Most aggregators keep their rate cards private, which makes “how much does a casino API cost” a hard question to answer with numbers. The structures, however, are well established. This guide covers the building blocks an operator will meet and the clauses that change the real cost.
The building blocks
Revenue share on GGR. The core of nearly every deal. The operator pays a percentage of the gross gaming revenue generated on the supplier’s games. Each studio has its own fee and the aggregator adds a margin, so the rate is often a table by studio rather than one number.
Setup fee. A one-off charge for opening the account and configuring the operator. Some providers charge it; some publish that they do not.
Integration fee. A charge for the technical integration work. Often bundled with setup, sometimes separate.
Monthly fee or minimum. A fixed monthly charge, or a minimum invoice that applies when revenue share falls below a floor. This is the line that hurts small launches most.
Prepayment or deposit. Some providers ask for a balance in advance, drawn down as fees accrue.
Common variants
- Tiered revenue share: the rate falls as monthly GGR rises.
- Per-vertical rates: live casino, slots, crash and instant games at different rates.
- Market-based rates: some studios price differently by market.
- Platform bundles: when the aggregator is bought with a turnkey platform, fees may be combined into one platform share.
Clauses that change the real cost
- Definition of GGR. Are bonus-funded bets included? Are jackpot contributions deducted?
- Negative months. If players win more than they lose, is the negative carried forward or reset?
- Billing currency. Fees in one currency on revenue earned in another add exchange cost.
- Payment terms. Days to pay, late fees and suspension rules.
- Exit terms. What happens to prepaid balances and data at termination.
Reading published offers
When a provider publishes “no setup fee”, read exactly which charges are waived. SoftAggregator states three waivers: setup, integration and monthly. Aggregator.gg states no setup fee and no monthly minimum. EveryMatrix states zero platform fees for SlotMatrix. In every case the revenue share is still agreed separately, so ask for the per-studio table before comparing offers.
Frequently asked questions
How do casino game aggregators usually charge?
Mostly through a share of the gross gaming revenue generated on their content, sometimes combined with setup fees, integration fees or a monthly minimum.
What is GGR in a casino API contract?
Gross gaming revenue: total stakes minus total wins on the supplier's games, before bonuses and other costs unless the contract says otherwise.
Are there casino APIs with no setup fee?
Yes. Some providers publish that they waive setup, integration or monthly fees. SoftAggregator, Aggregator.gg and EveryMatrix (for SlotMatrix platform fees) state waivers on their sites.
Why do rates differ between studios on the same aggregator?
Studios set their own fees, and the aggregator adds its margin. Live casino and premium slot studios often cost more than smaller studios.
What should I check in the contract besides the rate?
How GGR is defined, how negative months are handled, the billing currency, payment terms and what happens to deposits or prepayments at termination.