In the interview, Theo speaks about developments in the payments sector, OKTO’s cashless solutions, and the company’s latest payment innovations. He also sheds light on the company’s expansion, partnerships, and growth potential in different markets; in addition to discussing OKTO’s offerings and tailored solutions in different jurisdictions.

What are your expectations and objectives at this year’s G2E Las Vegas?

At this year’s G2E Las Vegas, we have high expectations and clear objectives for OKTO. Our role at the event is multi-faceted. Firstly, we aim to showcase our latest payment innovations and solutions that empower businesses in the gaming industry on our partners’ stand.

We’re excited to connect with industry leaders, operators, and partners to share our vision for the future of payments and customer engagement in the gaming sector. Our objective is to demonstrate how OKTO can be a strategic payment partner in helping businesses adapt to evolving market demands for payments and paytech trends.

What opportunities does G2E offer OKTO, especially given the importance of this event? Do you expect payments to be at the forefront of discussion at the meeting?

G2E Las Vegas is a significant event for OKTO, especially now that we are expanding in North America, offering a platform to engage with key stakeholders and decision-makers in the gaming industry. Payments are indeed at the forefront of discussions in the gaming sector, and this event provides an excellent opportunity for us to highlight the importance of secure, seamless, and innovative payment solutions.

We expect to engage in meaningful conversations about the evolving payment landscape, the role of digital payments, and how OKTO can help operators capitalize on these opportunities.

OKTO introduced its cashless payment solutions with OKTO.WALLET which is followed by OKTO.DIRECT  that launched recently at ICE, an industry-first innovation in Europe. As we approach the end of the year, how has the market reception been for these solutions, and can you provide insights into any upcoming product launches in the near future?

As there is a transition to cashless societies, OKTO started its presence with cashless payment services, as it was and is a significant opportunity for retail betting operators to enhance their customer experiences and streamline their operations.

To adapt their offer successfully, operators should focus on several key areas. First and foremost, they need to provide convenient and secure payment options that cater to the preferences of modern consumers. This might involve integrating digital wallets, retail payment gateways, or embedding wallet functions within existing mobile payment apps across all customer touchpoints.

Furthermore, operators should invest in omnichannel solutions that enable a seamless transition between physical betting locations and online platforms. This means ensuring that customers can access their funds and place bets effortlessly across different channels. Implementing robust customer authentication and verification processes is crucial to maintain security and regulatory compliance. And this is exactly what we are doing with OKTO.WALLET massively this year and similarly OKTO.DIRECT will follow suit.

Our customers’ requirement for low-friction digital payment solutions is on the top of our list and OKTO.DIRECT is another answer to this demand, with no need to download an app. Using our well-established OKTO Unified Payment Platform and CMS integrations network, end-users are able to use OKTO.DIRECT to top-up and withdraw directly at gaming machines via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Debit Card, Instant Bank Transfer, or their OKTO wallet, just using their mobile to scan a QR code. This is, all about delivering an unprecedented breadth of choice, enabling consumers to pay and play using a range of digital payment options that are available with a single integration.

In terms of upcoming products, we’re committed to continuous innovation through substantial investments in research and development. While I can’t divulge specific details of new announcements for our cashless payments just yet, rest assured that we’re dedicated to expanding in general our product portfolio to align with the ever-evolving needs of our valued customers based on the demands of each region.

We have seen OKTO eye further expansion in several markets this year, such as the nascent Brazilian one; and sign new deals, most recently one with Exalogic for the Italian market. Can you share some insights on OKTO’s latest partnerships and the markets presenting the biggest opportunities for the company at the time?

Expansion and strategic partnerships are key components of OKTO’s growth strategy. We’re excited about our recent partnership with Exalogic in the Italian market, as it opens up new opportunities for us to provide cutting-edge payment solutions to the gaming industry in Italy. It is also a perfect example of our localized approach to how we react to regional demands.

OKTO.PVR is an integral addition to our OKTO.WALLET lineup, tailored for the Italian market. Backed by in-depth market insights, OKTO has curated a bespoke wallet solution that seamlessly caters to players and operators in the region. Elevating convenience, security, and compliance, OKTO.PVR bridges the gap between online gaming excitement and the tangible touch of cash transactions.

It is the ideal fusion of contemporary gameplay and timeless financial interactions, aligned seamlessly with current and forthcoming regulatory standards. Exalogic is aligned with our strategy and our partnership with Exalogic signifies a revolution in the Italian gaming landscape.

In addition, our interest in the Brazilian market reflects our commitment to exploring emerging opportunities. We believe that these partnerships and markets offer significant growth potential for OKTO, and we are actively working to establish a strong presence in these regions. And we are going beyond Brazil with our payment aggregation solution.