Quebec appeal court rejects Kahnawake Gaming Commission bid in Magic Palace case

Quebec's Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) in a dispute with the owners of Magic Palace, a shuttered gaming facility in Kahnawà:ke.

The commission had argued that provincial courts lack the power to weigh in on its regulatory decisions. The appeal court instead confirmed a November 2024 ruling by the Superior Court of Quebec, which found that provincial courts can review KGC decisions, The Eastern Door reported.

The KGC is a First Nations body established under the Kahnawake Gaming Law and is responsible for granting and revoking gaming licences. Magic Palace's owners, Stanley Myiow and Barry Alfred, are challenging the commission's actions against the venue in Superior Court.

Magic Palace, which operated as a poker house, was ordered to close on March 25, 2024 amid concerns that followed an investigation, CTV News reported at the time.

Injunction request refused

The owners have had less success on a separate front. On December 17, 2025, the Superior Court dismissed their request for an interlocutory injunction, a temporary order sought while the case is heard.

On February 20, 2026, the Court of Appeal refused them leave to appeal that ruling, according to a March 17 statement from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK). The council said the court found the plaintiffs had not met "the criteria required to obtain leave to appeal" and saw no apparent weakness in the lower court's reasoning.

According to the MCK, the Superior Court found the owners had not yet raised a serious issue to be tried over the council's right to end its royalty agreement with Magic Palace. The judge also found evidence that ownership had changed to a non-member of the community, which conflicts with the agreement's terms.

Next steps

The main case remains before the Superior Court and no trial date has been set. The MCK said it would not comment further while the matter is before the courts.