Equilex

Tobique Gambling License (Canada)

North American-issued online gaming licence from a Canadian First Nation sovereign authority, covering both B2C and B2B: 2-3 week approval, zero GGR tax, and a jurisdiction signal that aids PSP relationships. B2B providers need a separate TGC Software Licence

Quick facts

Regulator / authority

Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC)

Best for

Operators seeking a North American licence with zero GGR tax and fast approval

Local presence

No physical presence required; registered agent recommended

Substance level

Low. No local entity, office or director required; registered agent recommended

Banking friendliness

Medium–High (Canadian First Nation sovereign backing aids payment relationships)

Who this is for

Best fit

  • Operators seeking a credible North American-issued licence with zero GGR tax
  • Startups wanting the fastest path to a gaming authority recognised by mid-tier PSPs
  • Businesses targeting Tier 2–3 international markets who value a 'Canada' jurisdiction signal
  • Companies supplying white-label platforms or B2B services to online operators
  • Crypto-friendly operators who want a clear regulatory framework for fiat and crypto payments
  • Operators who want full vertical coverage (casino, sports, poker, live) from a single document
  • Businesses with strong compliance capacity ready for frequent reporting obligations

What you can do (scope)

  • Online casino — slots, RNG and live table games
  • Sports betting (fixed-odds and in-play)
  • Poker rooms
  • Bingo and keno
  • Lotteries and scratch cards
  • Table games (blackjack, baccarat, roulette)
  • Virtual sports

Requirements overview

Company & presence

IBC or LLC in any jurisdiction (no Canadian entity required); no physical office; registered agent recommended

Key persons / governance

Passport copies, CVs, bank references, source-of-funds statement, clean criminal record for all UBOs and directors; MLRO appointment mandatory

Capital / safeguarding / bonds

No minimum share capital and no paid-up capital requirement. The TGC does not set a capital floor. Licensees are required to segregate player funds from operational funds, and player funds must be held in a separate account.

AML/CTF baseline expectations

AML/CFT policy; KYC/CDD procedures; MLRO appointment mandatory; separate crypto AML policy where crypto payments are accepted

Reporting / audits

Bi-weekly player account reports; monthly compliance updates to TGC; suspicious transaction reports within 24 hours of detection; annual renewal submission with updated documents

Process (end-to-end steps)

Step 1: Eligibility check + scope mapping

Review intended activities, corporate structure, UBO profile; confirm restricted markets; assess reporting capacity (bi-weekly/monthly obligations)

Step 2: Entity setup / restructuring (if needed)

Use an existing IBC or LLC, or incorporate one; appoint the registered agent; confirm the MLRO appointment

Step 3: Documentation pack

Compile KYC dossier, AML/CFT and crypto AML policies, MLRO appointment letter, RNG certificate from TGC-recognised lab, platform technical documentation, domain list

Step 4: Application submission

The application is submitted online, with the full package of documents prepared in advance

Step 5: Regulator review + queries

Respond to TGC queries; typical review 2-3 weeks, up to 8 weeks in certain circumstances; all documents must be prepared in advance to achieve the fastest possible approval

Step 6: Licence issuance + go-live

Receive TGC licence certificate; implement bi-weekly reporting system; integrate responsible gaming tools; confirm geo-blocking for restricted markets

What's included in our support

  • Eligibility assessment and TGC fit analysis
  • IBC/LLC incorporation (if needed)
  • Full KYC & documentation pack preparation
  • AML, Responsible Gaming, and Crypto AML policy drafting
  • MLRO appointment coordination
  • RNG lab referral and certification coordination
  • Application filing and TGC liaison

FAQ

Typically 2-3 weeks from submission, and up to 8 weeks in certain circumstances — one of the fastest turnarounds in the iGaming licensing market. Preparing the full document package in advance is what keeps the review at the short end of that range

The first year costs EUR 63,000. This covers the licence fee including initial setup and the mandatory compliance backup service, initial annual compliance and due diligence fees, licence application and maintenance fees, the professional fee for application support, annual fees for ongoing regulatory, compliance and supervisory services, the annual corporate management fee, incorporation of the licence-holding company including its first-year registered agent and office fee, and government fees.

The Tobique licence is issued by the Tobique First Nation, a sovereign Canadian indigenous authority, giving operators a North American jurisdiction signal. This credibility, combined with zero GGR tax and a 2-3 week approval, makes it an unusually practical choice for operators ready to step beyond entry-level offshore licences

No. Operators can use an IBC or LLC registered in any jurisdiction. No Canadian company, Canadian director, or physical presence in Canada is required to hold a Tobique licence

Tobique sets more frequent reporting than most licences at this price tier. The full schedule is in the Requirements section above. Build the reporting workflow before launch rather than after: the obligations start from the day the licence is issued.

The Tobique licence covers fiat payments fully and accepts crypto as a payment method — but the licence does not extend to crypto gambling mechanics (e.g., blockchain provably-fair games). If using crypto for payment, expect enhanced AML scrutiny: full wallet traceability, blockchain analytics, and a dedicated crypto AML policy are required

Five URLs are included within the licence fee. Additional URLs can be added at further cost.

Yes. The base Tobique licence covers up to five domains under a single annual fee. Additional domains beyond five require an extended arrangement with the TGC. White-label sub-brands are supported as affiliated projects under the main operator's licence

Ready made

Tobique iGaming Licence·From EUR 80,000

The registration transfers with the company. The obligations attached to it start the day you own it.

See how we keep it compliant

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