Poker Sites
Regulation
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 In
June 1996, the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory across the river from Montreal, Canada established the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
The Commission licenses, regulates gaming and related activities, including the managed hosting of poker
and casino websites on the tribe's servers.
Despite only approximately 7500 people living within the Territory, the impact of the tribe's
Internet gaming policies effect hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission's three basic principles are:
"1. That only suitable persons and entities are permitted to operate...
2. That the games offered are fair to the player...
3. That winners are paid."
Applicants are required to provide the Commission with background on the individuals behind any
interactive gambling business, as well as the business itself. The Commission employees an independent
agency to investigate the accuracy of the applicants information.
The games provided by applicants are given a risk analysis prior to licensing, and ongoing audits are
required to ensure continuing compliance.
While the Kahnawake Gaming Commission
is certainly not anywhere close to as rigorous as the Nevada Gaming Control Board or similar agencies,
the Mohawks provided the online gambling industry the first significant mix of technical support and minimal
oversight that clearly helped mature the industry as a whole. Even something as simple as the hurdle of
requiring an online business to pony up $25,000 to display the Kahnawake logo was a significant step.
Online gambling sites without a seal of approval from Kahnawake (or other governmental body) simply
don't compete on the same level as those that do.
Paradise Poker, Ultimate Bet, Poker Room and PokerStars all hold
permits from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
By the way, the name Kanien:keha'ka means "man eaters" so perhaps that helps a bit with enforcement...
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