Regulated
Tobique First Nation is a First Nation located in New Brunswick, Canada (similar to Kahnawake). Tobique First Nation has the right to self-governance under section 35 (1) of the Canada Constitution Act, 1982. Tobique First Nation is the first Maliseet Nation to create a regulatory body to oversee all forms of gaming from its territory, including land based and online gaming.

The formation of the Tobique Gaming Commission (“TGC”) is empowered to issue licences to gaming operators and appoint a third-party direct licensee who is entitled to recommend the issuance of licences on behalf of Tobique. This sole and only direct licensee is Differentia Licensing Advisory Group Limited (“DLAG”)

Tobique`s aim is to become the global online gaming licensing jurisdiction of choice with a common sense nonbureaucratic approach. Legislation and guidance have been created by industry experts from the gaming community.

This new licensing jurisdiction commenced its online gambling licensing process in late 2023, when the first licence was granted in March 2024. See the Tobique Gaming Commission website for further details.

Market Size
Already since its launch only 3 months ago, Tobique is or has processed a growing volume of applications already numbering in the 20’s, compared with Anjouan’s total since 2005 of just 19. Following Softswiss’s Tobique licence announcement in April 2024 and the publication of its Gaming Act and Regulatory Regime, there has been increased interest and applications made by the supplier community, including major software and payment providers.

As this is largely an outward facing remote gaming jurisdiction, the size of the market in Tobique is not relevant, where over time its expected to be a major hub for outward facing remote gaming.

Competitive Landscape
Not relevant as this is largely an outward facing remote gaming jurisdiction.

Localisation
Not relevant as this is largely an outward facing remote gaming jurisdiction.

Top Key Attractions and Challenges
Attractions

• Full array of non-remote and remote gaming licences available, including B2B (voluntary), skill and social gaming
• A high standard of regulation in line with white listed jurisdictions and aligned with payment and other supplier risk controls, making onboarding with them faster and with confidence in the jurisdiction itself
• Efficient application process via an online portal with quick turnaround times
• Low application and ongoing fees (no taxes)
• No local presence requirements
• A risk based approach to target jurisdictions with restrictions in line with FATF black list and sanctioning
• Crypto currencies are accepted subject to suitable mitigation measures

Challenges

• Newly launched jurisdiction, so too early to compare with others