GMB – You have just taken over as Cactus Gaming’s CCO. What are your priorities for the coming months?
Thiago Valadão – My priorities are to accelerate Cactus’ commercial expansion and further strengthen strategic partnerships. I want to ensure we remain a benchmark in performance, scalability, and B2B innovation, with a constant focus on customer experience.
I intend to combine my experience with the team’s ideas, identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, and work on new acquisitions, while also understanding the pain points and needs of our current clients. My mission is to unite experience, planning, and vision of the future to generate solid and sustainable results.
Cactus Gaming was nominated in two categories at the SBC Awards 2025 in Lisbon: White Label Supplier of the Year and Multi-Channel Supplier of the Year. What do these nominations mean for the company?
These nominations mean that Cactus Gaming is not only being recognized as a market reference but also as a company focused on innovation and multi-channel solutions, which are two fundamental pillars for growth in the global iGaming market.
We are experiencing exponential growth, and being among the finalists in two such strategic categories proves the strength of our platform, which has already been awarded over the past three years as Best White Label and Best Platform of the Year at the BiS Awards, SiGMA Awards, and Gambling Brasil. It is also a validation of the ongoing efforts of the entire Cactus team and our partners to deliver performance, security, and personalization to operators.
What are your expectations for the Lisbon event?
We are excited to meet our partners and clients and, of course, to prospect new business. SBC Summit Lisbon is today one of the largest events on the global betting industry calendar, so it’s a great opportunity to promote our brand and continue our international expansion.
Our presence at SBC Summit 2025 demonstrates the strength of Cactus’ strategy to consolidate strategic partnerships and showcase our technological innovations. In addition, we are sponsoring the SBC Awards as a Gold Sponsor and are present with the official networking Lounge of the event, which increases our visibility and reinforces our global positioning. To create an even closer experience with our partners, we are also hosting an exclusive VIP dinner.
How do these nominations reflect Cactus Gaming’s impact on the B2B sports betting and online gaming market?
Cactus is not just a platform; it is part of an ecosystem within iGaming. I believe the nominations reflect that we offer more than technology. Our solutions are helping operators grow in regulated markets, such as Brazil, ensuring compliance, stability, and concrete results. For example, in the first half of 2025, our clients processed more than 15,000 transactions per second without interruptions, something comparable to banks and major financial processors.
These nominations are undoubtedly an incentive for our team to continue investing in strong partnerships, innovations, and improvements for operators and players.
What strategic changes do you plan to implement in product and partnerships?
We will invest in greater integration between technical, commercial, and operational areas to deliver complete solutions to operators. On the product side, we aim to expand personalization and automation features.
In partnerships, the focus is on expanding our global ecosystem of providers, payment methods, data architecture, and intelligent CRM integrations, bringing our products increasingly aligned with the needs of our operators and data-driven, enabling them to grow in different markets and respond quickly to player demands.
How do you plan to strengthen Cactus Gaming’s presence in international markets and in Brazil?
In Brazil, we have already secured more than 40% market share in the regulated segment. The plan is to consolidate this leadership with innovation and local support. Abroad, we are moving forward in events such as BIS, ICE, IGB, SiGMA, G2E, and other international industry fairs, seeking to consolidate our presence and partnerships that expand our reach across Latin America as well.
How do you assess the current iGaming scenario in Brazil?
Brazil underwent its greatest transformation with regulation in 2025. In the first quarter alone, R$22 billion per month were transacted on betting platforms, and the forecast is R$270 billion by the end of the year. This milestone brought legal certainty, attracted new operators, and consolidated the sector as part of the country’s digital economy.
I believe the Brazilian betting market still has plenty of room to grow. The public is always open to new experiences, and platforms that manage to turn first impressions into lasting preference will be highly successful.
What are the main challenges and opportunities for B2B technology companies under Brazil’s betting legislation?
Brazil has moved from being an informal market to a regulated one with clear laws, licenses, and professional requirements. Those who anticipated this shift and prepared for it came out ahead, as Cactus did. We prepared extensively for this turning point.
The challenge is to adapt quickly to regulatory requirements and ensure full compliance. The opportunity lies precisely there. Operators who adapt quickly to regulation gain bettors’ trust.
We have already seen that players value official licenses and look for platforms that provide not only stability and security but also a fluid and personalized experience. For providers, this is the chance to be the technology partner that goes beyond standardized services, incorporating governance and innovation.
How has Cactus Gaming adapted to local regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and security for operators and players?
We were pioneers in adaptation, maintaining stable operations from the very first day of regulation. Our 100% customizable platform allows for agile compliance adjustments, integration with various KYC providers, and financial institutions. This ensures security for operators and players, as well as reinforcing the reliability of operations.
Cactus Gaming is known for multi-channel solutions. What are the main technological differentiators you offer?
We are an ecosystem of services for the industry, and one of our main products is a scalable platform capable of processing thousands of transactions per second, with customizable front-end, integration with hundreds of game providers, 35,000 titles available, and intelligent CRMs that increase operators’ average LTV.
We also focus on continuous innovation, with advanced artificial intelligence features, user experience personalization, and player retention tools — all supported by 24/7 humanized customer service in multiple languages.
Are there any new developments or launches planned for 2025 that you can share?
Yes. We are expanding our automation architecture and real-time data integration, in addition to new personalization features for operators. We will also have significant international expansion moves, with reinforced presence at strategic events and global partnerships.
How do you see the future of B2B iGaming, especially in terms of integration, automation, and user experience?
The future will be defined by the ability to integrate systems and automate player journeys. B2B is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need for more flexible, faster, and user-centric platforms, both for operators and end players.
We believe in a fully connected ecosystem: payments, CRM, marketing, games — where personalization will be decisive. For us, B2B in iGaming is about delivering a seamless and intelligent experience to the end user.
GMB – What are Cactus Gaming’s goals for next year in Brazil and Latin America?
In Brazil, to maintain the leadership we achieved in the regulated market, further expanding our operator base. In Latin America, to replicate the successful model in strategic markets, leveraging our local knowledge for international operations. In both cases, to innovate and differentiate.
How does the company plan to position itself amid growing global competition in betting technology?
Our positioning is clear: to be the reference in Latin America for white label and multi-channel solutions, with global reach. To achieve this, we invest in scalable technology, security, compliance, and customer proximity.
There is growing global competition in betting technology, and Cactus positions itself as a long-term strategic partner for operators seeking sustainable growth in regulated and emerging markets. We want to be more than a technology provider — our goal is to be a true strategic growth partner.
Source: Exclusive GMB
