There are thousands of online-based, independently owned and operated casinos around the world. The revenue for the online casinos is over $10 billion, and continues to grow each year. If you want to offer your customers the opportunity to gamble and have a solid business plan, starting a Web-based casino may be a good idea. However, much research will be involved regarding gaming laws and jurisdictions.

Difficulty: ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need:Gaming licenseCasino Web design software1

Decide what type of online casino you want to run and develop. There are two main types of online casinos, Web based and download based. Next decide what games you want to include. Some casinos are strictly poker sites, others include table games such as blackjack or keno, and some include sports-book betting such as horse racing. Before even thinking about operating an online casino, you must be fully aware of how different betting games work so you can determine what bonuses and comps to give away. Websites such as Wizardofodds explain in detail nearly every betting game ever played.

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Determine what country you want to base your online casino operations in. The passing of the SAFE Port Act in 2006 prohibited online gambling transactions based in the U.S. Many Americans choose to operate in Costa Rica, where it is easy to license an online gambling site. In Costa Rica, there are no gaming regulations, and therefore no gaming tax. Many online casinos also operate from the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, where Internet gambling sites are licensed.

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Choose the software you need to develop your casino website. Software packages will include nearly all the marketing tools, so you will not necessarily have to market your casino yourself. Most casinos software offers the option of either building a flash-based site or a download-based site. Many sites have a build-your-own-casino approach based on your chosen business needs.

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Obtain a gaming license. Like being licensed for any trade, a gaming license adds legitimacy and credibility to your business. Having a gaming license also enables your casino website to be investigated in order to verify that you're operating fairly. Online gaming licenses range from a few hundred dollars (in Costa Rica) to over $100,000. Also, expect to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees. According to Viaden, a large distributor of casino software products, it takes only a couple of months to get your online gaming establishment running.

References StartCasino: Internet Gaming Business Information ViadenMedia: Costa Rica Jurisdiction USA Today: Bush Signs Port-Security, Internet Gaming Bill Online Casino Start Up Questions Gambling Law US: Licensing Online Gambling by Foreign Countries ResourcesThe Wizard of Odds