In a strategic partnership, Mkodo joins the Canadian Gaming Association

Pioneering mobile games developer Mkodo is the latest in a long line of high-profile iGaming companies to join the Canadian Gaming Association, the national trade association with a focus on developing a regulated, responsible, and sustainable Canadian gaming industry that is well equipped for the ever-evolving gambling landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the companies involved in this strategic partnership and establish what this might mean for the future of iGaming in Canada.

Who are Mkodo?

Founded in 2001 in the United Kingdom, Mkodo operates as a business-to-business (B2B) service and solutions provider, often working behind the scenes for some of the most established digital and mobile companies across the globe. Initially providing solutions to SMS messaging services in the early days of cell phones, the company moved into the iGaming industry in 2008 beginning to develop online sportsbooks, digital bingo sites and lottery apps for major British players such as 888 and Mecca Bingo. The 2010s saw the company continue to build its reputation for creating user-friendly and innovative mobile solutions for its clients, with a particular gift for enhancing user engagement with digital interfaces. Canadian lottery company Pollard Banknote acquired Mkodo in 2020, providing the company with avenue to the North American market in return for the Mkodo’s expertise in mobile gaming development. This link to the Canadian market has also seen the partnership with the Canadian Gaming Association become a reality.

Canadian Gaming Association

The Canadian Gaming Association is founded and funded by a diverse spectrum of operators and suppliers in the Canadian gambling industries. The organization encompasses the entirety of the gambling sphere with companies from the iGaming, sports betting, eSports, lotteries and land-based casino industries. The association aims to use collaborative techniques to ensure the long-term sustainability of the gambling industry, developing effective industry standards to ensure the quality and safety of gambling in Canada remains high. This mass partnership allows companies for example, developing casino apps for real money to openly communicate with those in the sports betting world and share knowledge and ideas that are beneficial to both. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and with over 75 companies now part of the trade association it is hoped that advancements in advocacy, education and regulation will happen faster than ever.

The recent partnership between Mkodo and the Canadian Gaming Association has been positively received by both parties with Managing Director of Mkodo, Stuart Godfree, stating “We are thrilled to join the Canadian Gaming Association, an organization that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the regulated gaming industry in Canada. This membership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional user experiences in iGaming and Lottery and reinforces our commitment to supporting responsible gaming initiatives within Canada. We look forward to collaborating with CGA members to drive forward the industry’s standards and innovation.” Similarly, Paul Burns, President of the Canadian Gaming Association, who was instrumental to the establishment of the organization back in 2005, stated his ‘delight’ at the partnership, with Mkodo’s expertise being ‘a valuable addition to our community’.

What Work Has Been Done?

The association has already established a respectable list of achievements with regards to their advocacy work in recent years providing support and recommendations for several government enquiries:

• Notably, they provided insight into the gaming industry during a 2019 Canadian commissionlooking into money laundering activities in British Columbia while also participating in the open hearings for the case a year later.

• More recently, we saw the association provide a 13-page submission with regards to legislative work done on Canada’s anti-terrorist financing regime which they expect to continue working on throughout this year.

• 2023 also saw celebrations for the one-year anniversary of the Ontario iGaming market, seen as an important step in the right direction for the Canadian gaming industry, a specially curated event marked this huge achievement which has the set the scene for an optimistic future ahead.

Future Plans for the Canadian Gaming Association

In December of last year, the association outlined a number of priorities for future projects with several key areas targeted:

• Continue to actively participate in the governmental review surrounding money laundering and terrorist financing to ensure the voice of the ever-growing gaming industry is heard.

• Continue their quest for the streamlining of gambling legislation in the country, reducing unnecessary red tape surrounding iGaming activities, particularly as Alberta begins to open up its online gaming market.

• Following on from the collaboration with Mkodo, it is likely the association will continue to develop positive relationships with more vital industry leaders to ensure the Canadian gambling voice remains strong.

Collating all the information together, it becomes apparent that the recent strategic partnership between Mkodo and the Canadian Gaming Association is symbiotic in nature with both parties sure to benefit. In Mkodo, the association gains an innovative and forward-thinking company who will be able further enhance the organizations knowledgebase, particularly with the regards to prominent issue of digital gaming environments. Going the other way, Mkodo can absorb vital expertise and experience from long serving leaders of the Canadian gaming market which will help to establish their place this side of the Atlantic. Many will be watching closely as this partnership continues to develop.