Kahnawake Gaming Law reaches milestone anniversary

06/10/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is pleased to announce that the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law, first enacted on 10, Ohiarí:ha/June 1996, has reached its 20th year anniversary.

“This is a historic milestone for the Community of Kahnawà:ke,” said Ietsénhaienhs Gina Deer, who holds the MCK gaming portfolio. “The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law was enacted on the strength of Kahnawà:ke’s jurisdiction to facilitate, regulate and conduct gaming within and from the Mohawk territory of Kahnawà:ke.”

The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law was one of the many projects spearheaded by the legendary Arnold Goodleaf, a man whose vision for advancing Kahnawà:ke’s jurisdiction resulted in the enactment of numerous local laws and regulations still in force today.

“Although there have been challenges over the years, the industries that have been built under this Law have created employment for Kahnawa’kehrò:non and revenue for the community,” continued Deer.

“Most importantly, the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Law and the regulatory body it created, the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (‘KGC’), has brought Kahnawà:ke world-wide recognition and respect,” she added. “Since 1999, the KGC has been a pioneer in the regulation of online gaming and has set the bar for fairness, player protection and responsible gaming in the virtual gaming world. Our land-based poker rooms are well-known as being among the best in North America.”

“It is regrettable that, despite numerous efforts to engage them in a dialogue about gaming, Canada and Quebec have been reluctant to acknowledge Kahnawà:ke’s achievements in the gaming industry and the benefits it has produced for our community,” she concluded. “However, Kahnawà:ke remains optimistic that in the spirit of Nation to Nation discussions, recently embraced by the government of Canada, solutions will be found.”