Canadian Online Gambling Regulator Kahnawake Commission Enters Licensing Pact
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed last week between the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) and Antigua's Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC).
The move comes as the Canadian enclosed Kahnawake seeks ways to align itself with global licensing regimes with an international reputation for high regulatory standards.
The unique inter-jurisdictional agreement will have the two entities working together to improve regulations and standards for licensees in both jurisdictions.
If an online gambling operator holds what is known as 'primary license' in one jurisdiction, it will have the right to apply for another license - an 'inter-jurisdictional license' - from the other.
The operator will be allowed to be based in either jurisdiction, and the body which issued the primary license will be allowed to regulate the gambling activities and standards in both jurisdictions.
An important point, however, is that Kahnawake licensed operators will not be able to take advantage of Antigua's position as a 'white-listed' jurisdiction and thus offer their services to the heavily regulated UK gambling industry.
This is not the first pact of its kind signed between the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and an international jurisdiction.
In May, the KGC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, with a similar framework of cooperation.
The Kahnawake Commission stressed the importance of such deals, "providing operators an unprecedented degree of flexibility for their licensing and hosting needs while respecting the independence and international obligations of each jurisdictions."
