Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke responds to Québec's announcement that
Loto-Québec will develop online gaming
KAHNAWAKE, QC, 5, Enniska/February /CNW Telbec/ - On
Minister Bachand either does not understand how the online gaming industry works - or is simply using the opportunity to take a gratuitous swipe at Kahnawà:ke for his own political reasons.
Loto-Québec has been authorized to "offer online gambling" and will therefore become another online gaming operator offering casino, poker and other games of chance. Loto-Québec will therefore be competing with other established online gaming operators such as: PokerStars, Party Gaming, Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet. Many of these operators are licensed by and operate from jurisdictions such as Isle of Man,
Kahnawà:ke does not, and has never, "offered online gambling". Since 1999, Kahnawà:ke has hosted online gaming operators through its world-class internet service provider and data center - Mohawk Internet Technologies and has regulated third party online gaming operators through the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission.
It is also worth noting that Québec has made the decision to be both an online gaming operator and a regulator - through its Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux. This environment of "self-regulation" is a position that Kahnawà:ke, and most other jurisdictions in the world, have avoided - to maintain transparency, fairness and integrity to all players.
In short, Loto-Québec will not be competing with Kahnawà:ke but with many other large, well-established and well-known gaming operators - many of which operate in other jurisdictions. Bon chance.
It is disappointing to note that Québec fails to understand, or deliberately ignores, the opportunities for synergy between Loto-Québec and Kahnawà:ke. Loto-Québec's online gambling operation could be hosted from Mohawk Internet Technologies. The Régie could work with the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission to harmonize their regulations concerning online gaming.
To take such an approach would be consistent with the pledges that Québec made to Kahnawà:ke in the "Statement of Understanding and Mutual Respect" dated
Over the past 12 years, Kahnawà:ke's participation in the online gaming industry has generated more employment, highly skilled training opportunities, fiscal advantages and positive global recognition than any other economic development venture in Kahnawà:ke's history. Now that Québec has decided to "legalize" online gaming for its purposes, it has a perfect opportunity to "participate as partners" with Kahnawà:ke to advance this developing industry. Instead, Québec has chosen to continue its implicit demonization of Kahnawà:ke. This is truly disappointing and, unless Québec reconsiders its position, will certainly color the relations that Kahnawà:ke and Québec seek to maintain in other areas.
For further information: Joe Delaronde, Political Press Attaché, Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, (450) 632-7500, [email protected]
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