How Much Does It Cost to Make a Betting App? [2026 Guide]

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The online gambling industry is booming with millions of users registering on betting sites. Today, more people want to bet and play casinos with live sporting events from their mobile devices which triggered the rise of betting apps in popularity. From the thrill of the big game to the rush of a winning bet, these apps have won the attention of players around the world.

This highly thriving industry has brought in tremendous business opportunities. But in case you wish to build your own betting application, what is most probably at the top of your head now would be "How much will this cost me?" And there is not any one-size-fits-all kind of answer for that.

It is also a matter of cost that depends on the features you want, the technology you are using, and your development approach. Still, the question of estimating the cost of making a betting app leads to so many factors. In this blog, we will break down the factors that will determine costs, discuss common features that impact expenses, and give practical tips about how to build your app without breaking the bank. Let's begin.

Betting Apps - Overview

Betting apps allow users to create wagers upon various events of sports, casino games, esports, as well as virtual sports while providing a highly secure and consumer-friendly environment where all players can play at any hour and from everywhere.

From traditional sports to esports, these apps cater to all interests of players. Whether they are interested in betting on football, poker, or horse races, this app has something for everyone. These apps often come equipped with innovative and personalized features along with basic betting functionalities.

In addition, these are compatible with various devices and platforms like Android and iOS so that the user will not find any trouble with them. To achieve success in this digital era of entertainment, betting apps might be a wise decision for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Betting App?

The cost to develop a betting app is relative depending on the nature of the application, features embedded, and timelines. Be it a simple app or an advanced platform, careful planning of budget and schedule is required.

There are three categories of betting apps such as basic, intermediate, and advanced. The complexity and features of an app determine which category it falls into.

Basic App

It is a simple app that comes with a minimal design and essential features like user registration, placing bets, payment integration, etc. It is ideal for startups with limited budgets and businesses testing the market.

Intermediate App

This app covers a wide range of advanced features and betting categories along with a user-friendly dashboard. It is perfect for businesses with moderate budgets looking to expand their offerings and attract more players.

Advanced App

It is a comprehensive platform with advanced functionalities and integrations. The advanced ones would be most suited for companies aiming to gain maximum control over the market by offering an excellent user experience.

It would take somewhere between $20,000 and over $250,000 to create a betting application. So, the type of application you want to invest in is very much associated with your audience, money, and goals of the business.

Type Of Application	Cost Estimation	Time Frame
Basic	$20,000 - $50,000	2 - 5 months
Intermediate	$50,000 - $90,000	5 - 8 months
Advanced	$90,000 - $250,000	9+ months

Factors Affecting the Cost of Developing a Betting App

1. Type of Betting Categories

The type of categories you will put in your betting app determines a large portion of the cost when creating one. Each category of betting has specific features and requirements that go into your budget. The more betting categories your app includes, the higher the cost of development. Let’s explore the popular types of betting categories and how they affect the budget.

Sports Betting

Sports betting apps where players place bets on games like football, cricket, etc include features like live match updates and odds calculators requiring you to integrate certain APIs for real-time data. This makes it moderately expensive to create a sports betting app.

Casino Games

Casino games including poker, blackjack, and roulette can be very pricey to develop as these require well-designed and user-friendly visuals with highly interactive game mechanics and excellent graphics.

Horse Racing Betting

The horse racing betting genre emphasizes betting on horse racing events and allows for pre-race as well as real-time live bets. It might require certain integrations for live race streaming, tracking statistics, and adjusting odds. This could impact the overall cost.

eSports Betting

eSports betting demands live updates and detailed data integration. This makes developing this kind of betting app relatively expensive.

Virtual Sports Betting

Virtual sports use advanced algorithms and graphics to simulate real-world games and provide instant results. Developing such apps requires advanced animations and algorithms, increasing their cost significantly.

Betting Category	Estimated Development Cost
Sports Betting	$50,000 - $100,000
Casino Betting	$50,000 - $150,000
Horse Racing Betting	$40,000 - $120,000
eSports Betting	$35,000 - $100,000
Virtual Sports Betting	$25,000 - $80,000

2. Features of the Betting Platform

Features that make the app interactive and functional can end up influencing greatly how much this development costs. The more complex and customized features are, the more expensive they are to develop.

Basic features are necessary but affordable whereas advanced features can significantly make a hike in the development cost as these are complex and involve considerable resources. A balance of both types of features is essential to make an app that is very functional, user-friendly, and competitive in the market but within budget.

Basic Features

> User registration and login > Betting options

> Bet slip > Payment integration

> Odds display > Push notifications

> User dashboard > Basic security features

Advanced Features

> Live betting > Live streaming

> In-app chat > Advanced Analytics

> Multi-language support > Multi-currency support

> AI-based recommendations > Admin panel

3. Platform Choice

The cost of developing the betting app depends much upon the development platform you select. The more platforms you choose, the greater the cost of app development. Developing both Android and iOS apps is suggested for those targeting a global audience.

But cross-platform or web-based solutions may fit businesses that have smaller budgets.

The table below outlines the estimated development costs for betting apps based on platform choice.

Platform Choice	Development Cost Range
Android	$15,000 - $40,000
iOS	$15,000 - $35,000
Cross-Platform	$20,000 - $50,000
Web-Based	$10,000 - $25,000

4. UI/UX Design Complexity

The complexity of the UI/UX design also contributes to development costs. The basic design is based on core functionality, with no incorporation of complex animations and graphics. Advanced designs make it more interactive with visual effects that are very engaging for the users.

An intermediate design includes custom elements, layouts, and better navigation. It balances both cost and quality, making it suitable to offer an improved user experience without overspending. Advanced design encompasses rich animations, personalized interfaces, and complex layouts but requires a high investment.

UI/UX Design Complexity	Development Cost Range
Basic Design	$5000 -$10,000
Intermediate Design	$10,000 - $20,000
Advanced Design	$20,000 - $40,000

5. Backend Infrastructure

A strong backend infrastructure is another important factor for the success of a betting app. However, investing in advanced backend systems may increase initial development costs. Businesses need to evaluate their app's needs to select a backend solution that supports their objectives.

Apps that expect high user traffic will require scalable backend systems to handle the load effectively. This may require advanced cloud solutions, load balancing, and database optimization, which ultimately increases costs. Implementing real-time data processing and storage functionality demands complex servers and technologies that add to the cost of development.

6. Technology Stack

The other criteria affecting the total spending in developing an application are the technology stack: programming languages, frameworks, tools, and software. Rightly choosing the appropriate tech stack ensures that application performance and scalability needs are well met. Different technologies offer varying levels of functionality which in turn impacts the cost.

Frontend Technologies:

> React Native and Flutter for cross-platform development

> Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) for native app development

> JavaScript, Bootstrap, CSS

Backend Technologies:

Common backend technologies include Node.js, Python, Java, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Flutter.

Database: MySQL, MongoDB, SQL, Postman

Hosting and Cloud Services: Cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud

Authentication: OAuth 2.0, AES Encryption. JWT

API Integration: WebSocket, Firebase, SignalR, REST, GraphQL

Tech Stack Component	Estimated Cost Range
Frontend Technologies	$10,000 - $35,000
Backend Technologies	$15,000 - $40,000
Cloud Hosting	$3000 - $10,000 (Per Year)
Authentication	$4000 - $15,000
API Integration	$7000 - $20,000
Database	$5000 - $17,000

7. Third-Party APIs Integrations

Third-party API integrations are essential to offer advanced features in betting apps. These APIs enable functionalities like live match updates, real-time odds, payment processing, analytics, and customer support.

However, the cost varies significantly depending on the number and type of APIs integrated. While these integrations may increase upfront and ongoing expenses, they add immense value by improving app functionality. Planning and prioritizing essential APIs can help balance costs and create a feature-rich betting app. Some of the common APIs used in betting apps are as follows.

Real-Time Odds and Sports Data - BetRadar, SportRadar, OddsAPI

Payment Gateway - PayPal, Stripe

Authentication and Security - OAuth, JWT, Onfido

Analytics - Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude

Geolocation - GeoComply, MaxMind

Messaging and Notifications - Firebase Cloud Messaging, Twilio

Customer Support - Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk

8. Development Team and Resources

The most important factor associated with the quality and cost of the app would be the experience of the entire team developing it. The application becomes robust and reliable based on the capabilities of the team like experienced developers, designers, and project managers, along with quality analysts.

Development Team	Hourly Rate ($)	Estimated Cost
Frontend Developer	40 - 100	$16,000 - $24,000
Backend Developer	90 - 150	$18,000 - $40,000
UI/UX Designer	30 - 90	$6000 - $22,000
Quality Analyst	30 - 50	$6000 - $20,000
Project Manager	40 - 80	$10,000 - $26,000

Also, experienced developers are capable of developing an efficient app but it comes with a higher price. A small team is enough for an uncomplicated app. But, you may require a big team to work on complicated applications loaded with features and integrations. You can always choose between a fixed price, hourly rate, or dedicated team model as per your requirements.

Team Size	Estimated Cost
Small Team (5 - 7 Members)	$50,000 - $100,000
Medium Team (7 - 10 Members)	$90,000 - $180,000
Large Team (10+ Members)	$150,000 - $300,000

9. Development Team Location

Developers’ hourly rates and overall project costs vary significantly across different regions due to variations in labor costs, expertise, and demand. Development rates in regions like Asia are generally lower compared to Western Europe or the USA. Some regions specialize in certain technologies, offering a more skilled workforce in specific areas.

India/Asia

India/Asia stands out for its affordable rates, a large talent pool, and expertise in mobile app development, making it ideal for budget-friendly, small to medium-sized betting apps. However, businesses in Western time zones might face time zone challenges.

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe offers high-quality developers, competitive pricing, and strong technical skills, making it suitable for medium to large apps with moderate budgets. The costs here are slightly higher compared to Asia but still affordable compared to Western countries.

USA

The USA is known for exceptional quality, cutting-edge technology, and an alignment with Western business practices. However, the very high rates make it best suited for large-scale apps with significant investment potential.

South America

South America provides a balance with moderate costs, growing tech expertise, and time zone compatibility with North America. It is a good choice for mid-budget projects targeting North or South American markets, though it has a smaller talent pool compared to Asia or Europe.

Western Europe

Western Europe is synonymous with excellent quality, strong adherence to deadlines, and robust communication, making it ideal for businesses with a higher budget seeking premium development services. However, the high costs are a key consideration.

Australia

Australia offers skilled developers, strong project management, and English proficiency, making it a top choice for businesses. The drawbacks are higher costs and a smaller talent pool compared to other regions.

Location	Hourly Rate ($)	Estimated Cost
India	20 - 60	$20,000 - $60,000
Eastern Europe	40 - 80	$40,000 - $80,000
USA	100 - 200	$100,000 - $200,000
South America	30 - 70	$30,000 - $70,000
Western Europe	70 - 150	$70,000 - $150,000
Australia	60 - 120	$60,000 - $120,000

Additional Costs to Consider in Betting App Development

When developing a betting app, there are several costs beyond just the initial development that businesses need to plan for. Such costs are important for the app to ensure it is properly functioning, regulatory compliant, and reaching the desired target effectively.

Licensing and Legal Compliance

Betting apps fall in an industry that is heavily regulated. Among the necessary costs is obtaining the relevant permits to operate betting legally. Licensing differs significantly in terms of price concerning regional regions, as every country or state has its unique legislation and fee distribution. Apart from licensing, business houses will have to bear legal advisory costs as well as other expenses arising due to the highly intricate compliance requirements like data protection and anti-money laundering.

Server and Maintenance Costs

Once the app is live, maintaining its performance and security is an ongoing cost. The cost encompasses server hosting, periodic updates, bug fixes, and cybersecurity measures for protecting user data. The higher the complexity of the app, the more costly the maintenance since it needs a very strong infrastructure for smooth operation.

Marketing and Launch Expenses

Marketing and promotion activities, which include advertising, social media channel usage, influencer marketing, and app-store optimization, are what bring users. All these calls for a strategically planned budget, as it could help maximize their reach and the impact they will make.

Here is the breakup of the extra costs incurred while building and launching a betting app.

Cost Category	Estimation Range
Licensing and Legal Compliance	$10,000 - $25,000
Server and Maintenance Costs	$12,000 - $20,000
Marketing and Launch Expenses	$9,000 - $17,000

How to Minimize the Cost of Betting App Development?

Creating a betting app is expensive, but the following are several strategies that may help reduce development costs without compromising on quality.

Some of the effective ways to reduce development costs.

1. Outsourcing Betting App Development

2. Choosing a White-Label Solution

3. Hiring App Developers

Outsourcing Betting App Development

The cheapest way to create a betting app is through outsourcing. Businesses can reduce costs substantially by partnering with development teams from countries with lower labor costs. For example, hiring developers from regions such as India or Eastern Europe can provide substantial savings while maintaining high standards of quality and expertise.

Choosing a White-Label Solution

A white-label solution is a pre-developed, adaptable betting app that allows companies to save time and money. You have the option of buying a product that is prepared and then getting it customized instead of starting at scratch by developing every bit of the function. This can save you hours of development along with the required costs.

Hiring App Developers

Hiring the right developers is crucial for ensuring the project stays within budget. Look for developers with specific expertise in betting app development who can efficiently handle your project. Freelancers or development agencies specializing in mobile apps can often provide competitive rates compared to large firms.

How Maticz Can Help You Build a Cost-Effective Betting App?

Building a betting application is exciting but requires a serious understanding of what it costs to build one. From the nature of the application and its features to which platform and development team should be chosen, each one factors into the cost of the end product.

At the end of the day, teaming up with the best development team helps differentiate between an action app that works and one that doesn't. Maticz is a leading sports betting app development company, offering turnkey solutions to cater to the divergent needs of businesses interested in entry or expansion in this industry.

Maticz is a reliable company for whatever kind of customized app you might need from fully customized apps to quick white-label solutions. We offer highly flexible solutions that allow businesses to tailor their apps to specific sports, betting markets, and business models. Reach out to us today.