OKTO launches direct card deposits in Mexico

OKTO, a leading payment solutions provider, has strengthened its presence in Latin America with the launch of a direct card-in solution in Mexico. This new service integrates directly with the country’s domestic acquiring network, allowing real-time card deposits for iGaming operators and their customers. The development represents a significant step in OKTO’s strategy to deliver localized payment experiences tailored to regional market requirements.

The expansion into Mexico comes at a time when the Latin American iGaming sector is experiencing substantial growth, with card payments remaining a popular method for a significant portion of players. By introducing a direct card-in solution, OKTO is responding to a clear market demand while enhancing the efficiency and security of payment processes for merchants.

A strategic step in Latin American expansion

The launch is part of OKTO’s broader Orchestrated Pay-ins and Payouts strategy, which aims to simplify payment journeys through locally aligned infrastructure. By connecting directly with licensed domestic acquirers, the company removes intermediary processors. This approach is intended to increase approval rates, reduce the risk of fraud, and support faster transaction speeds.

Thomas Georgopoulos, Chief Operating Officer at OKTO, commented on the significance of the launch, stating:
“Mexico represents a key market in OKTO’s Latin American expansion strategy. Our direct card-in solution directly addresses the needs of a significant portion of iGaming users who continue to prefer card payments.”

Georgopoulos further emphasized the benefits for merchants:
“By integrating with Mexico’s local acquiring network, we help merchants reduce costs, increase approval rates and deliver the fast, seamless deposit experience that players expect.”

This local integration is particularly relevant in Mexico, where card payments account for over a quarter of the iGaming audience. For operators, having a tailored solution that aligns with player behavior is crucial to maintaining competitiveness and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Advantages of direct acquiring for merchants

By implementing direct card acquiring, OKTO provides several operational and financial advantages for iGaming operators:

• Improved approval rates: Direct access to local acquiring networks allows for smoother payment processing, minimizing the likelihood of rejected transactions.
• Reduced fraud exposure: Removing intermediaries decreases potential points of vulnerability in the payment flow.
• Faster transaction speeds: Real-time approvals enhance the user experience, particularly for deposits that players expect to complete instantaneously.
• Enhanced pricing control: Merchants gain the ability to manage fees and payment structures more efficiently.
• Greater oversight of payment flows: Operators can track transactions more accurately, improving reconciliation and reporting.

These benefits collectively strengthen the attractiveness of OKTO’s offering for operators in Mexico’s regulated iGaming sector, which increasingly demands secure, seamless, and compliant payment solutions.

Initial rollout and market adoption

The initial phase of the direct card-in solution involves five merchants preparing to go live. This rollout is indicative of rising demand for localized and compliant payment options in Mexico, where players and regulators alike prioritize security, speed, and transparency in financial transactions.

OKTO’s new card-in service complements its existing SPEI-based in-and-out payment methods, which are already widely adopted across Latin America. The combination of direct card payments and established local payment rails ensures that operators can offer diverse deposit and withdrawal options, tailored to regional preferences and regulatory requirements.

The company’s approach emphasizes not only convenience but also compliance. By working closely with licensed domestic acquirers, OKTO ensures that operators maintain adherence to Mexico’s regulatory frameworks, reducing operational risks and enhancing the overall reliability of payment processes.

Expansion across Latin America

The launch in Mexico follows OKTO’s recent introduction of real-time account-to-account payments in Peru, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding market-specific payment infrastructure throughout the region.

With a focus on embedded finance and iGaming-focused solutions, OKTO is gradually establishing itself as a key player in Latin America’s payments landscape. Its strategy involves identifying regional payment trends, integrating with local networks, and providing operators with solutions that combine speed, security, and regulatory compliance.

The company’s Latin American expansion reflects a broader trend in the financial technology sector, where providers increasingly prioritize localized payment offerings to cater to diverse consumer behaviors. By enabling direct card deposits, OKTO is helping operators better serve players who prefer traditional card methods while also offering the reliability of real-time transactions.

Leadership driving global expansion

The international rollout of OKTO’s services comes several months after the appointment of Edward Chandler as Group CEO. Chandler brings extensive experience from senior roles at Visa, Mastercard, and Barclays, overseeing the company’s global expansion and further development of its embedded finance and payment capabilities.

Under Chandler’s leadership, OKTO has pursued a strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology with locally compliant infrastructure. This dual focus on innovation and regulation ensures that operators can provide smooth, secure, and legally compliant payment experiences to their customers.

Market significance for iGaming operators

Mexico represents one of the largest and fastest-growing iGaming markets in Latin America. The introduction of a direct card-in solution aligns with the preferences of a substantial portion of players who continue to use credit and debit cards for deposits.

By offering a solution that connects directly with licensed domestic acquirers, OKTO provides operators with:

• Reduced dependency on international payment processors
• Enhanced flexibility in fee management
• Higher efficiency in transaction processing
• Stronger compliance with local regulations

These factors collectively enable iGaming operators to optimize their payment operations, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in a highly regulated and increasingly competitive market.

Future outlook and regional strategy

Looking ahead, OKTO is expected to continue its phased rollout of market-specific payment solutions across Latin America. By combining direct card acquiring with account-to-account and other local payment methods, the company is positioning itself as a versatile provider capable of meeting the unique needs of regional operators.

The Mexican market serves as a pivotal point for OKTO’s broader Latin American expansion. Its success in this market will likely influence subsequent deployments in other countries where card payments remain a preferred method for iGaming transactions.

Thomas Georgopoulos emphasized this strategic approach:
“Our goal is to simplify payments for operators while giving them more control over their payment flows. This approach ensures a faster, safer, and more seamless experience for players, which is critical in building trust and satisfaction in regulated markets.”

Conclusion

OKTO’s launch of a direct card-in solution in Mexico marks a key milestone in the company’s Latin American expansion. By connecting directly to the domestic acquiring network, the company offers operators a secure, efficient, and compliant method for processing card payments in real time.

This strategic initiative not only aligns with player preferences but also enhances operational efficiency and regulatory compliance for operators in Mexico’s growing iGaming market. Under the guidance of Edward Chandler and Thomas Georgopoulos, OKTO is set to continue its regional growth, leveraging market-specific payment infrastructure to support both merchants and players across Latin America.

As the demand for localized and compliant payment solutions rises, OKTO’s approach provides a blueprint for how iGaming operators can meet player expectations while maintaining cost efficiency and regulatory adherence. The successful implementation of this service in Mexico is likely to serve as a foundation for further expansion across the region, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading provider of innovative payment solutions in Latin America.

FAQs

What is OKTO’s direct card-in solution in Mexico?
OKTO’s direct card-in solution allows iGaming operators to process real-time card deposits directly through Mexico’s domestic acquiring network.

How does direct acquiring benefit merchants?
Direct acquiring improves approval rates, reduces fraud exposure, speeds up transactions, and provides merchants with more control over pricing and payment flows.

Why is the Mexican iGaming market significant for OKTO?
Mexico has a large and growing iGaming audience, with over a quarter of players preferring card payments, making it a key market for OKTO’s expansion.

Which payment methods does OKTO already offer in Latin America?
OKTO provides SPEI-based account-to-account in-and-out payments and is expanding market-specific solutions like direct card deposits.

Who is Edward Chandler and what is his role at OKTO?
Edward Chandler is the Group CEO of OKTO, overseeing global expansion and the development of embedded finance and payment capabilities.

How does OKTO ensure compliance with local regulations?
OKTO integrates directly with licensed domestic acquirers, ensuring that all payment processes adhere to Mexico’s regulatory frameworks.

What impact does this solution have on transaction speed?
Direct integration with local acquirers allows real-time approvals, delivering faster deposit experiences for players.

How many merchants are initially adopting the new service?
Five merchants are preparing to go live as part of the initial rollout in Mexico.

What are the long-term goals of OKTO in Latin America?
OKTO aims to continue developing localized payment infrastructure, expanding into multiple markets, and providing secure, compliant payment solutions.

Does OKTO plan further expansions beyond Mexico and Peru?
Yes, OKTO intends to roll out similar market-specific solutions across additional Latin American countries to meet regional operator and player needs.