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Exclusive interview with Stuart Godfree, Managing Director and co-founder, mkodo
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Stuart Godfree co-founded mkodo with Sue Yoxall in 2001, taking the opportunity to bring an innovative technology-based service to the rapidly developing gaming market. Recently, Stuart founded mkodo’s Evolve Scheme, a graduate scheme investing in the next generation of talented individuals who want to progress a career in the mobile applications technology field.
You offer apps and digital products to the betting, gaming and lottery sectors, what do you think is the most important thing operators need to consider in terms of their digital experience offering?
Having a strong digital offering is no longer an option but a necessity for all operators and suppliers in the gambling industry. We work with several lotteries and traditionally this has been a product popular with the older generation who would buy and check the outcome of the draw in a retail environment. But nowadays, people are using their mobile phones for everyday tasks and this includes leisure activities such as betting and gaming. People have got used to the convenience of having everything just one click away and expect an easy, effortless user experience. For the lottery industry, this could for example mean a fully transactable experience; an app that offers the functionality to log in, deposit funds, check lottery tickets and withdraw winnings without unnecessary friction.
You work with several National and State lotteries. Would you say they are falling behind in the fast-paced digital development?
Although it can be argued that lotteries were late to the party when it comes to adapting to the online environment, we’re now seeing a sizeable shift in attitudes. For lotteries to benefit from all the opportunities provided by the digital world, they must be bold in embracing new technologies and trends. This is particularly crucial to engage the mobile savvy younger generations. We have seen with our operating partners that with a slick and efficient online or mobile offering, no audience is unattainable. Of course, as with any industry, there is room for improvement and challenges remain. Regulators world-over are tightening up on legislation while Apple is following suit with its own restrictions on the App Store guidelines, troubling digitalisation. But the ambition is finally there, and that’s an important step in the right direction. We recently gained a membership to the World Lottery Association and are partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry such as the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. It’s great to see that implementing an innovative digital strategy is a top priority for the lotteries we work with and operators have proven that they are able to keep up with rapidly changing consumer preferences in an online world.
You have recently worked on a project together with Teesside University, could you tell us a bit about that?
This was part of our “innovate together” competition that we launched to see if we could generate solutions to one of the biggest challenges that lotteries around the world are currently facing; attracting and retaining the younger generation. As mentioned, traditional lotteries are seen to be a preferred game of choice for older generations of 55-64, where 87% of lottery tickets are still bought in retail stores. So, who better to address the challenge of engaging a younger audience than millennials themselves? We asked students at Teesside University to come up with a solution that bridges the gap between traditional lotteries and the younger generations, in line with responsible gambling regulations and charitable beneficiary obligations. We heard four presentations packed with great ideas and well-developed arguments. We’re now developing these innovative ideas with the students and we’re excited to showcase them soon.
Apple has recently started enforcing their guidelines 4.2 and 4.7, could you tell us a bit more about the implications this could have for the betting and gaming industry?
Apple’s restrictions on nativity and real money games have served as a double blow to the industry. For a lot of operators, repacking a HTML website in a native container was standard practice for their mobile applications. But that approach will no longer work under the new guidelines and has the potential to impact the industry massively in terms of app re-development time and cost.
On top of that, the 4.7 restriction has potential to be even more damaging, particularly for operators that have a high level of native functionality but include third-party casino games. As Apple will no longer accept games that have been ‘side-loaded’, as we call it, operators are left with a difficult decision: either abandon their iOS application and move solely to website distribution channels, or work with game developers to embed top titles with the application code. Both options come with pitfalls, however, the full extent of how these restrictions will truly impact the industry is yet to be realised.
What can we expect from mkodo in 2019?
We’ve been helping our clients and partners understand their obligations and responsibilities with the revised Apple Guidelines, as well as developing strategies to minimise the impact amongst operators in the wider betting and gaming industry. We will continue to do this and will advise on what happens beyond the September 3rd deadline. More widely, our business in Canada and North America continues to go from strength to strength and we’re looking forward to making valuable new partnerships in the region.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Exclusive interview with Stuart Godfree, Managing Director and co-founder, mkodo
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Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Soft2Bet has launched TopBet.ro, a new Romanian sportsbook designed to cater to local habits and preferences. Built with a clear focus on motorsport and match-day culture, the brand combines competitive odds and fast mobile journeys with an auto-themed identity that resonates with local fans.
From launch, TopBet.ro has been tuned to the way Romanians follow sport. Football and motorsport are front and centre, with timely markets, match-day boosts and content that reflects supporters’ weekly rituals. Romania’s proximity to major European circuits and easy short-haul travel make it a natural home for motorsport fans, and TopBet.ro responds with creative campaigns, themed missions and seasonal offers built around grand prix weekends. The same care is evident throughout the interface: clear navigation, quick bet placement, and a clean, mobile-first design.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, said: “With TopBet.ro, we set out to create a brand that feels Romanian from the first tap, then added MEGA missions and challenges that turn derby days and grand prix weekends into journeys people return to. What we prove on our own brands becomes the toolkit we offer partners, combining culturally tuned products with measurable engagement and the ability to scale with minimal integration effort.”
Brand representative from TopBet.ro commented: “TopBet.ro is designed for Romanian fans who want more from every match. Together with Soft2Bet, we built a platform that connects sport, competition, and rewards in a way that feels natural and exciting. Our goal is to give every player the chance to experience the game like a champion.”
Alongside sports, TopBet.ro offers a comprehensive casino lobby for quick breaks or a change of pace, featuring popular slots, live dealer tables, and sports-themed titles, all delivered in a mobile-first format with clear navigation and quick load times. The experience is powered by Soft2Bet’s performance-first platform, which delivers speed, stability, and smooth gameplay, along with responsible play tools tailored to local requirements. A key part of this is MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application), the engagement engine that turns play into progress through missions, challenges and quests that unlock rewards and keep sessions fresh.
The approach has already proved successful in Romania, where seasonal quests and local events are firm favourites among players. By turning everyday actions into clear milestones and rewards, MEGA lifts session depth and repeat visits, helping first-time players become long-term customers.
The post Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
ELA Games beckons players to step into a shadowy realm of sorcery and mystery with its newest release: Witches’ Book
Bathe in the magic as a powerful coven of three witches conjures their spells across the reels, revealing mysterious rewards and surprises. Each spin is a step toward ultimate strength, where massive riches and bubbling magic await.
The Power of the Book
In the Witches’ Book, magic shimmers in every spin. Players aim to collect enchanted pages and experience the power of each witch’s most mythical spells.
Once players gather enough enchanted pages, they complete the spellbook and choose their witch and symbol to unlock the magical Free Spins. As the witches’ power grows, every symbol has the chance to transform into a Jackpot, turning ordinary spins into powerful, enriching moments.
A medium volatility level and 94.9% RTP ensure that wins are frequent even on the base game. Additionally, multiple surprise features can arise and spread across the 5×3 reel format, making each spin a potion of excitement.
ELA Games’ Magical Touch
Witches’ Book is an enchanting embodiment of ELA Games’ philosophy regarding creative innovation and a focus on engaging gaming experiences. The games’ animations, sound design, and dynamic mechanics blend to create an atmospheric game that will have players a part of the incantation.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “With Witches’ Book, our goal was to create a title that emphasises the visually-rich aesthetics that embody the atmosphere of the brooding festive season. Every feature and design element was meticulously crafted to keep players engaged and deliver value for our partners. Witches’ Book is an example of our development approach: leverage creativity to entertain players while driving meaningful performance results for operators.”
Discover Enchanting Riches Now
Players can dive into the mysterious world of magic and spells today, with powerful gameplay and immersive experiences.
Finish your incantation and cast a powerful, lucrative spell today.
The post ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Lisbon’s streets set the pace for Season 2 of GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives — the drive-time podcast where iGaming’s most interesting voices speak freely, in motion. Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech, each episode captures raw insight, candid stories, and the kind of energy you can only find on the road.
Episode 2 puts the spotlight on Tiago Pereira, Head of Portugal at LeBull.pt, the executive who helped turn a logo and a bull into one of the fastest-growing brands in Portugal’s regulated iGaming market. With more than 20 years in sports betting, affiliates, and casino operations at Placard.pt, Betano.pt, bet.pt, and Sportingbet, Tiago has led market entries, compliance frameworks, sponsorships, and full-funnel digital growth.
During the ride, Tiago opens up about:
- How he found his path and his journey from architecture and computer science to marketing.
- The history of LeBull.
- Portugal vs. Brazil: same language, different mindset: why copy-paste doesn’t work and true localization is key.
- The idea behind the LeBull Night Show, a weekly late-night comedy event.
- His failed marketing project.
- Trusting younger generations.
- His previous approach to marketing when he joined Betano in 2017.
- Why the Portuguese sports betting market relies on the casino vertical.
- The next chapter for affiliation.
- Network or Not Work: mascots, localization, and keeping support teams local.
- A small personal detail that’s still quietly visible online for those who know where to look.
- His Champion Rule: move forward with an “I need to get this done” mindset. Whatever happens, don’t stop. Stay consistent, keep moving forward, and the results will follow.
“Tiago showed us how to win a new market with discipline, curiosity, and the courage to keep moving forward,” said Krazhan.
Watch or listen to Season 2, Episode 2 with Tiago Pereira on:
Bet It Drives Season 2 kicked off with Rasmus Sojmark and keeps the pace with upcoming episodes featuring Kyrylo Korobka and Kelly Kehn. Buckle up. Lisbon’s just getting started.
The next chapter of iGaming belongs to those who play smart and play bold. Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2 during SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6, and discover the Heavyweight Rulebook built for operators ready to scale, localize, and win.
The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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