Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)

Located just outside Montreal, Canada, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, Kahnawake is a community of approximately 8,000 Mohawk (North American Indian) people. This community is home to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), which plays a central role in regulating and licensing all gaming activities within the territory.

The KGC is a popular choice for businesses entering the gaming industry due to its relatively low-cost licensing process, which is easier to acquire compared to other jurisdictions.

What is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and Its Role?

The KGC was founded on June 10, 1996, making it one of the oldest gaming regulators globally. On July 8, 1999, it introduced regulations governing interactive gaming, pursuant to section 35 of the Kahnawake Gaming Law.

The commission’s regulations are designed to ensure that all interactive gaming and gaming-related activities conducted within or from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake meet specific standards. These include:

Establishing a legal framework for regulating interactive gaming within Kahnawake.
Ensuring that all gaming activities are conducted responsibly, fairly, and transparently.
Preventing any involvement of crime or criminal activity in interactive gaming.
Ensuring that gaming operators treat players fairly, pay out winnings promptly, and maintain strict confidentiality of player information.
Protecting individuals under the age of 18 and other vulnerable persons.

The KGC oversees several types of online gambling, including poker, casino games, and sportsbook betting.

Additionally, the KGC can appoint third-party “Approved Agents” to assist in various functions, such as vetting gaming site applicants or conducting audits to ensure compliance. Notable agents include Scout Intelligence Inc., Triton Canada Inc., Gaming Associates Europe Ltd., and eCOGRA.

Complaints and Dispute Resolution

The KGC requires that all gaming operators have a process in place for handling player complaints, including third-party dispute resolution. A Dispute Resolution Officer is employed full-time to manage and resolve complaints efficiently.

Players wishing to submit a complaint can contact the KGC at complaints@gamingcommission.ca or use the online form. The following details should be included:

Full name
Date of birth
Country of residence
Name of the gaming website
Username or member number
Date of the incident
Description of the complaint

Please note that if the complaint has already been addressed by another jurisdiction or organization, it may impact the KGC’s ability to intervene. The KGC also advises against sharing complaints publicly or with the media.

How to Verify a License

To check whether an operator or website is licensed by the KGC, you can access the Permit Holders List on their website. This list allows you to search by operator name or website URL to verify if they are properly licensed and regulated by the KGC.

Promoting Responsible Gambling

The KGC is committed to ensuring responsible gambling practices are in place for all licensed operators. Each online casino is required to provide players with tools to manage their gambling activity. For example, players should be able to set limits on their playtime or deposit amounts.

If a player feels the need to limit their play, they should contact the respective site directly to adjust these settings. Should a casino allow a player to exceed set limits, the player is encouraged to notify the KGC immediately so corrective action can be taken.

Players can also self-exclude from specific gaming websites by contacting the site’s support. For a broader self-exclusion, players can complete a Comprehensive Self-Exclusion Request Form available on the KGC website. Once submitted, the request will be verified and activated. This process is permanent and irreversible.

Contact Information of Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Address: P.O. Box 1799, Old Malone Highway, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, QC J0L 1B0
Phone: +1 450 635-1076
Email: info@gamingcommission.ca
Website: https://www.gamingcommission.ca/