INDIGENOUS GAMING COMMISSIONS SIGN HISTORIC AGREEMENT
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
GAMING COMMISSIONS IN KAHNAWA:KE AND SIX NATIONS SIGN HISTORIC AGREEMENT COMMEMORATING THIRTY YEARS
(26 Ohiari:ha/June 2026) – The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (the “KGC”) and the Six Nations Gaming Commission (the “SNGC”) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) of mutual support and benefit. This MOU is the second such agreement between the KGC and SNGC, the first having been signed in July 2014, and reflects the renewal of a long-standing commitment to working cooperatively.
This MOU represents a significant step forward for both parties. It affirms that the SNGC will enact regulations, informed by and compatible with the KGC’s regulations, to establish and maintain a robust land-based and online gaming regulatory environment within and from the Six Nations of the Grand River.
The MOU also affirms that the KGC is willing to assist the SNGC in setting up a sustainable land-based and online gaming regulatory system, in accordance with specific agreements reached between the Commissions in this regard.
The Commissions each acknowledge that the KGC’s assistance in supporting the development of SNGC’s online gaming regulatory framework is intended to form part of a broader, reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship between the Commissions, including future cooperation, reciprocal arrangements, and other benefits to be agreed between them.
The signing of this MOU has particular historic importance, as each Commission is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.
The KGC was established under the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law, MCR #26/1996-97, enacted by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke on 10 Ohiarí:ha/June 1996. The SNGC was created on July 2, 1996, by Resolution 32 of the Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council —signed by Chief Wellington Staats.
Since the date of their creation, the KGC and the SNGC have each operated on the strength of their own respective jurisdictions. They have continuously worked to ensure all gaming within their respective Territories is conducted with honesty, integrity and with a commitment to fair play and the protection of players.
“This is a historic milestone for each of our Communities,” said KGC Chairperson, Heather Bauersfeld. “We are proud of our accomplishments in the field of Indigenous gaming regulation, all based on our own laws and regulations, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Six Nations Gaming Commission.”
“It is regrettable that, despite numerous efforts to engage them in a dialogue about gaming, Canada, Ontario and Québec have been reluctant to acknowledge our achievements in the gaming industry and the benefits it has produced for our Communities. However, working closely with the KGC, we remain optimistic that in the spirit of Nation-to-Nation discussions, solutions will be found,” added SNGC Chairperson, Mark Hill.
Further information
For more information about the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission, go to: www.gamingcommission.ca. To contact the KGC, email: info@gamingcommission.ca
For more information about the Six Nations Gaming Commission, go to https://sixnationsgaming.ca. To contact the SNGC, email: coordinator@sixnationsgaming.ca