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Exclusive interview with Stuart Godfree, Managing Director and co-founder, mkodo

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Exclusive interview with Stuart Godfree, Managing Director and co-founder, mkodoReading 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

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Fans United Teams Up with Sportsbet.io to Enhance User Experience in Sports Betting

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Premier fan engagement platform Fans United announces a strategic partnership with Sportsbet.io, the innovative sports betting platform owned by Yolo Group, to enhance user engagement and community interaction across its digital products.

In an era where user engagement is crucial for sports betting platforms, Sportsbet.io is taking a significant step forward by integrating Fans United’s comprehensive suite of interactive features into its ecosystem. This partnership demonstrates Sportsbet.io’s commitment to providing an unparalleled user experience while strengthening its position as a leader in innovative sports betting technology.

Through this collaboration, Sportsbet.io users will gain access to Fans United’s extensive range of engagement tools, including interactive prediction games, community discussions, sports trivia, and social features. These elements will be seamlessly integrated into Sportsbet.io’s scores app, creating a more immersive and interactive experience for users.

Stilian Shishkov, CEO of Fans United, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Sportsbet.io, a true innovator in the sports betting industry. Our platform’s proven ability to drive user engagement and foster community interaction aligns perfectly with Sportsbet.io’s vision for delivering exceptional user experiences. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to bring our engagement tools to Sportsbet.io’s dynamic global community.”

Shane Anderson, Director of Partnerships, Content and Brand at Yolo Group, said: “Our partnership with Fans United marks another milestone in our mission to provide the most engaging and entertaining betting experience in the industry. By integrating their innovative engagement platform, we’re not just adding features – we’re creating a more connected and interactive community for our users. This collaboration will significantly enhance how our users interact with our platform and with each other, further cementing our position as a leader in the crypto-friendly sports betting space.”

The post Fans United Teams Up with Sportsbet.io to Enhance User Experience in Sports Betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NOVOMATIC Showcased an Unforgettable Performance of Innovation at ICE 2025 in Barcelona

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From January 20 to 22, 2025, the Fira Barcelona Gran Via became the global hotspot of the gaming industry as part of ICE 2025. As the largest exhibitor, NOVOMATIC set new standards with an unprecedented product variety, an outstanding booth design and a unique visitor experience that was unmatched at ICE. In addition to NOVOMATIC’s comprehensive 360° portfolio, numerous subsidiaries and technology partners – such as NOVOMATIC Spain, NOVOMATIC Gaming UK, NOVOMATIC Italia, LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT, APEX and Ainsworth Gaming Technology – showcased their latest products. A dedicated area for visitors from Latin America was a particular highlight this year, underscoring NOVOMATIC’s commitment to addressing regional market needs with tailored solutions.

Brilliance Perfected: The Launch of the DIAMOND X 1.55J QUATTRO

NOVOMATIC’s sophisticated product portfolio has been expanded with the groundbreaking launch of the DIAMOND X 1.55J QUATTRO. This latest edition of the internationally popular DIAMOND X 1.55J impresses with exceptional features that take the gaming experience to an entirely new level. A sleek cabinet design, an innovative glass touch deck and a cutting-edge soundbar deliver a unique player experience and maximum immersion. The new DIAMOND X™ 1.55J QUATTRO was unveiled with an outstanding sign solution that created a sensation at the NOVOMATIC booth. Offered in attractive packages with four or six cabinets featuring the latest gaming content, the monumental signs delivered an audio-visual spectacle that thrilled visitors and operators alike. With this offering, NOVOMATIC once again reinforced its position as the “Diamond of the Industry.” In addition to this, the exclusive cabinets of the V.I.P. X series also attracted attention. The V.I.P. X Royal 1.85, V.I.P. X Dream 2.43/3.43 and V.I.P. X Lounge 2.32 are designed for discerning players and casino operators who are looking to offer their guests a premium gaming atmosphere. Another key attraction this year was, once again, the V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65, which continues to generate excitement worldwide. Combining high-end comfort with a futuristic design, this luxury cabinet sets new standards in functionality and gameplay, delivering an unparalleled gaming experience.

Next-Level Gaming: Linked Progressives, Multiple Feature Games, and Game-Mixes

NOVOMATIC captivated audiences at ICE 2025 with remarkable gaming content, premiering several new Linked Progressives and Multiple Feature Games. A standout highlight was XTENSION LINK Evolution, which created a buzz with two enticing new titles – Mighty Squad and Fu Flow. These Multiple Feature Games impress with engaging gameplay and innovative mechanics, delivering an unrivaled gaming experience. Volumes 3 and 4 of the popular XTENSION LINK were also introduced, each featuring 12 thrilling titles packed with engaging features such as Expanding Reels, Golden Spins and the Xpress Feature, ensuring maximum entertainment for players. On the NOVO LINE platform, the new Multiple Feature Game RISING TREASURES made its grand debut, offering five compelling titles packed with attractive features such as Free Games, Xtra Spins and Prize Upgrades. The Impera ProLink enthralled visitors with four new titles, including the legendary Book of Ra ProLink, delivering cutting-edge gameplay with features like Mega Spins, Double Reels and Chain Reaction. The event reached epic proportions with the launch of the EPIC GOLD Jackpot, an exclusive selection of five GOLDEN titles that introduce an additional Progressive Jackpot Level – the EPIC – offering thrilling new winning opportunities. And the NOVOMATIC classic Gaminator is receiving a stunning modern update with the launch of the GAMINATOR X5. This highly customisable mix features a total of 66 game titles across seven packages, offering unequaled flexibility to casino operators by enabling them to tailor the product precisely to the needs of their guests.

Global Excellence: NOVOMATIC Wins Four Prestigious Awards

ICE 2025 was accompanied by several award ceremonies, where NOVOMATIC reaffirmed its leading position in the gaming industry by securing four leading awards. At the European Casino Awards 2025, NOVOMATIC triumphed in three key categories: The V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65 was honoured as the Best New Innovative Product; The NOVO CASH Casino Master secured the award for Best Cash Handling Product; and the company’s sustainability strategy was recognised with the Sustainability Initiative Award. In addition to this, NOVOMATIC received the highly coveted ICE Landmark Award 2025 in honor of its unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence and leadership in the gaming industry.

The Executive Board of NOVOMATIC AG Group said: “The premiere of the ICE in Barcelona in 2025 was an outstanding success and the perfect start to NOVOMATIC’s 45th anniversary year. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers and partners clearly confirms our position as Europe’s leading gaming technology group with outstanding innovations and cutting-edge products. We are particularly proud of the four internationally renowned awards that recognize our continuous commitment to excellence in this industry. Our special gratitude belongs to our more than 25,000 dedicated employees, whose tireless efforts have made this success possible.”

Thomas Schmalzer, VP Global Sales and VP Product Management NOVOMATIC AG, said: “ICE 2025 was, for us, one of the greatest and most successful shows ever. Not only did we exhibit at one of the best booths we have ever had, but we were also able to launch one of the largest ranges of products from gaming equipment to fascinating new game titles and jackpot families. This underscores our innovation and technology leadership in the industry. We are excited about rolling out our latest products in markets globally and ICE 2025 confirmed to us that our solutions are perfectly in tune with player preferences and customer demand. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our customers and partners for their trust and the excellent collaboration.”

The post NOVOMATIC Showcased an Unforgettable Performance of Innovation at ICE 2025 in Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Playtech Announces Partnership with Pari Mutuel Urbain as Poker provider in France

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Playtech announced a strategic partnership with Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), one of the most prominent gaming operators in the French market, to supply Playtech’s Poker network services and content.

PMU will be joining the iPoker.EU Network, one of Europe’s biggest liquidity pools backed by industry-leading technology and will boost their offering using Playtech’s extensive suite of poker variants and features, which include cash games, Poker tournaments and Playtech’s flagship Poker game – Twister Poker.

PMU will leverage Playtech’s poker platform gamification and player engagement capabilities to deliver a heightened level of excitement and engagement for PMU players.

This partnership represents the continued growth of Playtech as a Poker supplier across the expanding French market.

Marat Koss, VP Interactive Gaming at Playtech, said: “We are thrilled to partner with PMU, a leader in the French gaming market. France is a key market for Playtech, and this collaboration continues to highlight our commitment to providing innovative and engaging poker solutions to our licensees needs, ensuring an engaging experience for their players.”

Stéphane Auffret, Product, Service and Innovation Director at PMU, said: “Partnering with Playtech and joining the iPoker network represents a strategic and significant step for PMU’s growth, allowing us to offer our players an unparalleled poker experience. This collaboration will enable us to enhance our offerings including a multi-vertical access to poker through Turf and Sports Applications, and consistently deliver the best experience and technology to our players. We are confident that this partnership will significantly elevate our poker offerings and drive substantial growth in the French market.”

The post Playtech Announces Partnership with Pari Mutuel Urbain as Poker provider in France appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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