Interview with Bettina Sommer, VP of Sales at Dimoco – How Carrier Billing Is Reshaping Payments in iGaming
At the SBC in Lisbon , iGaming News caught up with Bettina Sommer, VP of Sales at Dimoco, to discuss the growing role of carrier billing in the iGaming payments landscape. As mobile betting continues to surge — with forecasts showing that nearly 67% of online bets will be placed via mobile devices by 2029 — operators are under increasing pressure to provide fast, seamless, and secure payment options.
Bettina explains why carrier billing has emerged as a powerful solution for both players and operators, combining convenience, compliance and conversion benefits in a mobile-first world. She also shares her thoughts on the GGL’s recent approval of carrier billing in Germany, the evolution of the agent model, and why this payment method is now positioned to become a mainstream driver of growth across regulated iGaming markets.
Carrier Billing is becoming an increasingly popular payment option in iGaming. From your perspective, what makes it so appealing for operators and players?
What we need to remember is that iGaming is one of the most competitive markets out there, and user experience can make or break an operator. Payments are a crucial part of that journey. Think about it, how many times have you abandoned a purchase simply because paying was too much of a hassle? The same applies here: if the payment process isn’t smooth and intuitive, players will walk away. With that in mind, it is expected that by 2029 67% of online bets will be placed via a mobile device (source EGBA). The payment experience needs to be tailored for a mobile device, which although online, is vastly different from a desktop journey.
Players require a payment method that is simple to use and efficient and fits into their digital lifestyle. Carrier Billing is the perfect solution. It’s quick, secure and allows the player to stay in the moment, especially when it comes to placing bets on sporting events. With no need to share bank or card details, just a few clicks and the deposit is charged to their mobile bill, it is a payment method that fits into fast-paced on the go lifestyles.
From the other side, what benefits the players benefits the operators. It reduces friction in the onboarding and deposit process, translating into higher conversion rates and fewer abandoned transactions. From our experience, we’ve seen Carrier Billing boost revenue for merchants by 7%. :
How has Carrier Billing evolved over the past few years, and what role do you see it playing in the broader payments landscape?
Carrier Billing has evolved and is slowly shaking off its outdated reputation. The biggest change, and one which merchants are not necessarily aware of, is pricing. Back in the day, Mobile Network Operators could charge incredibly high margins on Carrier Billing payments, making it a last resort method for merchants. However, these days the cost is almost in line with card payments and in most instances cheaper than PayPal. The fee structure is transparent, and in contrast to its old reputation, Carrier Billing is only available with licensed casinos and sport-books providers. You could call it the payments stamp of legitimacy.
Due to PSD2 and different interpretations across Europe. We have seen the advent of the agent model. This setup structures payments in a way that meets regulatory demands while still supporting operator requirements. Carrier Billing can therefore be used for both digital and non-digital goods. Casino games and sports books sometimes fall into the non-digital goods category.
From a strategic perspective, Carrier Billing also represents more than just a payment solution. It has the potential to be a driver of growth. By reducing barriers to entry for new players and offering a compliant, easy-to-use alternative, operators can attract and onboard a wider demographic of users. The flexibility of Carrier Billing creates opportunities for innovation in player retention strategies. For example, operators can integrate deposits made via Carrier Billing with loyalty programs, bonus structures, or in-app promotions. This not only strengthens player engagement but also ensures that regulated operators can remain competitive by offering added value alongside convenience.
Ultimately, Carrier Billing has matured into a cost-effective, compliant, and growth-oriented payment method that reflects the evolution of both regulation and player behavior.
The GGL recently made an announcement impacting payment solutions in the German iGaming market. Can you share your thoughts on what this means for operators and payment providers?
The recent announcement by the GGL approving Carrier Billing as a valid payment method marks a significant milestone for the German iGaming market, highlighting the increasing importance of compliant and frictionless payment solutions. For operators, this development represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. On the one hand, it enables them to provide players with a convenient and secure way to make deposits that aligns with strict regulatory standards. On the other hand, it emphasizes the need to prioritize adaptability in their payment strategies.
As operators embrace Carrier Billing, building strong partnerships with trusted payment providers will become essential. By working closely with providers and leveraging frameworks such as the agent model, operators can streamline the payment process while ensuring full regulatory alignment. This not only reduces operational complexity but also creates a reliable foundation for scaling services in a compliance heavy market.
Overall, the GGL’s approval signals growing trust in Carrier Billing and opens the door for compliant innovation in one of Europe’s most regulated markets.
What opportunities do you see for Carrier Billing in the next 2–3 years within regulated iGaming markets?
Over the next two to three years, Carrier Billing is likely to become an increasingly important payment method, driven by its ability to meet both player expectations and regulatory demands. Equally important is Carrier Billing’s alignment with mobile-first trends and heightened security expectations.
As players increasingly expect payment solutions that are simple, secure, and built around the devices they use most. Carrier Billing fits naturally into this ecosystem, offering a payment option that feels familiar and trustworthy. At the same time, the use of the agent model provides operators with a mechanism to navigate regulatory frameworks confidently. This approach ensures compliance while allowing for the scalability necessary to support large player bases across multiple jurisdictions.
These factors position Carrier Billing as a transformative tool in regulated iGaming markets as they address the dual challenges of compliance and customer experience, while also enabling operators to pursue growth and retention in ways that traditional payment methods cannot easily match. I expect to see wide-spread adoption and for Carrier Billing will evolve from a niche option into a mainstream payment method, shaping the future of how regulated operators engage and retain their players.
If you could give one piece of advice to operators considering integrating Carrier Billing after the GGL announcement, what would it be?
I see payments as a tool for growth, but this can only be achieved when the foundations are solid. So, for operators looking to benefits from Carrier Billing I would suggest the following:
- Prioritize regulatory alignment first, ensure any carrier billing integration fully complies with local requirements before scaling.
- Focus on user experience, a smooth, fast, and secure deposit flow is critical to retain players and reach new ones.
- Use the agent model strategically to structure payments in a way that satisfies regulators while supporting business needs.
- Think long-term: consider how carrier billing can become a core part of your payment strategy, not just a temporary add-on.
With the right compliance strategy and user-focused design, Carrier Billing can become a key growth driver rather than just another payment option.
