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Poker is among the most popular card games in casinos, poker clubs, and online gambling sites globally. Its mix of strategy, bluffing, and luck keeps things spicy while also attracting more players.
Boosted by this allure, many investors have recognized the economic potential of poker in the gaming industry and are now leveraging new technologies to develop poker games for mobile and PC players.
But creating a poker game is neither quick nor cheap; it requires serious investment in planning and development. So, how much does it cost to develop a poker app in 2025?
In this article, we explain the key factors affecting poker game development costs, helping you plan the budget and build your project effectively.
Quick Insights
- Poker game development costs in 2025 vary widely, depending on features.
- Platform choice, developer location, and game complexity impact overall expenses.
- Building a minimum viable product (MVP) first can reduce costs and test market demand.
- Advanced features like real-time chat, cryptocurrency integration, and AI opponents drive up costs.
- Real-money poker games require gambling licenses, adding legal and regulatory costs.
Estimated Cost to Develop a Poker Game
Infotec, a poker game developer company, notes that the cost of developing a poker application varies and could range from $10,000 for a basic model to more than $500,000 for a real-money poker app.
The final cost depends on several factors, including your project scope, the game’s features and design, and the location of your dev team.
According to a recent estimate from SDLC Corp, another poker game developer company, the cost of a basic poker game with essential features such as gameplay and simple graphics could range from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2025.
Alex Windsor, CEO of GameTime Digital, warns that the costs can jump if you want a multiplayer, real-time chat, cryptocurrency integration, and other complex features.
Windsor told Techopedia:
“The usual cost for a full game to be created is around $200,000 depending on the length of time to complete the project as these developers usually work on an hourly basis for a project.”
Then there’s ongoing stuff like server fees for online play or legal costs if you’re doing real-money betting. It’s a wide range, but it boils down to how much you’re willing to invest upfront versus building it up over time.
Cost Breakdown
The table below summarizes the budget requirements for building a poker game. Estimates might vary.
| Category | Cost Estimate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| App Complexity | $10,000 – 25,000 | Basic app |
| $20,000 – 30,000 | Multi-game app | |
| $35,000 – 50,000 | Advanced app with AR/VR, AI, and ML | |
| Development Team | $45 – 130 per hour | In-house team |
| $20 – 65 per hour | Outsourced team | |
| Animation & Graphics | $8,000 – 15,000 | Simple and basic |
| $25,000 – 45,000 | High-end and sophisticated | |
| Platform | 30% – 40% addition to budget | Multi-platform app (iOS, Android, Web) |
| Backend | $6,000 – 18,000 | Server and database |
| Frontend | $10,000 – 20,000 | Languages used, UI, and UX |
| Security Features | $7,000 – 15,000 | – |
| Post-launch Expenses | $2,000 – 8,000 | Monthly expense |
Source: Moon Technolabs
What Goes into Poker Game Development?
Poker game development is a big project. You need to know what’s involved before you start spending. Here’s a rundown of the key pieces.
Key Factors That Drive Poker Game Development Costs
The price for developing a poker game isn’t set in stone. It shifts depending on a few big choices. Here’s what makes the difference.
Platform Selection
The platforms your poker game will play will affect the costs of its development. The price could come down if you stick to one platform, like Android.
Want it on iOS, desktop, and mobile? That means extra coding and testing for each version, which raises costs. More platforms reach more players, but you’ll pay for that wider net.
Location of Dev Team
Where your developers are based changes the bill. According to Clutch, a platform that helps companies find service providers around the world, dev teams in places like the U.S. or Australia often charge $100 to $149 per hour because of higher wages.
However, Windsor points out that you can get a similar quality of service at a cheaper price in regions like India and Southeast Asia. He said:
“In low-cost markets like India, Philippines, Vietnam and Southeast Asia you can expect the quality of a full end-to-end game to dip, however, these devs are great for creating a prototype game or early-stage MVPs.”
Features & Game Design
Features are what make your game stand out. Simple ones like a scoreboard or basic chat don’t cost much. But the price jumps if complex components like smart AI opponents, payment systems, or 3D effects are added.
Design matters, too. A plain setup is quick to do, but a custom, eye-catching look takes more effort. The more you pack in, the more it costs.
Should a Beginner Investor Start With an MVP or a Full Poker App?
Windsor advised it would be “the smartest approach” to build a minimum viable product first as this is a cheaper option and can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000.
Apart from the lower cost, he argued that starting with an MVP with essential features enables your game to gain quicker entry to the market and makes it easier to gather valuable user feedback, guiding future development.
For Windsor, essential features for an MVP game include basic gameplay, multiplayer, user-friendly design, player profiles, security (encryption, anti-cheating measures), and payment options if money is involved.
The Bottom Line
Building a poker game in 2025 involves various considerations and variables that can influence the cost. Decisions like how many platforms you target, where your development team is located, and how many features you include can affect the cost.
Marketing adds another layer of costs to get players on board. With poker’s popularity soaring and a growing market to tap into, the investment could pay off if you plan wisely.
FAQs
How much does it cost to make a poker app?
How do you start a poker game development?
Do you need a license to start a poker game?
How do poker games make money?
References
- The Ultimate Guide to Poker App Development Costs: What You Need to Know (RGInfotech)
- Poker Game Development Costs (SDLCCorp)
- A Comprehensive Guide to Poker App Development (MoonTechnolabs)
- App Development Pricing Guide March 2025 (Clutch)
