Knowledge · Strategy
Online casino development — build, buy or white label
Every new iGaming operator faces the same choice: build the platform, buy a turnkey solution, or launch on a white-label. This guide breaks down the trade-offs.
Updated January 2025 · AS Tech iGaming editorial
Three paths
- Build in-house: 12–24 months, USD 2–8M engineering + certifications. Full IP ownership. For scale operators with unique regulatory needs.
- Turnkey / custom development: 12–24 weeks, USD 200k–1M. Dedicated infrastructure with AS Tech engineering. Middle ground.
- White label: 2–4 weeks, USD 20–50k setup + revenue share. AS Tech-hosted. Fastest path to market.
Reference tech stack
Frontend: React or Vue PWA. Backend: microservices (Go / Node.js / Java). Database: Postgres (ledger) + Redis (session, cache). Message bus: Kafka (once scale demands). Observability: Prometheus + Grafana + OpenTelemetry. Deployment: Kubernetes with multi-region active-active for wallet.
Licensing
Curaçao (fastest, cheapest, USD 25k–50k), Anjouan (cheap, growing), MGA (expensive, prestige), UKGC (expensive, hardest), Kahnawake, Isle of Man. Choose based on target markets and payment-processor requirements.
Typical timeline
Discovery (2 weeks) → licensing application (4–16 weeks parallel) → build (12–24 weeks for turnkey/custom, or 2–4 weeks for white label) → certification (2–6 weeks) → launch. Total: 4–12 months.
Budget line items
- Licensing: USD 25k–500k depending on jurisdiction.
- Platform: white label USD 20–50k setup + revenue share; custom USD 200k–1M.
- Games (revenue share only if aggregator; direct if you integrate studios).
- Payment rails: 1.5–3.5% per transaction plus setup fees per rail.
- Compliance & certification: USD 10–50k annually.
- Marketing: variable, typically 30–50% of first-year budget.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest path to market?+
White label — 2–4 weeks from contract to go-live if licensing is already in place.
When does in-house build make sense?+
Only for operators expecting >USD 50M annual GGR with unique regulatory or product needs. Otherwise buy.
Can I switch from white label to custom later?+
Yes — many operators start white label and migrate to custom development at scale. AS Tech supports the migration path.
What's the cheapest license?+
Anjouan currently — USD 12k–25k depending on category. Curaçao master-license sub-licensing is also viable.
Do I need a payment license?+
No — you partner with a licensed processor per market. Direct payment licensing is only needed for very large operators.