Updated 28 September 2026. Author: Gambling Soft team.
Short answer: an online casino in 2026 needs a dedicated virtual server (VDS) or a dedicated server, not shared hosting. For a start with up to 1,000 active players, plan for about 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM and 160 GB of NVMe disk on a 64-bit Linux LTS system; for 50,000 players, a cluster of 3 or more servers with 16 to 32 vCPU and 64 GB RAM in total. On top of the server you need a CDN for static files, 2 to 5 mirror domains, DDoS filtering and daily off-site backups. A VDS costs $100 to $500 per month by industry estimates. Gambling Soft turnkey packages include hosting: 1 month in Casino Lite ($7,500), 1 year with 3 mirrors in Casino Pro, 1 year of premium hosting in Casino + Betting Pro, and 1 year on a premium VDS with CDN and 5 mirrors in Casino + Betting Premium. Every platform comes with DDoS protection and anti-fraud, and can be installed on your own hosting. Ready casinos cost from $8,500; launch takes 7 business days after the advance. Full prices are on the pricing page.
Why a casino cannot live on ordinary hosting
Every spin writes a transaction to the database, the lobby loads hundreds of thumbnails, and the cashier talks to payment providers in the background. Peaks are sharp: a tournament start or a bonus mailing can multiply traffic in minutes. Shared hosting throttles CPU and database connections exactly then, and most shared providers forbid gambling in their terms. The practical minimum is a VDS with guaranteed resources and root access from a provider that accepts gambling projects in writing.
Minimum and recommended server requirements
These are guidelines for typical loads, not a contract specification. “Players” means active players per month; peak concurrency is usually 5% to 10% of that. Before installation we confirm the exact sizing for the platform you buy.
| Parameter | Start: 1,000 players | Growth: 10,000 players | Scale: 50,000 players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 1 VDS (web, database, cache on one server) | 2 servers: application and database | 3+ servers: application nodes, database with replica, cache |
| CPU | 4 vCPU | 8 vCPU + 4 vCPU for the database | 16 to 32 vCPU in total |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 to 32 GB | 64 GB and more |
| Disk | 160 GB NVMe | 320 GB NVMe | 1 TB NVMe, database on a separate volume |
| Network channel | 100 Mbps guaranteed, 1 Gbps port | 1 Gbps | 1 to 10 Gbps, unmetered or high traffic quota |
| Operating system | 64-bit Linux LTS | 64-bit Linux LTS | 64-bit Linux LTS on all nodes |
| CDN and mirrors | CDN recommended, 2 mirrors | CDN required, 3 mirrors | CDN required, 5 mirrors and rotation plan |
| Hosting cost (industry estimates) | $100 to $150 per month | $200 to $350 per month | $400 to $500+ per month |
Two things matter more than raw CPU: NVMe disks, because a casino database is write-heavy and slow disks show up as delayed balances, and headroom, so that normal load stays below 50% of CPU and RAM when the first big promotion hits.
Why a casino needs mirrors and how they work with blocking
A mirror is an additional domain that opens the same casino: same backend, same accounts, same balances. The player logs in on brand-2.com and sees exactly what he had on brand.com. Mirrors exist for one reason: domains get blocked. Providers in many countries block gambling domains by DNS or by the name in the TLS handshake, and one abuse complaint to a registrar can suspend the main address for days.
A working mirror setup has four parts:
- Domains ready in advance at different registrars, with TLS certificates, pointing to the CDN, not to the origin server.
- Shared accounts: login works on each mirror without a new registration.
- Delivery of the current address by email, Telegram and affiliate links, so players are not lost when the main domain goes dark.
- SEO order: mirrors are closed from indexing or carry a canonical link to the main domain.
Mirrors keep the casino available for players who are allowed to play. They do not replace a license: keep the geo-restrictions of your license active on every mirror. Casino Pro includes 3 mirrors and Casino + Betting Premium includes 5.
CDN and server geography
A content delivery network (CDN) keeps copies of static files (images, scripts, styles, game thumbnails) on edge servers close to the player. The lobby opens faster on mobile networks, the origin server handles only dynamic requests, and the real IP of the origin stays hidden, which is the first line of DDoS defence.
The games themselves are usually streamed from the game providers’ own infrastructure, so your CDN serves the site, not the slot content. Pick the server location by your main markets: a European data center covers the EU and CIS, while Latin America or South-East Asia need a CDN with local edge nodes. Read the CDN’s acceptable use policy first: some providers restrict gambling content or ask for a license.
DDoS protection
Casinos are a common DDoS target, especially around launches and big sports events. Two types of attack need different defences.
- Network attacks (L3/L4) saturate the channel. Only the hosting provider or a scrubbing service can filter them, so filtering must be part of the plan.
- Application attacks (L7) send realistic requests to login or the lobby. They are stopped by a web application firewall (WAF), rate limits and CDN caching.
The origin IP must never be public: found through an old DNS record, it lets an attacker bypass the CDN. Every Gambling Soft platform includes DDoS protection and anti-fraud; anti-fraud catches multi-accounting and bonus abuse rather than traffic floods, and you need both.
Backups and recovery
The database holds balances, bet history and payment records; losing an hour of it means disputes with players and payment providers. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies, on two types of storage, one off-site with another provider.
- Database: a full dump every day plus continuous transaction logs, so you can restore to any minute (point-in-time recovery).
- Server: daily snapshot, encrypted, kept for at least 30 days.
- Restore test: once a month, restore the latest backup on a separate server and check balances.
Set two targets and write them down: how much data you can lose (RPO, typically 15 minutes to 1 hour for a casino) and how fast you must be back online (RTO, typically under 4 hours). Off-site storage costs $10 to $50 per month for a small casino (industry estimates).
Checklist for choosing a hosting provider
- Gambling is allowed in the terms of service in writing.
- Network DDoS filtering is included and does not simply switch the server off during an attack.
- Resources are guaranteed: dedicated vCPU, NVMe disks, a stated channel width and traffic quota.
- Data centers near your players, or at least a fast route to your CDN.
- Snapshots and backup storage are available, preferably in another location.
- Support works 24/7 with a stated response time.
- Uptime commitment of at least 99.9% with compensation in the service agreement.
- More CPU, RAM or servers can be added without migration.
How much hosting costs: your own VDS or hosting in a package
The first column shows typical market prices for a casino with up to 10,000 players (industry estimates). The second shows what is already included in the Gambling Soft turnkey packages.
| Cost line | Your own VDS (industry estimates) | Hosting in a Gambling Soft package |
|---|---|---|
| Server | $100 to $500 per month | Casino Lite ($7,500): 1 month; Casino Pro ($15,000): 1 year; Casino + Betting Pro ($25,000): 1 year premium; Casino + Betting Premium ($59,000): 1 year premium VDS |
| CDN | $20 to $200 per month | Included in Casino + Betting Premium |
| Mirror domains | $10 to $20 per domain per year | 3 mirrors in Casino Pro, 5 in Casino + Betting Premium |
| DDoS protection | $0 to $300 per month, depending on the provider | Included with every platform |
| Backup storage | $10 to $50 per month | Plan agreed at setup |
| Installation and setup | Your admin’s time | Included; also available on your own hosting |
| Main domain | $10 to $50 per year | Included for 1 year in all packages |
If you buy a ready casino with source code (from $8,500) or the platform source code ($19,000) instead of a package, hosting is your own cost and we install the platform on your server. For a full budget with license, games and marketing see how much it costs to start an online casino in 2026.
Steps: from zero to a live casino on your hosting
- Define the target markets and the license: they decide which providers, data center locations and CDNs are acceptable.
- Estimate the load for the first 6 months and pick the column in the requirements table.
- Choose the model: a package with hosting included, or your own VDS from a gambling-friendly provider using the 8-point checklist.
- Register the main domain and at least 2 mirrors, put them behind the CDN, hide the origin IP and switch on DDoS filtering.
- Set up backups with an off-site copy and run the first restore test before launch.
- Gambling Soft installs and configures the platform; the technical launch takes 7 business days after the advance payment.
- Run a load test and set up monitoring of CPU, disk, database and domain availability in your target countries.
Payment is made in three stages, and you accept the configured platform (UAT) before the final payment; details are in the terms of work and guarantees. Questions about sizing for your project: Telegram (@GamblingSoftOriginal), WhatsApp (+357 96 566 090) or the contacts page.
FAQ
No. Shared hosting limits CPU and database connections, has no proper DDoS filtering and usually forbids gambling in its terms. The minimum is a VDS with guaranteed resources, about 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM and NVMe disk for up to 1,000 active players.
How many mirrors does an online casino need?
Two ready mirrors at launch is the minimum, 3 to 5 for markets where blocking is frequent. Each mirror needs its own TLS certificate and must sit behind the CDN. Casino Pro from Gambling Soft includes 3 mirrors, Casino + Betting Premium includes 5.
Will Gambling Soft install the casino on my own server?
Yes. Every platform includes installation and setup on the client’s hosting. We confirm the server requirements before installation, and the technical launch takes 7 business days after the advance payment.
How much does hosting for an online casino cost per month?
By industry estimates, $100 to $500 per month for the VDS, plus CDN ($20 to $200), backup storage ($10 to $50) and mirror domains ($10 to $20 per year each). In Gambling Soft packages, hosting is included for 1 month (Casino Lite) or 1 year (Pro and Premium packages).
What happens after the included hosting period ends?
You renew hosting with the same provider or move the casino to your own server. We tell you the expected monthly amount in advance; a migration goes through a backup and a restore test, so balances and history are kept.
See also: full price list 2026, ready-made casinos, turnkey development, terms of work and guarantees.