If the online gaming world is somewhat of a past time of yours, then you’ll certainly be familiar with Kahnawake online casinos. With over two decades of service they’re certainly one of the industry heavy weights and the pioneers of the online boom throughout Canada.
Along with the likes of the MGA and UKGC, the KGC is one of the most reliable and trustworthy licensing jurisdictions around, although perhaps not the most common. There is, however, over 50 real cash casinos that are currently regulated by them, and their legislation is backed by the Canadian government.
Formed way back in 1996, the KGC was put together under the Kahnawake Gaming Laws to offer casino players within the Mohawk Territory access to regulated gambling. Three years later and the laws were extended to include interactive gaming, covering the online industry, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission casinos as we know it was born.
In Canada, online gaming is covered at a provincial level as opposed to a Federal one like in most countries. This means that each state has their own mandate that is backed by the government which opened loopholes for First Nations Tribes to write their own regulations. The Kahnawake Mohawk Territory believed that their mandates should extent to cover the regulations of online gaming sites and the Federal government have chosen to allow this operation within the constraints of Canadian Law. Therefore, online casinos for Canadians tend to be licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Though it can sometimes be misinterpreted as operating outside of the law, the KGC is fully within their First Nation rights to regulate and operate sites within their jurisdiction. And as long as such sites are hosted by Mohawk Internet Technologies (the holder of the Client Provider Authorisation license), this extends to any nation where online gambling is legal.
Licensing Principles held by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Every licensing authority around the world have their own set of principles when it comes to how they allow their license holders to operate and how strict the criteria to gain the license is. With the KGC, this criteria is at the tougher end of the spectrum which adds to the credibility of all license holders. For players, it means that safety and security is paramount, as is the reliability of the games on offer.
The security of the KGC is certainly right up their amongst the more well-known jurisdictions around the globe as these 5 key principles show:
Ensuring the all online gambling is operated in not just a responsible manner, but is fair and honest with the use of random number generators.
Protecting underage and at risk players from the perils associated with online gambling, including addiction and malpractice.
Preventing online fraud and other associated crime to make the online industry as safe as possible for their players.
Ensuring operators treat their players fairly and securely with winnings paid out promptly and private information stored in a safe manner.
Regulating all interactive gaming that is based within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake according to Canadian Law.
Not only does a potential license holder need to prove that these key principles will be met upon application, but their license can be revoked at anytime the KGC feels that their standards have slipped.
KGC Casino License Requirements
We spoke about the strict criteria needed to operate under the KGC, but what does it take for a new casino to get one of their licenses? Most of the criteria is based around the protection of their potential players and their legality to operate under the eyes of the law. The criteria includes:
– Criminal record certificates, bank references, certified passport copies and biographies of all major shareholders, owners and management. This is to ensure anyone heavily involved in the companies operations can be fully vetted and has distanced themselves from any previous fraud or criminal activity.
– Previous three years annual reports for any publicly traded corporations to ensure due diligence in the operations of said business. The KGC needs to know that the business has been running profitably, is well organised and will not be a threat to the finances of their players in the future.
– Fees in excess of $40,000 to apply for the license. This is one of the best ways to ensure the applicants are extremely serious about the prospect of running a site within the key principles as mentioned earlier. The fees are non refundable and do not include the annual $20,000 licensing fee for yearly renewals.
Strict requirements means that any casino Kahnawake Gaming Commission approved will be a solid choice for any player. When compared to other licenses available, such as that granted by Curacao or Antigua, the KGC is well above the usual standard. In fact, only the MGA and UKGC have requirements that are more strict.
Types of Kahnawake Gaming Commission Licenses
Like many online jurisdictions in the world of online gaming, the KGC license is split into four main types depending on the companies requirements. Although both online and land based casinos are governed by the KGC, these are the online versions:
Interactive Gaming Licenses (IGL)
This is given to an approved facility to act as host for the KGC. Only one of these licenses can ever be held at any one time and since 1999, that responsibility has fallen on Mohawk Internet Technologies shoulders.
Client Provider Authorisation (CPA)
This is the very license that gaming companies seek to provide online services to their customers. This means that the business is allowed to offer online gaming within the laws of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory and covers online poker sites and sports betting, too.
Key Person License (KPL)
This is a permit issued to an individual within the gaming company whom already holds a CPA. Usually someone within the companies management team that holds an operational position.
Inter-Jurisdictional Authorisation (IJA)
Companies whom already hold a valid license within their primary jurisdiction will apply for an IJA to gain permission to locate some of their operation within the Mohawk Territory.
A Summary of Kahnawake Gaming Commission Casinos
When any regulatory body makes it extremely hard for potential clients to receive their license, you know they value their reputation over making a quick buck. This is why so many more online casino sites have been turning to the KGC over the last decade.
No, they may not be as common as those held by the MGA or UKGC, but sometimes being popular isn’t the be all and end all. The KGC has set a solid reputation for the safety and security of their players for over two decades and with 50 companies on board, which oversea nearly 300 online sites, they are a major player in the industry.
If you value your online security and are looking for sites that operate fairly and with players’ needs in mind, Kahnawake Gaming Commission casinos have it. A solid reputation, strict application requirements and safe gaming for players has all the boxes ticked.
Software providers really care about their reputations so will only offer their products to licensed casinos that will benefit players. That’s why you’ll find all the most popular games providers at KGC licensed sites, like Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n GO and Yggdrasil.
💡 Are Kahnawake online casinos safe?
Yes, they are. It costs a lot of time and money to just apply for the KGC license, and many companies will not pass their strict criteria. This shows that safety and security is a priority which is what any player should be looking for.
💡 Can I play at Kahnawake casinos on my mobile?
Absolutely. The latest mobile technology is used so players can experience the same graphics and gameplay on the go, as they would on their desktop. It’s no wonder that mobile gaming is the fastest growing sector in the industry.
💡 Will I find bonuses at Kahnawake Gaming Commission casinos?
Like all great online casinos, those regulated by the KGC are always on the look out for more players, and plenty of generous casino bonuses can be found. Loyalty schemes, cash-back on any losses and free-spins are also very common.
💡 Where do I find the best Kahnawake casinos?
With hundreds around and spare time becoming increasingly valuable, why not have a look through those that we have vetted. With years of experience in the industry, we certainly know what it takes to be the top casino site and are happy to share our knowledge.
About the author
Beth RedmanEditor in Chiefbeth@mrcasinova.com
With over twelve years of experience, Beth brings a lot of knowledge in the field of gambling and always deals intensively with casinos reviews. She is responsible for most of the content that is written on MrCasinova.com and she also manages all MrCasinova.com contributors. Beth is native English and graduated with an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University.
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