Board Game Business

How Profitable Is A Board Game Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 5th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Board Game Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a board game business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are board game businesses actually profitable?”

Especially considering:

You could start a board game business with as low as $300
Based on our data, board game businesses generate an average of $572K per year
You could see gross margins as high as 23% with board game businesses

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a board game business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a board game business profitable?

Yes, a board game business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $572K per year with an estimated gross margin of 40%, you could expect to recover your investment within 8 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your board game business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your board game business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a board game business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a board game business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With board game businesses, you have the potential to earn $572K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a board game business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful board game businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Board Game Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable board game businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Bingo Card Creator ($18K/year)

Beth K., a busy mother of 5 and former elementary school teacher, came up with the idea for BingoCardCreator.com while on maternity leave. She purchased the already established business through the online broker FE International, and has since learned the ins and outs of running a business through trial and error. The business earns an average of $1200 per month and provides Beth with flexibility and additional income for her family.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $18K/year

How I Bought A $1.5K/Month Side-Business That Sells Custom Bingo Creations

This case study showcases an entrepreneur who purchased an established online business generating $1,200 per month, and provides insights into what it takes to grow and run a successful yet small business while improving skills in digital marketing.

Read this case study

Read by 7,824 founders

2. Continuum Games ($3M/year)

Greg Hughes, the founder of Continuum Games, Inc, came up with the idea for his business when he developed a card game called Discombobulation. Wanting to pursue his passion for games and toys, he quickly expanded his product line and launched a specialty toy distribution network. Today, the company generates $250k per month in the offseason, and up to $600k per month during peak season.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K

How Creating A Card Game Turned Into A $250K/Month Board And Card Games Business

Continuum Games, Inc. President Greg Hughes started his toy and game distribution company with a $5 wholesale card game and today generates an average of $250k per month in revenue, rising to $600k in peak season from a combination of manufacturing and distribution of over 40 games.

Read this case study

Read by 7,323 founders

3. Gameray ($1.02M/year)

As a project manager at a major CIS online store, Mikhail Tsyrulnikov noticed physical logistics hampering sales. Combining his e-commerce acumen and passion for gaming, he launched Gameray—a digital game distribution platform—with an MVP built in 2.5 months, driving over 3 million euros in annual turnover.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 23%
How much money it makes: $1.02M/year
How much did it cost to start: $30K

My Gaming Distribution Business Makes $1M/Year

Discover how an aspiring founder turned a $30,000 investment into a profitable digital game distribution platform with an annual turnover of 3 million euros, leveraging key partnerships and innovative marketing strategies to attract 50,000 monthly users.

Read this case study

Read by 779 founders

Learn more about starting a board game business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a board game business?
-> Pros and cons of a board game business

Need inspiration?

-> Other board game business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a board game business
-> Board game business slogans
-> Board game business names

Other resources

-> Board game business tips
-> Blog post ideas for a board game business

How much can you make with a board game business?

With a board game business, you can make an average of $572K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $300. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 8 months.

How much does a board game business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a board game business ranges around $11.9K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $47.7K.

To know if your board game business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your board game business.

How much do board game businesses owners make?

The income of a board game business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established board game business is about $11.9K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a board game business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Board Game Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a board game business can expect profit margin of around 40%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a board game business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, board game business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, board game business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Board game business owner salary

The salary of a board game business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established board game business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $4.77K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a board game business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your board game business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable board game business.

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Starting A Board Game Business: Everything You Need To Know

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