How to Start your Own Online Casino in Europe

KNOW THE ONLINE CASINO OPERATION

That would mean the casino business encompasses players in every continent and from every culture, serving to make this giant industry a behemoth in the world of iGaming. Reports pertaining to the industry have shown that the revenues that are annually generated by the casino business grow constantly, breaching the one-billion-dollar barrier. This is an assurance that there is high revenue potential, which your idea of the business in the casino business can be actualized with trust and confidence in it gaining traction from players.

Another significant cause for the spread of the online casino market pertains to the proliferation of gaming through mobile devices. Because of smartphones and other tablets, playing casino games is now able to be done out of the house and on the go. A significant percentage of online casino revenues today are coming through mobile devices, which underscores the need for optimization for mobile gameplay.

Some online casinos accept cryptocurrency payments, subject to applicable gambling and financial regulations. Cryptocurrency does not guarantee greater security or permit access from every country. Operators must comply with territorial restrictions, player verification, AML/CFT requirements and any regulatory conditions governing their payment methods. Cryptocurrency payments also introduce risks such as volatility and difficulties establishing the source of funds.

Online casinos also succeed because of the compelling player experiences to answer many of their needs. Its ease of navigation, user-friendliness of the interface, and responsive support make the gamblers satisfied and retain them longer. Online casinos have a huge repertoire that runs from classic games to innovation in gaming through slots. This type of variety meets numerous player preferences, helping in keeping their interest for a long time. If your aim is to find information on how to start a slot machine business, then the diversity of games and player interaction with an online casino helps you in your slot machine business.

Players all over the world are constantly and actively seeking digital entertainment and new gaming feelings, which positions the market of online casinos as a very promising field of business development. The market is at a constant stage of development and offers multiple opportunities for those determined enough to bring a new, well-thought online casino experience to life.

Consider the Benefits of Operating an Online Casino

There are a few advantages of running an online casino business, which conceivable make for very lucrative revenues and globalization. They turn online casinos into dynamic and flexible business areas with great opportunities for growth.

Before making any decisions about opening your own online casino, there are several advantages to be considered:

• It is flexible in terms of a business model—you can choose among different business models, such as white-label solutions, partnering with software providers, or developing your own proprietary platform. You have the option to sell it under either your brand or somebody else’s.
• Online casinos can potentially be friendlier to the regulating environment than land-based casinos, depending on the jurisdiction they operate in.
• Online casinos are able to be operated remotely, allowing you to operate from various places and adapt your business model accordingly to different market conditions.
• Operating an online casino often entails fewer overheads than a land-based casino, with no real estate or equipment to purchase or large staffing requirements. Online casinos can offer 24/7 access to players and, therefore, will have the ability to create consistent revenues.
• Online platforms provide detailed data and analytics which allow you to track player behavior, preferences, and trends with the aim of optimizing marketing and improving the player experience.
• Player engagement can be enhanced by continuously integrating technological innovations, such as VR/AR experiences, and gamification elements which amasses more players.

Choose a Way of Launching an Online Casino

As already briefly pointed out, there are a few paths to take when it comes to opening an online casino. Namely, you can either create your own exclusive platform or set up a white-label casino. In which direction you will go depends on your budget, timeline, technical skills, customization requirements, and long-term business goals. While our team of lawyers can help you decide what solution suits your business idea best and guide you through any process of launching an online casino, including in-depth insights provided in our online casino guide, below we compare the development of a proprietary platform and a white-label solution.

Consider the Steps of Launching an Online Casino

Opening and launching an online casino is not as easy as it seems. Everything should be planned in minute detail, considering the regulatory requirements at the same time. Be ready to pass through quite a stringent list of specific legal requirements that differ from one jurisdiction to another. Generally speaking, such stages of launching an online casino include, but are not limited to, building or buying an online gambling platform, incorporation of a business, and obtaining of license.

The next steps would involve the following key features in opening an online casino business:

• Choosing the right jurisdiction to obtain a license, based on legal considerations, regulations, and taxes.
• Choosing a casino software provider or white-label solution – we can consult both approaches.
• A mix of casino games, from slots over table games to live dealers, from authorized and licensed game providers, onto your platform.
• Designing an appealing and responsive website reflective of your brand and ensuring the website is fully optimized for mobile devices with seamless navigation and fast loading times.
• Integration of secure and easy deposit and withdrawal methods with strong security structure, covering SSL encryption and fraud prevention.
• Design the process of player registration per the rules of 
  Know-Your-Customer (KYC)
  , including the age and identity verification of players.
• Responsible gambling policies and features that guarantee safe and controlled gaming behavior.
• Carrying out full testing of the platform in terms of functionality, security, and user experience, including with the help of an independent auditor approved in conformity with the national regulations.
• Casino marketing strategy regarding attracting and retaining players in conformity with regulations enforced by the gambling authority.
• Ensuring that all processes are in place so responsive and knowledgeable customer support can be provided, meeting all the regulatory requirements.
• Acquiring an adequate license to gamble, with a jurisdiction of one’s choice.

Select the Online Casino License Jurisdiction

Regulations in the online casino market vary from one jurisdiction to another. Whereas a few countries have set strict legislation to control virtual gambling, others are yet to come up with full-fledged laws and regulations. Thus, when choosing between various jurisdictions, a company should consider its size and capacity. A few jurisdictions work for startups, while others can only be available for mature businesses.

Whether you are able to meet strict licensing requirements within a well-regulated jurisdiction for online casino operators with solid financial and operational foundations or a gambling startup seeking a flexible environment in which you could test your idea of an online casino and learn how to own a casino, our team of lawyers here at Regulated Europe will be happy to offer a jurisdiction to suit your needs.

Malta is one of the leading jurisdictions for regulating online gambling, and this is mostly because Malta offers a complete licensing process with an attractive tax regime for operators. Online casino regulation and licensure are carried out by the 
Malta Gaming Authority
. The license is quite pricey to acquire, plus it’s rather difficult to obtain, which makes it most suitable for well-established businesses capable of meeting strict requirements.

The Isle of Man is a favorite for many, since it enjoys good stability of legal environments and serious measures for the protection of players. This is the reason it is often chosen by gambling startups and more mature gambling businesses alike, as it has a robust technical infrastructure, reliable telecommunications, and generally a business-friendly environment with competitive tax rates. Online gambling activities are regulated by the 
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
 and provide a trusted licensing process.

In 2026, online gambling licensing in Curaçao is administered by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK), which entered into force on 24 December 2024. Operators apply for direct authorisation and must satisfy the applicable suitability, financial and operational requirements. Approval is not automatic, and the former master-licence and sub-licence model is not the current licensing route.

Recently, Anjouan proved to be a good choice for many gambling startups because of a flexible but at the same time internationally recognized regulative environment combined with a reasonably priced license. ABGB—Anjouan Betting and Gaming Board—is an autonomous national authority in charge of making sure that at least minimal regulative measures are kept by online casinos licensed by or operating from Anjouan. The license from Anjouan is generally supposed to be cheaper than the license from other jurisdictions, while the procedure of licensing is simpler too.

Consider Requirements about Casino Licensing

In the case of setting up and owning an online casino and for running it legally, you will have to fulfill the legal requirements which include the application for a gambling license by one regulatory authority from your chosen jurisdiction. The requirements of attaining a license for an online casino vary greatly between jurisdictions, and we can advise on requirements particular to your chosen jurisdiction. That said, there are a few general requirements that crop up time and again when it comes to some of the most popular licensing jurisdictions among online casinos.

It is also required to carefully look into the general national laws and, to some degree, EU laws regarding company formation, operation, reporting, and consumer protection. The ability to operate within the limits of applicable legislation and regulations is crucial for securing not only the establishment but also the stable and continuous growth of an online casino.

Online Casino License Application

Once you are sure that all the regulatory requirements can be met, and your online casino can operate within the framework of a particular jurisdiction, then is the time to apply for a license. The gambling license is a legal and regulative frame that makes sure the casino follows industry standards, AML/CFT regulations, player protection, responsible gambling, and other applicable legislation. The license mostly points out the jurisdiction where the casino is licensed to operate, and what records are continuously supposed to be kept and reported to the competent authorities.

Obtaining an online casino license involves a comprehensive application process that includes background checks, financial assessments, and an investigation of the casino’s operational plans. The licensing process generally aims to establish proof that the operator can provide a safe and equitable gambling environment for gamers, with methods of preventing fraudulent or criminal activities in the industry. A license issued by a reputable jurisdiction will contribute to gaining player confidence and credibility within the competitive online gambling market segment.

Licensing requirements depend on who legally operates the gambling business and on the target jurisdiction, not simply on whether the software is proprietary or white-label. A white-label agreement does not automatically create a sub-licence. In Great Britain, the licensed operator remains responsible for the gambling website, while a white-label marketing partner cannot independently provide gambling facilities without the required licence.

While the application process may differ depending on the jurisdiction in which you file your application, the following steps are very common:

• The preparation of all the required personal and company documents
• The step is enchanted by the payment of the applicable licensing fees prescribed by the regulatory authority
• Submission of such application to the regulatory authority of the selected domicile
• Attending a meeting at the regulator’s office for clear explanations about information concerning operations of the business.

The validity period of such an 
online casino license
 may differ according to the country’s jurisdiction where it was issued. Other jurisdictions have their own laws and policies concerning the validity of such a gambling license and its renewals. Though some jurisdictions provide indefinite gambling licenses, others require renewal each year. A white-label agreement does not itself create or extend regulatory authorisation. The operating entity must hold the permissions required by the applicable jurisdiction throughout the arrangement. Curaçao’s former master-licence and sub-licence model is no longer the current licensing framework.

The team at Regulated United Europe here would be delighted to help you make the right choice regarding the jurisdiction that will best respond to your needs, explain all the relevant legislation, and undertake all the necessary steps in the process. You’ll find the process of launching an online casino easy, smooth, and transparent with the assurance of dedicated legal advisors, tax experts, and financial accountants supporting you. Please feel free to get in touch with us now for a personal consultation to set the stage for continued success.

Online casino licensing jurisdictions in 2026

Gambling operations in Costa Rica

Costa Rica does not issue a dedicated online gambling licence comparable to those issued by the Malta Gaming Authority or the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Company incorporation and a municipal business or data-processing permit must not be presented as an international gambling authorisation.

A Costa Rican company must comply with applicable local registration, operating and tax obligations. A blanket statement that these businesses pay no tax is incorrect: Law No. 9050 establishes taxation for qualifying electronic betting call-processing businesses, and other tax obligations depend on the company’s activities and circumstances.

A Costa Rican structure does not authorise access to European gambling markets. The operator must separately establish whether each target market permits its services and requires a local licence.

Bank account opening is subject to the financial institution’s acceptance criteria, due diligence and gambling-sector policies; availability in every country cannot be guaranteed.

Gambling license in Curacao

In 2026, Curaçao operates a direct licensing framework under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) licenses and supervises online gambling operators. New operators cannot obtain lawful operating status merely by purchasing a sub-licence from a former master-licence holder.

For a B2C online gaming licence, annual regulatory fees total EUR 47,450: EUR 24,490 in licence fees and EUR 22,960 in supervisory fees. Application, due-diligence and other applicable charges are additional. Incorporation, professional services and operational expenditure are not included in those annual fees.

A Curaçao licence does not authorise every gambling product or unrestricted worldwide access. Operators must comply with their licence conditions and the laws of each target market. Market-access decisions must consider the player’s location, applicable licensing restrictions and sanctions, rather than relying on an outdated list of prohibited nationalities.

Processing time depends on the completeness of the application and regulatory assessment; a two-month approval must not be guaranteed.

Gambling license in Malta

The Malta Gaming Authority distinguishes between B2C gaming service licences and B2B critical gaming supply licences. The former four-class licensing model must not be confused with the current game-type classifications.

The current game types are:

Type 1: house-banked games determined by a random generator, including relevant casino games.

Type 2: house-banked games determined by external events, including fixed-odds betting.

Type 3: games in which the operator earns commission without taking gaming risk, including relevant peer-to-peer poker, bingo and betting exchanges.

Type 4: controlled skill games.

Software suppliers requiring authorisation fall under the B2B framework; they are not classified as Type 4 merely because they supply software.

Minimum issued and paid-up share capital is EUR 100,000 for Type 1 or Type 2 B2C services and EUR 40,000 for Type 3 or Type 4 services. Requirements for multiple game-type approvals are cumulative, capped at EUR 240,000. B2B critical gaming suppliers generally require EUR 40,000.

An MGA licence does not provide an EU gambling passport. Each target market requires a separate legal assessment, including local licensing requirements, prohibited products and territorial restrictions.

Gambling license in Anjouan

The Comoros is one of the least known places to obtain a license for gambling. It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean that offers so much more leeway in many aspects compared to other popular jurisdictions like Curaçao or Malta. It has much lower bureaucracy and regulative requirements not that strict as in the above-mentioned countries. This license for online casinos can be obtained on the island of Ndzwani, also known as Anjouan, which is the second largest island in the Comoros.

Server-location requirements must be assessed under the relevant licence conditions and technical standards. Curaçao’s licensing documentation expressly accommodates different hosting arrangements and requires applicants to disclose the countries where their servers are located. It is incorrect to state that every server must be physically located in Curaçao. Hosting abroad does not remove requirements concerning regulatory access, security, data protection and operational oversight.

The process of receiving a gaming license is very fast in the Comoros, if all the requirements are met. Licenses are issued only to local companies, so applications for them are submitted together with the request for company registration.

Also, in the Comoros, one of the benefits for online casinos licensed here is tax exemption and any type of activity related to gambling except for those jurisdictions that ban it by law. Meanwhile, Anjouan does not require a local director or local staff.

Gambling license in Gibraltar

Among all the above-mentioned companies, Gibraltar has imposed the severest requirements on the companies seeking to get gambling licenses. Up to 2023 year, just over 40 companies have a gaming license on Gibraltar among which are such giants of the gambling industry as BetVictor, 32Red, 888 Casino, Casino.com, William Hill, bet365, Betfred, Unibet. The gaming license in Gibraltar is highly valued and guarantees players’ trust.

Nowadays, Gibraltar is regarded as the best and the largest online casino and gambling centre in Europe. The local government has created such legislation that allows the companies operating in the gambling sphere to conduct business comfortably, paying low taxes, but retain a high reputation of the country and stunning infrastructure to run your own online casino.

Under Gibraltar’s Gambling (Duties and Licence Fees) Regulations 2026, general gaming duty is 0.15% of gross gaming profit, with the first GBP 100,000 exempt. Application fees, annual licence fees and other applicable taxes are separate. The former statement of a 1% rate with minimum and maximum annual amounts is outdated.

Gibraltar is not part of the European Union. It left the EU alongside the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020. A Gibraltar gambling licence does not provide an EU gambling passport.

In the end, just the names that were in a position to prove that they can obtain a license in Gibraltar were those that were in any ways excellent and were already found to be reputable as well as in a decent financial condition.

White-label casino arrangements and licensing responsibility

A white-label arrangement is not a general right to rent another company’s gambling licence. Its legality depends on the jurisdiction, the licensed operator’s permissions and the allocation of regulated activities.

In Great Britain, the licence holder remains responsible for the gambling websites operated under its licence, including white-label brands. Regulatory responsibility cannot be transferred to a marketing partner through a commercial agreement.

The licensed operator must maintain effective oversight of player verification, AML/CFT controls, responsible gambling, customer funds, complaints and third-party activities. A brand owner wishing to provide gambling facilities independently requires the appropriate authorisation.

A white-label contract does not remove target-market restrictions or guarantee access to banks, payment providers or game suppliers.

Also, lawyers from Regulated United Europe provide legal services for obtaining a 
crypto license in Europe
.