First seen on NEXT.io, 18th July 2024
NEXT: To start, why does mkodo continue to invest so heavily in the regulated Canadian market?
GL: Canada is an incredibly dynamic and rapidly evolving online gambling market, offering substantial opportunities for growth and innovation, so our continued investment in Canada’s iGaming space is driven by this potential.
mkodo has been working with Canadian lotteries since 2012, and GeoLocs was the first geolocation provider to go live in the regulated Ontario market with the region’s largest operator, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) back in 2021. So, we’re experts in this market when it comes to understanding and navigating regulations and compliance.
Our membership to the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has also strengthened our commitment, allowing us to actively contribute to and shape the future of the Canadian gaming industry and advise where we can on the future of iGaming.
NEXT: You mentioned that GeoLocs was the first provider to go live in the Ontario market. Can you tell us more about its history and success in Canada?
GL: GeoLocs was initially created in 2011 for our long-term, UK-based partner, Rank Group, to meet their App Store submission requirements. Then, in 2012, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) integrated mkodo’s geolocation services into their Playnow.com website. More recently, in 2021, GeoLocs became the first geolocation service provider to go live in the Ontario market, partnering with the largest operator in the province, OLG.
Today, GeoLocs manages over 18 million geolocation lookups per day and is compliant with some of the strictest regulations across Canada and is also live in Arizona in the US and tested by GLI. It is trusted by over 14 leading iGaming operators to ensure their apps and websites are compliant by verifying player locations within regulated provinces, as well as providing players with the most seamless geolocation verification user experience in the market.
NEXT: Why is the opening of Alberta’s market particularly exciting for mkodo?
GL: Alberta’s market-opening on the horizon is particularly exciting because it represents a new chapter within the Canadian iGaming space.
Operators are eager to enter Alberta due to its anticipated player base – players who are interested in sports betting and online gaming and who have a little more money to spend in this area than other territories in Canada. Moreover, if Alberta follows the “Ontarian way” this could present numerous possibilities for a competitive expansion of online gambling.
mkodo already works with Alberta’s only regulated operator, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) building its PlayAlberta.ca website, so it will be exciting to see their innovative growth ideas – if they’re anything like OLG, then they will surely benefit from the market opening!
NEXT: How is GeoLocs assisting operators as they begin preparations for Alberta’s gaming regulations?
GL: Alberta is an emerging market with currently unknown regulatory requirements, although many speculate that they will follow closely the Ontario model, and mkodo are committed to helping our partners navigate this landscape.
Our deep familiarity with the Ontario model, including the stringent requirements set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), puts GeoLocs in a strong position to handle Alberta’s regulatory landscape, whatever this may look like.
Specific features of GeoLocs for the Alberta market will include low-code integration to expedite set-up times and get our operator clients live against the tidal wave of competition. We will apply similar principles and rigorous standards as seen in Ontario to ensure our clients are compliant in Alberta, helping our current and future partners to launch confidently and in full compliance with local regulations.
NEXT: Can you explain how GeoLocs handles issues with IP and Starlink, common issues referenced by operators in Ontario and Canada?
GL: One of our key priorities is to ensure our technology remains current and effective to any browser adaptations, so the GeoLocs SDKs are updated throughout the year to adapt to the latest technological advancements and regulatory changes. This includes addressing issues related to IP masking, which can be a challenge for accurate geolocation, and the unique challenges posed by satellite internet providers like Starlink, which can obscure a user’s true location.
Since GeoLocs uses device location, it does not rely on an IP address of a player to determine where a player is, bypassing these issues that IP-only location services often struggle with.
Our continuous updates ensure that our geolocation services remain accurate and reliable, providing a seamless experience for our partners and their users. Staying ahead of these challenges ensures that operators can trust GeoLocs to maintain compliance and operational integrity and accurately determine where a player is.
NEXT: How has your participation in the Canadian Gaming Summit influenced your operations and strategy?
GL: The Canadian Gaming Summit has been an invaluable platform for mkodo over the past couple of years, not only to meet our Canadian clients but also hear the invaluable knowledge and excitement of key stakeholders.
This event enables us to engage with industry leaders and partners, understand emerging trends, and showcase our solutions like GeoLocs.
NEXT: What are your plans for GeoLocs moving forward, especially in light of new markets and regulatory environments?
GL: Our plan is to continue expanding the reach and capabilities of GeoLocs. We aim to expand further into new markets, particularly across North America, working with regulated States in the US and also tribal communities and their digital growth plans, along with exciting markets such as Brazil, where there is a growing need for reliable, secure and trustworthy geolocation providers that can compete in a price-sensitive market.
mkodo is committed to supporting operators to remain compliant with the strictest regulations and ensuring GeoLocs remains the most cutting-edge, user-friendly and cost-effective solution through regular updates and enhancements.