The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) stood up for their rights to control their own affairs and operate under the licence and regulation provided to them since the 90s. MCK is prepared to rally the tribes and ensure their inherited sovereign right is not
In April 2022, iGaming Ontario re-defined online gaming and betting regulations that no longer allow MCK to "conduct and manage" their own gambling regime. While this opens up the internet gaming market for Canada by providing a licence through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, it voids the agreement to allow Indigenous groups to run their licensing regime.
How This Affects Kahnawake
The aim of the agreement that has stood until now was to generate revenue through Mohawk Online, which would be invested back into the community to help create a better future for the people of Kahnawake.
This statement can be found on Mohawk Online website, explaining that the online gambling industry played an essential role in the economic development of Kahnawake and the areas that support them.
However, Ontario, the second biggest province in Canada, will undoubtedly put a dent in this small indigenous regulatory platform.
Regular VS Regulator
It is common to find authorities taking on iGaming providers, and with that, it is easy to assume that 'the big guys' always win. This battle, however, is between two regulators - one still having the upper hand, being government owned and able to reinterpret provisions of the criminal code.
The council chief Mike Delisle Jnr commented:
"We will 'bundle the arrows’, so to speak, with partners in Ontario and partners internally through Mohawk online and the help of senators in the fed system to launch our own member's bill to have a 'carve-out' for indigenous gaming across the country and eventually an Indian Gaming Authority."
Delisle continued that most territories in Ontario and representatives of those territories will stand behind them if this petition does not accept this legal challenge.
Is the Inevitable Being Delayed?
While Ontario iGaming and the Attorney general may have motives to buy out areas like Ontario and ‘alienate’ indigenous people from land-based and online gaming - as suggested by Mike Delisle, MCK should instead “pick on someone their own size”.
MCK has great intentions; to continue managing the ability to bet on games of skill and chance - as historical evidence confirms this has always been integral to Mohawk culture - but they know they are not big enough to win this one.
If this battle goes to court, MCK should act fast and look at establishing their own gaming authority or accept the inevitable - defeat in Ontario.
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