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UK-based digital solutions provider mkodo has appointed David da Silva, former commercial director at affiliate solutions provider Playchoice, as its new managing director, effective April 16, 2026.
Founded in 2001 and owned by Winnipeg-headquartered lottery giant Pollard Banknote, mkodo is a WLA Associate Member that has been active in Canada since 2011. The company is also a member of the Canadian Gaming Association, with a multi-provincial presence built through longstanding partnerships with provincial lottery corporations.
Its GeoLocs technology serves as the geolocation solution for the Western Canada Lottery Corporation in Alberta, and was also the first geolocation solution to go live in Ontario, supporting OLG as a launch partner when the market opened. Beyond geolocation, mkodo developed mobile products for the British Columbia Lottery Corporation across its casino, lottery, and sportsbook verticals, and also built the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s PlayAlberta app.
As mkodo marks its 25-year anniversary, co-founder Stuart Godfree officially steps down for David da Silva, who promises to focus on expanding the company’s product suite, which includes its geolocation solution, GeoLocs.
Commenting on the leadership transition, the departing Godfree said:
“Reaching 25 years is a proud milestone for mkodo. The business is in a strong position, with proven technology, long-standing partnerships and an exceptional team. David’s leadership will ensure mkodo continues to innovate while staying focused on reliability, compliance and player experience in the world’s most regulated markets.”
Da Silva Brings Deep Regulated Gaming Experience to mkodo
da Silva steps into the new managing director role with a track record spanning both the commercial and product sides of regulated gaming. His career has taken him through several senior positions at B2B suppliers. These include stints as Commercial Director at Nektan PLC and Cashbet, before a brief tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Dublin-based fintech firm Symphony FS in 2018.
In 2019, he shifted focus to the consumer side of the industry, spending five years leading odds comparison platform easyodds.com as Chief Executive Officer. Alongside that, he has maintained a directorship at consultancy firm Headbaker, and in 2023 co-founded SoGood Partners — a nonprofit where he also held the role of Chief Marketing Officer.
With experience spanning operator-facing products, commercial partnerships, and compliance-heavy environments, it is easy to see why mkodo views da Silva as the right person to lead the next chapter, one that builds on the foundations laid during Godfree’s tenure, from the company’s early mobile innovation days to its current standing as a globally recognised technology partner.
The appointment suggests mkodo is prioritizing leadership that goes beyond commercial opportunity — one that equally understands the technical and regulatory pressures operators face every day.
“iGaming is, at its core, an entertainment product – but one that now operates under intense regulatory scrutiny,” Da Silva explained. “The operators that succeed in the next phase will be those who can deliver both – seamless, engaging experiences and robust, automated compliance. That balance will define the winners.”
mkodo Builds on Established Canadian Market Presence
Canadian online casinos and sportsbooks have been central to mkodo’s growth story for well over a decade. Since its debut in the Canada iGaming market in 2011, the London-based B2B supplier has watched the market mature through regulatory shifts, digital adoption, and an increasingly competitive operator landscape.
Over the years, that longevity has helped shape the company’s approach to product development and compliance. Rather than arriving with off-the-shelf solutions, mkodo has built its Canadian offering around a deep understanding of the market — developing mobile-first front-end technology, compliant digital engagement platforms, and its proprietary GeoLocs geolocation solution across casino, sportsbook, and lottery verticals.
The throughline across all of it is the same: products that can compete on user experience without compromising compliance in one of the world’s more tightly regulated gaming environments. A good example is the recently revamped OLG mobile app experience.
Delivered in partnership with Bede Gaming and mkodo, the updated app promises fast and seamless omnichannel performance, helping OLG compete in Ontario’s saturated online gaming market in a cost-effective yet highly personalized and efficient way.
As part of the rollout, OLG’s new app will continue to use mkodo’s GeoLocs solution to ensure only Ontario residents can access OLG.ca and the OLG app, while supporting compliance with Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) iGaming requirements.
“We’re proud to be supporting OLG through Bede and to be extending our longstanding relationships with two partners we know and trust,” said mkodo Commercial Director Will Whitehead. “Ontario is a highly regulated market, and this partnership reflects the importance of geolocation technology that delivers compliance without compromising the player experience.”
“We’ve been impressed with the innovative technical solution of the GeoLocs product, which provides us with confidence in managing live player traffic in accordance with local regulations,” added Bede Gaming’s Chief Product Engineering Officer Andrew Humphreys.
Speaking on mkodo’s existing partnership with the crown corporation, OLG Senior Director of Digital Delivery & Release Train Alan D’Cunha also said:
“GeoLocs’ accurate, reliable, and data-driven location verification and response tools ensure minimal friction for players and offer OLG detailed reporting, configurable rules, and full control and visibility.”
mkodo Positions for Further Growth in Alberta
mkodo is ready to help incoming licensed operators hit the ground running in the Alberta online casino and sports betting markets. Since it’s already embedded in the province’s gaming infrastructure, powering the WCLC platform as well as the AGLC’s PlayAlberta app, mkodo prides itself on having a credibility advantage.
Having already navigated the province’s regulatory environment, alongside its ISO 27001 certification, GLI approval, and solutions that have already been reviewed and approved by the AGLC, the company is well-positioned to offer new entrants practical, on-the-ground experience in a market many are still trying to figure out.
Speaking on his new role as managing director and mkodo’s push into Alberta and other regulated markets, Da Silva stated:
“Markets like Brazil and parts of North America, most recently Alberta, Canada, show just how quickly regulation is evolving. That creates both opportunity and complexity. Our role is to help operators scale with confidence – delivering experiences players love, while meeting the highest compliance standards behind the scenes.”
