We’ve all had that daydream, right? The one where we own a casino, and there’s glitz and glamour, the champagne flowing, the chips clinking? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’re going to explore what it takes to start your own casino, using South African online casinos as our points of reference. Be warned: This journey isn’t for the feint of heart. It’s full of risks, but, naturally, there are potential rewards too. What is certain is that it will be a wild ride, spinning faster than a roulette wheel.
There’s no point going much further if you don’t have money though. Casinos are expensive. Come on, you know this. Customers won’t care much to beat the house if the house doesn’t have any money to give. You’ll need a lot of money, regardless of whether you want an obnoxious emporium or a modest local joint. But don’t the numbers scare you off just yet. There are huge potential rewards too. That’s why the industry is booming in South Africa. Everybody wants a piece of the tasty money pie.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. It isn’t all piles of money and caviar breakfasts. In order to operate a casino, you need the appropriate license. What’s more, you’ll have to endure a gauntlet of regulations and prove that you’re who you say you are and that who you say you are is someone who doesn’t have a shady past. Then, you have the local council to deal with, and you’ll need to prove to them that your casino can benefit the community, perhaps through job creation.
After sorting all of this out, you’ll get to begin building this haven for gambling. You can let your creativity run wild, depending on how big your budget is. Perhaps you want the lobby to have a replica Statue of Liberty. Or maybe you think that a slot machine shaped like an aeroplane is the kind of thing that suits the establishment’s mood. Whatever it is, go for it. The only thing to remember is that the shinier the object, the more expensive it’s likely to be, so try not to lose the run of yourself.
Next, you’ll need people to run the place. Think of the personnel that will help your business thrive. Casinos are fun but they can also attract rowdy customers from time to time, so a security guard is crucial. Perhaps even a security team. Then, you’ll need dealers for your tables. They’ll need to have charisma to draw in grumpy gambler and to convince them to place their bets. Beyond that, you also need cleaners, hospitality staff, and technicians, to name but a few of the vital cogs in your new machine.
With your casino up and running, all you need to do is market it. Perhaps you can sponsor a local team, or take a page out of the antics books of other gambling companies with stunt advertising. Welcome offers have always enticed customers to visit casinos, so that’s an easy step to lay the foundations of a loyal customer base. Before you know it, you’ll have your regulars.
The only question left to ask: Is it all worth it? Like with any business venture, it depends on whether you can afford it primarily. If it all goes to pot, will it be your ruin? If the answer is yes, then you simply can’t attempt to make this work. If it’s no, and you think you can make it work, you may as well go for it. The best bet we make is one on ourselves. Just know when to hold and when to fold.