Payment is a new decisive factor for bettors of Bets, says research

The evolution of payment infrastructure is becoming a central factor for the performance of iGaming platforms in regulated markets in Latin America OKTO, global payment services provider, announced on the eve of ICE Barcelona 2026, the main international event of the industry.

The study shows that the advancement of online betting and other digital services in the region has significantly raised consumer expectations, especially regarding transaction speed, security and user experience.

According to the survey, conducted with users of iGaming, trading and other online services platforms, 41,2% of respondents say that their digital behavior is predominantly spontaneous, without prior planning. This profile has a direct impact on the tolerance of operational failures: 29,4% say that they would abandon a transaction if a deposit or withdrawal took more than 30 seconds to complete, while 17,6% expect the process to occur in less than five seconds.

The payment method is also decisive in the choice of the platform. For 58.8% of respondents, the available method is a crucial factor, and 17.6% state that they would not complete a transaction if their preferred option was not available. Other criteria cited include better odds (chances) and variety of games (35.3%), brand trust in regulatory compliance and transparency (23.5%) and quality of user experience (11.8%).

In a World Cup year, when engagement with sports betting and digital services grows, the survey indicates that payment failures tend to have a direct impact on user retention. Among respondents, 17,6% say they would give up completely or migrate to another platform in the face of a transaction failure, while 35,5% say they would stop using the source platform in the future.

For Edward Chandler, CEO of OKTO, the results indicate a structural change in the pattern of digital consumption.“A expectation for fast and reliable payments reflects a more immediate behavior, common to several online services. Platforms that do not deliver this level of efficiency tend to lose relevance”

The survey also identified specific behavior patterns related to the World Cup. Among respondents who intend to bet on tournament matches, 35.3% state that they would bet on their national team regardless of the odds.Other 23.5% say they would analyze statistics before deciding, while 5.9% would choose a team at random.

The data also indicates a relevant profile of occasional bettors. Although 58,8% claim to have no previous plans to bet on the competition, this group admits that it can place bets throughout the tournament, if it feels motivated by the context of the games.

With the consolidation of results in different countries, OKTO points out three central characteristics of the current Latin American user: spontaneous engagement, low tolerance for errors and high demand for personalized experiences.

• Spontaneous engagement: the data reveals that a significant portion of users perform transactions spontaneously, often while performing multiple tasks or is on the move EBANX, which point out that instant and mobile-first payment methods, such as Pix in Brazil, grow 35% per year precisely because they meet the growing demand for speed and convenience.
• Fragile trust: In Latin America, trust remains a sensitive factor in the region, especially in financial transactions. The research indicates that a single negative experience is usually enough for the user to migrate permanently to another platform.This environment of “high friction and low trust” has also been identified in studies of the MDPI, 52% of people in the region report having little or no confidence in the financial system.
• Customization gap: finally, OKTO notes that while users seek personalized experiences, many feel underserved.A recent global report from the Mastercard it revealed that while 67% of e-commerce companies prioritize personalization, only 35% have an integrated strategy.In Brazil, the portal Marketing World he pointed out that personalization in apps increases consumers' 59% purchase intent.

“This demonstrates the opportunity for merchants to apply the latest trends and knowledge at the infrastructure level, turning payments into a controllable and predictable engine for performance rather than a source of friction or” risk, Chandler said.

In 2026, Latin America will have eight countries classified for the World Cup Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay.In addition, the Brazilian betting market, recently regulated, should concentrate about 10% of all bets placed during the tournament, according to industry estimates.

In this context, OKTO evaluates that the performance of payments will be a decisive factor for the competitiveness of platforms. “Transforming payment into a strategic element, and not just operational, will be essential for those seeking to grow in an increasingly complex market”, concludes the executive.