“Where others see risk, we see a need for a sophisticated, reliable, and highly secure payment infrastructure,” – says Jamie Domingo, CRO of Kushki, a payment technology company on a mission to connect Latin America with payments.
PaySpace Magazine Global just had an insightful conversation with Jaime Domingo, CRO of Kushki, about how financial technologies can support sustainable growth in Latin America’s online gaming and betting sector and beyond, the company’s strategies to navigate fragmented regulations and payments landscapes across LatAm, Kushki’s innovation/expansion plans, and more.
One of your latest solutions on the market, PayOuts, has been specifically customized for the needs of the gaming and gambling industry in LatAm. How important is that business segment for the regional economies?
The gaming and gambling industry is indeed a significant and dynamic sector in Latin America, and we have developed specific solutions to meet its unique payment needs. Our Pay-in and Payout capabilities are tailored to provide the speed, security, and reliability that this fast-paced industry demands, addressing critical operational requirements for both operators and their players across the region. From our perspective as a payment infrastructure provider, the economic importance of this segment is clear. It is often at the forefront of digital adoption, driving substantial transaction volumes and pushing the boundaries of online payment innovation. While we closely monitor market trends through our own internal analysis, the most telling indicator of the industry’s vitality is the strong and growing demand for sophisticated, high-performance payment solutions, which signifies its expanding contribution to the digital economy.
Typically, the gaming and gambling industry is perceived as high-risk by most paytech providers. What motivated your company to become a strategic partner for this challenging business sector? How is Kushki addressing and minimizing those risks?
Kushki’s motivation to become a strategic partner in challenging sectors like gaming and gambling aligns with our core mission: “to connect Latin America with payments.” We recognize that the gaming and gambling industry is often perceived as high-risk, but we view its complexity as a strategic opportunity. Where others see risk, we see a need for a sophisticated, reliable, and highly secure payment infrastructure. By providing robust solutions for this demanding industry, we not only enable these businesses to grow but also sharpen our capabilities for the entire payment ecosystem. We address these risks through a multi-layered strategy that combines expertise, technology, and collaboration. Our dedicated compliance and financial security teams provide deep regulatory knowledge and oversight for every market we operate in. This human expertise is augmented by a robust technological framework, including advanced fraud detection models and risk prevention systems that analyze transactions in real-time. Finally, we work in close partnership with financial institutions to ensure our operations align with their specific risk policies, creating a secure and compliant environment for all parties involved.
Another persistent issue with gaming and gambling are the differences in their legal statuses across various countries. How LatAm countries currently manage this sector and how do you navigate this complex regulatory landscape?
Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the gaming and gambling sector across LatAm countries is indeed a significant challenge. We address this through a robust internal compliance and financial security team, they are responsible for ensuring our operations adhere to local regulations and international standards, including anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. Also, at Kushki we are actively participating in FinTech associations across various Latin American countries. This involvement allows us to be part of important conversations that aim to create a safer, more robust, and reliable FinTech and PayTech ecosystem that is aligned with the local needs of users.
In many emerging markets, alternative payment methods like cryptocurrencies are often used to boost financial inclusion. Do LatAm countries have favourable conditions for crypto and are virtual assets supported by local gaming and gambling providers? Do you, as a paytech provider, have to deal with blockchain payment rails?
Regarding the conditions for crypto in Latin America, the regulatory landscape is certainly advancing. We are seeing positive steps and an increasing dialogue around virtual assets in several countries. However, from a regional perspective, we are still awaiting significant progress to create a clear, stable, and unified framework that would foster broader adoption and provide security for all participants. In terms of dealing with blockchain payment rails, we are technology-agnostic and constantly monitoring the evolution of the payments ecosystem. While we are equipped to explore and integrate new rails as they mature and receive clear regulatory approval, our current priority is to perfect and scale the proven payment methods that are making a real impact on financial inclusion today.
How does Kushki facilitate payment acceptance for local merchants and small businesses in sectors other than gaming?
Kushki’s core mission is to connect Latin America through payments by equipping local merchants and small businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy. We achieve this by providing a single, robust platform that allows them to accept the full spectrum of payment methods essential to the region—from popular local options like cash and bank transfers to a comprehensive suite of card processing capabilities. This includes not just basic transactions but also critical functionalities for modern commerce like secure tokenization for recurring billing, streamlined refunds, and efficient chargeback management. Crucially, our entire infrastructure is built to navigate the unique challenges of each local market, ultimately simplifying the complexity of the payment ecosystem so businesses in any sector can grow by accepting payments efficiently and securely.
Speaking of the wider digital payment sector, is the LatAm payment ecosystem very fragmented or are there efforts to create unified regional infrastructure? Are there any difficulties in handling various payment methods in LatAm?
The Latin American payment ecosystem is highly fragmented, which presents significant operational challenges for any business operating in the region. This isn’t a single, unified system but rather a complex patchwork of distinct national regulations, banking protocols, and local fraud prevention strategies. A prime example of this complexity is how a single transaction decline code can mean something entirely different depending on whether the bank is in Mexico, Colombia, or Chile; it could signify anything from insufficient funds to a specific fraud alert. Navigating this intricate web is precisely where Kushki adds value. Our infrastructure is designed to interpret these local nuances and manage the inconsistencies between countless financial institutions. We act as a crucial bridge, providing a seamless and standardized payment experience for businesses that need to operate effectively in a landscape that is, by nature, diverse and challenging.
In your observations, which digital payment types are most popular among LatAm populations? Is the global shift towards digital wallets visible here?
Based on the solutions we provide and the trends we observe, the Latin American payment landscape is best described as a dynamic mix of traditional and emerging methods rather than being dominated by a single one. Credit and debit cards remain a fundamental pillar of e-commerce, forming the backbone of many digital transactions. However, the reality is that cash continues to play a significant role, especially for financial inclusion, which is why solutions that bridge the cash and digital economies are crucial. Alongside these, we are witnessing a rapid surge in the popularity of real-time bank transfers and local payment schemes, which are quickly becoming a preferred option for a growing number of consumers. Because of this diverse user preference, our strategy is not to focus on a single ‘most popular’ method, but to provide a comprehensive infrastructure that empowers businesses to accept payments whichever way their customers choose to pay.
What are the main challenges Kushki faced while developing payment solutions for LatAm, specifically when you deal with multiple business sectors, including gaming?
Developing payment solutions for Latin America requires navigating a landscape defined by deep fragmentation and technical inconsistency. One of the primary challenges is the sheer diversity of rules across countless financial institutions. A transaction might be declined by one bank due to its unique anti-fraud protocols, while another might reject it because it requires the use of a digital card, creating a complex web of variables that change from country to country. Compounding this is the issue of infrastructure stability, where intermittent service from local issuers or processors can interrupt the flow of payments, demanding a highly resilient and adaptive system on our part.On a more granular level, we constantly manage challenges related to data validation, from common CVV errors to sector-specific restrictions where certain banks may block transactions for industries like gaming. Furthermore, gaps in the ecosystem, such as the lack of support for certain card brands in specific countries, add another layer of complexity. Ultimately, our role is to absorb this multifaceted complexity for our clients. We engineer solutions that can navigate these inconsistent rules, bridge technological gaps, and standardize the payment process, providing a stable and reliable gateway for businesses to operate and grow in this challenging environment.
What does it take to succeed in the region as a non-bank acquirer?
Success as a non-bank acquirer in Latin America requires a deeply customer-centric strategy that directly addresses the region’s fragmented payment landscape. This begins with offering a comprehensive suite of payment solutions—spanning cards, bank transfers, and cash-based methods—that are not just broad but meticulously adapted to the unique challenges and regulations of each country. This localized approach is driven by an ambitious mission to connect the region through payments, focusing entirely on simplifying complexity for merchants and providing them with the tools and market intelligence they need to grow their business.Underpinning this strategy is a foundation built on three critical pillars: technology, talent, and compliance. First, a robust and highly reliable infrastructure, available 24/7, is non-negotiable for building trust and ensuring business continuity. Second, success requires a top-tier, interdisciplinary team with expertise across technology, risk, and data analytics to navigate the complex environment. Finally, a rigorous commitment to compliance and financial security is paramount for operating legally and securely in a region with diverse and evolving regulations, especially in high-risk sectors.
Can you share some of your nearest plans? Have you considered expansion beyond LatAm? Should we expect some paytech innovations from Kushki in the near future?
While our roots and expertise are deeply embedded in Latin America, our vision has always been global. We have already initiated this expansion under our “Kushki Mundial” division, establishing a strategic presence in key international markets, including Europe. This global footprint allows us to serve multinational industries, such as online gaming, that require a payment partner with both deep regional knowledge and a worldwide reach, positioning us as a key player in the global PSP ecosystem. Driving both our regional and global ambitions is a deep commitment to technological innovation. You can absolutely expect significant advancements from us, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
Jamie Domingo has been Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Kushki since March 2025, leading the firm’s growth and revenue strategy. His career spans almost 30 years of experience in payments, acquiring, banking and more, working for prominent financial technology companies such as Global Payments, Elavon, Visa and Fiserv.
