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1. Software - Develop or license?
For most prospective operators, this decision is made
for them as the cost to develop an effective gaming
software system exceeds $2 million. Assuming the cost
is not prohibitive to you, the issue of development
staffing and technical concerns must also be resolved.
The other option is software licensing. Worldwide Support
offers clients the ability to license a gaming system
that is truly second to none. Costs involved with WSS
licensing include an initial upfront fee and a royalty
of 15% (of net winnings) each month.
2. Casino, sportsbook, or both?
Of course, there are also other gaming applications,
but, generally speaking, the casino and/or sportsbook
serve as the foundation of most online gaming operations.
In deciding which path you’d like to take, it’s important
to note the synergistic relationship between the products.
Players visiting an online casino will also occasionally
place additional wagers in the sportsbook – and vice
versa. However, some operators do prefer the simplistic
approach of targeting one market such as sports bettors.
WSS is pleased to provide clients with a full array
of gaming applications to decide from.
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3. Gaming licensing – What jurisdiction?
The selection is limited to those countries that offer Internet gaming licenses. Currently there are approximately fifty jurisdictions around the globe that offer such licenses. However, the vast majority of existing operators maintain their licenses in either Antigua, Costa Rica, Belize, Dominica, or Curacao. Fees for Internet gaming licenses typically cost approximately $75,000 per year. However, in an effort to provide clients with a cost-effective solution to the licensing issue, WSS has established an alliance with the holder of a master gaming license issued by the government of Curacao. The license grants the company the ability to issue gaming sub-licenses at a fraction of the cost otherwise possible.
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4. Hardware
Of course, every Internet operation needs a secure, redundant, and stable server system to function within. The core of your Internet gaming system will consist of gaming and database servers. As these servers handle the actual gaming activity, they need to be installed in the jurisdiction in which the operator is properly licensed. As with most of the other services listed on this page, the operator has the option to outsource the hardware responsibilities if they wish. WSS works closely with its service providers to handle all hardware matters (related to actual gaming transactions). Clients are able to obtain and maintain their own systems if they desire, although most find the provision arrangement to be the most cost-effective.
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5. E-commerce solutions
It’s obviously beneficial to offer numerous payment
mechanisms to your players. At minimum, credit cards,
electronic checks, and bank wires should be implemented.
To accept credit cards, you’ll need to obtain a merchant
account or utilize the merchant account of an e-cash
provider. WSS works with Player Support, Ltd.
to provide clients with complete and effective e-commerce
systems.
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6. Player Support
As with any business, customers can and will have questions.
Responding to those questions in an accurate and timely
manner is essential to long-term business viability.
Gaming operators typically field questions regarding
issues such as player withdrawals, technical difficulties,
and players forgetting passwords. Customer Support
should be made available 24 hrs/day, 365 days a year.
Players should also be able to communicate with the
support staff via phone (toll-free), email, and live
chat. The question you need to answer is whether you
wish to handle the player support yourself or to outsource
it. WSS suggests outsourcing as the initial choice.
As a support staff needs to be constantly available,
outsourcing is generally more cost-effective for any
operation making less than $250,000 month (the cost
of just having just one employee on per shift would
run approx. $7,500/month, not to mention the numerous
other expenses that would also need to be addressed).
WSS offers such player support for a monthly fee equivalent
of just 3% of deposits. All such services are offered
through http://www.playersupport.com.
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7. Staffing
Your direction regarding staffing will mostly be determined
by your decisions with the other nine steps listed.
Will you handle your own hardware – if so you’ll need
at least one systems administrator. Will you handle
your own player support – if so you’ll need several
customer service reps. Will you handle your own web
design – if so you’ll need a programmer and graphic
designer. As noted above, the recommendation is to
allow WSS to address these responsibilities if you have
an operation with a gross win of less than $250,000
per month – fees are truly minimized and the product/service
you receive is unquestionably cost-effective. The company
does suggest directly employing at least one full-time
experienced, marketing representative.
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8. Selecting a domain name
- or several domain names. Generally speaking, the
shorter the domain the better, the .com ending is preferred,
and the domain name should tie in with overall them
of your website. WSS can provide assistance with domain
selection as the company has dozens of pre-reserved
domains available exclusively for clients.
9. Web Design
WSS has a talented team of graphic designers readily
available to address your web design concerns. In addition
to working with you to create a dynamic initial website,
they are also available on an ongoing basis to assist
with any further design work that may be needed (i.e.
banners, additional websites, contests/promotions, site
re-designs).
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10. Marketing
Every gaming website needs a basic foundation of effective
marketing solutions. Such marketing should include,
at minimum, an affiliate program, weekly email newsletters,
regular player bonuses, player loyalty programs, CD-ROMs
mailed to all players, and a selective combination of
traditional and online advertising opportunities. Attracting
new players is only half the battle - retaining existing
players is just as important (if not more important).
While numerous marketing companies are readily available
to create a marketing campaign on your behalf, WSS strongly
recommends that you use any such companies as a mere
guide. WSS has found that operations that have at least
one full-time, in-house employee devoted exclusively
to their marketing fare much better (in terms of profitability).
The FutureBet system provides many of the marketing
tools required to achieve success in the industry. Further,
WSS also employs a “Client Promotions Coordinator” who
is devoted exclusively (and at no-charge) to assisting
clients with the implementation of various promotions.
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