Kahnawake Gaming Law reaches milestone anniversary

06/10/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) is pleased to announce that the Kahnaw�:ke Gaming Law, first enacted on 10, Ohiar�:ha/June 1996, has reached its 20th year anniversary.

�This is a historic milestone for the Community of Kahnaw�:ke,� said Iets�nhaienhs Gina Deer, who holds the MCK gaming portfolio. �The Kahnaw�:ke Gaming Law was enacted on the strength of Kahnaw�:ke�s jurisdiction to facilitate, regulate and conduct gaming within and from the Mohawk territory of Kahnaw�:ke.�

The Kahnaw�:ke Gaming Law was one of the many projects spearheaded by the legendary Arnold Goodleaf, a man whose vision for advancing Kahnaw�:ke�s jurisdiction resulted in the enactment of numerous local laws and regulations still in force today.

�Although there have been challenges over the years, the industries that have been built under this Law have created employment for Kahnawa�kehr�:non and revenue for the community,� continued Deer.

�Most importantly, the Kahnaw�:ke Gaming Law and the regulatory body it created, the Kahnaw�:ke Gaming Commission (�KGC�), has brought Kahnaw�:ke world-wide recognition and respect,� she added. �Since 1999, the KGC has been a pioneer in the regulation of online gaming and has set the bar for fairness, player protection and responsible gaming in the virtual gaming world. Our land-based poker rooms are well-known as being among the best in North America.�

�It is regrettable that, despite numerous efforts to engage them in a dialogue about gaming, Canada and Quebec have been reluctant to acknowledge Kahnaw�:ke�s achievements in the gaming industry and the benefits it has produced for our community,� she concluded. �However, Kahnaw�:ke remains optimistic that in the spirit of Nation to Nation discussions, recently embraced by the government of Canada, solutions will be found.�