Updated on: November 27th, 2024
What is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission?
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is an online gambling regulator based in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada. The governing body launched in 1996 but began approving online gambling licenses to internet casinos and sportsbooks in 1999.
Since then, the regulator’s logo has come to be associated with trust and quality. After all, the commission doesn’t just grant any site a license. Not only do casinos have to pay an application fee for the commission to certify your casino, but they have to pledge to follow a code of conduct too.
Read on to find out more about the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
What Does the Kahnawake Gaming Commission Do?
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a casino regulator that works with both online and land-based casinos. Essentially, they issue licenses to casinos that pledge to abide by their code of conduct. Some of the rules in this code involves:
- Avoiding criminal activity
- Operating in a responsible and fair manner
- Treating players fairly (this includes ensuring winnings are paid out promptly)
- Ensuring that underage players do not gamble
Naturally, only safe and trustworthy casinos can earn licenses from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. As such, their logo has come to be associated with good online casinos. Over 50 gambling groups running more than 250 gambling sites (sportsbooks and casinos) have licenses from the regulator.
Types of Licenses
There are four types of licenses issued by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission:
- Key Person Permit – this is a license designating a key member of a casino site the right to perform operational duties for the casino.
- Interactive Gaming Licenses – allows a casino to provide online gambling services in a particular location.
- Inter-Jurisdiction Authorization – allows the online casino to operate from a location outside of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.
- Client Provider Authorization – allows a game provider to operate from a location outside of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.
There are some things to note here. Firstly, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission may provide casinos with operating licenses, but this does not override the gambling regulations using where you live.
So, if your state government says online gambling is banned, you still can’t gamble at a casino licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Why is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission Important?
Two advantages come with playing at casinos licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Firstly, you know these casinos are safe to use. Any site can pay for a license, but that is not the only stipulation you need to meet with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Casino operators also need to demonstrate that their site complies with all the rules set out by the commission. These regulations ensure your safety as a player.
A casino that does not pay players out in a timely fashion or does not regularly test their games for fairness will not get a license.
Secondly, if a casino does mistreat you, the Commission will hold them accountable. Remember that getting a license is not a one-and-done deal. You can’t decide to be a good casino to get the certification and then become a rogue one straight afterward.
If a casino licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission mistreats you, you should report them. The Commission will investigate whether it is a freak occurrence or if there are some unsavory practices taking place at the operation.
Other Gaming Regulators
Here is a list of other interactive gaming regulators that provide the same type of services as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission:
