The popularity of online card games has increased due to widespread internet access and the rise of smartphones. However, having a thriving market and a good idea isn’t enough to start a business. As more players move to online card game platforms, the demand for online card game development rises, as does the competition.
While it is a highly profitable opportunity, success in the gaming market demands careful planning, market research, a solid plan, and effective execution.
So, how do you start a card game business? This guide aims to help you understand the step-by-step process and the details involved in launching a profitable card business from scratch.
Conduct thorough market research to identify game trends, competitors, and target audiences.
Develop a unique card game concept with engaging mechanics and visuals
Choose between in-house development and outsourcing based on your budget and control
Ensure compliance with legal and licensing requirements in your jurisdiction
Promote the game using marketing strategies like SEO, influencer marketing, and paid ads.
Utilize monetization strategies like in-app purchases, ads, subscriptions, or paid apps.
How to Start a Card Game Business? Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the steps to start a card game business from scratch and leave your competition behind.
1. In-Depth Market Research
Primarily, it’s essential to analyze the market and collect information on various card game types. The industry features several formats such as Poker, Blackjack, Teen Patti, and collectible card games. Additionally, researching regional preferences, audience trends, and gaming behaviors will assist in developing a comprehensive business plan.
It’s also crucial to identify your competitors. Conduct market research to gather data on various aspects, such as competitor analysis, their business strategies, user acquisition and retention approaches, and their strengths and weaknesses. After this research, you should be able to answer the following questions:
What type of card game will you target?
Who is your target audience?
What is their preference?
What are their gaming habits?
Who are your competitors?
What are their business strategies and USPs?
This information will help you create a tailored business strategy to target the right audience and scale your business.
2. Conceptualization
Once you’ve completed your market research, develop a unique card game concept. This should cover everything from the central game idea to its mechanics and gameplay rules. Here’s a guide on how to do this:
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.
First, you should at least complete these elements to shape your card game idea before proceeding to the development phase.
3. In-House Team or Outsourcing Card Game Development
The next challenge is deciding whether to develop the card game platform in-house or to outsource it to a development partner. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and the final decision will depend on your business objectives.
In-House Team: Provides greater control over the entire process but involves substantial costs for salaries, equipment, technologies, space rental, and other employee benefits. Greater control, but at a higher cost.
Outsourcing Development: This option is usually beneficial because it provides access to skilled developers, technical expertise, and advanced resources. It can save time and accelerate the project. If you’re working with a limited budget, this choice is ideal.
4. Choose a Development Partner (If You Chose Outsourcing)
After finalizing your card game concept, consider hiring a development company to begin creating your game. An online platform for card games, especially Trading Card Games, will be crucial to your business. Given the abundance of dependable development partners available, you can narrow your options by evaluating a few key factors, such as:
Experience of the Company
Testimonials
Development Approach
Cost
Portfolio
Besides that, a reliable card game service provider also offers these services:
Highly efficient gaming management system
State-of-the-art game development technology and tools
The reliable payment gateway system that offers support for multiple currencies
Attractive and easy-to-navigate user interface
Round-the-clock customer support
5. Card Game Development Process (If You Choose In-House Development)
If you decide to develop the card game software using an in-house team, you should have a clear plan and a basic understanding of the entire development process. Here’s a quick overview for you:
Developing a Wireframe: This involves designing a structure for your card game platform to visualize its overall appearance.
Game and UI Design: Designing the complete game layout, interface, and elements such as cards, tables, and backgrounds.
Backend Development: Handling the implementation of game logic, mechanics, database, and servers, as well as developing the complete technical architecture.
Graphic Design: Designing visuals and smooth animations to enhance the game’s polished appearance.
Testing and Quality Analysis: Identifying and fixing any errors and glitches that disrupt gameplay experience.
Feature and API Integration: Integrating relevant APIs and features that enhance the user experience.
6. Create a Website for Your Business
Besides a card game platform, developing a website for your card game business is crucial. It will help promote your services online and boost your visibility. However, there are important factors to consider when designing such a website, including:
User-friendliness
Responsiveness
Easy Navigation
Compatibility with major browsers
Peak Performance
You can consult your development partner to see if they also provide website development services. Verify whether they have dedicated web developers experienced in creating gaming websites.
7. Integrate Payment Gateways
To launch a real-money card game business, it’s essential to incorporate secure payment systems that facilitate smooth transactions. Players dislike platforms with slow payment processes. If targeting the USA, consider integrating payment options like PayPal, Stripe, Skrill, and credit/debit cards to enable your players to deposit and withdraw funds effortlessly.
8. Legal and Licensing Requirements
Starting a card game business requires following strict government regulations, especially if you offer real-money gaming.
Ensure compliance with industry and regional regulations. This typically involves implementing advanced security measures such as SSL encryption, TLS, PCI DSS, multi-factor authentication, and following anti-money laundering (AML) laws. Key aspects include:
Regulatory Compliance: Know Your Customer(KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering(AML) laws.
Responsible Gaming Policies: Implement responsible gaming features like bet limits, break reminders, and self-exclusion.
If you have any questions, it’s best to consult a legal expert who specializes in iGaming to make the process smoother.
9. Employ Marketing Strategies
Without proper marketing, your card game business won’t reach the heights you envision. It’s a vital step for your game’s success. Although many marketing strategies exist, your choice should depend on your target audience and business goals. Here are some commonly used game promotion strategies that you can implement:
Search Engine Optimization
App Store Optimization
Influencer Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Email Marketing
Google Ads/Meta Ads
If you lack marketing expertise, consider hiring a marketing agency experienced in promoting iGaming businesses. They can develop a customized marketing campaign tailored to your card game, target audience, and business objectives, helping you gain an advantage over competitors.
10. Launch and Deployment
The final step is to launch and deploy your card game app to the relevant marketplace. For a website, this means making it live so search engines can find it. For an app, you need to publish it on app marketplaces like Google Play Store and App Store.
A well-planned launch can position your game for success, ensuring strong player acquisition and revenue right from the beginning.
The cost to start a card game business varies and depends on several factors. A basic card game will cost less, but creating a complex game with advanced features will require a larger investment. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Game development platform(Hybrid or Native)
Complexity of the Game
Number of features
Location of the development team (Only for In-house)
Game server hosting & maintenance
Licensing
Salary and Compensation for the Employees (Only for in-house)
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Operating Costs
All of these factors together determine the cost of starting a card gaming business. Typically, it can range from $100,000 to $150,000, depending on your location and your development partner. Additionally, the type and complexity of the website or application you’re creating also influence the total cost.
Also, keep in mind that this is an estimated cost, and the actual cost may vary depending on the factors mentioned above, your business needs, and 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, 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:
1. In-app Advertisements
In-app advertisements are among the most common ways to monetize online card games. This effective strategy involves showing third-party ads within the game. There are different types of ads, depending on their nature, such as:
Interstitial Ads
Rewarded Ads
Banner Ads
Playable Ads
Find the right balance between ads and player satisfaction by avoiding overload and placing ads strategically to prevent disrupting gameplay. Choose ad types based on your audience and monetization goals.
2. In-app Purchases
Another monetization method is microtransactions, or in-app purchases, allowing players to buy items like coins, collectibles, and cosmetic skins such as cards and table skins.
If you’re launching a free app but want to generate substantial revenue, think about adding microtransactions to your card game. This allows users to enjoy the free game while offering the option to purchase extra content such as gems, coins, and more.
3. Paid Apps
You can generate income from your card game app by charging a small fee for downloads. This approach is quite effective for card games. However, a major downside is that users who pay initially tend to be less likely to make further purchases or view ads.
This means you cannot use in-app purchases together with advertisements in this model. Choose the most appropriate monetization strategy based on your target audience.
4. Subscription Model
In this model, gamers must make monthly or quarterly payments to access additional game content and features. Some subscriptions automatically renew, while others need to be repurchased.
During the subscription period, the player gains access to better rewards and incentives associated with the subscription. This model is commonly used as an extra monetization strategy through in-app purchases and advertisements.
Final Words
Launching a mobile card game business can be lucrative if approached carefully. Key steps include hiring a dependable card game development company to build secure and high-quality software, obtaining the necessary licenses, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Additionally, it’s crucial to choose effective monetization strategies tailored to your target audience to optimize revenue.
All these strategies, if used effectively, will ensure your card game stays profitable in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q1. How much does it cost to start an online card game business?
Ans. Starting an online card business typically costs $100,000 to $150,000, depending on factors like game complexity, team structure, features, server costs, and regional licensing requirements.
Q2. What are the legal requirements to start a card game business?
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.
Q3. What is the best way to monetize an online card game app?
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.
Q4: How long does it take to develop an online card game?
Ans. Developing a basic card game can be completed in a few weeks since these apps have limited features. Games with mid-level features like multiplayer chat and tournaments typically take longer and can be finished in 4-5 months. Developing a complex card game is where all the time goes; these games can take 9-18 months to deploy.
Q5: What are the first steps to start a card game business?
Ans. Deciding the niche, researching the market, developing the game concept, planning the business model, and creating prototypes are some of the first steps when you start a card game business.
Q6. How do I promote a new online card game effectively?
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.
Q7: Can I start a card game business with a low budget?
Ans. Yes, you can start a card game business on a small budget. You can invest in simpler games with fewer features and create a basic version, which you can upgrade later when your funds allow.
Q8: What licenses are required for a card game business in the USA?
Ans. You would require several licenses if you are doing an online card game business in the US, such as Gambling, State Gaming Commission Approval, and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance, among others.
Q9 : What is the most profitable monetization model for card games?
Ans. Although all monetization models bring revenue, IAP (in-app purchases) works better than others.
Nitin Garg is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and the visionary founder of BR Softech, a globally recognized leader in game development. With over 13 years of industry experience, he has been instrumental in transforming BR Softech into a powerhouse of innovation, offering cutting-edge solutions in Video Games, Blockchain Games, NFT Game Development, and card games like Poker, Rummy, and Teen Patti.
Nitin’s deep expertise in emerging technologies, combined with a sharp business acumen, has helped position BR Softech as a trusted name in the international gaming arena. Under his leadership, BR Softech has built a global clientele of 3,000+ satisfied customers and scaled a dedicated in-house team of 180+ skilled professionals.
