Licensing in
Kahnawake
Gaming Gateway provide dedicated support with licensing and setting up an iGaming operation in Kahnawake.
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First mover
Kahnawake have been regulating iGaming since 1999, which has formed its established reputation in the sector.
Kahnawake is recognised as a credible jurisdiction and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) is a respected body that enforces stringent regulation to promote responsible gambling.
It offers a range of licences catering to both B2C and B2B operators, that is cost-effect and provides wide market access.
Key advantages
Cost-effective
Kahnawake provides operators with considerably lower fees than other Tier 1 jurisdictions. It also offers a single-licence which covers multiple gaming verticals. Kahnawake is also a tax-friendly jurisdiction and offers 0% corporate tax on gaming revenue. This is beneficial for operators seeking to minimise operational costs.
High market access
Kahnawake offers a valuable gateway into global iGaming markets, particularly for grey and emerging jurisdictions. Whilst its not recognised as a Tier 1 jurisdiction, it still carries high credibility which widens the market. Grey markets include LATAM, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Eastern Europe. It is North America friendly and has legal coverage in Canada.
Established reputation
Obtaining an eGaming operation in Kahnawake provides a gaming operator with a licence that carries global recognition. Kahnawake has been regulating online gambling since 1999 and holds a respected market reputation with good credibility.
Robust regulation
Kahnawake provides operators with a well-regulated environment, committed to high responsible gambling practices. The jurisdiction places a strong emphasis on fairness and boasts strong player protection, enhancing confidence and trust for players.
Kahnawake licences
The Client Provider Authorisation is suitable for operators offering remote gambling services directly to consumers. The licence covers a wide variety of games, including casinos, poker rooms and sports betting. It also covers operators that run gambling software and payment processing.
Operators must host their platforms through Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT), implement age verification and test all games for randomness and fairness.
The licence cost is $40,000 in the first year and costs $20,000 to renew.
The Live Dealer Studio Authorization licence is another B2C licence, suitable for operators targeting customers directly. The LDSA licence is specifically for operators who facilitate live dealer casinos studios. The licence covers interactive casino games, such as roulette, in addition to the live streaming of games and any operators providing casino games to other providers.
Operators that obtain a LDSA licence must have a physical studio located in Kahnawake, fitted with high quality equipment for high quality streaming. A supervisor must be on site and all live dealers must be adequately trained.
The licence cost is a $30,000 application fee and $10,000 annual fee. The licence costs $5,000 to renew.
The Casino Software Provider Authorisation is a B2B licence, suitable for operators that develop and provide software to CPA licence holders that offer it directly to the consumers. The licence covers a broad range of activities, including;- operators that provide casino software to B2C operators; create random-number-generates (RNGs) for online casinos; and develop games, such as poker platforms and virtual sports. The licence costs $40,000, plus $3,000 per third-party operator, with an annual fee of $20,000.
The Key Person Licence is mandatory for individuals in key roles within a CPA licenced operation or LSDA licenced operation. These roles play a key role in the operation of the business and include the CEO, CFO, CTO, Compliance Officers, IT and Security Officers. The KPL has been enforced by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) to ensure licenced entities are operating in accordance to the regulatory standards in the jurisdiction, to maintain responsible gambling.
Key persons are required to undergo background checks and financial reviews to obtain the licence and are subject to on-going compliance monitoring.
The licence costs is $5,000 in the first year and $1,000 for annual renewal.
The Interjurisdictional Authorisation permit is available for a licenced operator or software provider in another jurisdiction that wishes to relocate their business to Kahnawake. It enables the operator to provide gambling services across multiple jurisdictions. The licence costs $2,000 in the first year and $10,000 annually.
Licence requirements
In order to apply for a licence, the operator must fulfill several legal, technical and operational requirements. Applicants are required to register a company, which does not have to be located within Kahnawake, however all applicants are required to host their server in Kahnawake at Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT) at their facility. The company must adhere to the compliance requirements in Kahnawake, be able to demonstrate the availability of capital, suitability of key persons including CVs, annual reports of the company, and a detailed business plan. There are also several independent forms the applicant will be required to complete.
The business plan must contains details on financials, AML policies, KYC procedures, software and RNG certifications. All directors, shareholders and any key individuals of the gaming entity will be required to complete due-dilligence, which will submitting personal information.
Gaming Gateway assists clients in meeting all the licence requirements and provides dedicated support throughout the entire process.
Licence Timeframe
The licensing process in Kahnawake generally takes around 6 months, if the necessary due-dilligence and documentation is provided. The preparation and compliance takes up to 3 months, and up to 2 months for the application phase, thereafter the applicant is granted with a 6 month provisional licence. During this period the company will undergo an audit and if the applicant meets all the necessary requirements, they will be issued the full licence.
Prior to the licensing process, we will work closely with you to set up your iGaming entity and prepare your licence application. The timeframe for this period generally depends on how quickly you can provide us with the information and documentation required for the licence.
How to obtain the Licence
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1. Book a free consultation
Speak with our team to discuss your business model and licence you would like to apply for. We can answer any of your questions and outline the process in further detail.
2. Receive a bespoke fee proposal
After the call, we will share with you a bespoke fee proposal which outlines your requirements, our services and the costs involved.
3. Licence application
Once you accept the fee proposal, we begin the licence application process straight away. We also request clients to complete our due-dilligence process which is utilised in the licence application.
4. Company set-up
Once you have passed our due-dilligence, we establish your company and open your corporate bank account.
5. Apply for licence
Once we have completed your licence application, including creating a comprehensive business plan, we assist with applying for the licence.
6. Go live
Once your licence application has been approved, we assist you with operational aspects, and provide support with on-going compliance and reporting.
Kahnawake FAQs
Partially. It is not a Tier 1 jurisdiction like Malta or the UK), however Kahnawake is considered a credible jurisdiction and is respected in many grey and emerging markets. It is not accepted in jurisdictions that require local or national licences, such as the UK, USA, Netherlands or Germany.
Company incorporation, detailed business plan, and Key Person Licences for key roles in the operation.
Servers must be hosted at Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT), RNG certification, and secure systems.
AML and KYC policies, RG policy, segregated funds and reporting.
The Kahnawake Gambling Commission requires AML/CFT procedures, Know Your Customer (KYC) frameworks, Responsible Gambling (RG) tools like self-exclusion, deposit limits, etc. All policies must be submitted with the application. In addition to player protection, regular audits and transparency.
Yes, Kahnawake is crypto-friendly and permits deposits and withdrawals in BTC, ETH, USDT, etc, crypto wallets and blockchain-based gaming platforms.
Yes, the CPA can cover multiple domains and different brands. The operator is required to register each new domain with the Commission and pay a nominal fee.
The operator must host operations at Mohawk Internet Technologies, submit regular compliance reports, maintain updated AML/KYC procedures, and renew licences annually.
Crypto casinos and sportsbooks, grey-market operators, B2C/B2B platforms seeking fast, low-cost licensing, and multi-brand and white-label businesses.
Your gateway into the game
Our team of professionals hold decades of experience in the iGaming sector. We've assisted some of the largest global brands with their licensing and corporate service needs.
We are experts in regulation, compliance, and corporate governance. Our support is designed to simplify and ease regulatory pressures, allowing you to focus on driving business growth.
As your global iGaming partner, we are committed to exceeding your expectations and ensuring your long-term success.
Ready to licence?
If you have a licence already in mind, complete the form below and our team will be in touch.
If you'd like expert advice on choosing the right licence for your business model, please complete the form or contact our team directly.
