To launch an online casino in 2026, the best solution is to rent a white-label platform from a specialised provider. Independent igaming software development takes years and costs from $500,000, while ready-made igaming software solutions from leaders such as SoftSwiss or Playtech allow you to launch in 2-3 months with a full set of licences, games and a management system. Industry analysts, including SoftSwiss, call native integration of crypto payments the main trend of 2026. Without it, it is impossible to reach a global audience in iGaming. Today, 38% of online casinos accept USDT as a regular payment method, and more than half of bonuses (54%) are paid in stablecoins. A SoftSwiss survey showed that 67% of players want to receive winnings in stablecoins because it is fast and convenient. Crypta also gives businesses direct figures: the conversion rate on the first deposit increases 1.6 times, and transaction costs fall three times compared to traditional methods. For iGaming, cryptocurrency support is no longer an option, but a matter of survival in the struggle for an international and premium player.
Launching an online casino or bookmaker today is easier than it seems. The main task is to choose the right technology partner. The choice of igaming software provider determines everything: what games you will have in your lobby, how quickly you can add payment methods, and how easily you will pass the regulator's verification. We will analyse the best providers on the market and show you how to start an online casino with crypto payments – the most sought-after scenario of the new decade.
Selection criteria: what to look for when choosing an igaming software provider?
You can't just buy the first platform you come across. Your choice will determine whether your business will earn a stable income or constantly struggle with technical problems. Here are the key points on the checklist.
Licences (MGA, Curacao, UKGC) and legal compliance
This is a basic requirement. If a gambling software provider cannot provide software with the necessary licence, your platform will simply not be allowed to operate in legal jurisdictions. Check not only the availability of documents, but also the provider's reputation with regulators. Experts note that providers with an MGA (Malta) licence undergo rigorous checks.
Quality of the gaming portfolio (slot providers, live casino)
Players come for the content. A strong platform should have direct integrations with top studios: Pragmatic Play, Evolution, NetEnt, Play'n GO. Pay attention to game aggregation — the ability to connect hundreds of providers through a single API. This gives you flexibility and content diversity.
Platform flexibility and API for customisation
A ready-made solution does not mean inflexible. Make sure that the platform allows you to change the design, add unique features, bonus mechanics, and easily connect to your CRM and BI systems via a modern API. The right igaming software provider gives you a foundation that can be adapted to your strategy. Ask about REST API documentation and the possibility of custom integrations.
Integration with payment systems
Experts estimate that in 2026, up to 40% of casinos will use USDT to fund their accounts. This ensures a cost reduction of up to 80% on commissions. Users are also interested in cryptocurrency, and more and more players prefer it when choosing a payment method. The platform should support easy connection of specialised crypto gateways. If not, you will lose a growing segment and complicate your online casino software development. Look for providers with ready-made modules for payment systems.
Want to accept crypto payments on your website?
Market overview: Top 5 igaming software providers of 2026
We have selected the leaders based on a combination of reliability, technological sophistication and readiness for trends. These are the best igaming software providers to start a dialogue with.
SoftSwiss: Leader for crypto and fiat casinos
The key advantage is powerful built-in cryptocurrency support and extensive game aggregation. The company was one of the first in the market to bet on crypto payments. Their igaming solutions support Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and dozens of other coins. The platform aggregates games from 200+ providers, allowing you to build a unique gaming lobby. Ideal for operators who want to immediately enter the global market and attract a crypto audience. Their white-label solution is one of the fastest ways to get started.
Link: www.softswiss.com
Playtech: An industry giant with a full cycle of solutions
The key advantage is their own hit games and strong solutions for live dealers and sports. This is not just a software igaming provider, but a huge ecosystem. Playtech owns brands such as Quickspin and Eyecon, and their live casino and sports betting platform are recognised as among the best. You get not only software, but also exclusive content that cannot be found among competitors. The solution is suitable for large, ambitious projects with a serious budget, ready to pay for the name and complexity.
Link: www.playtech.com
Pragmatic Play: The flagship of content quality and withdrawal speed
The key advantage is the incredible speed of releasing hit slots and the Drops & Wins tournament system. Pragmatic Play is primarily mega-popular content (Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush). But they also offer a full-fledged platform for casinos and betting. Their strength lies in their ability to set trends and adapt quickly to market demands. If your strategy is based on current games and regular tournaments to retain players, this is a strong candidate.
Link: www.pragmaticplay.com
Evolution: The undisputed king of live casinos
Their key advantage is the industry's best studio quality and innovative game shows. Evolution is not a typical broad-based gambling software developer. They are focused on one area and have perfected it. Their live games such as Lightning Roulette and Crazy Time set the standard for the entire industry. If live casino is a key focus for your project, then integration with Evolution is a no-brainer. The rest of the platform (slots, payments) can be built around their powerful product.
Link: www.evolution.com
Betconstruct: A powerful platform for sports betting and casinos
The key advantage is a flexible modular platform with a strong focus on betting and esports. Betconstruct offers perhaps the most technologically advanced and customisable engine on the market. Their platform is built on a modular principle: you can take only the sports engine with detailed statistics, only the casino, or put together a hybrid solution. This is an excellent choice for companies that want to launch both a casino and a bookmaker on a single technological base, especially with a focus on esports.
Link: www.betconstruct.com
Summary table: Comparison of top igaming software solutions providers
| Provider | Focus | Key advantage | Licences | Integration with crypto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoftSwiss | Casino (fiat + crypto) | Crypto payments, game aggregation | MGA, Curacao and others | Native, one of the best in the industry |
| Playtech | Casino | Large selection of exclusive slots | Many, including UKGC | Through partners / custom |
| Pragmatic Play | Slots, live casino | Speed and quality of content | Plenty | Available |
| Evolution | Live casino | Studio quality and innovation | Plenty | Through partners |
| Betconstruct | Betting, casino | Modularity, eSports | Curacao, Malta | Available |
This table helps you quickly determine which online casino software provider is best suited to your needs. For example, SoftSwiss is preferable for crypto casinos, while Betconstruct is better for esports betting.
How to integrate payments, especially cryptocurrency payments, with your platform?
Choosing software is only half the battle. Payments are the most important system in your iGaming business. If it doesn't work well, players will leave, even if you have the best slots in the world. A poor payment experience kills conversion at the very last stage — when the customer is already ready to part with their money.
Why standard payment gateways are a bottleneck for iGaming
Traditional bank acquiring and popular aggregators such as Stripe or PayPal are designed for standard retail. They are systematically incompatible with iGaming for three reasons.
Risk management and blocking. The algorithms of these systems automatically flag casino and betting transactions as high-risk. This leads to:
- sudden payment refusals;
- funds being frozen (held) for "verification", which blocks operational activities;
- complete closure of the merchant account without explanation, making it almost impossible to restore.
- Instant deposits and withdrawals. Transactions in USDT or Toncoin are confirmed in 2-5 minutes, rather than 3-5 days. The player sees the money in their gaming account or wallet almost immediately. This is a key factor in loyalty.
- Anonymity and privacy. Many players are uncomfortable with their casino card appearing on their bank statement. Crypto payments solve this problem. This is especially important in regions where online gambling is not clearly regulated.
- No unexpected rejections. If a player has crypto assets and has correctly sent a transaction to the network, the payment is guaranteed to arrive. As an operator, you no longer depend on the bank's fraud monitoring decisions.
- Low and predictable fees. The TRON network fee for transferring USDT is $1.8-3.75, regardless of the amount. This is more profitable than 2.5% + $0.30 from a card. For a player who makes a lot of microdeposits, this is a significant saving. Fees may vary depending on the selected network and cryptocurrency.
- 24/7 availability from anywhere in the world. A player from Brazil or Thailand can top up their account on Saturday night without worrying about the working hours of banks or payment systems in their country.
- Select a provider. Sign a contract with your chosen iGaming software provider.
- Find the API. In the admin panel, find the "Payments" section. You will need API keys and URLs for webhooks.
- Connect the gateway. Integrate the 0xProcessing crypto gateway. We provide an API for quick connection to iGaming operator panels.
- Select networks. In the 0xProcessing settings, select which blockchains to support: TRC-20, ERC-20 for USDT, Bitcoin Lightning Network for fast payments.
Long crediting times. Even if the payment goes through, the money will only reach your account after 3-5 banking days. This paralyses cash flow and prevents you from paying out winnings quickly.
Geographical restrictions. Most gateways only work with a limited list of countries. You will not be able to legally accept players from promising markets in Asia, Latin America or Africa, where demand for iGaming is huge.
You are dependent on the whims of someone else's payment system algorithm. This is unpredictable and puts your entire business at risk.
Solution: a specialised crypto gateway for high loads and gambling
Cryptocurrencies are changing the rules of the game because they remove the middleman – the bank. Payments go directly from the player to you. The specialised crypto gateway 0xProcessing is a tool that makes this process safe, convenient and legal for businesses.
How crypto payments improve the customer gaming experience:
The 0xProcessing gateway offers API integration for accepting crypto payments in iGaming. This guarantees fast deposits and withdrawals in crypto for your players. You don't need to understand blockchain — we take care of all the technical complexity.
Step-by-step diagram: Software provider -> API -> 0x payment gateway -> Player
Step-by-step diagram and technical details of the connection:
The 0xProcessing gateway offers an API for integration with market leaders. This guarantees instant deposits and withdrawals in 65+ of the most popular cryptocurrencies. By connecting auto-conversion to stablecoins, you are guaranteed to protect yourself from volatility if players pay in ETH, TRX, and other cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion and next steps
Choosing an igaming software provider is a strategic decision for years to come. Focus on your target audience and the required speed of market entry. In the coming years, the market will move towards ‘hybrid’ platforms, where players can convert their winnings into cryptocurrency or withdraw them to a card with a single click. A software provider that does not incorporate this architecture from the outset will lose out in the competitive struggle. Your choice today is your choice of platform for tomorrow's growth. In 2026, integration with a modern crypto gateway is not an option, but a competitive advantage. It is what distinguishes a modern, user-friendly platform from an outdated one. Launch faster and more technologically advanced. Learn how to integrate the 0xProcessing gateway with your chosen platform and get a ready-made solution for accepting crypto payments. Request a technical consultation and access to the API.
Frequently asked questions
White label, turnkey or in-house development?
White label provides the optimal balance between speed to market and customization. You receive a ready-made platform under your own brand, with flexible configuration options for design, payments, and game portfolio.
Turnkey is a pre-built solution that launches quickly but offers limited differentiation. It is suitable for fast entry, but branding and technical flexibility are constrained.
In-house development is the most resource-intensive option. It requires substantial time, capital, and operational oversight but delivers maximum architectural and product control.
In practice, most operators choose the white-label model to accelerate launch while retaining sufficient flexibility.
How much does casino software development from scratch cost?
Developing a full iGaming platform from scratch typically requires an investment of approximately $500,000 or more and a timeline of 12–18 months.
Costs include salaries for developers, QA engineers, DevOps specialists, compliance officers, legal advisors, and licensing for each core component (RNG certification, payment integrations, AML/KYC systems, etc.).
Partnering with established iGaming software providers can reduce initial costs by up to tenfold and shorten time to market to 3–6 months. In this model, you pay for access to a validated and operational product rather than funding ground-up development.
Can I change iGaming software providers later?
Technically, migration is possible. However, in practice it is highly complex and costly.
The process involves transferring player databases, transaction histories, wallet balances, bonus logic, and potentially re-certifying components under a new license. Operational downtime and compliance risks must also be managed.
In many cases, migration costs approach those of launching a new platform. Therefore, selecting a reputable gambling software developer with a transparent roadmap and long-term strategic stability is critical at the outset.
