The demand for online card games has surged with widespread internet connectivity and the proliferation of smartphones. However, you need more than a flourishing market and a great idea to start a business. As more and more players shift to online card game platforms, the demand for online card game development has increased, but so has the competition.
While it is a very lucrative opportunity, it requires careful planning, market research, a proper plan, and the right execution to stand out in the gaming market.
So, how do you start a card game business? This guide is designed to help you understand the step-by-step process and the nuances of starting a profitable card business from scratch.
Let’s dive in.
Also Read:- Step-by-Step Guide to Developing a Golf Card Game App
Here are the steps to start a card game business from scratch and leave your competition behind.
First and foremost, it is necessary to understand the market and gather information about different types of card games. The industry has various card game formats including Poker, Blackjack, Teen Patti, and collectible card games. Besides that, studying the market to understand regional preferences, audience trends, and gaming behavior will help you create a structured business plan.
It is also important to identify your competitors. Conduct market research and collect data on various fronts, including competitor analysis, their business strategy, their user acquisition and retention strategies, and also their strengths and weaknesses. You should have answers to these questions after market research:
This crucial information will help you create a tailored business strategy to target the right audience and scale your business.
After you are done with the market research, you have to come up with a unique card game idea. This includes everything from the core game idea to the game’s mechanics and the rules of the gameplay. Here is how you can do that:
Define the Core Theme: Fantasy, mystery, survival, strategy, etc.
Gameplay Mechanics: The mechanics should align with the theme of your game
Target Audience: Casual players, kids, adults, hardcore-strategists, party-goers, etc.
Win Conditions: Points, elimination, survival, etc.
Card Designs: Name, artwork, stats, symbols, color-coding, etc.
Initially, you should at least finalize these elements to give shape to your card game idea and move on to the development phase.
Now comes the hard part, the next step is to choose whether you want to develop the card game platform yourself or outsource it to a development partner. Both options have their pros and cons and the choice will ultimately come down to your business goals.
In-House Team: Gives you more control over the entire process but requires significant investment in salaries, equipment, technologies, renting a space, and other employee benefits. More control but less cost-effective.
Outsourcing Development: This is generally a good option as it gives you access to experienced developers, technical expertise, and cutting-edge resources. It can save you valuable time and speed up the entire process. If you are under a tight budget, this is the best option for you.
Once you have a solid card game idea in mind, you can hire a card game development company to start the development process. The online card game platform will be essential to your card game business.
Since there is a plethora of reliable development partners in the market, you can narrow down your choices by considering a few factors such as:
Besides that, a reliable card game service provider also offers these services:
If you choose to develop the card game software with an in-house team, you should have a plan and a fundamental understanding of the entire development process. Here is a quick glance for you:
Developing a Wireframe: This includes creating a structure for your card game platform to get an idea of the overall look.
Game and UI Design: Crafting the entire game layout, interface, and design elements like cards, tables, and backgrounds.
Backend Development: Implementing the game logic, mechanics, database, and servers, along with developing the entire technical architecture.
Graphic Design: Creating visuals and seamless animations to give the game a polished look.
Testing and Quality Analysis: Identifying and fixing any errors and glitches that hamper the gameplay experience.
Feature and API Integration: Integrating relevant APIs and features that enhance the user experience.
Besides a card game platform, it is also crucial to build a website for your card game business. This will help you promote your services online and also boost online visibility. However, there are some things to keep in mind when designing a website for a card game. These include:
You can consult your development partner and check if they offer website development along with the software. Check if they have dedicated web developers who have prior experience with gaming websites.
If you want to start a real-money card game business, you will have to integrate secure payment systems that streamline transactions. No user wants to play on a platform that features slow payments. If you are targeting the USA region, integrate payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Skrill, and credit/debit cards, allowing your players to easily make deposits and withdrawals without any hassle.
Starting a card game business requires following strict government regulations, especially if you offer real-money gaming.
Make sure to follow the industry compliance and regulatory compliance of your jurisdiction. This usually includes integrating advanced security protocols like SSL encryption, TLS, PCI DSS, multi-factor authentication, and adhering to anti-money laundering(AML) laws. Key aspects include:
If you have any doubts, it is best to consult a legal advisor who specializes in iGaming to streamline the entire process.
Without proper marketing, your card game business will not scale to the heights you envision. It is a crucial step for the success of your card game. While there are plenty of marketing strategies, the choice will depend on your target audience and business goals. Here are some commonly used game promotion strategies that you can use:
If you do not possess marketing knowledge, you can also hire a marketing agency with experience in promoting iGaming businesses. They can create a tailored marketing campaign according to your card game, target audience, and business goals, giving you an edge over your competitors.
The final step is to launch and deploy your card game app into the dedicated marketplace. If you are launching a website, you have to make it live so search engines can discover it. On the other hand, launching an app requires deploying it onto the App marketplaces like Google Play Store and App Store.
A well-planned launch can set your game up for success, ensuring high player acquisition and revenue generation right from the start.
Also Read :- How Much Does it Cost to Develop NFT Card Games?
The cost of starting a card game business is not fixed and cannot be estimated without considering various factors. While a simple card game will be cheaper, developing a complex card game with advanced functionalities will take a significant investment. Here are some factors to consider:
All of these features come together to decide the cost of starting a card gaming business. On average, it can cost around $100,000 to $150,000 depending on your jurisdiction and your development partner. Moreover, the type and complexity of the website or application you are developing also affect the overall cost.
Also, keep in mind that this is an estimated cost and the actual cost may differ depending on the above-mentioned factors + your business requirements + the jurisdiction you are operating from.
Here’s a cost breakdown table for starting a card game business within a budget of $100,000 to $150,000:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost ($) |
| Game Design & Development | Cost |
| Graphic Design & Illustrations | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Game Mechanics & Playtesting | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Prototype Creation | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Manufacturing & Production | Cost |
| Printing & Packaging (5,000 – 10,000 units) | 20,000 – 40,000 |
| Quality Assurance & Testing | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Marketing & Branding | Cost |
| Website Development & Hosting | 3,000 – 7,000 |
| Advertising (Social Media, Influencers, Ads) | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Promotional Materials (Videos, Banners, Samples) | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Distribution & Logistics | Cost |
| Shipping & Fulfillment | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Warehousing & Storage | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Retail & E-commerce Setup (Amazon, Shopify, etc.) | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Legal & Business Setup | Cost |
| Business Registration & Licensing | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Copyright, Trademark & Patent Fees | 3,000 – 7,000 |
| Contracts & Legal Consultation | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Miscellaneous & Contingency | Cost |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Contingency Fund (Unexpected Costs) | 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $100,000 – $150,000 |
If you want to start a card game business and want an exact cost quotation, you can contact a game development company like BR Softech.
Profit generation is the primary objective of any business. Luckily for you, an online card game business can utilize various monetization strategies. Here are some common options you can use to generate revenue from your card game platform:
In-app advertisements are one of the most common monetization strategies in online card games. This is a tried and tested method that has proven to be very effective for developers. This includes displaying third-party advertisements in the card game app. Moreover, there are various types of ads based on their nature. These include:
However, it is also important to strike the right balance between advertisements and player satisfaction. Don’t overdo it and place ads strategically so they do not hamper gameplay. Choose the type of ad depending on your target audience, preferences, and monetization goals.
Another common monetization strategy is microtransactions, popularly known as in-app purchases. This allows players to purchase in-game assets in the form of game coins, in-game collectibles, and cosmetic skins like cards and table skins.
If you are planning to launch a free app and still want to generate significant revenue, you can integrate microtransactions into your card game app. With this method, users get access to a free card game with the option to pay for additional content like gems, game coins, etc.
You can generate revenue from your card game app by simply charging users a small fee to download your app. This is a pretty effective business model for card games. However, this monetization strategy has one major drawback. Users who pay upfront for an app are not likely to pay for additional purchases or watch ads.
This means that you cannot combine in-app purchases and advertisements with this model. Depending on your target audience, you can choose the best monetization strategy for your target audience.
In this model, gamers have to make monthly or quarterly payments to gain access to additional game content and features. Some subscriptions are auto-renewed, while some have to be purchased again.
For the duration of the subscription, the player has access to better rewards and incentives that come with the subscription. This model is often used as an additional monetization strategy with in-app purchases and advertisements.
Starting a mobile card game business can be a profitable venture if you play your cards right. However, there are several variables to consider before starting a business. Firstly, make sure to hire a reliable card game development company to create robust software where users can play securely. Secondly, you must take care of the licensing requirements and ensure regulatory compliance according to your jurisdiction. Lastly, employ the best monetization strategies according to your target audience to maximize your revenue.
All of these strategies, if employed efficiently, will make sure your card game remains profitable in the long run.
Ans. The cost to start an online card business typically ranges from $100,000 to $150,000 depending on factors like game complexity, team structure, features, server costs, and regional licensing requirements.
Ans. You need to obtain a license as per your jurisdiction, comply with KYC/AML laws, and integrate advanced security protocols like SSL, PCI DSS, and TLS to legally operate a real-money card game.
Ans. The best monetization methods for card games include in-app purchases, advertisements, subscription models, and paid downloads. The right monetization strategy depends on your target audience and business strategy.
Ans. Outsourcing is more cost-effective and faster if you are on a budget, while in-house development gives you more control but requires a larger upfront investment in salaries, tools, and infrastructure.
Ans. Yes, a professional website improves visibility, builds trust, supports marketing efforts, and offers users information and access to your card game platform or app.
Ans. Use a mix of SEO, app store optimization, influencer marketing, social media ads, and email campaigns to attract and retain players. Consider hiring an agency if you lack marketing experience.
