Short answer
The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC), established in 1996, regulates interactive gambling conducted under the legal framework of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke. It issues several kinds of authorization:
- Client Provider Authorization (CPA) – for interactive gambling operators that meet KGC hosting and operating requirements;
- Key Person Permit – for individuals in the regulated management and control categories;
- Casino Software Provider Authorization – for casino software suppliers;
- Live Dealer Studio Authorization – for live dealer studios;
- Inter-jurisdictional Authorization – for certain activities carried out in cooperation with other licensing jurisdictions.
The main fees for a CPA are:
- US$35,000 – CPA application in 2026, including the first annual fee;
- US$5,000 – Key Person Permit application in 2026, including the first annual fee;
- US$20,000 a year – CPA annual fee from the following year (covers up to six domains);
- US$1,000 a year – per Key Person Permit.
From 1 January 2027 the application fees rise to US$40,000 (CPA) and US$6,000 (Key Person Permit). Five-year renewal fees and, where relevant, additional-domain fees apply separately. Hosting through Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT) and professional costs are not included. Review of a complete application typically takes 2–3 months, depending on the KGC's checks.
Important: A CPA does not replace the approvals needed to operate in other jurisdictions (for example Ontario, Alberta, Quebec or British Columbia) and does not guarantee acceptance by banks or payment providers.
Kahnawake at a glance
- Regulator
- Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC), established 1996
- Primary law
- Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law and Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming (1999, amended, including March 2026), plus the KGC AML/CFT regulations
- Authorizations and permits
- Interactive Gaming Licence, held by MIT within the authorization structure described · Client Provider Authorization (CPA) · Key Person Permit · Casino Software Provider and Live Dealer Studio authorizations
- Hosting
- Under the CPA regime the applicant must meet KGC hosting requirements in Kahnawà:ke through Mohawk Internet Technologies (MIT). This is separate from where the company is incorporated and where it is tax resident
- Inter-jurisdictional authorization
- Operators authorized elsewhere (e.g. Antigua) can host in Kahnawà:ke under an inter-jurisdictional authorization
- Markets needing restriction or separate legal review
- A KGC authorization does not automatically allow gambling to be offered in other jurisdictions. The operator sets geographic restrictions by reviewing each market's law, the CPA conditions and any applicable bans — for example Canadian provinces with their own regimes (Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec), the US, European markets with their own licensing and FATF-listed states
Is Kahnawake the right license for you?
A good fit when
- You want an established authorization with relatively moderate licensing fees compared with some regulated jurisdictions, and North American hosting
- You already host through MIT or plan to
- You are a software or live dealer studio supplier to KGC authorization holders
Look elsewhere when
- You want to serve Ontario, Alberta, BC or Quebec — they have their own provincial regimes
- You want lower licensing fees, with different requirements and legal risks — see Anjouan
Licenses, authorizations and permits issued by the KGC
| License | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Client Provider Authorization (CPA) | B2C operators meeting MIT hosting requirements | No general numerical cap on CPAs (to be confirmed in current form) |
| Key Person Permit | Individuals meeting the KGC key-function and control criteria for the operator | Separate application fee (US$5,000 in 2026; US$6,000 from 2027); US$1,000 annual fee; five-year renewal |
| Casino Software Provider Authorization | Software suppliers | B2B |
| Live Dealer Studio Authorization | Live dealer game studios | B2B |
| Inter-jurisdictional Authorization | Operators authorized elsewhere hosting in Kahnawà:ke | Primary jurisdiction keeps supervision |
KGC fees, hosting costs and tax obligations
| Charge | Amount | When | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPA application fee, incl. first annual fee | US$35,000 | Complete applications filed by 31 December 2026 | KGC notice, 13 August 2026; US$40,000 from 1 January 2027 |
| CPA annual fee | US$20,000 | Yearly, on the issue anniversary | Unchanged in 2027; covers up to six domains |
| CPA five-year renewal fee | US$5,000 | Every five years | KGC notice: excludes due diligence costs and the annual fee; from 1 January 2027: US$40,000 including the annual fee |
| Key Person Permit application fee, incl. first annual fee | US$5,000 | Per person subject to authorization | Per the official KGC fee notice; US$6,000 from 1 January 2027 |
| Key Person Permit annual fee | US$1,000 | Yearly, per permit | KGC notice; unchanged in 2027 |
| Key Person Permit five-year renewal fee | US$5,000 | Every five years | KGC notice: excludes the annual fee; from 1 January 2027: US$6,000 including the annual fee |
| Additional domains | US$500 per domain | Beyond the first six; at annual renewal or on approval | KGC notice, 22 April 2025 |
| Estimated total: CPA + one Key Person Permit | US$40,000 | Applications filed in 2026 (US$46,000 from 1 January 2027) |
The CPA application fee is US$35,000 in 2026. If a Key Person Permit is also requested, its fee is US$5,000, so the two applications total about US$40,000 before hosting and other costs; the 2027 equivalent is US$46,000. Applications filed before 1 January 2027 are assessed under the fee schedule in force on filing. CPA holders get up to six authorized domains; each domain beyond that costs US$500 under the KGC approval and billing rules. MIT hosting is priced separately.
Tax
- KGC levy on GGR
- Under the fee structure shown, the KGC does not charge a percentage levy on gross gaming revenue (GGR).
- Operator tax obligations
- This does not remove the company's tax obligations in its country of residence or other relevant jurisdictions, which depend on where it is incorporated, effectively managed and which markets it serves.
Legal framework
| Instrument | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law | Establishes the KGC (1996) |
| Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming (1999, amended, including March 2026) | Authorizations, conditions, hosting |
| KGC Anti-Money Laundering Regulations | AML/CFT obligations |
Company and MIT hosting requirements
- Company lawfully incorporated in a jurisdiction acceptable to the KGC, subject to the applicable checks, with the full ownership and control structure up to the beneficial owners disclosed and documented; structures that prevent identifying and verifying beneficial owners may be rejected
- Hosting agreement with Mohawk Internet Technologies as the CPA requires; this is separate from the place of incorporation and tax residence
- The applicant must identify the people in KGC-regulated categories, including management and those controlling the operator; Key Person Permits and suitability checks may be needed for them
- No local office required
Setting up the licensee: company formation for gambling licenses.
How to apply for a Kahnawake CPA
- Weeks 1–2
Eligibility review and corporate structure
We review the proposed activity, the company structure, beneficial owners and the people in management or control roles, and identify the CPA requirements and individual permits needed.
- Weeks 1–3
Arrange MIT hosting
We check the hosting terms with Mohawk Internet Technologies and prepare the contractual and technical documents the application needs.
- Weeks 2–4
Prepare the application file
Company form, personal information for the relevant individuals, financial documents, source-of-funds evidence and internal control system documentation.
- Week 4
File the application and pay the applicable fees
The CPA application and Key Person Permit applications go to the KGC with supporting documents and proof of payment.
- Weeks 4–12
Applicant due diligence
The KGC reviews the integrity and competence of the relevant individuals, the company structure, financial capacity and the adequacy of technical, operational and internal control systems. Further documents may be requested.
- After approval
Authorization issued and launch preparation
Once the CPA is issued, the operator completes the technical and contractual formalities and meets the KGC conditions for starting operations through MIT infrastructure.
- Ongoing
Ongoing compliance
The holder pays the annual fees, completes renewals on time and meets AML, player-protection, audit and territorial-restriction obligations. The 2–3 month timeline is indicative, not a guaranteed issue date.
Document checklist
Company
- Applicant company form
- Ownership and control structure up to the beneficial owners
- Financial documents and source-of-funds evidence
Relevant individuals
- Personal information forms for management and controlling persons
- Key Person Permit applications
Authorization and hosting
- Client Provider Authorization (CPA) application
- MIT hosting agreement or letter
- Internal control system documentation
Annual fees, renewal and ongoing obligations
Annual fees and renewal
Annual fees and the periodic (five-year) renewal of the CPA and Key Person Permits.
Domains
Domain notification and approval; US$500 for each domain beyond the first six.
Audits
KGC inspections and audits.
AML
KGC AML/CFT Regulations.
Markets
Restrict access from jurisdictions where your authorization does not permit operation.
Kahnawake compared with other authorization regimes
| Kahnawake | Tobique | Anjouan | Curaçao | Kunaisa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual license fees | US$20,000 | ≈ €25,000 | €17,828 | €47,450 B2C · €24,490 B2B | €19,500 (communicated, Aug 2026) |
| Tax on GGR | 0% stated KGC levy on GGR | 0% (no TGC GGR levy shown) | 0% | 0% intl GGR | 0% declared (Kunaisa levy) |
| Time to license | 2–3 months | 4–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 2–5 months | 6–10 weeks (estimate) |
| Local substance | MIT hosting | No mandatory local presence; Differentia Licensing Advisory Group (DLAG) due diligence | None | Seat, MD, office, MLRO, key persons | Non-Panama company; agent |
| Status | Separate authorization regime (Kahnawake Gaming Commission) | International licensing regime (Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick); authority under Canadian law unsettled | Offshore | Offshore (Kingdom of NL) | Offshore (indigenous territory, Panama), authority unverified |
These regimes are not legally equivalent: Kahnawà:ke and Tobique operate under distinct self-government and authorization frameworks, Anjouan and Curaçao have their own licensing models, and Kunaisa's legal status and operating history need further checks. The Status row shows the nature of each regime; do not choose on the annual fee alone.
All jurisdictions side by side, with filters: compare gambling license jurisdictions. How we run an application: gambling consulting services.
Written and reviewed by Alex Szilaghi
Founder of Szilaghi Consulting, licensing gambling businesses since 2004 across EU, UK, Canadian and offshore jurisdictions, based in Romania and working before ONJN on Class 1 and Class 2 files. We act as Romanian representative and local director for foreign ONJN licensees and file their monthly regulatory reports, so these guides reflect how the rules are applied in practice, not only how they read.
Last legal review . Current to the KGC framework as of the review date. General information, not legal advice.
Kahnawake gambling license — FAQs
How much does a Kahnawake license cost?
For complete applications filed in 2026 the CPA fee is US$35,000 including the first annual fee, rising to US$40,000 from 1 January 2027. Each Key Person Permit costs US$5,000 separately (US$6,000 from 2027). The CPA annual fee is US$20,000 and each Key Person Permit is US$1,000 a year. Add five-year renewal fees, any additional-domain fees and MIT hosting.
Is there a tax on GGR?
Under the fee structure shown, the KGC does not charge a percentage levy on GGR. That does not remove the company's tax obligations in its country of residence or other relevant jurisdictions.
Can I serve Canadian players with a Kahnawake authorization?
A KGC authorization does not automatically allow you to offer gambling in regulated provincial markets. Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have their own regimes; legality must be reviewed separately for each target market.
Do I need to host in Kahnawake?
Yes. Under the CPA regime the applicant must meet KGC hosting requirements in Kahnawà:ke through Mohawk Internet Technologies. This is separate from where the company is incorporated and tax resident.
How long does it take?
Typically two to three months from a complete application, depending on the KGC's checks. The timeline is indicative, not guaranteed.
Sources
Figures were checked against the regulator and legislation listed below on 13 October 2026. Fees, tax rates and restricted-market lists change; confirm with us before you commit capital.
Find out if Kahnawake fits before you pay a fee
We assess eligibility, prepare the documentation and coordinate the KGC authorization process, and we estimate first-year fees, hosting and compliance costs.
Book a Kahnawake license assessment