Gaming internet cafe

Teenagers and young adults, university students, gaming groups and parents booking birthday sessions.

Hourly or pre-paid time packages per station, group and party bookings, tournament entry fees, and drink and snack sales.

• Customer service and managing young crowds
• Comfortable with PC hardware and networks
• Marketing through social media and local gaming communities

• Council approval and any limits on opening hours, especially late at night
• Game and software licences for commercial or cafe use, check each publisher
• Age rules and game classification: keep titles suitable for the age of your customers
• Child safety: check whether staff need a Working with Children Check in your state
• Public liability insurance and cover for expensive equipment against theft or damage
• Registration with your local council if you make or sell food, and music licensing if you play music
• High startup cost and fast-ageing hardware, plan for regular upgrades

Startup costs are typically around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on the number of gaming PCs, the premises and fit-out. Hardware ages quickly, so plan for regular upgrades on top of the initial outlay.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, opening hours, number of stations and how much you earn from drinks, snacks and group bookings. These are estimates only.

Check council approval and any limits on opening hours, game and software licences for commercial use, age rules and game classification, and whether staff need a Working with Children Check. Also check insurance, food registration and music licensing.