FAQs

Kahnawà:ke 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 Kahnawà:ke presently occupies approximately 20 square miles.

To see a map of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke, click here.

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

The Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke 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 Kahnawà:ke 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 Kahnawà:ke click here.

To read an article entitled “A Compelling Case for the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke 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 Kahnawà:ke.

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, raffles, and electronic gaming devices conducted within the MOHAWK TERRITORY OF Kahnawà:ke.

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 land based poker rooms that are located within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke.

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 THE MOHAWK TERRITORY OF Kahnawà:ke.

Pursuant to its Regulations concerning Electronic Gaming Devices, the Commission licenses and regulates land based Electronic Gaming Devices (EGD’s) that are located within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke.

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

To obtain information about applying for a licennse or permit, 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

Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission
P.O. Box 1799
Route `138
Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, QC J0L 1B0
CANADA

Telephone: +1-450-635-1076
Fax: +1-450-635-1139

Please send complaints by email to: complaints@gamingcommission.ca or use the form here.

Complaints, queries and investigations 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 operator holding a permit issued by the Commission can be directed to the Commission. The Commission is committed to responding to complaints promptly. Every attempt will be made to facilitate appropriate solutions between complainants and operators.

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.

The Commission licenses and regulates four (4) land-based poker rooms.

To view a list of licensed and regulated poker rooms – Click here

NOTE THAT the Commission is presently not receiving applications for land-based poker rooms.

The Regulations concerning Poker Rooms can be viewed here.

The Commission licenses and regulates two (2) EGD Rooms.

To view a list of licensed and regulated poker rooms – Click here

NOTE THAT the Commission is presently not receiving applications for EGD Rooms.

The latest Return to Player (RTP) % numbers can be found on the Land Based Licensses page. You can also Click Here to view.

Yes. The Commission will assist any person who wishes to exclude themselves from an EGD Room.

To download an English copy of the Comprehensive Self Exclusion Request: Click here For the French version: Click here

Forms are also available at any licensed EGD or Poker Room in Kahnawà:ke.

Once self-excluded, a player is not permitted to play in any land-based poker or EGD room licensed and regulated by the Commission for a minimum period of 6 months or for second and all subsequent, minimum two years.

The Regulations concerning Electronic Gaming Devices can be viewed here.

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

The list of Authorized Client Providers (CPA’s), changes on a regular basis.

To view the CPA list by Operator

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

• 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.
  
• 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.
• 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.

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

The Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming can be viewed here.

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