Turnkey Casino Turnkey Casino
A model where the operator receives a complete solution with a casino platform, game integration, payments, and management tools, then opens an online casino under their own license. It takes more preparation than a white label, but the operator keeps control and the data.
| English | Turnkey Casino |
|---|---|
| Classification | Basics & Betting Terms |
| Category | iGaming industry term (business model) |
| License | Held directly by the operator |
| Scope | Platform (PAM), game integration, payment gateway, admin panel, etc. |
| Cost structure | Higher upfront cost, but mostly software and infrastructure fees with no revenue share |
| Compared with | White label, in-house development |
Overview
Turnkey casino comes from the word “turnkey,” meaning ready to use the moment you turn the key. The operator receives the platform, game integration, payments, and management tools as one package, then runs the casino under a license in their own name.
It is a middle option: faster than building a platform from scratch, and it gives the operator more authority than a white label, which borrows someone else’s license.
What’s included
- Platform (PAM): the core system that manages player accounts, balances, and transaction records.
- Game integration: connects to game aggregators or providers through the operator’s own account.
- Payment gateway: the connection layer for deposit and withdrawal methods.
- Admin panel: tools for promotions, reports, and player management.
What you get varies by vendor. Some hand over the source code and intellectual property so the operator can modify it directly, while others supply the software for a usage fee.
Comparing the three approaches
| Item | White label | Turnkey | In-house development |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | Uses the provider’s license | Operator obtains it directly | Operator obtains it directly |
| Upfront cost | Low | Medium-High | Highest |
| Ongoing cost | A set percentage of gross gaming revenue (GGR) | Software and infrastructure costs | Infrastructure and development staff costs |
| Launch speed | Fast | Takes longer by the length of the licensing period | Slowest |
| Control and data | Limited within the provider’s framework | Mostly owned by the operator | Fully owned by the operator |
Cost and timeline figures from vendors vary widely between sources, so actual quotes depend on the market and the type of license.
What operators need to handle
With a turnkey setup, the license holder is the operator, so compliance responsibility rests with the operator too. The review period, identity verification (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, and game certification standards differ depending on where the license is issued. You can find the characteristics of each jurisdiction in the Malta MGA, Curaçao license, and UK UKGC articles.
On the game side, the allowed RTP range can differ by market, so even for the same game, choosing which RTP version to offer is up to the operator. Certification of the RNG that produces game results is handled by testing labs such as GLI.