Frequently Asked Questions

Kahnawake is a community of approximately 8,000 Mohawk (North American Indian) persons located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, 20 minutes from Montréal, Canada. The Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake presently occupies approximately 20 square miles.

To see a map of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, click here.

To read an article entitled “Kahnawake” written by Murray Marshall, the Commission’s General Counsel, and published in the Fifth Edition of Internet Gambling Report, click here.

The Mohawks of Kahnawake have consistently and historically asserted sovereignty and jurisdiction over their territory. They have never been defeated in battle and have never entered into a treaty with any government that waives or diminishes their sovereignty.

The Commission’s authority to license and regulate gaming is a facet of the sovereign rights Kahnawake has as a community of indigenous peoples to govern its own affairs.  In 2007, the Commission’s authority was favourably considered in a decision rendered by the Superior Court of Québec.

For more information about the history of Kahnawake click here.

To read an article entitled “A Compelling Case for the Mohawks of Kahnawake to Conduct, Facilitate and Regulate All Forms of Gaming on its Lands and for the Creation of a Framework for Aboriginal Gaming in Canada” written by Morden C. Lazarus, Lazarus Charbonneau, Attorneys, click here.

In 1985, Canada sold its jurisdiction to “conduct and manage” gaming to the Provinces of Canada for $100,000,000. A copy of the actual 1985 Agreement is posted here.

The Commission was established on June 10, 1996 pursuant to the provisions of the Kahnawake Gaming Law (MCR No. 26 / 1996-97). 

The Commission has been continuously licensing and regulating online gaming since July 8, 1999 – the date on which the Commission enacted its Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming – longer than almost any other jurisdiction in the world.

The Commission is empowered to license and regulate gaming and gaming related activities conducted within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in accordance with the highest principles of honesty and integrity.

The Commission has always understood that, given the global nature of online gaming, it is imperative for regulatory bodies to cooperate with one another.  Section 3 of the Commission’s Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming specifically provide that they may serve as a basis for “harmonization with comparable jurisdictions”.

In 2005 and 2010, the Commission entered into Memoranda of Understanding with the Financial Services Regulatory Commission ("FSRC") of Antigua and Barbuda.  In 2006, the Commission entered into a similar Memorandum of Understanding with the Lotteries and Gaming Authority ("LGA") of Malta and in 2010 a Memorandum of Understanding was finalized between the Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission ("AGCC").

In 2014, the Commission entered into Memoranda of Understanding with the Six Nations Gaming Commission (Ontario, Canada) and the Santa Ysabel Tribal Gaming Commission (California).

Also in 2014, the Commission and the Department of Gaming Enforcement, New Jersey, agreed to a reciprocal information sharing protocol.

In 2015, the Commission entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jersey Gambling Commission, Jersey, Channel Islands.

The Commission is comprised of three members appointed for two year terms by the Commission’s governing body, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake.

The Commission fulfills its mandate using a combination of in-house personnel, Approved Agents and other professionals that are retained to provide specific advice and services.  Click here for a diagram of the Commission’s operational structure.

The Commission licenses and regulates interactive gaming, terrestrial poker rooms and raffles conducted within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

Pursuant to its Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming, the Commission licenses and regulates various types of interactive gaming, including: casino, poker and sportsbook.

Pursuant to its Regulations concerning Poker Rooms, the Commission licenses and regulates territorial poker rooms that are located within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

Pursuant to its Regulations concerning Raffles (enacted November 9, 2011; to come into force on January 1, 2012), the Commission authorizes raffles offering a Prize over $5,000.00 that are conducted by Eligible Organizations within Kahnawake.

The list of CPA’s, including Secondary CPA's, changes on a regular basis.

To view the CPA list by Operator - Click here
To view the CPA list by URL - Click here

This is the Commission’s official logo.

This logo must be posted on all sites licensed and regulated by the Commission.  This logo is linked to a Certificate of Good Standing, which provides essential information about the interactive gaming site on which the logo is posted.  Click here for more information about the Commission’s Logo Certification Program.

If you find an interactive gaming site that claims to be licensed by the Commission but which does not display this logo, with a Certificate of Good Standing linked to it, please notify the Commission at complaints@gamingcommission.ca.

Click here for a complete, step-by-step guide to applying for a CPA and a KPL.

Click here for a complete, step-by-step diagram of the Commission’s application process.

The Commission will only issue and/or maintain the validity of a CPA when it is convinced that:

1. The company and persons that own and operate the interactive gaming site are of good character, honesty and integrity. To this end, the Commission uses the services of its Approved Agents:  See Approved Agents.
   
   
2. The software (including the Random Number Generator, where applicable) and systems used by by the interactive gaming site have been thoroughly tested to ensure accuracy and fairness. To this end, the Commission uses the services of one or more of its Approved Agents.
   
   
3. The software and systems used by the interactive gaming site are comprehensively audited on an annual basis by at least one of the Commission’s Approved Agents: eCOGRA, Technical Systems Testing, or iTech Labs.
   

Questions, complaints and requests for information are received and reviewed by the Commission in accordance with the procedures set out in Regulations, and where appropriate, with the assistance of professional advisors.

Any complaints about a gaming site licensed and regulated by the Commission should be directed in writing to the Commission at the mailing address, fax number or email address given below - or by emailing complaints@gamingcommission.ca. The Commission is committed to responding to all complaints promptly.  Every attempt will be made to facilitating appropriate solutions between complainants and licensees.

To register a complaint about an interactive gaming site licensed by the Commission:  complaints@gamingcommission.ca

To obtain information about applying for a Client Provider Authorisation, about the progress of an application that has already been submitted, about an existing license, or for general inquiries: info@gamingcommission.ca

For all other communications:

Mailing Address
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
P.O. Box 1799
Old Malone Highway
Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, QC J0L 1B0
CANADA

Telephone
+1 450 635 1076

Fax
+1 450 635 1139