The debate of prohibition against regulation has not reached a conclusion in many countries. Below we will discuss a few jurisdictions that seem to take regulation serious, and who are asking relatively high licensee fees to back this up by enforcement. Another service brought to you by our website.


Kahnawake Gaming Commission


Location : Canada
Reference website : www.kahnawake.com

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, founded in 1996, issues interactive gaming licenses for the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada. The application process for a license includes:

Rigorous probity check conducted by the National Fraud Center.
Hardware, software and control systems are reviewed to ensure fairness, accuracy and reliability.
Check for solvency and continuing ability to meet its obligations to players.

After the approval process has been successfully finished, each licensee is monitored on an ongoing basis by an internationally known accounting firm (presumably PriceWaterhouseCoopers) to ensure the games offered are being conducted fairly and paying out at a verifiable rate. Recently, the Commission has engaged the North American office of independent testing agency BMM International Pty. Ltd. to develop standards and to test and certify the software and control systems of operators in this jurisdiction. A list of all licensees to date is available at their site. Any complaints about a casino licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission can be filed with the commission.


Isle of Man


Location : Australia
Reference website : www.isle-of-man.com

Good regulation is crucial to the Isle of Man. The offshore finance sector represents the major part of its economy, and thus newly sanctioned on-line gambling sites will not be permitted to impose any risk to its reputation for financial probity. Similarly the new licensees will not wish to operate from a jurisdiction where regulation is lax and the possibility of commercial scandal a threat to their brands' values.


Northwestern Territory Licensing Commission

Location : Australia

The Northern Territory Licensing Commission was established on 14 February 2000 as an an independent statutory authority created by the Northern Territory Licensing Commission Act 2000. Internet Gaming remains highly topical with the Northern Territory licensing Lasseters Online on 7 April 1999. This is recognized as the first fully regulated online gaming site in the world and is growing at a very healthy rate whilst incorporating highly sophisticated security systems to protect both players and the integrity of the site.


Vanuatu Islands

Location : Vanuatu Islands
Reference website : www.vanuatugovernment.gov.vu

Vanuatu is an independent island nation situated in the South West Pacific, approximately 2.5 hours north east of Brisbane Australia. Vanuatu achieved independence in 1980, and was formerly known as the New Hebrides - a British / French Condominium. In 1999, the Government of Vanuatu completed an extensive 9 month research and analysis project into Internet gaming. The Government then determined that Internet gaming, if managed responsibly and appropriately, may be offered from within Vanuatu with significant advantage to operators, players and the people of Vanuatu represented by the Government.


Antigua & Barbuda


Location : Antigua & Barbuda Islands, the Caribbean
Reference website : www.antigua-barbuda.org

The Directorate of Offshore Gaming, founded in April 1999, is the regulatory body responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Offshore Gaming industry in the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda. The Director is responsible for the implementation of government policy relative to Offshore Gaming. The operations of the Directorate are divided into two areas. The area of technical administration and enforcement deals with the collection and analysis of all information required to establish the ongoing fairness of gaming software and the accurate recording of revenues for every licensee. The administrative arm deals with the Preferred Licensee program and operation of the toll free numbers which allow direct access to the Directorate by players. This facility allows for the registration of complaints and inquires as to the license status of operators in the jurisdiction. This department is also responsible for the processing of applications, revocation of licenses and facilitation of operators. A list of all licensees is available at their site.


Alderney Gaming Control Commission

Location : British Channel Islands

In May 2000 the States of Alderney established an independent, nonpolitical, commission, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, to take over the regulation of the licensed businesses from the Island's Policy and Finance Committee. The Commission has built upon and developed the policy of ensuring its regulatory and supervisory approach meets the very highest international standards. The Commission is also engaged in regular dialogue with other regulatory bodies at an international level. It participates in the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF) and the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). The Commission works closely with other agencies, particularly in the prevention of financial crime.


Tasmanian Gaming Commission

Location : Antigua & Barbuda Islands, the Caribbean
Reference website : www.treasury.tas.gov.au

Australia's island State of Tasmania is actively encouraging Internet gambling operators to consider establishing here. The Australian Interactive Gambling Act 2001 provides legislation enabling operators to establish their operations in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Gaming Commission was established in 1993 as an independent, nonpolitical, commission, focusing on regulating and controlling gaming, including online wagering.