Kahnawake Indian Reserve Embraces Online Gambling
Given the unfortunate history of Native Americans (Indians), who were
persecuted and almost wiped out with the arrival of the white man in North
America many centuries ago, it is only fitting that today in both the United
States and Canada, Indian 'Reserves' or territories have been allocated that are
solely governed by and home to Indian tribes. In fact, there are currently over
200 Indian Reserves in Canada which are each home to 500 or more people.
To generate income, many of these Indian Reserves have turned to gambling and
opened up their own land casinos. Currently, there are Indian casinos in only
four of Canada's provinces - Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Ontario boasts 3 casinos, Saskatchewan 6, Manitoba 3 and New Brunswick 3. But
with the evolution of the internet, it was only a matter of time before an
Indian Reserve became involved in the lucrative online gambling industry.
And that Reserve is the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake situated in
northeast Canada in the state of Quebec. In June 1996, the Kahnawake Gaming
Commission was established. From then until now it has been empowered to
regulate and control land and online gambling activities conducted within and
from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. It is one of the world's most popular
online gambling jurisdictions, meaning territory where online gambling companies
are licensed to operate from. Interestingly, online gambling is not legal in
Canada, although it is in Kahnawake.
With over 430 registered license or permit holders, the Kahnawake Gaming
Commission is one of the largest online casino jurisdictions in the world today
and one of the most reputable. Online gambling companies can apply to the
Commission for a license fee of $15,000 in addition to an annual license fee of
$10,000. License holders usually display the Kahnawake Gaming Commission logo on
their websites. It has become of a symbol of trust, honesty and integrity.
The rules and regulations that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission stands for are
designed to ensure that all interactive online gambling and gambling-related
activities that take place with the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake satisfies
three basic principles:
1. That only suitable persons and entities are permitted to operate within
Kahnawake;
2. That the games offered are fair to the player; and
3. That winners are always paid.
