In recent years, internet cafes – a long-time staple of the high streets – have taken on a new (and highly lucrative) form. By combining a physical brick-and-mortar internet cafe with the wildly popular phenomenon that is online casino gambling, you can reach new heights of profitability!
In this post, we’re going to take a look at how one goes about setting up an online casino internet cafe. We’ll explore what’s involved in opening and running this kind of business, provide you with a few tips and strategies to keep your customers interested and look at what you’re going to need to get started.
Create a Plan of Action
Before you can truly dive into setting up your online casino internet cafe, you’ll want to have a good plan of action. It should cover the main steps of setting up. This plan will help you to make informed decisions and keep you on track. Here are a couple of the things which are likely to feature on it:
- Create a business plan. This is a document which lets any potential investors know exactly what you have in mind. A business plan contains specific sections, so be sure to research how to create a great one.
- Decide who your customers are. It’s important to know your customer base. Think about who you want coming to your cafe and whether or not they will make for profitable customers.
- Identify your niche. What are you offering that others aren’t? Are your snacks healthy and homemade? Is your coffee the best? Superfast broadband? Figure out what sets you apart from your competitors (a bit of market research can be helpful here).
- Acquire your main assets. Obviously, you’re going to need computers. They won’t need to be the most powerful machines in the world, but buffering is frustrating, so ensure that your machines are up to the task (this goes for the coffee machine too).
- Make preparations to open. Once you’re ready, certain preparations will need to be made, such as meeting legal requirements, hiring staff, buying supplies and engaging in marketing.
Consider Different Types of Casino Software
Opening an online casino internet cafe means aligning yourself with casino software providers. These are the companies responsible for running and making the games which your customers will be enjoying, so it’s crucial that you read up on them carefully and note that each comes with its own strengths. Here’s a general overview of the big players in this market:
| Software Provider | Features |
|---|---|
| NetEnt | NetEnt is one of the best-known and most widely trusted platforms for internet casinos. It’s also a market leader in providing its own slots and often incorporates popular culture into its game themes. NetEnt is favoured by many online casinos and their customers, having received many great reviews for its games over the years. |
| Amatic | This is a company which has been around for quite some time (established in 1993), so you can put faith in its products. Amatic strives to remain at the cutting edge of casino software development, so you’d be future-proofing your investments with this company. |
| NextGen | Another ‘90s company, NextGen, has stood the test of time and successfully remained relevant since its conception. They make high-end games with top-quality graphics and sound effects, qualities that customers value greatly when playing their games. |
| Microgaming | Microgaming makes this easy for you through the inclusion of time-saving features, automatic updates, and a super simple installation process. This company also prioritises security and safety, so you can be sure that your – and your customer’s – personal details are safe and sound. |
Bring It All Together
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the things you need to think about before beginning your business venture, you’re ready to start bringing it all together. Before you can actually open your doors, here are some of the main obstacles you can expect to face:
- Find your funding. Having a great business plan is a reliable way to do this. You may consider funding your cafe with personal funds, a bank loan, or money from private investors. Whoever you approach for money, just make sure you’re honest with them about what you need and how much they stand to gain by partnering with you. Remember that you are part of the product, too, so conduct yourself in a professional manner to give yourself the best chance.
- Find a location. The perfect location for your online casino internet cafe will depend largely on the type of establishment you want it to be. If you’re expecting loyal customers, you may be able to get away with setting up in a less expensive, more out-of-the-way location. However, if your business plan is reliant on heavy footfall in the area, make sure you’re on a main street where people can discover you and be tempted inside.
- Set up your physical premises. Once you’ve found a location, signed the lease, and paid a deposit, you’re ready to set it up! Figure out how many computers you’re likely to need. Ensure that your bar is equipped to serve high-quality beverages and snacks (the quality of good coffee – particularly in a casino setting – cannot be overstated!)
- Get a licence. In addition to getting a licence as a gambling establishment, you’re going to need to establish your cafe as a legal entity. This means registering for taxes and potentially getting an accountant. Also, if you’re serving alcohol of any kind, you’ll need a separate, specific licence for this.
- Marketing. It’s important to let people know about your business, especially if it’s not on a particularly busy street. There are plenty of ways to approach this. Common marketing methods include viral and social media marketing, promotional offers, branded coffee cups, photo-friendly settings, and having an attractive shop front.
- Open! With all the main stumbling blocks behind you, you’re finally ready to open your doors. You might want to have some sort of grand opening event, which can draw attention to your business, or you may want to offer a promo on opening day to entice customers and show them what you have built.
Fancy Some Free Spins?
Free spins are a great way to keep your customers happy, so always be on the lookout for relevant offers and links to great promos which you can pass on to them. Some of them will come in the form of welcome bonuses for customers who are new to a particular casino. Others might involve regular cashback paid on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Some of the most enticing deals to offer your customers, however, are no deposit free spins casino UK.
To Conclude
Obviously, before you start a business, it’s important to do a lot of research. We’ve touched on some of the main things you should consider above, but be sure to do plenty of reading in addition to this overview.
Perhaps most importantly, think about what makes your venture different. What is your niche? Who are your customers? What will keep them returning to your establishment? Once you know the answer to these main questions, you’re ready to get started. Good luck with your own online casino internet cafe!