mkodo’s GeoLocs Verified by GLI for Gaming Compliance

mkodo, a renowned provider of compliance tooling, app development, web services, and front-end solutions for the Betting, Gaming, and Lottery industries, has made significant strides in the world of gaming compliance technology. The company recently announced the successful completion of an independent assessment of its GeoLocs geolocation compliance platform, conducted by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). This achievement underscores the platform’s reliability, precision, and commitment to ensuring that gaming operators remain compliant with regional and national regulations.

The announcement is more than a regulatory requirement—it represents mkodo’s long-standing commitment to innovation and security in a fast-paced, increasingly globalized gaming industry. As the company continues to expand its influence across diverse markets, the results of the GLI assessment solidify mkodo’s position as a leader in geolocation technology, paving the way for future growth and development.

Understanding the Role of GeoLocs in Geolocation Compliance

Geolocation compliance is a critical aspect of the online betting and gaming industry, particularly in jurisdictions where strict regulations govern who can participate in online gambling activities. GeoLocs, mkodo’s geolocation compliance platform, serves as the technological backbone for many of its clients in ensuring that users are physically located in allowed regions. This verification is not merely a formality; it ensures that operators adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, which vary greatly across different jurisdictions.

For example, in the United States, each state has its own regulations regarding online gambling, and only players within state borders can legally participate in online gaming activities. Without robust geolocation verification, operators risk hefty fines, loss of licensure, and damage to their reputations. GeoLocs provides the peace of mind that gaming operators need by accurately identifying the location of users and preventing those outside of permitted regions from gaining access.

The Importance of the GLI Assessment

The Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) certification is one of the most respected credentials in the gaming industry. GLI is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory that ensures gaming platforms, software, and technology meet the highest standards of security, fairness, and compliance. For over 30 years, GLI has been the gold standard for regulatory testing, certifying thousands of gaming systems and technologies worldwide.

When mkodo subjected GeoLocs to GLI’s rigorous evaluation process, it was not just fulfilling a regulatory requirement. Instead, mkodo was proactively demonstrating its commitment to delivering a platform that meets or exceeds the most stringent industry standards. The GLI assessment provides objective validation of the platform's capabilities, reassuring mkodo’s partners and clients that they are using a reliable and robust solution.

The GLI assessment of GeoLocs covered several critical areas of functionality. GLI tested the platform's performance across various devices, operating systems, and network environments. Additionally, the platform was evaluated for its ability to identify and block access from prohibited regions, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. GeoLocs successfully passed each of these tests, further solidifying its reputation as a secure and reliable solution.

A Comprehensive Examination of GeoLocs’ Capabilities

The assessment conducted by GLI was thorough and extensive, analyzing the platform’s performance under various conditions to ensure it could handle the complexities of modern online gaming environments. One of the key aspects of the evaluation was how well GeoLocs performed across different devices, operating systems, and network environments.

In today’s world, users access online gaming platforms from an increasingly wide array of devices, ranging from desktop computers and laptops to smartphones and tablets. Each of these devices comes with its own unique set of challenges when it comes to accurately verifying a user's location. GeoLocs was put to the test in each of these scenarios, and it successfully identified user locations across all devices with consistent accuracy.

Network environments also present challenges for geolocation verification. Users may connect to gaming platforms via various types of networks, including Wi-Fi, cellular data, and public networks. In some cases, users may attempt to obscure their true location by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy server. GLI’s assessment evaluated GeoLocs’ ability to detect and prevent such tactics, ensuring that users were accurately located, regardless of their network environment.

The platform also faced sophisticated attempts to bypass geolocation controls. These included the use of GPS spoofing, where users provide false GPS data, and residential proxies, where traffic is routed through another location to disguise the user's true location. One of the most advanced threats, the Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack, was also tested. This occurs when a malicious actor intercepts communication between the user and the platform to manipulate location data. GeoLocs successfully identified and blocked all such attempts, demonstrating its robustness and ability to handle even the most advanced forms of geolocation manipulation.

Christine M. Gallo, Senior Vice President of Quality and Technical Compliance at GLI, commented, “The assessment of mkodo’s GeoLocs platform was completed with no geolocation risks identified, showcasing the robustness and reliability of the platform.” Her remarks reflect the thoroughness of the assessment and the confidence that GLI has in the GeoLocs platform as a trusted solution for geolocation compliance.

Technological Resilience: Tackling Modern Threats

The gaming industry has always been a prime target for cybercriminals due to its widespread reach and lucrative nature. One of the most significant challenges facing the industry today is the rise of increasingly sophisticated attempts to bypass geolocation controls. As gaming platforms grow in popularity and more jurisdictions legalize online gaming, individuals and organized groups have developed advanced techniques to manipulate their geographic locations and gain unauthorized access to restricted platforms.

Commonly used methods to bypass geolocation verification include VPNs, which reroute internet traffic to make it appear as though the user is in a different location, and GPS spoofing, which involves falsifying GPS coordinates. Residential proxies and Man-in-the-Middle attacks represent more complex tactics that require a greater level of technological sophistication.

GeoLocs is equipped with advanced detection mechanisms to identify and mitigate these risks. During GLI’s assessment, the platform demonstrated its ability to detect VPN usage, block GPS spoofing attempts, and prevent access from residential proxies. Even against more advanced threats, such as MitM attacks, GeoLocs maintained its integrity and accuracy, ensuring that only legitimate users were granted access to the platform.

This ability to stay ahead of emerging threats is one of the factors that set GeoLocs apart from its competitors. By continually updating and improving its technology, mkodo ensures that GeoLocs remains one of the most secure and reliable geolocation compliance platforms on the market.

A Milestone in mkodo’s Journey of Innovation

The successful completion of the GLI assessment is not just a testament to the current state of the GeoLocs platform but also a critical milestone in mkodo’s broader journey of innovation. Stuart Godfree, Managing Director of mkodo and GeoLocs, expressed his enthusiasm for the platform's future, stating, “This successful evaluation by GLI not only highlights our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in geolocation technology but also serves as a key milestone as we prepare to unveil exciting new innovations to the GeoLocs platform.”

The GLI certification marks the culmination of years of development and refinement for GeoLocs, which has been serving the online gaming industry for over a decade. In that time, the platform has matured into a proven and trusted solution for ensuring geolocation compliance. Its success in the GLI assessment only reaffirms its position as one of the most reliable platforms in the market.

Looking to the future, mkodo is poised to introduce new innovations to the GeoLocs platform. These advancements will likely build upon the platform’s existing strengths, incorporating new technologies to meet the evolving needs of the gaming industry. As regulations change and cyber threats become more sophisticated, mkodo remains committed to staying at the forefront of geolocation technology.

Partnerships and Future Growth

Another key takeaway from the successful GLI assessment is mkodo’s dedication to fostering partnerships with Accredited Testing Facilities (ATFs) like GLI. By working closely with ATFs, mkodo ensures that its products are independently verified and tested, providing transparency and building trust with its clients. These partnerships are critical to mkodo’s continued growth, allowing the company to remain competitive in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

For mkodo’s partners, the results of the GLI assessment provide confidence that the GeoLocs platform will meet the compliance standards required in various jurisdictions. This assurance is particularly important for companies that operate in multiple regions, each with its own set of regulatory requirements. By using GeoLocs, these operators can be confident that they are providing a compliant and secure platform for their users.

Conclusion

The completion of the GLI independent assessment is a major achievement for mkodo, reaffirming the robustness, reliability, and security of the GeoLocs geolocation compliance platform. By accurately verifying user locations and preventing unauthorized access, GeoLocs enables operators to meet the stringent requirements of regional regulations, ensuring that their platforms remain compliant and secure. With over a decade of proven success, GeoLocs is set to continue leading the industry in geolocation compliance technology, backed by mkodo’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.

FAQs

What is GeoLocs, and what does it do?
GeoLocs is a geolocation compliance platform that ensures users of online gaming and sportsbook products are physically located within allowed regions.

What was the purpose of the GLI assessment of GeoLocs?
The GLI assessment evaluated GeoLocs’ geolocation verification controls to ensure compliance with regional gaming regulations.

What types of geolocation spoofing does GeoLocs detect?
GeoLocs detects various methods of location spoofing, including VPN usage, GPS spoofing, residential proxies, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks.

Who conducted the independent assessment of GeoLocs?
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a recognized leader in gaming technology testing and certification, conducted the assessment.

How does GeoLocs ensure compliance with jurisdictional regulations?
GeoLocs accurately verifies users' physical locations and prevents access from regions where gaming activities are prohibited.

What does the successful GLI assessment mean for mkodo’s partners?
It ensures that mkodo’s partners can confidently operate within regional regulations, relying on GeoLocs to prevent unauthorized access.

How long has GeoLocs been in use in the gaming industry?
GeoLocs has been a trusted geolocation compliance solution in the online gaming industry for over a decade.

What challenges did the GLI assessment focus on?
The assessment focused on geolocation accuracy, detecting attempts to bypass controls, and performance across different devices and networks.

Why are independent assessments like GLI’s important for geolocation platforms?
They verify that the platform meets regulatory standards, ensuring its reliability and security for operators in compliance markets.

What innovations are mkodo planning for GeoLocs in the future?
mkodo plans to continue refining GeoLocs, introducing new innovations to keep pace with evolving technology and regulatory requirements.