Interviews
OKTO: As cashless becomes king, land-based gaming requires an industry-specific solution
As a provider of digital payments for the entire high street, fintech firm OKTO stands out as having a unique cashless solution that caters to the nuanced needs of the UK’s highly regulated land-based gaming sector. As demand for such solutions accelerates due to the global pandemic, Dimitar Shopov, OKTO Wallet Commercial Owner, explains how crucial it is that operators pick a partner that understands the specifics of their industry, whilst also evolving its technology to keep up to date with global fintech trends.
On a global basis, how busy has OKTO been since the start of the pandemic? Has there been a notable increase in interest and urgency for the installation of cashless systems?
It is a question we are increasingly asking ourselves as a society: “Do we still need cash?” The decline in the use of cash and the concurrent rise in digital and card payments has been charted for years, but the pandemic definitely marks the real beginning of the end of cash in many mature markets like the UK who is a fast adopter, ushering the interest and urgency toward cashless systems.
A combination of contributing factors play a role here; tech advances, measures from authorities, and actions from big retailers across the world that have already adopted the use of digital payments as a safer method to maintain social distance and contain the spread of the COVID-19. Cashless systems have increasingly become the new norm, simply due to the fact that society demands it.
Now, all our partners are asking us how we can help them transition to cashless operations and the driver is always the same; the ability to respond to their users’ demands, leverage user services and experience and reduce cost and risk of cash. And that is what we deliver with our OKTO.WALLET solution.
Is the UK a market you are monitoring in respect to its uptake of cashless payments?
The use of cash has been falling around the world and the pandemic along with the fear of infection from bank notes are accelerating the trend away from cash towards digital payments. The UK ranks higher than all other countries in the EU when it comes to cashless payments for a few years now.
Naturally, not everybody is ready for a digital switchover, but it’s apparent that more and more people turn to digital payment options. Cash’s share of in-store transactions in the UK plummeted from 45 percent in January to 23 percent in July, per a report from Square that analyzed data from hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the UK while the digital will likely retain greater popularity. Therefore, as a fast adopter, the UK was a natural fit for us to invest in this market, creating a powerful solution, designed to address the needs of the Pub & AGC sector with the main mission to be the enhanced user experience.
And here comes the question: Will we ever have a digital alternative that offers the same mix of convenience and freedom as cash? For me the answer is yes. Contactless forms of payment have created a new level of convenience for people around the world, and this has provided a real boost for certain industries, from gaming and betting to hospitality sectors. OKTO.WALLET solution is not only the safe and fast transactional tool that both users and merchants demand but it also offers users the freedom to move and use their funds as they wish instantly.
How do you think Covid-19 has accelerated this increasing disdain for products and services that require cash payment? Does another round of government restrictions in the UK spell further worry for cash-only businesses?
A few years ago, while I was walking through London, I noted some signs dotted around a pub that announced the complete move from cash to customers: “Apologies, but it is the digital age.” Don’t forget that there are benefits in digital payments that make life easier not only for the pubs but for all retail businesses. Think about it, at the end of the night whatever the retail business is, the people there need to count up endless piles of coins, managers need to transfer bags of cash to be lodged at the bank, also there are the additional charges to processing cash transactions versus digital ones and so on. All these can be eliminated with the digital cashless payments.
The trend was there and Covid-19 came and sped up that trend. All the cashless benefits along with the fact that banknotes and coins have been identified as a medium for transmitting the pandemic is clearing the way for another stellar rise in digital payments.
I cannot see the crystal ball and make the prediction for further pandemic-related worries for cash-only businesses, but when you hear announcements from World Health Organization back in March, recommending people to turn to cashless transactions to fight the spread of Covid-19, and rapidly a number of governments and retailers across the world took action, you can realize the evident concern. This shift should not be underestimated, as cashless transactions become the norm and rapidly impact niche industries like hospitality and gaming.
A cash-free future is getting closer, and the new lockdown is further accelerating that shift, but this change won’t be a 100 percent switch over night, there will be a prolonged period cash and digital payment options living side by side. After all, consumer payment choice is one of the most essential ways to maximise a merchants revenue potential, and operators should ensure that they will offer their customers the same level of choice in payment options as other sectors of the leisure industry, offering cashless facilities and we are here to assist operations in this transition.
Despite being a fintech provider to many markets across the world, OKTO clearly sees gaming as a particularly important one. How does this focus on gaming, whilst also offering all the benefits of neo-banks such as Monzo and Revolut, put OKTO in a better position to serve the market than competing cashless solutions in this space?
There are plenty of cashless solutions available and it can be confusing at times, what and why different digital solutions are better suited to certain sectors, and this is especially true in gaming.
But, it’s crucial for any operation to back the right horse. It’s imperative to choose a reliable solutions partner and few providers are focusing on the nuanced needs of gaming operators, especially for land-based, which make us unique in what we do. At OKTO, we want to assist our partners to make informed decisions for both their businesses and customers. Now with the industry to face more challenges than ever gaming operators need a payment service to ease the burden rather than add to it. Industry-specific, mobile-first and open-loop are the keys here.
A payment provider with a mobile payment platform, tailored for the gaming industry that aims to reduce payment friction, enhance the user experience, allowing real-time e-money fund transfer in a simple, secure and fast way is the answer to their quest. When this comes with a universality, then this is a sure bet, as consumers can use, move and collect their funds anywhere, not just for gaming.
Having a dedicated team on gaming, are you confident OKTO is well-equipped to cater to the needs of such a heavily regulated industry, where the expectations for compliance, data protection, and social responsibility are higher than any normal consumer market?
It’s vital to choose the right partner as I previously said; one that utilises field-proven technologies and has the extensive know-how of key integrations across all physical touchpoints of a gaming venue ranging from gaming machines to Self-Service Betting Terminals and Cash Redemption Terminals as well as a strong understanding and proven ability to integrate the wallet with digital touchpoints. We have exactly this 360 approach through our OKTO.WALLET solution, that the operators need to get ahead.
Heavily regulated industries are not unknown to us. We have an extensive understanding of the current climate; and we have developed solutions that ease compliance issues. Utilising the highest level of data encryption, we ensure all users data are fully encrypted while also all fund transfers are audited using market-proven algorithms to detect fraudulent activity including not only Money Laundering but also game manipulation and cash peripheral attacks.
Social responsibility is also at the top of our minds. With tools available through the OKTO app, we cover the social responsibility quota, incorporating a strict age verification process, time-out periods, betting limits, and profit and loss calculator tools that further enhance consumer protection as well as a dedicated section embedded in the app with national problem gambling helplines.
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La expansión global de los mercados de predicción está comenzando a redefinir la forma en que los usuarios interactúan con la información, la probabilidad y el engagement digital.
Ubicadas en la intersección entre finanzas, tecnología y datos de comportamiento, estas plataformas están ganando tracción como una forma estructurada de transformar la inteligencia colectiva en pronósticos medibles sobre eventos futuros.
En Brasil, este segmento emergente aún se encuentra en una etapa inicial, pero la combinación de una audiencia digital altamente comprometida, la reciente evolución regulatoria en sectores adyacentes como fintech y cripto, y la búsqueda constante de nuevos modelos de engagement dentro del iGaming, crea un entorno fértil para el crecimiento.
Es en este contexto que VoxFi se posiciona como uno de los primeros actores estructurados dentro del ecosistema local.
La semana pasada, durante BiS SiGMA South America 2026 en São Paulo, la empresa presentó oficialmente su solución white label, diseñada para permitir que terceros integren mercados de predicción directamente en sus propios sitios web y aplicaciones.
VoxFi también participó en el panel “Forecasting or Gambling? The Fine Line Between Prediction Markets and Bets”, donde el CEO y cofundador Fernando Carvalho analizó los límites entre los modelos de predicción emergentes y las estructuras tradicionales de apuestas.
Además, la compañía fue seleccionada como una de las seis finalistas del Startup Pitch Competition del evento, reforzando su posicionamiento como un actor innovador en el sector.
La empresa, una plataforma brasileña enfocada en contratos de predicción basados en eventos, ha desarrollado una solución white label que permite a otras compañías integrar mercados de predicción directamente en sus propios entornos digitales.
A través de conectividad vía API, empresas de distintos sectores, desde medios y entretenimiento hasta telecomunicaciones, pueden ofrecer experiencias de predicción personalizadas bajo su propia marca, aprovechando la infraestructura, el marco de compliance y los mecanismos de liquidez de VoxFi.
A diferencia de los modelos tradicionales de apuestas, VoxFi opera bajo una lógica peer to peer, donde los usuarios negocian contratos binarios, sí o no, basados en resultados futuros.
El precio de estos contratos refleja probabilidades percibidas, creando un entorno dinámico que se asemeja más a los mercados financieros que a las estructuras de juego convencionales.
Todos los mercados pasan por un proceso interno de curaduría y validación, con criterios de resolución claramente definidos, estándares de compliance y sistemas de monitoreo.
La plataforma también incorpora prácticas del mercado financiero como KYC obligatorio, monitoreo de transacciones y segregación de cuentas por evento, reforzando su posicionamiento como un ecosistema estructurado y responsable.
Fundada por Fernando Carvalho, conocido por su rol en el desarrollo del mercado de criptoactivos en Brasil a través de QR Capital, y Luis Felipe Carvalho, emprendedor fintech detrás de NG.CASH, VoxFi combina experiencia en innovación financiera con un producto diseñado para escalar y alinearse con la regulación.
En esta entrevista exclusiva, el CEO Fernando Carvalho explica las razones detrás de su entrada en un segmento aún poco comprendido, el posicionamiento estratégico de VoxFi y lo que viene para los mercados de predicción en Brasil.
El mercado de predicción aún no es ampliamente comprendido en Brasil. ¿Qué los llevó a apostar por este sector?
Fernando Carvalho – Elegimos construir VoxFi porque los mercados de predicción son una de las formas más eficientes de transformar información dispersa en probabilidades sobre el futuro.
Agregan conocimiento colectivo de manera estructurada y transparente.
Observamos avances regulatorios importantes en Estados Unidos entre 2024 y 2025, lo que indicó que este modelo comenzaría a escalar globalmente.
Vimos un escenario similar al inicio del mercado cripto, un sector nuevo que requiere educación, gobernanza sólida y desarrollo gradual para alcanzar escala.
¿Dónde está la línea entre mercados de predicción y apuestas?
La diferencia es estructural. En los mercados de predicción, los usuarios negocian entre sí a través de un libro de órdenes y los precios reflejan probabilidades percibidas.
En las apuestas tradicionales, existe una casa que define las cuotas y asume el riesgo. Aquí no hay casa, hay mercado.
VoxFi entra con un enfoque B2B. ¿Qué oportunidad identificaron?
El iGaming está atravesando una transformación en Brasil y los operadores buscan nuevas formas de engagement.
Nuestra solución permite integrar mercados de predicción como una capa adicional de contenido vía API, mientras los socios mantienen su identidad de marca.
¿Compiten con operadores de apuestas?
No. Complementamos el ecosistema. Evitamos deliberadamente temas deportivos para no competir directamente y ampliar el abanico de contenidos.
¿Brasil está atrasado en este segmento?
No. Está en una etapa inicial, pero con características ideales, una audiencia digital altamente comprometida y una creciente familiaridad con instrumentos financieros más sofisticados.
¿Cómo funciona el modelo de ingresos?
Es similar al de plataformas de trading, cobramos comisiones sobre transacciones o sobre la liquidación de contratos.
En el modelo B2B también generamos ingresos a través de fees de implementación y acuerdos de revenue share. Es un modelo altamente escalable.
¿Quiénes son los principales interesados hoy?
Hay tres grupos principales, operadores de iGaming, empresas de medios y entretenimiento, y plataformas digitales con grandes audiencias.
¿Cómo se construye liquidez en un mercado nuevo?
Inicialmente mediante un market maker interno para garantizar condiciones eficientes de negociación. Al mismo tiempo, estamos desarrollando infraestructura para integrar market makers externos a medida que el ecosistema crece.
¿Por qué evitar temas como deportes y elecciones?
Es una decisión estratégica para alinearnos con la regulación actual y evitar conflictos con organismos como CVM, SPA y TSE.
¿Brasil está cerca de regular los mercados de predicción?
La discusión recién está comenzando a tomar fuerza. El principal riesgo es una clasificación incorrecta como apuestas tradicionales o como derivados financieros.
¿Qué define el éxito en los próximos seis meses?
El crecimiento de la base de usuarios, el volumen negociado y la activación de integraciones white label con socios estratégicos.
A futuro, ¿será un complemento del iGaming o una categoría propia?
En el corto plazo lo vemos como un complemento natural del iGaming, agregando nuevas capas de contenido y engagement.
A largo plazo, creemos que puede convertirse en una categoría digital propia, una nueva capa de internet enfocada en la predicción de eventos futuros.
The post Fernando Carvalho define una nueva era para los mercados de predicción en Brasil con VoxFi appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brazil
Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology
The global expansion of prediction markets is beginning to reshape how users interact with information, probability, and digital engagement.
Positioned at the intersection of finance, technology, and behavioral data, these platforms are gaining traction as a structured way to transform collective intelligence into measurable forecasts about future events.
In Brazil, this emerging segment is still in its early stages, but the combination of a highly engaged digital audience, recent regulatory evolution in adjacent sectors such as fintech and crypto, and the constant search for new engagement models within iGaming creates a fertile environment for growth.
It is within this context that VoxFi is positioning itself as one of the first structured players in the local ecosystem.
Last week, during BiS SiGMA South America 2026 in São Paulo, the company officially presented its white-label solution, designed to allow third-party businesses to integrate prediction markets directly into their own websites and applications.
VoxFi also took part in the panel “Forecasting or Gambling? The Fine Line Between Prediction Markets and Bets,” where CEO and co-founder Fernando Carvalho discussed the boundaries between emerging prediction models and traditional betting structures.
In addition, the company was selected as one of the six finalists in the event’s Startup Pitch Competition, reinforcing its positioning as an innovative player in the space.
The company, a Brazilian platform focused on event-based prediction contracts, has introduced a white-label solution that allows third-party companies to integrate prediction markets directly into their own digital environments.
Through API connectivity, businesses across sectors, from media and entertainment to telecom, can offer customized prediction experiences under their own branding, leveraging VoxFi’s infrastructure, compliance framework, and liquidity mechanisms.
Unlike traditional betting models, VoxFi operates on a peer-to-peer logic, where users trade binary contracts (“yes” or “no”) based on future outcomes.
The pricing of these contracts reflects perceived probabilities, creating a dynamic environment that resembles financial markets more than conventional gambling structures.
All markets undergo internal curation and validation, with clearly defined resolution criteria, compliance standards, and monitoring systems.
The platform also incorporates financial-market practices such as mandatory KYC, transaction monitoring, and event-based account segregation, reinforcing its positioning as a structured and responsible ecosystem.
Founded by Fernando Carvalho, known for his role in advancing the crypto asset market in Brazil through QR Capital, and Luis Felipe Carvalho, a fintech entrepreneur behind NG.CASH, VoxFi combines experience in financial innovation with a product designed for scalability and regulatory alignment.
In this exclusive interview, CEO Fernando Carvalho explains the rationale behind entering a still-misunderstood segment, the strategic positioning of VoxFi, and what lies ahead for prediction markets in Brazil.
The prediction market is still not widely understood in Brazil. What led you to invest in this sector?
Fernando Carvalho – We chose to build VoxFi because prediction markets are one of the most efficient ways to transform dispersed information into probabilities about the future.
They aggregate collective knowledge in a structured and transparent way. We observed important regulatory developments in the United States between 2024 and 2025, which indicated that this model would begin to scale globally.
We saw a scenario similar to the early days of the crypto market: a new sector that requires education, strong governance, and gradual development to reach scale.
Where is the line between prediction markets and betting?
The difference is structural. In prediction markets, users trade with each other through an order book, and prices reflect perceived probabilities.
In traditional betting, there is a house that sets the odds and assumes the risk. Here, there is no “house” — there is a market.
VoxFi enters with a B2B approach. What opportunity did you identify?
iGaming is undergoing a transformation in Brazil, and operators are looking for new ways to engage users.
Our solution allows prediction markets to be integrated as an additional content layer via API, while partners maintain their own brand identity.
Do you compete with betting operators?
No. We complement the ecosystem. We deliberately avoid sports-related topics to prevent direct competition and instead expand the range of available content.
Is Brazil behind in this segment?
No. It is in an early stage, but with ideal characteristics: a highly engaged digital audience and increasing familiarity with more sophisticated financial instruments.
How does your revenue model work?
It is similar to trading platforms: we charge fees on transactions or on contract settlement. In the B2B model, we also generate revenue through setup fees and revenue-sharing agreements. It is a highly scalable model.
Who are the main players interested in this today?
There are three main groups: iGaming operators, media and entertainment companies, and digital platforms with large audiences.
How do you build liquidity in a new market?
Initially, through an internal market maker to ensure efficient trading conditions. At the same time, we are developing infrastructure to integrate external market makers as the ecosystem grows.
Why avoid topics like sports and elections?
This is a strategic decision to align with current regulations and avoid conflicts with authorities such as CVM, SPA, and TSE.
Is Brazil close to regulating prediction markets?
The discussion is just beginning to gain traction. The main risk is being incorrectly classified as either traditional betting or financial drivatives.
What defines success in the next six months?
Growth in user base, trading volume, and the activation of white-label integrations with strategic partners.
Looking ahead, will this be a complement to iGaming or a standalone category?
In the short term, we see prediction markets as a natural complement to iGaming, adding new layers of content and engagement. In the long term, we believe they can become a standalone digital category, a new layer of the internet focused on forecasting future events.
The post Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
We sat down with Tequity’s VP Growth Originals, Dominic Sawyer, to discuss how the industry is evolving to meet the unique appetites of Brazilian players and how technical scaling is the secret weapon for ambitious studios.
Brazil is now well over a year into its regulated era. How has the focus shifted for operators who are looking beyond that initial launch phase?
The first year was about land grabs and establishing a footprint. In 2026, the conversation is much more grounded in operational efficiency and the cost of player acquisition. Brazil is a massive market, but it is also an expensive one. If an operator is spending a premium to bring a player through the door, losing them to a generic, uninspired lobby is a massive waste of resources.
The focus has shifted heavily toward retention. We are seeing operators move away from the volume at all costs approach and towards building a brand-based ecosystem. This is where bespoke content comes in. By using our Originals framework, operators can create games that feel like a native part of their platform. This builds a sense of familiarity and trust. In a regulated market, player loyalty is the only thing that can protect your margins against evolving tax frameworks and marketing restrictions.
We know Brazilian players have a deep-seated love for sports. How is this influencing the types of casino games that are succeeding in the market?
The crossover between sports betting and casino in Brazil is perhaps more pronounced than anywhere else. Brazilian players crave high-energy, high-frequency interaction. They want the tension of a live match translated into a casino format. This is why we have seen such an explosion in the popularity of ‘burst games’ and instant-win titles.
Our product roadmap is heavily influenced by this desire for real-time excitement. Our Crypto Trading Games range, for instance, resonates because it mimics the volatility and decision-making of a live market or a high-stakes football bet. Features like 1,000x leverage and the ability to manage multiple active bets simultaneously provide a level of agency that traditional slots often lack. With the World Cup on the horizon, we expect this appetite for sports-adjacent casino content to reach a fever pitch. Operators who can bridge that gap effectively will see the highest levels of cross-vertical engagement.
With so many international brands entering Brazil, how can an operator ensure their content doesn’t just look like a translated version of a European site?
Laziness in localization is a fast track to irrelevance. A player in São Paulo isn’t looking for a translated UK slot, but a game that feels like part of the local culture. True differentiation involves cultural alignment, brand recall, and a pacing of gameplay that matches local preferences.
We believe in providing a modular approach that hands the creative keys back to the operator. This allows them to tailor visual treatments and UI to reflect local festivals, brand ambassadors, or specific colour palettes. When a game feels like it was built for the Brazilian market rather than just adapted for it, the player connection is significantly stronger. You want your content to feel like part of the local furniture, reinforcing the operator’s brand identity at every turn.
Innovation is high, but technical barriers often slow things down. How is Tequity helping studios scale faster to bring high-quality games to the Brazilian market?
There is no shortage of brilliant creative ideas in the industry, but there is often a massive technical bottleneck when it comes to global distribution and compliance. For an ambitious studio, the prospect of navigating the specific regulatory requirements of Brazil while trying to build a global presence is daunting.
This is exactly why we launched Tequity Publishing. We want to dismantle those technical barriers. Through our RGSaaS (Remote Game Server as a Service) model, we provide the infrastructure, distribution muscle, and compliance frameworks that allow studios to focus entirely on the creative side. Whether it’s a small studio with a fresh concept or a more established provider looking to plug into our aggregator network, we provide the pathway to the player. By removing the operational friction, we ensure that high-quality, innovative content can hit the market at the speed the industry demands.
The industry is increasingly streamer-driven. How are suppliers ensuring games are stream-ready for the influencers who currently dominate Brazilian social feeds?
Social media is the new storefront in Brazil. The traditional casino lobby is being bypassed in favour of TikTok, Twitch, and Telegram feeds. If a game isn’t visually engaging or doesn’t provide natural clipping moments, it’s missing a massive trick. Successful suppliers are engineering content to be inherently shareable, creating a narrative that is easy for a streamer’s audience to follow. When an influencer shares a high-multiplier win, it creates an organic marketing event that is far more effective than a standard banner ad. It’s about providing the tools for operators to lower their acquisition costs by creating content that players want to emulate and share.
The post Mastering the Brazilian maturity curve appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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