Short answer
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) issues a Client Provider Authorization (CPA) to operators hosted by Mohawk Internet Technologies in Kahnawake, plus Key Person Permits for controlling individuals. Year 1 costs US$35,000 (the application, including the first annual fee; US$40,000 from 2027), then US$20,000 a year. There is no tax on GGR. A Kahnawake permit does not authorize serving players in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia or Quebec.
Kahnawake at a glance
- Regulator
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), established 1996
- Primary law
- Kahnawake Gaming Law and Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming (1999), plus AML Regulations
- Permits
- Interactive Gaming Licence (held by MIT) · Client Provider Authorization · Key Person Permits · Casino Software Provider and Live Dealer Studio authorizations
- Hosting
- Operations hosted at Mohawk Internet Technologies in Kahnawake
- Inter-jurisdictional
- Operators licensed elsewhere (e.g. Antigua) can host under an inter-jurisdictional authorization
- Restricted
- Ontario, Alberta, BC and Quebec; US; markets with their own licensing (e.g. NL, FR, BE); FATF-blacklisted states
Is Kahnawake the right license for you?
A good fit when
- You want an established mid-cost permit with North American hosting
- You already host at MIT or plan to
- You are a software or live-studio supplier to KGC licensees
Look elsewhere when
- You want to serve Ontario, Alberta, BC or Quebec — use the provincial routes
- You want the lowest offshore cost — see Anjouan
Kahnawake license types
| License | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Client Provider Authorization (CPA) | B2C operators hosted at MIT | No cap on the number of CPAs |
| Key Person Permit | Directors, officers and controlling shareholders | One included in year-1 fee; renewed annually |
| Casino Software Provider Authorization | Software suppliers | B2B |
| Live Dealer Studio Authorization | Live studios | B2B |
| Inter-jurisdictional Authorization | Operators licensed elsewhere hosting in Kahnawake | Primary jurisdiction keeps supervision |
Kahnawake license costs and tax
| Charge | Amount | When | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPA application, incl. first annual fee | US$35,000 | Year 1 | KGC notice; US$40,000 for complete applications filed from 1 January 2027 |
| Annual fee | US$20,000 | Yearly | Unchanged in 2027 |
| Additional Key Person Permit | ≈ US$5,000 | Per person; ≈ US$1,000 renewal | Practitioner-reported |
| Domains | Up to 6 included | Then ≈ US$500 each | Reported 2025 change |
Add MIT hosting, which is priced separately.
Tax
- Gaming tax
- 0% on GGR
- Group tax
- Determined by where the operating company is resident and managed
Legal framework
| Instrument | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Kahnawake Gaming Law | Establishes the KGC (1996) |
| Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming (1999, amended) | Permits, conditions, hosting |
| KGC Anti-Money Laundering Regulations | AML/CFT obligations |
Local substance and eligibility
- Legally registered company in any jurisdiction, provided the full ownership and control structure up to the beneficial owners is disclosed and documented; opaque or shell structures are rejected
- Hosting agreement with Mohawk Internet Technologies
- Key Person Permits for controlling individuals (10%+ holders and officers)
- No local office required
Setting up the licensee: company formation for gambling licenses.
How to get a Kahnawake license
- Weeks 1–2
Hosting and structure
Agree MIT hosting and obtain the hosting letter; map ownership.
- Weeks 2–4
Prepare the application
Business entity and personal information forms, CPA and Key Person applications, control-system submission.
- Week 4
Submit and pay
File with the KGC with fees.
- Weeks 4–12
Review and approval
Due diligence and control-system review; CPA issued; go live from MIT.
Document checklist
Application
- Business entity information form
- Personal information forms (10%+ holders)
- Client provider application
- MIT hosting letter
- Control system submission
- Key Person applications
After the license
Renewal
Annual CPA and Key Person renewals.
Audits
KGC inspections and audits.
AML
KGC AML Regulations.
Markets
Block restricted provinces and countries.
Kahnawake compared
| Kahnawake | Tobique | Kunaisa | Canada | Anjouan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual gov. cost | US$20,000 (US$35,000 yr 1) | ≈ €25,000 (≈ €43,000 yr 1) | €19,500 | CAD 100k (ON) · CAD 150k (AB) | €17,828 |
| Tax on GGR | 0% | 0% | 0% | 20% revenue share | 0% |
| Time to license | 2–3 months | 4–8 weeks | 6–10 weeks | 4–9 months | 2–4 weeks |
| Local substance | MIT hosting | None local; DLAG due diligence | Any non-Panama company; agent | Provincial registration + agreement | None |
| Status | Offshore (Mohawk territory) | Offshore (First Nation, New Brunswick) | Offshore (indigenous territory, Panama) | Provincial | Offshore |
All jurisdictions side by side, with filters: compare gambling license jurisdictions. How we run an application: gambling consulting services.
Kahnawake gambling license — FAQs
How much does a Kahnawake license cost?
US$35,000 for the CPA application, including the first annual fee, then US$20,000 a year, plus MIT hosting. For complete applications filed from 1 January 2027 the application fee rises to US$40,000; the annual fee stays at US$20,000.
Can I serve Canadian players with a Kahnawake license?
Not in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia or Quebec, which require their own provincial routes. Serving other provinces on a Kahnawake permit is legally unsettled.
Do I need to host in Kahnawake?
Yes. CPA holders are hosted by Mohawk Internet Technologies, which holds the Interactive Gaming Licence.
How long does it take?
Typically two to three months from a complete application, depending on due diligence.
Sources
Figures were checked against the regulator and legislation listed below on 11 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 screen the ownership chain, check banking and payment fit for your markets, and price the full year-1 cost before anything is filed. Then we incorporate, prepare the dossier and handle the regulator through to go-live.
Book a 30-minute ONJN feasibility call