The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) has regulated interactive gaming from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke, near Montreal, since 1996. It is one of the longest-standing online gambling regulators and is often used by operators that want North American hosting and a predictable fee structure without a levy on revenue.
In 2026 two things matter most: the fee increase from 1 January 2027, and the growing number of Canadian provinces with their own regulated markets, which a KGC authorization does not open. For other routes, see our gambling license services.
Kahnawake license: key facts for 2026
| Item | Position in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC), established 1996 |
| Law | Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law; Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming (amended, including March 2026); KGC AML regulations |
| Operator authorization | Client Provider Authorization (CPA) |
| CPA application fee | US$35,000 incl. first annual fee (2026); US$40,000 from 1 Jan 2027 |
| CPA annual fee | US$20,000 (covers up to six domains) |
| Key Person Permit | US$5,000 incl. first annual fee (2026); US$6,000 from 2027; then US$1,000 a year |
| Extra domains | US$500 each beyond six |
| GGR levy | None |
| Hosting | Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT), required for a CPA |
| Timeline | About 2–3 months |
Authorization types
- Client Provider Authorization (CPA) — for B2C online operators hosted with MIT.
- Key Person Permit — for individuals in the KGC’s regulated management and control categories.
- Casino Software Provider Authorization — for game and platform suppliers.
- Live Dealer Studio Authorization — for live dealer studios.
- Inter-jurisdictional Authorization — for operators licensed elsewhere (for example in Antigua) that host in Kahnawà:ke; the primary regulator keeps supervision.
Fees in detail
| Charge | 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| CPA application (incl. first annual fee) | US$35,000 | US$40,000 |
| CPA annual fee | US$20,000 | US$20,000 |
| CPA five-year renewal | US$5,000 | US$40,000 incl. annual fee |
| Key Person Permit (incl. first annual fee) | US$5,000 | US$6,000 |
| Key Person Permit annual fee | US$1,000 | US$1,000 |
| Additional domain (beyond six) | US$500 | US$500 |
| CPA + one key person, year 1 | US$40,000 | US$46,000 |
Applications filed before 1 January 2027 are charged under the fee schedule in force when they are filed. MIT hosting, corporate costs and professional fees are not included.
Requirements
- A company lawfully incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the KGC, with the full ownership chain to the beneficial owners disclosed;
- A hosting agreement with MIT in Kahnawà:ke;
- Key Person Permits and suitability checks for the people who manage and control the operator;
- AML/CFT controls under the KGC’s anti-money laundering regulations;
- Responsible gaming, complaints and fair-gaming controls under the Interactive Gaming Regulations;
- No local office required.
The application process
- Market and structure review: confirm target markets, ownership and the people who need permits.
- Hosting: agree the MIT hosting arrangement.
- Prepare the file: corporate documents, key person applications, policies, technical documentation and game certificates.
- Submit and pay the CPA and permit fees.
- KGC due diligence and review — typically two to three months.
- Authorization and launch on the approved domains.
Canada: what a KGC authorization does not cover
A Kahnawake authorization does not give access to Canada’s regulated provincial markets:
- Ontario requires AGCO registration and an iGaming Ontario operating agreement;
- Alberta opened its regulated market on 13 July 2026 with AGLC registration and an Alberta iGaming Corporation agreement;
- Quebec and British Columbia remain provincial monopolies.
Our article on Canadian online gambling opportunities covers the provincial routes. Every other target market needs its own legal review too.
Kahnawake or another jurisdiction?
- Curaçao has a CGA license with local presence requirements and wider payment-provider familiarity.
- Antigua and Barbuda licensees can host in Kahnawà:ke under an inter-jurisdictional authorization.
- Nevis offers a flat €28,000 fee without relocation.
How Gambling Consulting Expert can help
We check your target markets, prepare the CPA and key person applications, coordinate the MIT hosting agreement and manage the KGC review. Request a Kahnawake licensing assessment.
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