Kahnawà:ke enhances Regulatory Environment

09/26/2016

Since 1999, when it became one of the first jurisdictions in the world to license and regulate online gaming, Kahnawà:ke has recognized the necessity of continually evolving its regulatory environment to keep pace with this dynamic industry while ensuring Kahnawà:ke’s jurisdictional reputation and integrity are maintained at the highest levels.

After careful consideration, the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (the “Commission”) has directed that an applicant or existing licensee that accepts players from a US State without being authorized by the US State to do so, is engaged in an activity that adversely affects Kahnawà:ke’s jurisdictional integrity or reputation (the “regulatory directive”). An application from an operator that engages in this activity will be denied. Existing licensees have been advised that, not later than September 30, 2016, they must modify their operations to conform to the Commission’s regulatory directive or their licenses will be terminated.

Kahnawà:ke’s elected governing body, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (the “Council”), is fully aware of and supports the Commission’s authority, as empowered through Kahnawà:ke’s law, to issue the regulatory directive.

Over the past several months, the Commission has established a strong regulatory collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (“DGE”). Building on a foundation of mutual respect and cooperation that was first established in 2014, the Commission values the excellent working relationship it has fostered with the DGE.

“The Council and the Commission have had a direct and productive dialogue with DGE over the past several months,” said Commission Chairman Mark Jocks. “We understand the DGE’s concerns about online gaming sites operating in New Jersey and elsewhere in the US without being properly authorized by a regulatory body in those jurisdictions.”

“The DGE understands and respects Kahnawà:ke’s significant accomplishments in the online gaming industry over the past 17 years—grounded on the exercise of Mohawk jurisdiction,” added Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “We consider the strengthening of our working relationship with the DGE to be a positive development for our respective jurisdictions, and for the online gaming industry.”