How much does it cost to start a sports betting business in 2025? What are the main expenses of running a sports betting website? And how profitable can a sportsbook really be?
These are the questions every bookmaker must consider when planning a launch – whether building a sports betting site from the ground up or expanding into new markets. The Sportsbook Budget Calculator helps answer them with data-led clarity.This tool breaks down the full economic model behind sportsbook operations: licensing costs, platform development, payment infrastructure, trading, staffing, marketing, and more. It also projects potential revenue based on your input, offering a realistic view of how a modern sportsbook P&L might look.
The calculator relies entirely on the data you provide. The more accurate the inputs – tech stack, team size, marketing budget, licensing – the more precise the results.
Enter your cost estimates step by step. The calculator will generate a 12-month financial projection based on your figures.
Complete each step in a sequence. Once a section is filled in, the next will appear.
Fill in all fields. If a field doesn’t apply to your case, enter zero but aim for realistic data.
Click ‘Calculate Results’ to view your projections. All numbers can be adjusted at any time.
Optional: enter your email to receive a downloadable, pre-filled P&L template tailored to your scenario.
Get a clear picture of what it takes to launch and run a sportsbook – from one-time setup costs to monthly operations and potential revenue.
The Sportsbook Cost Calculator is an interactive tool that helps estimate the budget required to launch or operate a sportsbook. It is fully independent of SOFTSWISS and works with any platform – proprietary, third-party, or in-house.
The tool walks through key financial areas:
The model helps visualise the scope of investment and ongoing expenses, offering a clear base for planning and decision-making.
Simply follow the step-by-step guide within the tool. You will be prompted to enter your data indicator by indicator (for instance, platform fees, team salaries, or marketing budgets). If you are not sure about a particular field or it doesn’t apply to your business, enter ‘0’. Leaving fields blank will not let you proceed to the next step of calculations.
We also encourage you to explore the industry – use the SOFTSWISS Knowledge Base and ebooks to gain insights into iGaming business strategies and enter more accurate estimates.
Yes, you can revisit any section of the calculator to tweak your inputs and immediately recalculate your estimates. This is particularly useful as you gather more data or refine your business model.
However, once you leave the page, your data won’t be saved, so make sure to complete everything in one session or be prepared to start fresh when you return.
The 12-month projection gives you a simplified, high-level view of your expected costs and cash flow during your first year of operation. This projection helps you plan financially by showing what your cash flow could look like if costs stay consistent.
It’s a useful tool for budgeting and anticipating any potential gaps or funding needs as you launch or expand your iGaming business.
These are totalled as Pre-Launch Expenses.
Ongoing Operational Costs (Monthly and Yearly):
These are projected as Total Operational Expenses.
Startup costs can vary widely depending on factors such as the platform, licensing fees, marketing approach, and target markets, as every business is unique in its needs and goals.
While a basic setup might start at around EUR 10,000, businesses aiming for a more solid and scalable operation should consider budgeting at least EUR 1 million for the setup and first year. Depending on the specifics of the venture, actual costs may be higher or lower.
