Lithuanian payment platform Vialet integrates Ondato biometric identity verification
Vialet, a payment platform based in Lithuania, is preparing to expand into the European online gambling market. To this end, it has entered into a partnership with Ondato, a provider of biometric KYC services for registration and payment. The partners intend to create a joint infrastructure for companies in regulated industries such as e-commerce and online gambling.
Ondato enters iGaming
The deal with Vialet comes at a time when Ondato is expanding its presence in the iGaming industry. Povilas Steikunas, Ondato’s Vice President of Global Partnerships, says the partnership focuses on creating a compliance system for high-risk sectors. “In industries such as online gambling, trust in identity verification is critical,” Steikunas emphasises.
Ondato, which was also founded in Lithuania, develops biometric identity and age verification technologies. As more countries seek to regulate social and gambling platforms, demand for such services is growing. The need to comply with regulations such as GDPR, AML, and responsible gaming tools is also driving change in the technology provider market.
Vialet is actively expanding in Europe and the UK
As an established electronic money institution (EMI), Vialet provides payment and embedded financial services throughout the European Economic Area (EEA). Headquartered in Vilnius, the company focuses on supporting digital enterprises. It provides a scalable, compliant, and innovative payment infrastructure.
The VIA SMS Group-owned company announced a significant expansion of its capabilities in early September: it now supports SWIFT payments in multiple currencies, including US dollars, directly to and from customer accounts.
This innovation provides a new level of functionality for managing international operations. Vialet’s previous multi-currency solutions had limitations, especially for companies in regulated sectors such as iGaming and licensed cryptocurrencies. However, core membership in VISA and Mastercard, combined with the group’s MiFID license, positions Vialet as a strategic partner for cryptocurrency service providers.
In July, it also announced a partnership with London-based Yaspa. The new partner specialises in payments and account verification for operators and iGaming platforms in the UK and Europe.
In May, it officially joined the Crypto Economy Organisation (CEO), a leading Lithuanian association dedicated to developing a responsible and promising cryptocurrency and Web3 ecosystem. By joining the CEO, the team hopes to contribute to policy discussions, share regulatory knowledge, and support Lithuania’s continued growth as a centre of innovation in digital finance.
Biometric authentication is becoming a trend
Online gambling is actively developing in Latin America, Europe, the US, and other regions, becoming a promising market for KYC technology providers. Providers of biometric authentication solutions are leveraging this growth to expand their presence beyond airports and sports venues. New regulations are only increasing the demand for technologies that ensure legal compliance and personal data protection.
Online casinos and gaming platforms have been transitioning to real-time payments for some time. Players prefer services with fast account replenishment, game item purchases, and withdrawal of winnings. In the coming years, demand for instant transactions will continue to grow, according to an article in Biometric Update.
Gambling platforms are actively implementing blockchain, biometric authentication, and AI to protect payments. Technologies that speed up transactions, reduce fees, and increase privacy are becoming part of the daily lives of players and operators:
- Digital currencies allow players to conduct transactions without the involvement of banks.
- Electronic wallets are especially popular among mobile users.
- AI detects suspicious behaviour, prevents hacks, and blocks fraudulent withdrawals.
Biometric authentication speeds up the KYC procedure required for transactions on legal platforms. Offering a choice of payment methods enhances the appeal of gambling platforms.
This article was first published in Russian on 16 September 2025.
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