Murray Marshall departs, had monumental impact on Kahnawakes role in Internet Gaming

12/20/2022

As Murray Marshall’s mandate as Legal Counsel for Mohawk Online ends on December 31st, after almost 30 years of service to the community, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to acknowledge his monumental contributions to Kahnawà:ke in the fields of regulating both internet and land-based gaming. He had been a stalwart presence at the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission (KGC) since its creation in 1996. The KGC went on to become a pioneer and world leader in the world of online interactive gaming. His work there was both groundbreaking and exemplary.  

Marshall began his career as MCK legal counsel in 1993. During his tenure, Kahnawà:ke was involved in a number of major jurisdictional battles: in particular, the Extreme Fighting event in April 1996 and the launch of Mohawk Internet Technologies in 1999. He had continued working on both land-based and online gaming throughout his very successful career on the Territory.  

He was also the first Director of MCK Legal Services (previously, MCK hired legal counsel on an as needed/project basis).

“Murray was the main architect of the laws and regulations for ‘extreme’ contact sports in Kahnawà:ke, which were then considered illegal in Canada,” said Ratsénhaienhs Lindsay LeBorgne, who was also a member of Council at that time. “We pushed the envelope at the time as a matter of jurisdiction.”

“Trying to sum up Murray’s role in the past quarter century in just a few words is futile,” said Ratsénhaienhs Michael Delisle, who worked closely with Marshall during the formative years of the KGC. “It is not an exaggeration to say he is known around the world as an expert in licensing and regulation of Internet gaming. In many ways, he was a pioneer in the development of properly-regulated I-Gaming during the infancy of what is now a multi-billion dollar industry.”

While maintaining his ties to the KGC, in recent years he had been heavily involved with Mohawk Online which, as an operating entity, has provided the community with substantial revenue over the past several years. 

“On behalf of the MCK, I’d like to offer my sincerest appreciation for all Murray has done for the community,” concluded Ratsénhaienhs Delisle. “On a more personal note, I would like to acknowledge his commitment, diligence, and fearlessness. His belief in our jurisdiction was exceeded only by the work he did to build and protect it. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

A personal statement from Murray Marshall can be viewed here.