Why Kahnawake gaming license is great?

Kahnawake gambling license is a good choice for any startup. The only country that doesn’t allow the Kahnawake license is the USA. All other countries aren’t allowed, but not restricted either.

What’s the Kahnawake?

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (“Commission”) licenses and regulates online gaming activity within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

The Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke are a Mohawk First Nation in Quebec, Canada. Their main territory is Kahnawake 14, which is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Montreal.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (“Commission”) licenses and regulates online gaming activity within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

The Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke are a Mohawk First Nation in Quebec, Canada. Their main territory is Kahnawake 14, which is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Montreal.

Important Information

Curacao's gambling license is currently undergoing some important regulatory changes. This affects all active operators, software providers, and platform providers. We recommend you to talk to one of our experts before applying for a Curacao license. Beware of scammers who claim that it's easy to get the Curacao gambling license. You can lose your money.

Countries where the Kahnawake gambling license is allowed

The license provides great coverage. The only Country Kahnawake Gaming Commission doesn’t officially allow is the United States of America.

Non-regulated countries aren’t allowed or restricted. It allows access to all exclusive locations.

Compared to the Maltese license, which doesn’t allow you to operate in countries where gambling is restricted, Kahnawake’s license won’t stop you if you decide to expand.

Practically, you’ll get the same coverage as with the license from Curacao, but with some corks and features.

It’s more flexible as you can get the license for any jurisdiction and don’t have to be physically present there.

The application process is very balanced. It’s not as complicated as the Maltese license, but takes a bit longer than the Curacao license.

Why do you need a Kahnawake license?

The Kahnawake license is a Master License (as opposed to the Curacao sublicense) for a variety of gambling activities.

It’s an excellent choice for any startup because it’s relatively quick to obtain and not as expensive as a Maltese license or Isle of Man license.

Note: You have the assurance that you cannot lose the main license because of a third party. The Curacao sublicense can be lost if the main licensor goes bust.

The biggest difference in obtaining the license is the corporate structure.

In Kawhawake there are no corporate services, which means you don’t have to set up your own business in this jurisdiction.

You can use any other company for this purpose, which makes the structure more flexible and allows you to have a company in BVI, Gibraltar, Costa Rica or elsewhere.

For example, you can have a company in Cyprus for tax reasons. It’s absolutely fine to use this company when applying for the license as long as the owner can be validated for KYC and AML.

Benefits of the Kahnawake Gaming License

Zero Corporate and Income Tax

Kahnawake gambling license provides the opportunity to establish a business in jurisdictions where corporate and income tax is set at 0%.

Your business can get going fairly quickly

The processing time is relatively short, averaging four to six months for licensing. This time frame is particularly well suited for companies that aren't under immediate time pressure.

Kahnawake Gaming License Tax

Compared to some other jurisdictions that impose a percentage tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), Kahnawake's online gambling license features a 0% gambling license tax.

Add a variety of games and payment options

Most payment system providers and software providers recognize this license, allowing you to offer great games and easy payment options for your markets. But there are some exceptions to this rule. Contact us to explore the possibilities of the Kahnawake license and learn more.

Access to markets

The Kahnawake online gaming license provides comprehensive coverage, with the exception of the United States of America, which is not officially supported by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It can be used by companies that already hold one or more other licenses to significantly expand their target markets.

Six types of gambling licenses in Kahnawake

1. CPA license (“Client Provider Authorization”)

This is the main online gambling license issued to online operators. Once your business has obtained this license, you’ll be called an “Authorized Client Provider”. It’s a good alternative to the Curacao gambling license if you offer casino games, sports betting, poker, bingo, horse racing or other games of chance.

After your application is approved, you can place your license number along with other important information in the footer of your website.

2. IJA license (“Inter-Jurisdictional Authorizations”)

This license is issued to a business that holds an IGL from another jurisdiction but wishes to locate all or part of its equipment and/or personnel in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.

Since the operator and its operations have already been approved by the primary jurisdiction, the Commission doesn’t have to re-complain with these requirements, saving the operator time and money.

On average, it takes two weeks from receipt of the application and fees to issuance of the IJA.

This license is NOT popular because it only allows you to house your servers at Mohawk Internet Technologies.

3. IGL (“Interactive Gaming License”)

This license is used only for land-based casinos.

4. LDSA license (“Live Dealer Studio Authorizations”)

This license is for operators who want to offer live games with real dealers and physical studios.

If you want to open your own live dealer studio in Canada, this license is for you. The physical location must be on the premises of Kahnawake to apply for this license. You must agree to the inspection of the premises to obtain the license according to all fire, safety and environmental standards.

Liability insurance with coverage of at least two million dollars must be obtained.

5. CSPA license (“Casino Software Provider Authorizations”)

It allows the holder to set up and operate gaming devices of the IGL holder and provide casino software to a third-party provider for use on its website. It’s an alternative to B2B licenses in other jurisdictions.

6. KPP (“Key Person Permit”)

All operators with a “Client Provider Authorization” license must designate an individual to perform key managerial functions. This may be your CFO, CEO, CTO, COO, office manager, or any other person appropriate for this role.

It costs USD 5,000.00 to purchase the license, and this amount is part of the total CPA package.

How to get the Kahnawake gambling license

Incorporation of a company

You must first establish your business. Please talk to your accountant or a tax advisor to find out which jurisdictions are best.

There are many ways to optimize taxes, but each case is different and your accountant or financial advisor is the best source for information.

We do all the setup on a case-by-case basis. Different jurisdictions work very well and have a great advantage because you can save hundreds of thousands in taxes with a relatively small investment.

Background checks on beneficiary owners

Beneficiary owner background checks include AML and KYC procedures. Your reputation, background and experience are very important. It’s very helpful if you already have professional experience in the industry to make the process as fast as possible.

Provide documents

You need to submit the following package of documents:

• Copy of passport (notarized and internationally valid).
• Proof of address – original or certified copies of utility bills are sufficient
• Business plan
• Birth certificate
• Certificate of a non-criminal record of good conduct
• Origin of funds
• Bank references of the owners

Application process

01

01

Incorporation of your holding company

We work closely with our clients to create a unique ownership structure that fits them. This helps make your business stronger and more competitive. We then take care of setting up your business and getting your license. This includes setting up a holding company, which is important for the license and cash flow.

02

02

Preparing an application

We work with the regulatory authority to expedite the processing of your application. We take care of all the necessary paperwork, including the client provider authorization application, business entity information form, personal information form, and key person license application form. We carefully ensure that all of these documents meet and satisfy the strict requirements of the regulatory commission.

03

03

Due-Diligence process

We know exactly what the regulator expects from your documents. Not only do we help you fill out the forms, but we also make sure that each document meets their strict requirements. This detailed process not only makes the licensing process faster but also avoids any issues that might cause delays in obtaining your Kahnawake license.

04

04

Control System Submission

We send all documents to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission office. The documents are then assigned to a KGC Compliance Officer for preliminary review. We work closely with the regulator to make sure your application doesn't sit in a drawer for months.

05

05

Payment Agent Company formation

The Payment Agent company can provide you access to various payment methods and simplify the process of opening bank accounts. During our initial conversation, we'll identify the most suitable option tailored to your specific requirements.

06

06

Opening a Bank Account

Choosing the right bank carefully is crucial. Different banks offer different features and fee structures, so it's important to make an informed decision. We'll guide you through the options and help you find the best bank for your business. We also take care of the account opening process to ensure a smooth and error-free process.

License application

The final step is the license approval itself.

It’s good if two or three people apply to own the license. You need to name the UBO, the shareholders, the directors and a key person.

All licensed gambling sites receive a validator, which they must include in the footer of a website. The validator is a clickable badge that your players can use to check the validity of your license. It is also a tool that all regulators can use to “fingerprint” active licensees who are genuinely licensed and rogue operators who try to simply insert a non-clickable image and pretend to be licensed.

The advantages of the Kahnawake license

• With the right structure, you can save massively on taxes. That’s hundreds of thousands of dollars you can save every year.
• The license will attract big sharks. In most cases, serious players want to see the license before they swipe the credit card. The Kahnawake license has a good reputation and is one of the few multinational licenses.
• The geography is super wide! The only market Kahnawake prohibits you from working in is the US. All other countries are open. Download this file to see which countries have their own regulations and which countries ban online gambling in any form.

Requirements for a Kahnawake Gaming license

Proof of Address: This document serves as proof of where you live or operate your business. It's usually a utility bill issued in your name, such as an electric or water bill. If you cannot provide one of these bills or you live abroad, don't worry, we can work with you to find an alternative solution

Source of Funds: Verifying your sources of income and assets is a critical step in the approval process. Every startup has its own financial background, and it's important that you transparently demonstrate the source of your company's funds to the regulatory agency.

Business plan: This is the roadmap for your business. In your business plan, you describe the goals of your business, how it'll operate, what your marketing strategies will be, and what you expect to accomplish financially. It helps us understand your vision and how you plan to achieve it

Gaming certification: If you're a software provider that develops games for operators, it's essential to obtain certification from major institutions such as iTechLabs, GLI, and BMM Testlabs. This certification serves as proof of the fairness and integrity of your games. We control this process so that you can complete it efficiently and simultaneously with the licensing process.

Certificate of good conduct: This certificate proves that you don't have a criminal record. It's important for regulatory purposes because it shows that your business is run by someone with a clean record

Functional website: Your website should be fully functional during the licensing process. We will work with your platform provider to ensure that all legal requirements are met and that your website is ready for use at the right time.

Cost of a gambling license in Kahnawake

CPA license (“Client Provider Authorization”)

Feature	Price
Due diligence investigation of the applicant company and its principals and a Key Person (non-refundable)	US$15,000
First Annual licensing fee	US$20,000
Key Person license application fee	US$5,000

CSPA license (“Casino Software Provider Authorization”)

Feature	Price
Casino Software Provider Authorization license	US$20,000
Due diligence investigation of the applicant company and its principals and a Key Person (non-refundable)	US$15,000
Key Person license application fee	US$5,000

Inter-Jurisdictional Authorization license

Feature	Price
Annual licensing fees	US$10,000
One-time application fee	US$2,000

Conclusion

It takes about eight to twelve weeks to obtain the Kahnawake license. It involves the establishment of an offshore company.

You’ve a choice of five different license types. The key person license is mandatory if you want to get a CPA license.

Geography. You can work anywhere in the world except the United States. (You can download a list of countries to avoid to avoid unexpected problems with laws and regulators)

The right setup should solve more than just the “license issue”. It should be well planned so that your business can reduce tax liability, open bank accounts, connect PSPs and merchants.

You can fine tune the offer to understand the exact cost of your package by contacting us via email (you can also use WhatsApp for convenience).
Looking for a license that fits your business? In this post, we compare the top 4 most popular gaming licenses.

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