options for modern operators who want to accept digital currencies from day one.

We often recommend this route to entrepreneurs who aim to start an online casino with limited resources but a strong vision. Rosloto provides full legal setup and ongoing support, so you are not alone, even with a small team or a tight schedule.

In addition to the application and license costs, you will also need some extra money. Can you open an online casino with just a hundred bucks in your bank account?

I love the spirit of the question, but realistically, no, $100 will not get you very far in the iGaming business. Even with the most budget-friendly approach, any online casino platform for sale requires some upfront capital.

Even if you opt for a rental model under the cheapest licence, you are still looking at a minimum of $10,000–$15,000. This would cover your platform lease, access to a basic game package, and initial setup.

It cannot be done with $100 because you also need to cover more nuances:

• payment provider onboarding fees
• game integration charges
• hosting and domain registration
• KYC and AML tools for compliance
• basic marketing budget

Most importantly, you will also need a financial buffer. Even the streamlined turnkey casino solution will not be profitable from day one. You will need funds to run promotions, offer casino bonuses, and handle operational costs until player activity picks up.

That said, Rosloto helps clients prioritise spending. We guide you on what is essential and optional at each stage. So, no, you cannot start an online casino with $100, but with the right partner and strategy, you can build one step by step, even on a modest budget.

Is it possible to set up a platform alone? Or how many people do you need at a minimum? Does the number of people required vary per license?

Technically, yes, you can start an online casino as a solo founder. However, whether that is practical depends on your goals, the licence you choose, and how much of the work you plan to outsource.

For example, if you go with a turnkey casino solution and operate under a Curacao permit, you can manage the basics yourself. We provide the software platform, handle registration, integrate games and payments, and even offer optional support for marketing and customer service. In this case, you would only need to focus on business strategy and user acquisition.

When it comes to MGA or UKGC, the rules are stricter and require:

• a compliance officer
• a money laundering reporting officer
• a responsible gaming officer
• a director-level contact accountable for decision-making

That does not mean you need four full-time employees, but you do require to show that these roles are clearly defined. They can be handled by staff, contractors, or even you (if qualified). In reality, most operators choose to have at least 2–3 core people involved from the beginning, especially if they aim to grow quickly or launch in regulated markets.

The casino license providers conduct background checks of each person during the application process. Could you walk us through this, please? What makes someone ineligible?

Absolutely! This is a critical part of the licensing process and something every aspiring operator should take seriously. When you apply for a permit, you and your team will undergo a personal and corporate due diligence review. Regulators want to ensure that everyone behind the online casino is trustworthy, financially sound, and has no connection to illicit activities.

Here is what’s typically checked:

1. Identity verification. All shareholders, directors, and key personnel must submit valid documents and proof of address.
2. Criminal background check. Anyone with a suspicious record (especially involving fraud, money laundering, or financial misconduct) may be disqualified.
3. Source of funds. Regulators will want to see where your investment capital is coming from. This often includes bank statements, tax returns, or other documents that show business income.
4. Professional history. Experience in gaming, tech, or finance is a plus, but not mandatory. However, gaps in employment, unclear company affiliations, or previous bankruptcies might raise red flags.
5. Reputation. If you have been involved in gaming operations, regulators will look at your compliance history. Any revoked licences or public scandals can delay or block your new application.

Certain permits (MGA, for example) are more stringent and may reject applicants for relatively minor concerns. Others, like Curacao, are rather lenient but still perform essential checks, especially as the jurisdiction modernises its standards.

At Rosloto, we help clients prepare clean, complete documentation to pass these reviews. We also conduct an internal pre-check, so we can flag and resolve any issues before you even apply. It is all about building a compliant, ethical foundation for your iGaming business because in this industry, trust is currency.

 To anyone out there with dreams to launch their own online casino, my biggest advice is to be ambitious, but stay grounded. The iGaming business is full of potential, but success does not happen overnight.Clara Hazel, Rosloto

Thank you for answering all our questions about how to start an online casino! Do you have any final words for our readers?

It was my pleasure! Thank you for the great questions. To anyone out there with dreams to launch their own online casino, my biggest advice is to be ambitious, but stay grounded. The iGaming business is full of potential, but success does not happen overnight. You need to approach it like any serious venture, choose the right partners, understand the licensing process, plan your budget wisely, and do not underestimate ongoing operational work.

That said, the barriers to entry are lower today than ever before. With solutions like Rosloto’s turnkey casino platform, you do not need a huge tech team or years of niche experience to launch a competitive product. We have helped solo founders, investors, and established businesses buy casino software, configure their dream platforms, and get to market in record time.

So, if you have got the clear idea, take the next step. Use our platform configurator to play around with features, reach out to us with questions, or simply explore the possibilities. The tools are there, and what you build with them is up to you.