Kahnawake is a Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada and with an estimated 8,000+ residents, it claims to be one of the primary jurisdictions in the world that discovered the many opportunities to be had from the industry of online gambling.
In this guide, we are going to look at all aspects of the Kahnawake gaming licence and examine the many benefits it can offer to players.
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Features of the Kahnawake Gambling Licence
There are many features of this licence that players should be able to recognise at a Kahnawake online casino, with most of these relating to responsible gaming. And players who feel that their gambling has gotten out of control can register a self-exclusion directly with the KGC which will then ensure the player cannot access any of the KGC casinos.
This is a fantastic layer of protection for players and is an option that must be made available at all of the new casino sites that hold the Kahnawake gaming licence.
The Key Responsibilities of the KGC
Kahnawake gaming sets out a varied framework of responsibilities, with their main focus being:
- To ensure that online gambling is carried out in an honest, fair and responsible manner
- To prevent gambling from being linked to criminal activity
- To ensure the protection of vulnerable people and underage gamblers
- To ensure that casinos offer fair games, prompt payout of winnings and that player personal details are maintained securely
How Do You Know if an Online Casino Has a Kahnawake Licence?
A Kahnawake casino must display the commission’s unique logo, which is linked to a certification program whereby players who click on the logo will be taken to another browser to view the ‘Certificate of Good Standing’. Alternatively, players can also check the KGC website database to view a specific casino licence.
What Are The Benefits of a Kahnawake Licence Compared to Others?
One of the main benefits of this licence is that the KGC is totally independent of the government of Canada and the organisation itself has battled for many years to keep hold of this independence in order for the Mohawks to maintain their sovereignty of their territory, and what happens within it. The KGC operates with integrity and has the players’ well-being at the very heart of its operations and regulations.
Another key benefit of this licence is that players are able to approach the organisation directly in resolving any issues which may arise from them playing at a KGC casino, a service that many gambling regulators do not offer.
The KGC also has a list of accredited and approved agents who work for the organisation to ensure that all licence applicants are vetted thoroughly, regularly audited and remain compliant.
What Are the Risks Involved in Playing at an Online Casino Which Does Not Have a Kahnawake Licence?
There are many risks associated with playing at an online casino that operates from the Kahnawake territory but does not hold the relevant licence, some of these are:
- Not receiving winnings
- Rigged games designed to scam players
- Exposure of personal and financial data
- No legal rights for players who should have a dispute
- Funds being used to finance crime
Recent Legislative Changes
It was decided in 2016 that existing KGC licence holders who accept players from any US state without being legally authorised to do so in that state must modify their licence, with new applicants being automatically denied if they fail to comply with this change.
How Can the Kahnawake Gaming Commission Help Me if I Have a Complaint?
The Commission is one of the very few gambling regulators who will address players’ complaints in regards to one of their licenced casinos, and this is a huge benefit. The organisation provides a number of dispute resolution processes and will also offer third party arbitration for players, and is contactable by post, email and telephone.
KGC FAQs
There are currently over 250 gambling websites that the commission licences and regulates.
Yes, the KGC licence also covers and enables online sports betting and live casino games.
Players should feel incredibly safe to play at any KGC licenced casino, the commission is heavily involved in the regular auditing and inspection of all its casinos to ensure the most up to date security technology is employed and that games are tested to ensure fairness.
Whilst gambling site operators are liable for taxes in Kahnawake, players’ own winnings are not subject to such deductions though taxes may apply dependent on the country in which they permanently reside.
These vary depending on the casino you are using, but you should not have any trouble in finding the regular credit/debit card options as well as the ability to use a bank transfer and many popular eWallets.
This is down to your preferences as a player, and we are players just like you, which is why you will find a comprehensive list of tried and tested KGC casinos on our site. We aim to provide you with trusted information and our expert opinions so that you can make a choice about which casino you would like to sign up to.
There are application, annual and renewal fees applicable to those casinos that are licenced by the KGC and these can reach up to hundreds of thousands of US dollars.
Yes, it does, and whilst you may not be as familiar with the KGC itself, it’s worth knowing that the organisation has good relationships with the Malta Gaming Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the State of New Jersey Commission and the Six Nations Gaming Commission of Ontario and Canada.
G. H. Moretto is the Editor at New Casinos.com and Nyecasino.org, also an expert in advertising and casino content with a passion for blackjack tables. He has managed research, content writing, translations and holds a degree in Social Communication with honours in Advertising, bringing to the table a decade of experience in the advertising and online gambling industries combined. Moretto was also directly involved in a Child Gambling project in the UK, which was discussed with several MPs to bring forward legislation changes to protect children. He has reviewed thousands of online casinos, slots and casino games and he definitely knows his way around bonuses, payment methods and trends. This casino enthusiast is an Editor at NewCasinos.com on a mission to reveal all the secrets of the industry with in-depth and unbiased reviews. Moretto aims to educate new and seasoned players about the risks and rewards of all new casinos, their bonuses and features to help players make better-informed decisions.
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