Starting your own gaming business—specifically an online gambling operation—takes serious commitment. The iGaming industry is highly competitive. Platform operators with ambitions to carve out a niche and establish a strong position must align with best industry practices to stay competitive and build trust.
We walk you through the steps to successfully launch a gaming business in 2024—and show how you can achieve this in as little as four weeks from reading this article.
Market Potential of Online Gambling
The iGaming industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by technological advancements, increased mobile usage, and broader digital connectivity. Financial reports and market analyses project that by 2030, the global online gambling market could surpass $682 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.65% from 2024 to 2030. This surge is supported by the proliferation of smartphones, improved internet infrastructure, and rising adoption of digital payments across many regions.
Despite rapid expansion, the iGaming sector remains highly competitive, with numerous operators vying for market share. However, this competition does not suggest market saturation. On the contrary, expanding legal frameworks in many jurisdictions are opening new avenues for licensed operators—highlighting the market’s significant untapped potential.
This environment presents lucrative opportunities for new entrants, especially those who can leverage innovative technology, harness player preference data, and navigate regional regulatory landscapes.
Market Focus and Emerging Trends
Aspiring iGaming operators have a chance to establish a niche by focusing on emerging trends in mobile gaming, live dealer games, the integration of eSports, and other dynamics inspired by the broader online gaming industry—such as gamification.
These areas offer distinct competitive advantages and can help new platforms differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Innovation and creativity hold great potential to drive success, but a solid strategy grounded in best practices is essential to launching an iGaming business successfully in 2024.
Key Steps to Start Your Own iGaming Business
Here is an overview of actionable steps operators should take to launch a successful iGaming platform:
Step 1: Market Research and Planning
Step 2: Gambling Licenses and Compliance
Step 3: Game Selection and Partnerships
Step 4: Payment Systems and Security
Step 5: Choosing the Right Technology Platform
Step 6: Website Design and User Experience
Step 7: Marketing, Customer Acquisition and Retention
Step 8: Operations Management
Step 9: Monitoring and Data Analytics
Market Research and Planning
In-depth market research and planning should ideally align with personal interests and real market opportunities. Building a business model around your passion can be highly motivating—an essential ingredient for long-term success.
Conducting thorough market research allows entrepreneurs to customize their offerings to match specific market demands and player expectations. This research should also include a review of emerging trends and regulatory requirements in the regions you plan to target. Beyond this, there are many other key areas for foundational research.
All findings should be compiled into a comprehensive business plan. This document should serve as a strategic blueprint, outlining key goals, operational strategies, marketing plans, and financial projections.
Legal Requirements and Licensing
For iGaming platform owners, the importance of complying with local legal mandates cannot be overstated.
A gaming license—often referred to as a gambling license—grants operators the legal authority to conduct gambling activities within a specific geographic region. More than just a regulatory requirement, a license is a valuable asset that builds trust among players and industry partners—crucial for the sustainable growth of any iGaming business.
There are many advantages to obtaining a gambling license. First, it facilitates partnerships with leading software providers and payment processors, which generally require proof of licensing before providing services. Second, it grants access to lucrative markets, allowing operators to attract a broader audience of players who prioritize safe, regulated environments.
Choosing the right license ultimately elevates your platform’s reputation, enhancing credibility with players and industry stakeholders alike—an essential step in building a trusted brand.
Game Selection and Partnerships
Offering a diverse portfolio of gambling games and sports betting options allows operators to broaden their customer base by catering to a wide range of player preferences. This level of diversification addresses the increasingly sophisticated expectations of today’s players, who seek immersive, engaging experiences.
Building a rich and varied game offering depends heavily on forming strong partnerships with respected software and game developers. These collaborations are vital, as they bring innovative content that keeps pace with market trends and user demands. Working with top-tier developers also ensures seamless gameplay, premium graphics, and high-performance functionality across devices.
Furthermore, platforms that regularly introduce fresh and exciting games are better positioned to maintain player engagement and build long-term loyalty—both of which are essential for sustained growth.
Payment Systems and Security
Providing a wide range of payment methods—including traditional banking, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies—improves accessibility for players across diverse geographic and economic backgrounds.
Equally important is the deployment of strong security measures to protect user data and financial transactions. Robust encryption standards, adherence to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), and the implementation of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols are critical to prevent fraud and data breaches.
These practices help establish user trust, which is fundamental to encouraging both player sign-ups and long-term platform loyalty.
Choosing the Right iGaming Software Provider
iGaming software providers are the architects of the digital gaming ecosystem, responsible for designing the core infrastructure that connects operators with players. A reliable provider ensures the platform is stable, adaptable, and compliant with ever-evolving legal standards.
These companies deliver end-to-end solutions, including game integration, platform customization, payment system compatibility, and comprehensive back-office tools for operational management. They also play a critical role in regulatory compliance and data security. For all these reasons, selecting an experienced iGaming software provider like Altenar is not just a technical decision—it’s a strategic partnership that significantly impacts the long-term success of your platform.
Website and User Experience Design
Designing an intuitive and visually engaging user interface is key to onboarding, retaining, and converting players. For best results, operators should aim for a clean, user-friendly layout that emphasizes easy navigation while maintaining access to all critical features.
Navigation should be seamless—enabling users to locate their favorite games, payment portals, and account settings with minimal effort. A well-designed interface not only enhances the user experience but also strengthens brand loyalty over time.
Mobile optimization will be equally important in 2024, as a substantial portion of users will access platforms via smartphones and tablets. A responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and orientations ensures a consistent experience across all devices—broadening the potential user base.
Furthermore, technical robustness is essential for maintaining high uptime. A reliable back-end infrastructure ensures the platform can handle large volumes of concurrent users and data without compromising performance or availability. Ultimately, these elements are key to retaining players and fostering long-term loyalty in a competitive market.
Marketing and Customer Acquisition
Attracting and retaining players is central to an iGaming operator’s success. A focused, strategic approach is critical for launching, gaining momentum, and staying competitive.
Operators should prioritize three major areas:
Pre-Launch Marketing
Pre-launch marketing builds anticipation around the platform. A strategic mix of digital marketing—such as targeted social media campaigns, SEO-optimized content, and influencer partnerships—can generate buzz. Exclusive sneak peeks or beta access can further engage early adopters and foster a sense of community.
Post-Launch Promotions
Post-launch promotions are vital for maintaining engagement. These include regular game updates, reload bonuses, free bets, and loyalty programs. Personalized communication and events also help retain new users and encourage repeat visits.
Affiliate Program
A strong affiliate program is essential. By partnering with well-established affiliates in the iGaming space, operators can significantly expand their reach and ensure a steady stream of traffic. Clear commission structures, transparent reporting, and timely payments are critical for maintaining a motivated affiliate network.
Operations Management
Operations management refers to the day-to-day responsibilities required to run a compliant and competitive platform. Key functions include responsive customer support—available in the user’s preferred language—and regulatory compliance, such as maintaining valid licenses and enforcing fair play and anti-money laundering (AML) measures.
Strategic planning also plays a key role in growth. Operators must leverage analytics to understand market trends and player behavior, helping them make data-driven decisions on game offerings, market entry, and promotional activities.
Monitoring and Analytics
Analytics provides invaluable insight into player behavior, preferences, and engagement trends. By evaluating this data, iGaming operators can refine product offerings, personalize marketing strategies, and improve retention efforts.
In addition, analytics help streamline operations by identifying inefficiencies, reducing costs, and pinpointing opportunities for improvement. With real-time data, operators can remain flexible and responsive in a dynamic industry landscape.
Scaling Your Platform
Once a loyal customer base is established, it’s time to scale.
Geographic expansion can be accomplished through strategic partnerships and by entering new markets with localized marketing strategies that respect local culture and regulation. This not only expands reach but also minimizes risk.
Technology must scale in parallel. Ensuring that your platform can handle increased traffic and incorporating advanced analytics enables personalized marketing, improved user experience, and more efficient retention strategies.
Innovating your game library—such as by adding eSports or virtual sports betting—can also attract new audiences. Regular platform updates help maintain engagement among existing users while drawing in fresh traffic.
Start-Up Strategies for New Operators
New operators entering the online gaming market in 2024 have two primary paths to launch their business.
First, operators can independently coordinate with software developers, payment processors, legal consultants, auditing labs, and customer service teams. While this approach provides complete control, it also requires a significant investment of time and capital.
Alternatively, forming a strategic partnership with a reputable iGaming software provider offers a faster and more efficient route to market. This option allows operators to leverage the provider’s infrastructure, legal expertise, and existing third-party relationships.
This frees up resources and allows operators to focus on marketing and customer acquisition—both essential for securing market share and building long-term success.
As the business matures, operators can gradually internalize operations, scaling at a controlled pace to maintain quality and consistency.
How to Launch Your iGaming Business Instantly
This checklist of considerations may seem overwhelming for new operators. However, launching an online sportsbook, casino, or other gambling product doesn’t need to be difficult—especially with the right iGaming software provider.
Altenar, a leading iGaming software provider, can manage all your technical and legal requirements. Through a white-label sportsbook or casino tailored to your brand, Altenar supports you until you're ready to go fully independent.
Message Altenar today and learn how you can start your own iGaming platform instantly.
