Offshore iGaming Jurisdiction

Tobique Gaming License

The Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) issues the Tobique gaming license under the Tobique Gaming Act 2023 of the Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) in Canada. The online B2C license covers multiple gambling verticals. It is intended for international operations, subject to license conditions and the laws of each target market. MGL Solutions helps you get a Tobique gambling license: we assess your proposed business, prepare the application documents and policies, and coordinate the licensing process. We scope company formation, payment setup and ongoing support to your project.

Tobique flag
Tobiquelicense
Overview
Compliance burden
6/10
Risk level (PSP/Banks)
Emerging
Cost Range
Cost Range
from $43,000 USD
Timeline
Timeline
1–3 months
Suitability Score
Suitability Score
Scaling & Emerging
Taxation
Taxation
0% Gaming Taxes

The Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) is a self-governing Indigenous community in New Brunswick, Canada, part of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Nation. The Commission operates under the First Nation's framework, separately from Canada's federal and provincial regulators. A Tobique license does not grant nationwide Canadian market access.

The Tobique Gaming Act 2023 requires licensed gambling businesses to protect players and follow its compliance rules.

Is Tobique suitable for your business?

Tobique is an option for an international casino or sportsbook whose target markets, platform and payment providers accept the proposed licensing structure. It can suit a business planning several gambling products under one B2C authorization. Software suppliers and other B2B businesses need a separate assessment of their activities.

Before you commit to an application, we review the ownership structure, products and countries you intend to serve. If your commercial partners require an MGA license or another specific authorization, that requirement belongs in the initial assessment. It determines which service you need before document preparation begins.

Who regulates gambling in Tobique?

The Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) is the official licensing authority for gambling in Tobique. Section 6 of the Tobique Gaming Act 2023 establishes TGC.

TGC issues licenses, monitors licensee compliance and enforces its regulations. The members of the commission are appointed by the Tobique First Nation Council.

Differentia Licensing Advisory Group (DLAG) is the Commission's appointed Direct Licensee and administers the application channel. We prepare and coordinate your application; approval remains with the licensing authorities.

The Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) is a separate licensing body from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC). The two operate under different regulatory structures, fee schedules and application procedures.

Licensees must maintain:

  • AML, KYC and CTF controls applicable to their operation and markets;

  • senior management responsibility for compliance, with an MLRO or compliance officer arrangement appropriate to the business;

  • RNG and platform testing documentation where required;

  • bi-weekly player account reports and monthly compliance change reports, with procedures for reporting suspicious activity;

  • responsible-gambling controls, complaints handling and protection of player balances.

The Tobique Gaming Act and regulatory documents set out these duties. Under section 34 of the Act, a licensee that suspects money laundering or other illegal activity must notify the Commission in writing. The deadline is 24 hours, or as soon as is reasonably practicable. Section 41 provides for a maximum $25,000 fine on summary conviction for a breach; it is not an automatic charge for every compliance failure.

What are the key advantages of a Tobique gaming license?

A defined application process

A defined application process

We coordinate company preparation, documents, submission and responses to licensing queries. We plan on 1 to 3 months for a prepared project; the approval date depends on the application and the review.

Multiple gambling products

Multiple gambling products

The online B2C license can cover casino, sports betting, poker and other approved verticals. Include your full product list in the application.

Company and tax planning

Company and tax planning

We scope the company structure alongside the licensing work. The company's tax position depends on where it is incorporated and managed, what it does and which markets it serves.

Crypto payment options

Crypto payment options

Crypto can form part of the proposed operation. The Tobique Gaming Act recognises digital assets within its definition of money. The actual assets, payment flows and controls still need to fit the approved business model.

Single license, multiple domains

Single license, multiple domains

The license fee covers up to five URLs; extra domains cost more.

Responsible-gambling controls

Responsible-gambling controls

Self-exclusion, player limits and complaints procedures form part of operating compliance. These controls need to work on the platform before launch.

Payment setup support

Payment setup support

We can include bank account and payment setup in the engagement. Acceptance varies by provider and depends on the company, markets, products and supporting documents.

What are the requirements for a Tobique gaming license?

To qualify for a Tobique Gaming Commission license, you must pass a fit-and-proper assessment, demonstrate financial stability, and operate a compliant gaming platform.

  • Check
    Valid passport
  • Check
    Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill
  • Check
    Proof of wealth and source of funds
  • Check
    Incorporation documents and ownership structure
  • Check
    Details of directors, beneficial owners and key personnel
  • Check
    Domain ownership confirmation

The document list is tailored to the people and entities involved. Beneficial ownership, funding and management must be clear enough for the licensing review; the licensing team may ask for extra explanations or certified documents.

Operational requirements

  • Working gaming website;

  • KYC, AML and CFT policies in place;

  • assigned senior responsibility for compliance and MLRO arrangements;

  • background checks for relevant key personnel;

  • RNG and platform testing evidence;

  • segregation of player funds and complaints procedures;

  • responsible-gambling tools and compliance reporting.

The website must display the license validation and policies, including:

  • company information;

  • terms;

  • privacy;

  • AML/KYC;

  • responsible gambling;

  • complaints information.

We build these into the agreed preparation work.

We handle the application forms, policies, organizational chart and business plan within the agreed engagement. You provide personal and corporate evidence, disclose the business and funding arrangements, and work with your platform team to implement the operational controls.

How it works

How do you get a Tobique gaming license?

Navigating the gaming license process can be complex. Here's a streamlined guide to each step.

Getting a Tobique gaming license takes five stages: company preparation, document preparation, application, due diligence, and final approval. We manage the agreed application work and coordinate responses throughout.

The durations below are our planning estimates, not regulator service commitments. Stages can overlap, and extra requests may extend the schedule.

Step 1

Company formation

Confirm the applicant company and ownership structure, then incorporate if a new entity is needed. The proposed jurisdiction and company must be suitable for the licensing application, target markets and payment arrangements. Company formation typically takes 5 to 14 days depending on the jurisdiction.

5–14 days

Step 2

Document preparation

Prepare personal documents:

  • passport;

  • proof of wealth;

  • proof of funds;

  • utility bill;

  • domain ownership confirmation.

We prepare the application forms, AML/KYC/CFT policies, organizational chart, and business plan within the agreed scope. Allow about 2 to 3 weeks; notarization and missing documents can add time.

2–3 weeks

Step 3

Application submission

After checking the documents, we coordinate submission through the application channel. The licensing team reviews the file and may request clarification. Allow around one week for submission work once the file is ready.

1 week

Step 4

Due diligence and compliance checks

The licensing team reviews the business and key personnel in full, including KYC, AML, and CFT compliance checks. Relevant key personnel go through background checks. We coordinate responses to queries and further evidence requests. Plan on about 2 to 4 weeks, longer if the review requires it.

2–4 weeks

Step 5

Approval and license issuance

TGC issues the license once it approves the application and the required conditions are met. The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The licensing team may ask for more information at this stage; we coordinate the responses. Allow around one week for final administration as a planning estimate.

Before accepting players, put the platform controls and commercial onboarding in place.

1 week

What types of licenses does the Tobique Gaming Commission issue?

The correct permission depends on the business's role. The Tobique Gaming Act, sections 23 and 24, distinguishes gaming-license categories from approved-vendor status.

Online Gaming License (B2C)

For companies that operate online casinos or sports betting sites and offer games directly to players. This is the standard category for casino and sportsbook operators. Geo-blocking and registration controls must cover the restricted territories before going live.

Gaming software and other B2B activities

For businesses that develop or supply gaming software, platforms or related services. The Act includes software and aggregator categories; the required permission depends on the actual service. A B2C operator license does not automatically cover a separate supplier business.

Approved-vendor status

The Act also provides for approved vendors supporting the gaming industry, including specified payment, hosting, security and other services. This status is not an operator or software license. We scope the application around what your company will do.

What does a Tobique gaming license cover?

DLAG describes the online B2C license as one that “covers all verticals”. Typical products include:

  • Online casino: slots, table games and live dealer;

  • sports betting;

  • poker;

  • bingo;

  • virtual sports.

Describe every planned product in the application. Section 23(1) of the Act lists lottery promoter's and game of skill licenses separately, so confirm the scope before adding lottery or skill-based products. DLAG's application guidance excludes physical-prize raffles; assess unusual game models before adding them to the launch plan.

How much does a Tobique gambling license cost?

We provide an itemised Tobique gambling license quote based on your company, business model and the services you need. Your proposal separates the first-year budget from annual renewal and identifies the currency, recipient and inclusions of each charge.

Cost item

What your proposal will specify

Pre-application and application

Amount, payment stage, refund terms and whether a payment is credited against a later fee

First-year license

Charge, license scope and included URLs

Compliance services

Required monitoring and support, including what recurs annually

Company formation

Jurisdiction, incorporation and administration services

MGL application support

Document preparation, policies, submission coordination and responses to queries

Technical and third-party work

Testing, certification or other work required for your platform

Annual renewal

Recurring license, compliance and company-maintenance charges

The license fee includes five URLs; more URLs cost extra.

Platform subscriptions, game content, payment-provider fees, staffing and working capital also affect the launch budget; price them separately from the licensing service.

Optional services, quoted per engagement, include:

  • director services where appropriate;

  • power of attorney;

  • payment agent company;

  • bank account setup.

To receive a cost breakdown, send us:

  • your target countries;

  • products;

  • company jurisdiction;

  • number of domains;

  • platform details.

We can then scope the licensing work and extra services you need.

What taxes apply under a Tobique gaming license?

A Tobique license does not determine the operator's complete tax position. Assess licensing charges, any applicable gaming taxes and company taxes separately for the proposed structure.

Operators remain responsible for tax obligations in their company's country of incorporation and wherever management or activities create other liabilities.

We can scope the company-formation work alongside the licensing application, so we assess the structure before you commit to it.

How long does it take to get a Tobique gaming license?

We use 1 to 3 months as a planning estimate from the start of company and document preparation to license issuance for a prepared project. This is not a guaranteed launch date. Missing documents, complex ownership or extra review can extend the period.

DLAG describes a typical application period of 2 to 3 weeks after pre-approval, with some cases taking up to eight weeks. That period starts later than our preparation estimate.

Payment onboarding, supplier agreements and technical work also need to be ready before the business can launch.

Which countries are restricted under a Tobique license?

DLAG's published guidance identifies the UK, USA, New Brunswick and countries it describes as “FATF sanctioned” as restricted. Operators must block access and registration from restricted territories and follow the current conditions applicable to their license. DLAG's current Restricted Jurisdictions list names 21 jurisdictions, including China, Israel, Russia, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela. New Brunswick is the only Canadian province on it.

This restriction list is not a list of countries where gambling is permitted. Operators must also assess the local laws of every target market. A Tobique license does not replace required local authorization, including for regulated Canadian provincial markets.

How do I renew a Tobique gaming license?

The Tobique gaming license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to maintain operational status. Start renewal before the license expires so operations are not interrupted.

TGC and DLAG publish no renewal checklist. We prepare the renewal file around:

  • proof of financial stability;

  • compliance confirmation covering AML, CTF, anti-fraud, and any crypto policies;

  • evidence that you still follow player-protection and responsible-gambling rules;

  • notification of changes in ownership, directors, major shareholders or the approved operation.

Under the General Code of Practice, changes of ownership or directors also trigger fresh KYC and CDD during the year. The renewal submission and fees depend on the current requirements and your license conditions. We quote renewal support and annual company maintenance separately from the initial application. Renewal still depends on review and on meeting the applicable conditions.

How does a Tobique license compare to other gaming licenses?

Choose the comparison that matches the decision you are making:

If your shortlist is broader, we also assist with an Anjouan gambling license, a Curaçao gambling license or a Malta gaming license. We assess each against the same countries, products and provider requirements before proposing an application.

FAQ

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It does not replace local authorization. DLAG lists the UK, USA and New Brunswick among its restrictions; other markets require their own legal assessment. Do not treat the license as nationwide Canadian market access.

DLAG permits cloud-based infrastructure without a physical server presence in Tobique. Company eligibility, management and compliance arrangements are separate questions in your application.

Acceptance varies by provider. Confirm the proposed company, countries, products and payment flows with the providers you intend to use. Payment setup can be part of our engagement.

We assess the proposed company jurisdiction alongside the licensing and payment requirements. An existing company may be suitable; a new company can be incorporated where needed. Confirm eligibility before paying formation costs.

Both are First Nation frameworks in Canada, with separate regulators and procedures. Kahnawake's interactive gaming framework dates to 1999; Tobique's to 2023. Hosting arrangements and fee structures also differ.

You risk losing the authority to operate under that license. Arrange renewal before expiry and follow any instructions from the licensing team; payment alone does not guarantee renewal.

The Tobique licensing process takes an estimated 1 to 3 months from preparation to license issuance, depending on the completeness of documentation and the review. This is our planning estimate.

Yes. The company must meet the tax obligations arising from its structure and activities. Assess those separately from license and compliance charges.

Yes. The B2C category is intended for online operations such as casino and sports betting, within the approved activities and market restrictions.

Tobique license holders must follow AML, KYC, and CFT rules and assign compliance responsibility. They must also provide RNG and platform testing evidence and submit regular compliance reports. These duties continue after approval.

DLAG describes the B2C license as covering all verticals, including casino, sports betting, poker, bingo and virtual sports. Lottery and game of skill products have their own license types under the Act, so confirm their scope first. Disclose the proposed products; physical-prize raffles are excluded by DLAG's guidance.

The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to maintain operational status.

Get a Tobique gaming license with MGL

Tell us about your casino, sportsbook or B2B business, its target markets and current stage. We will scope the company, document preparation, application support and any extra services your project needs. Your proposal will set out the work, estimated schedule and cost breakdown.