GMB - What were CAF’s new developments at the SBC Summit Rio?
Cadu Merlin - Caf is always looking to innovate and stay close to operators. We noticed that they had a clear conversion challenge, so we brought our Caf Bet.ID solution to the market. It is a docless solution, which simply means reusing users' existing documents. As a result, today, a user who has already registered with one betting house does not need to submit their documents again because we already have them in our database—in other words, in Caf’s entire document repository. This reduces friction and significantly increases conversion for operators.
This solution came at the right time, considering the issues with re-onboarding at the start of the regulated market, didn’t it?
Exactly. All betting houses had to go through a revalidation process due to the new regulations and laws. However, beyond this revalidation, it was also necessary for identity companies to focus more on conversion.
We call this a frictionless onboarding process. At the end of the day, a bettor looking for entertainment is not like a banking or fintech customer. They just want to have fun, they are not accustomed to complex registration and onboarding procedures.
Even though regulations are necessary to prevent fraud and ensure proper user identification, KYC and identity providers must also customize their services to meet operators' needs.
Did Caf develop this solution in response to regulations or at the request of operators?
Caf always strives to align with regulatory guidelines and authorities, but, most importantly, we listen to our clients. With over 50 brands in the gaming industry, our approach is to stay close and understand what our clients need.
The docless solution naturally emerged from our clients’ demands. We recognized this potential in the market and in regulatory updates, but we validated it with our customers first. Once confirmed, we developed and deployed the solution very quickly. Today, it is already in production for most of our clients.
How do you assess the first two months of the regulated market? Where are the remaining challenges?
I think it’s natural, during such a significant transition in a large market like Brazil, to experience some bumps along the way. There are still some gray areas in the regulations, which create opportunities for clarification and improvement.
Overall, I believe the market had a good start. Regulations ultimately help, but it’s understandable that many operators are struggling with some of the new requirements.
From a user perspective, understanding how this new regulated phase works is also a challenge. Specifically regarding KYC and onboarding, it’s natural to face a bit of friction for new users signing up with a betting house.
However, we must also focus on user experience and find ways to make the process smoother, ensuring they can enjoy their betting experience safely and securely.
What does CAF offer to protect end-users and promote Responsible Gaming?
Everything Caf does revolves around identity. Our goal is to maximize conversion for operators while ensuring the correct identification of users. Although we primarily work with operators, our efforts ultimately benefit end-users as well.
Our system prevents underage individuals from betting, ensures that people involved in sports do not place bets, and respects all restrictions outlined by the regulations. In other words, we act as a gatekeeper, allowing only legitimate users access while blocking those who should not be betting.
Caf is hosting the Identity Day event this Tuesday (18th). What are your expectations for this already traditional event? What new developments will you present?
Identity Day is currently the largest identity-focused event in Brazil. We are very proud to be hosting our third edition. We expect between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees at the Santander Theater in São Paulo. The event will bring together all the industries that Caf serves, including the sports betting industry.
There will be dedicated panels with clients and partners. It will be a content-packed day and an opportunity to recognize professionals working in identity verification and fraud prevention.
What are CAF’s plans for the next six months in the regulated market? Any upcoming innovations? Will you attend the next BiS SiGMA event?
Yes, we will be there. Caf is always present at industry fairs, and our team is well-known among operators.
I like to say that we don’t aim to reinvent the wheel. Our goal is to stay close to operators, clients, and regulators to help build a strong, regulated market together. We want to ensure a secure environment for everyone: operators, users, payment providers, and KYC platforms.
Source: Exclusive GMB
