The Best Gaming Merchant Account Providers

What is a Gaming Merchant Account?

More and more online games, whether video games or gambling, are finding ways to let the consumer continue to pump money into the platform.

Simply put, a gaming merchant account is a high risk account that accepts credit card payments directly from the game’s operating system. The account functions more like a holding tank that ensures the money fully clears before it is transferred into your business bank account.

A gaming merchant account provider will help protect both you and your product from the financial pitfalls of chargebacks and fraud.

Why Would I Want a Gaming Merchant Account?

Protection.

Without the buffer that a third-party account offers, you would be liable for any chargebacks or consumer refunds.

In addition, the company will help you fully integrate the accounts to your specific platform in a way that streamlines your customers’ payment options. While they will all be digital, there are differences between credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payments.

Types of Gaming Merchant Accounts

Gaming accounts can be broken down into two basic categories: casual gaming and gambling.

Casual gaming or social gaming would cover both phone apps and full MMORPG’s such as World of Warcraft. Both of these can be broken down further, but can generally be categorized as non-gambling games which offer in-game purchases.

With these styles of the game, there is no payout. The money the player pays into the game is slotted for some in-game boost or reward.

In these styles of games, the chargeback tends to be lower but still happens on a more regular basis than at another type of business like a restaurant or bookstore.

The other type of gaming account would be a gambling account.

With the legalization of online gambling in many states, this market has seen incredible growth in the past few years.

Whether the business is online sports betting, an online casino, or any sort of game with cash prizes, the result is the same. Money will flow into the game, but there will be the occasional payout.

This is part of the game, but in the end, the house always wins.

However, the processing company balances the books in a way that the payouts are covered without having to lose money. By holding a varied amount of money in the account, they ensure your end profits are not touched.

Since money will be flowing out regularly, both forms of online gaming will be considered high risk accounts.

The good news is that many processing companies specialize in online gaming and provide the right amount of support to help you turn a profit.

What’s the Difference Between Online Gaming and Gambling?

There are several differences between these online platforms: content, support, and returns are the biggest.

Generally speaking, online games cost more upfront capital to run and to keep current. If a game does not attract players through story, art, and entertainment, it won’t succeed.

This requires game designers and content managers who will continue to cater to the community who has invested their time and money in the game.

The support staff is similar but focuses on keeping the game running smoothly. They are constantly testing for glitches, bugs, and snafus that distract gamers from the game.

The average game company employs 1.2 people, however, that number is skewed towards the immersive world games. With the need for multiple employees to keep the game up and running with fresh content. Different styles of gaming require larger staff.

The upside to larger staffing needs is a statistically lower return rate. While there are the risks of refunds and chargebacks, these are lower than online gambling.

On the flip side, gambling games can be relatively simple. When a consumer downloads a slot machine app, they aren’t looking for an engrossing storyline or beautiful artwork. They are looking for the elusive payout.

A gambling game on a phone can be managed by a single employee who maintains the game. Oftentimes, that single employee will manage multiple games.

Glitches and bugs are worked out in beta and little updating is needed to keep the income cranking on all cylinders.

In this scenario, the cost comes with the payout. Gamblers need the occasional win to keep their appetite’s whet.

Ultimately, the gambler will lose and the house (or app developer) will win, but percentage-wise, more money is kicked back to the player when compared to other game styles.

Upfront cost and maintenance stacked against the continued income can dictate the style of game a developer is willing to invest in.

Things to Consider Before Investing in Online Gaming:

Longevity:

Some online games will capture a community and continue to pull in money for years with updates and additional content being continually added.

Other games hit the app store and flop immediately.

The average life of an online game is generally measured in months. Most gamers play until something newer and flashier catches their attention.

If you are considering creating a game with a longer lifespan, you need to invest in the company to continually add to the game. You need to keep the consumer fed.

As a creator, you need to plan accordingly. Do you want a one and done game that will provide income for a few months while you work on the next project, or do you want a longstanding game that will require continued input?

This may help you determine whether you want a game to fall into the gambling family rather than the online gaming category.

Initial Investment:

Your startup capital can also help determine what course you take. With a $50,000 investment, you can build and host an online casino.

The average online casino makes between $70-75k per day. However, that is the average among 3000 online casinos and a fluctuating number of apps (in the thousands).

The opposite end of the spectrum can leave many game designers out in the cold. Large pay-to-play games like Raid: Shadow Legends or Clash of Clans can cost millions to develop.

Raid: Shadow Legends cost hundreds of millions to get off the ground. However, it cleared $250 million in the first year.

Both of these variations of online games can be developed for less, but the payout is likewise reduced.

Support:

Casino support is relatively low when compared to online multiplayer games.

Once a gambling game is up and running, there is little in the way of upgrades needed to keep things running smoothly. Generally speaking, a gambling app can be maintained by a couple of techs.

In comparison, Plarium, the company that developed and maintains Raid: Shadow Legends employs over 1600 people to keep the game viable.

Most companies in both realms of gaming start small and build into something bigger. Don’t be afraid to use individual games as steps to achieving a grander goal.

As stated above, the average company employs 1.2 people. Most companies start small and build from there. Don’t be afraid to merge and expand the vision.

Concept:

All of this can be dictated by the vision in the designer’s mind. Do they see a game with story and substance or are they providing a simple gambling service?

Both avenues of game development are equally viable. Both substance driven games and online casinos fill an entertainment need and can provide a steady income stream.

Just like establishing any business, setting goals can help determine the best route to establish your online business.

How to Choose the Best Merchant Account for Your Needs:

In both arms of the online gaming world, a merchant account is a necessity. The next step is choosing the right fit to achieve your goals.

Processing companies often specialize to provide the best services for their clientele. They need to know the specific business so they can help you successfully navigate your field.

The best company will be the one that has a department or an individual who offers that specialization and can operate in the background to keep funds flowing smoothly.

Integrating the processor with your game in a subtle way will keep your customers engaged without interrupting their ability to purchase what they want.

Additional Tips and Considerations:

• Know your startup ability. Be realistic in what you can initially achieve. The gaming industry often requires stepping stones to achieve a level of sustainability.
• Choose a processor who understands your goals and can work with you to help you achieve them.
• Understand that the gaming world is high risk and as a result can be more difficult to break into when compared to safer businesses.

In Conclusion:

Like many startup businesses, the world of online gaming can be highly subjective. You might have the greatest game in mind, but if the public doesn’t buy in, it will fail.

Having the right combination of advertising support and industry knowledge will set the standard for you to slip into the correct spot to be successful.

With this understanding in hand, it can be easier to establish attainable goals and build towards those goals. Whether you want to build towards your online casino or create an MMORPG that will draw people into the world you have created, every dream starts with that vision.

Research what will successfully help you move towards your goals and understand that every business takes time to fashion into a profitable enterprise.

The key to this end is the structure you provide yourself. Finding the right processor will provide the financial support to keep transactions flowing and leave you time to focus on your game.

The right processing company will provide the right balance of cost with service. This needs to be catered to your business in a way that eliminates worry at a cost that won’t hurt your bottom line.

As an online business, all of your transactions will be digital in one form or another. Every gamer understands the need to link a credit card or alternative payment form.

Seamless payment options make it easier for customers to continue engaging the entertainment you are providing through your game.

Regardless of the course you choose with your game, make sure you have the right support structure behind the game to continue to improve and grow. Understanding the financial side of the business will give you the best chance of finding success.

Before you jump into the pool do your research and find the right credit card processing company to fit your needs.

Here are a few to get you started:

• Easy Pay Direct
• CDGCommerce
• Helcim