First Nations Gaming Commissions

The Criminal Code (Canada) (Section 207(1)(b)) permits provincial governments to appoint licensing authorities via orders-in-council to license charitable organizations to conduct and manage specified gaming activities (e.g., bingo, breakopen ticket sales, raffles and Texas Hold’em poker tournaments).  In Manitoba, a First Nation may be specified as a licensing authority under an order-in-council and subject to the terms of a First Nations Gaming Commission Agreement and The Gaming Control Act. The first such agreement in Canada was signed with Opaskwayak Cree Nation in January 1990.

 The MGCC acts as a representative of the Province to work with First Nations to help establish these licensing authorities, known as First Nation Gaming Commissions.  However the ultimate authority is granted by an Order-in-Council issued by the Provincial Government and signed by the Lieutenant Governor. Further, these agreements establish the First Nation Gaming Commission as a licensing authority on par with the MGCC and specify that the terms and conditions of licences issued will be the same as those licensed by the MGCC. The FNGC may also charge an administrative fee to each organization it licenses which offsets operational costs and allows it to become independently funded.  These commissions are responsible for publishing an annual report and providing a First Nations Gaming Commission Financial Report to the MGCC within 90 days of their fiscal year end as established by The Gaming Control Act. 

Structure of
Gambling


Criminal Code Sections
206 and 207



Legislation and
Regulation


History of Gambling
in Manitoba


First Nations
Gaming


Reports