By Ulises Gil, journalist at G&M News.
Brazil recently launched its regulated iGaming market. From your perspective, what role can innovative payment solutions like OKTO Pay and Play 2.0, Pix Biometria, and Smart Payment Routing play in shaping this new ecosystem?
The new regulation has introduced major challenges to the user journey, particularly during onboarding, which now involves more data checks and facial recognition. To address this, OKTO has upgraded its Pay and Play solution to version 2.0, now featuring integrated facial recognition. Instead of manually entering information, users only need to make a payment from a bank account in their name and complete facial recognition; OKTO handles the rest. This provides operators with all required KYC data while ensuring speed and compliance. Pix Biometria takes traditional Pix a step further by leveraging Open Finance. With it, players no longer need to be redirected to finalize a payment. Instead, transactions are authorized directly on the user’s device through authentication. This creates a seamless, fast, and secure flow that reduces friction while boosting efficiency for both players and operators.
How does OKTO’s “local-first” strategy help operators in LatAm adapt to regulatory requirements while also enhancing player trust and user experience?
At OKTO, we don’t just adapt to a market; we immerse ourselves in it. We study how players interact with payments at each step of the journey, testing and learning from real user behavior. By working closely with operators to stress-test their flows, we can detect friction points and recommend smart improvements that increase conversion. This collaborative approach ensures that our solutions reflect local habits, regulatory frameworks, and payment preferences, resulting in smoother, more intuitive experiences for both players and operators.
Compliance is becoming increasingly important across LatAm markets. How does OKTO support operators in achieving a balance between strong compliance measures and frictionless payment journeys?
Compliance isn’t just a box to check; it’s a core part of our strategy. The more we understand both payment and iGaming regulations, the better we can guide operators through each market’s complexities. Regulations don’t only impose restrictions; they also create opportunities when navigated correctly. While most operators are familiar with iGaming laws, payment regulations can be more challenging. That’s where OKTO’s expertise comes in: we design integrated solutions that combine compliance and performance, delivering secure, trustworthy journeys without compromising on user experience.
Beyond Brazil, which other LatAm markets do you consider most promising for iGaming growth, and how is OKTO preparing to support operators in those jurisdictions?
Latin America is diverse, with countries at different stages of regulatory development. Some markets, like Argentina and Colombia, are more advanced, while others are still shaping their frameworks. OKTO is already active in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Mexico, always ensuring operators can access the most relevant local payment methods. Our support extends beyond deposits and withdrawals. We also provide customer service, financial reconciliation, and other key services that enable operators to offer complete, seamless user experiences.
Looking ahead, what innovations or trends in digital payments do you believe will impact the most the gaming industry over the next few years?
Two trends are particularly important: account-linked instant payments and invisible KYC. Brazil’s Pix is leading the way, but similar models will spread across LatAm, making payments faster, smarter, and identity-driven. At the same time, players expect security and compliance to remain in the background. This means biometric validation, tokenized credentials, and AI-powered fraud prevention will soon become standard, not as barriers, but as tools that build trust and scale. At OKTO, we are already building towards this future.