An Online Casino.
An Online Casino is a form of gambling over the internet. A gambler can place wagers from his home on various games using a computer and a modem connected to the internet. Internet casinos vary in what they contain, but most if not all have basic Las Vegas style games (Blackjack, Poker, Slots, Bingo, Roulette), as well as sportsbooks, lotteries and other forms of gambling. A gambler uses his credit card for a cash advance, giving him virtual chips or "V-Chips." The gambler uses those chips as he would in any ordinary casino. On the screen is what you would see in almost any Virtual Casino Gaming Software that is sold in computer software stores - Only this time, the gambler is wagering for real money.
All this takes place using software and a main server that monitors all the gambling activity. Thousands of people from all over the world can gamble at the same time at one online casino location.
How does someone START an Online Casino operation?
There are three ways to do this:
1) Design and implement all SOFTWARE for an internet casino and E-commerce. Keep in mind this costs millions of US Dollars. Also necessary is a gaming license to run a casino, which requires approvals from most governments. This too, does not come inexpensively. However, one has full control of the site, and full knowledge of the software source code. In addition, no royalties are paid out to a software development company.
2) Become a Licensee of an Internet Gambling Software Provider. This is a far less expensive option and the client receives all the software and sometimes even the equipment necessary. It is also the most popular option for both licensed land-based establishments as well as entrepreneurs. Costs range from USD $ 30,000 to USD $ 350,000 (some ask as high as USD $1 Million). The average licensing fees are around USD $150,000 (this usually includes marketing costs). In most cases a royalty is paid to the software provider as a percentage of the monthly "take" or "drop" (gross profit). Usually the software provider has payment processing (merchant account providers) already set up for a turnkey operation. The Licensing Section lists the software companies that can provide this for you.
3) Become a Sublicensee of a Licensee. This is the least expensive option. Costs range from USD $ 0 to USD $ 60,000. Being an affiliate is basically the same thing as being a sublicensee with no up front costs. The sublicensee must do all the marketing and receives a smaller percentage than a full licensee (2), because royalties paid to the licensee are much higher. The Sublicensing Section lists Online Casino Software Licensees that are willing to provide this.