The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) is one of the oldest and most recognized regulators in the world. Actually, it started operations in 1996 out of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke in Canada. Viewing it from a player’s perspective, the license is important because it acts as a safeguard against shady operators. That means ensuring casinos run fair games, secure their platforms, and actually pay out winnings in time.
A few highlights of the KGC license:
It doesn’t really matter whether you’re exploring mainstream sites or smaller casinos with a unique taste, a KGC seal of approval always adds a layer of reassurance. And to get a feel of these operators, dive in and discover the best casinos with this license below.
See the extensive list of top internet casinos below the KGC banner. This is a list that changes automatically, so it will always display the most popular and safest options on our website. All listed online casinos are available to players in various European countries, and you can expect a secure gaming environment along with great bonuses to secure transactions, and everything in between.
Known in full as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, this regulator breathed its first air in 1996 under the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. But as you already know, online casinos were more of a novelty than a mainstream business. And while that may have been the case at the time, the Commission’s decision to draft the Interactive Gaming Regulation in 1999 put it right at the front of the pack, years ahead of other regulators such as Malta (2001) and the Isle of Man (2001).
But why would the Kahnawake be in such a hurry? Well, that partly comes down to the jurisdiction’s sovereignty since the Mohawk Council wanted to assert its right to self-regulate gaming within its territory. This move came in handy as it established a role that gave the Territory both international relevance and economic opportunity.
Of course, technology back then wasn’t as advanced and that means regulations must continuously undergo revisions just to keep up with the evolving industry. So, basically what started with a handful of online poker rooms hosted in Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT) has eventually morphed into a broad licensing framework that covers B2C operators, software suppliers, and live dealer studios.
As a matter of fact, one turning point came in 2016, when the Commission struck a deal with New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement that operators could no longer offer games to US players without state-level approval. This showed KGC’s willingness to cooperate with other established regulators instead of selfishly trying to polish itself as a haven for grey-market activity.
Unlike some other regulators that have a one-size-fits-all license, the KGC takes a different route. Every business is first categorized based on what it offers and that is what eventually determines which type of license will be issued. Now that you know there’s something for everyone, let’s dig in to find out the different types of licenses.
This type of license is usually issued to a hosting facility based in Kahnawà:ke. But what’s interesting and unique about this license is that only one IGL can be issued at any point. And since 1999 when the Commission launched, only Mohawk Internet Technologies has been issued with an IGL license.
This license targets all online casinos and sportsbook operators. So, basically this casino license is the general cover that allows you to offer real-money gambling to players, but with one outstanding condition. All servers must be based in an approved facility. Typically, most of the consumer-facing brands you’ll come across with this license fall under this category.
When thinking about this license category, look at it as an efficiency tool. So, this is how it works. Operators with multiple brands or white-labels can apply for this license to extend their operations under their existing general CPA setup. Essentially, it’s more of an add-on license that saves administrative duplication.
No more shadow business, at least when it comes to where the KGC is involved. Just like other regulators that want to know who runs the show, the KGC issues a KPL for directors, owners, or any other person in a position of control, hence the term “key person.”
Of course, there’s a process to get the license and that includes a thorough vetting process to ensure the Commission knows more than just the face of the people behind the business.
For the Europeans in the house, this license is the equivalent of a B2B license. That means these types of businesses don’t interact directly with customers and they include the likes of game developers and platform providers. This license is a requirement for these businesses to host their software on KGC servers and supply games to CPA-holding casinos.
You’re right if you thought this license is about live casino gambling. Studios that intend to live stream roulette, blackjack, or baccarat need this license, but getting this license is not a walk in the park.
Of course there’s bound to be some sort of uniqueness for every regulator in the business, and so KGC also boasts some aspects that make it stand out.
The KGC is not the strictest regulator in the industry, but that doesn’t mean operators will get away with sub-standard services. For starters, operators must prove the integrity of their random number generators (RNGs) and undergo periodic audits by accredited independent testing labs.
High operational standards are non-negotiable for operators seeking a KGC license. Unlike some lighter-touch regulators, the KGC always insists on consistent compliance audits and doesn’t grant “rubber-stamp” approvals. So, generally, compliance is all about
Transparency is one of the key pillars of the KGC and that shows its decision to have a publicly available registry. With this registry, players can check all approved licensees online. Plus, players can also see whether the operator has previous or current disciplinary issues and even whether the license is pending renewal.
The KGC is not as heavy-handed as the UKGC in this particular section, but this regulator still requires operators to keep their promotional terms far, clear, and not misleading.
These two aspects are non-negotiable for the KGC, just like other serious regulators. And with that in mind, you can expect to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) procedure that includes identity and address verification. Actually, you may even need to validate your source of funds as the regulator tightens the nuts on money laundering.
Technology is always a game-changer, and KGC wants to stay on par with global regulators. Part of the technology used includes monitoring tools to track operator compliance in real time to ensure financial reporting, security protocols, and technical audits aren’t just some kind of box-ticking exercises.
One aspect of licensing operators always want to know upfront is: “how much will it cost?” Well, what’s pretty noteworthy about this regulator is how it differs from other jurisdictions like the Isle of Man or Gibraltar, is it doesn’t publish a gaming duty rate. What it does instead is operators pay application and annual fees, and that’s generally it as far as KGC is concerned.
The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission is not the flashiest or most popular regulator, but it has plenty of licensees. Some you may even already know or better yet, are a member of.
For casino operators, having a licence with the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission isn’t just about meeting a compliance requirement, it is a calculated choice.
The license enables brands to on-board in a number of European markets in one go, while avoiding the red tape some EU regulators burden brands with. That flexibility is particularly useful for operators like those running several casino brands under a single group.
Even what’s considered the best regulator in the iGaming industry has two sides to it, and the KGC is not different. So, while there are pros that attract players to KGC-licensed operators, some shortcomings deter a section of players.
Pros
Cons
It’s a rather mixed bag of feelings for the everyday player. On the plus side, you’re less likely to encounter shady operators and payments are usually smooth compared to unlicensed sites. But on the other side, you’ll want to maintain a very close eye on the bonus terms because KGC-licensed casinos can sometimes present unfavorable bonuses.
Apart from the seal of approval you’ll see at the footer of the website, KGC-licensed casinos aren’t really unique from what other sites in other jurisdictions offer. But with that in mind, there are several key aspects the regulator requires all licensees to uphold.
Of course, there’s the softer side of gameplay and that is the customer support aspect. Even for operators licensed by this regulator, there are standards by which they must adhere to. That includes having a multilingual support desk available around the clock.
Unlike other jurisdictions where disputes disappear into the void, players at KGC operators have every right to escalate unresolved complaints directly to the Commission. But there’s a catch. It’s not always guaranteed that you will always win your case, although it also means the operator is accountable to more than just themselves.
If you’ve played at iGaming sites regulated by the likes of UKGC and MGA, you’ll definitely notice the glaring flexibility in KGC-licensed promotions. Don’t get it wrong though, the terms are still written down (and even enforced if abused), but the Commission isn’t really known for the same hard restrictions on bonus sizes, wagering requirements, or promotional frequency. So, the result is that offers can end up looking more generous, but it always pays to read through the fine print.
Just like most of the known regulators in the industry, KGC-licensed also requires players to complete a KYC process as part of its fight against money laundering. As usual, the process entails providing the operator with your ID/passport to verify your identity, documents to verify your address, and for the high-rollers, proving your source of income is mandatory.
Moving money around in the iGaming industry is always a tense affair, especially when dealing with unlicensed operators. But with KGC-licensed sites, expect to find a wide range of payment method solutions, including eWallets and the now widely accepted cryptocurrencies. As for payment times, those vary, although reputable operators under the KGC try to process withdrawals within a few business days.
KGC is quite strict when it comes to responsible gambling games and that shows in the operators’ tools used to protect players. Such tools include deposit limits and even the option to lock the same at zero. But more importantly is that operators must also include a comprehensive self-exclusion scheme.
You probably already know what other regulators offer, but where does the KGC place in comparison to these authorities? This table lays it all bare.
| Regulator | License types | Player tools | Compliance/testing | License costs |
| KGC | CPA (operators), SCPA (secondary brands), KPL (key persons), CSPA (B2B suppliers), LDSA (studios) | Regulator-led complaints, comprehensive permanent self-exclusion across all KGC sites, deposit limits | Hosting in official co-location facility; independent testing via approved agents | Fee-based (application + annual + domain fees); no published gambling duty |
| UKGC | Remote operating licences for different verticals | GAMSTOP multi-operator self-exclusion, affordability checks | Remote Technical Standards, annual audits, strict enforcement | 21% POC tax on GGR from UK players |
| MGA (Malta) | B2C Gaming Service Licence, B2B Critical Supply Licence | ADR complaint handling, responsible gaming codes | Game/system certification, ongoing audits | Corporate tax + regulatory fees, with rebates |
| Gibraltar | Remote B2C and B2B licences | Curated list of trusted operators, responsible gambling rules | Regular compliance checks, testing via recognised labs | 0.15% duty on gross gaming yield; 10% corporate tax |
| Isle of Man | OGRA full/sub-licences, network licences | Centralised self-exclusion, ADR | Lab testing, reporting requirements | Gambling Duty bands (1.5% → 0.1% depending on GGY); 0% corporate tax |
You will not be mistaken if you think of the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission as something of a paradox in the iGaming world. It doesn’t really have the geographical clout of the UKGC or the strict EU-wide alignment of the MGA. And yet it has quietly built a reputation as one of the more stable and reliable regulators in the industry.
Right from its origins in 1996 to its current portfolio of hundreds of licensees, the Commission has consistently provided operators and players with a regulatory framework that balances oversight with flexibility.
Stack it up against other regulators like the UKGC, MGA or Curacao, and you’ll see that Kahnawake stands out for its longevity and steady governance.
Ultimately, the KGC offers European players something valuable: a license they can trust without necessarily sacrificing generous bonuses or flexible payments. In a crowded online casino market, that combination can make all the difference.
And speaking of a crowded market, why don’t you explore our full list of reviewed casinos operating under this license to find your next favorite site.
