Kahnawake Gaming Licence - Full Obtaining Guide to Gambling License in Kahnawake

Introduction to the Kahnawake Gaming License and the regulatory activity of the Kahnawake commission

Kahnawake, a first nations reserve located in the Canadian region of Quebec, is a self-governed region within the Mohawk territory according to the aboriginal rights of the Mohawk nation. They were first regocnized in 1982 and has since their authority in governing their gaming operations has never been challenged. 

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (in short, KGC) was created in 1996 and currently oversees various operations including:

• land-based poker rooms
• lottery games
• land-based and online casino games
• land-based and online bookmakers

The Commission regulates a wide range of services and aims to ensure complete player protection. All the legal entities who go through the licensing process must adhere to strict regulations and rules the verification of which isn't merely on issuance of the license but ongoing and the KGC has the right to terminate it if your gaming activities are non-compliant with their requirements.

Types of Kahnawake Gambling licenses for online gaming operators

The KGC issues several main types of licenses to land-based and online gambling operators and let's quickly see them all here.

Interactive Gaming Licence

The IGL allows an iGaming company to offer services within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. Since 1999 only one provider has been issued such as license and that's the Mohawk Internet Technologies.

Client Provider Authorization

The CPA provides the company with the right to provide online services from a hosting facility within the Territory that has an IGL licensed issues by the Commission.

Casino Software Provider Authorisations

This type of license allows the holder to operate equipment which is hosted by a company with an IGL license and allows them to issue casino software licenses to online operators.

Live Dealer Studio Authorisations

Allows the company to operate live dealer games from a hosting facility within the Territory.

Key Person Licence

That's a permit that all the managers and those performing key operational functions should get before the company is allowed to be considered for a gambling license.

Steps to obtaining a gambling license in Kahnawake

To get a KGC license, a company must comply with all of the Commission's regulations concerning interactive gaming. Applicants must make sure they're compliant with all the respective laws of the jurisdiction including having a business plan, available capital and so on.

Once you've got this all set, you can send the initial applications form and pay the respective fee. The regulator will then review it and consider you for a preliminaty 6-month permit. This means you'd be able to offer gambling activities regulated by the KGC with the conditions of placing their logo on your website and adding an html code, too.

Your compliance with the gaming law will be reviewed and audited to ensure you're following all the respective rules and, if so, you'd be granted a full Kahnawake iGaming license.

Fees and rules to know for obtaining a Kahnawake online gambling license

The application fees set by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake are, as follows:

• $40,000 for Casino Software Provider Authorisation (annual fee of $20,000 from the second year onwards whereas the renewal costs $5,000)
• $40,000 for Client Provider Authorisations (annual fee of $20,000 from the second year onwards with $5,000 renewal cost)
• $30,000 for Live Dealer Studio Authorization (annual fee of $10,000 from the second year onwards and $5,000 renewal fee)

In case that the license is denied, the fee is returned to the counterparty.

Generally speaking, the preparation phase will take you about one to three months and then your application is reviewed within 4 to 8 weeks which makes the Kahnawake one of the regulators that allows operators to get a license to operate quite quickly.

Main advantages of the Kahnawake license for online gambling businesses

One of the key advantages of the KGC license is the lack of taxes on the revenue your company receives. This means a lot more of your earnings remain for re-investment. Additionally, their taxes are relatively low especially in respect to other popular regulatory bodies on the global iGaming market such as the Malta Gaming Authority.

Another benefit of theirs is how quickly you can get licensed. It only takes about 4-8 weeks after all the required documents are submitted. That, along with the various licensing options, means you've got a great range of freedom in picking the most suitable license for your gaming activities and expanding your business later on if you consider it appropriate.

The KGC is a quite strict offshore regulators within the iGaming industry. They provide dispute resolution, investigate all player complains, have strict policies on safety, player protection and responsible gaming and their Approved Agents frequently audit the license holders to make sure all rules and regulations are being followed. This means that a online gambling provider with a KGC license will find it easier to earn the trust of its players.

Kahnawake's Gaming License FAQs

How to check the legality of the Kahnawake Gaming license?

It's quite easy to check whether a given casino is really a holder of a KGC license by simply visiting the Commission's webpage, scrolling to the footer and clicking on Permit Holders. There you'll be able to see the licensed companies and the domains they're been issues a permit for.

What documents are required when applying for a KGC license?

The KGC requries companies to submit a number of documents including information about the business entity, criminal record information, application for key person license and more. The complete list can be found on the KGC's website, under the Application Process and Forms link.

How long is the Kahnawake Gaming license valid?

A license issued by the KGC is valid for five years but its renewed annually and subjected to annual renewal fees.

Is a Kahnawake Gaming license trustworthy?

Yes, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission is one of the strictest international regulators that places a huge emphasis on player protection, fair play and preventing gambling harms.