Kenya set to introduce new gambling regulations as 30-day ban on advertisements nears end.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has assembled a multi-agency team to review regulations governing betting and gaming companies. This move coincides with the nearing end of a month-long ban on gambling advertisements.

Board Chairperson Dr. Jane Makau expressed concern about the industry’s impact on the youth, emphasizing that the new guidelines will regulate betting activities, set time restrictions, and prevent underage participation. She stressed the need for unified action to curb gambling addiction and ensure operators comply with public consumption standards.

Read Also: What’s the True Value of Regulated Gambling in Kenya?

The review team comprises representatives from key government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Attorney General’s Office, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Film Classification Board, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Financial Reporting Centre. Their mandate includes restricting gambling near schools, minimizing children’s exposure, defining acceptable betting hours, and introducing financial thresholds for participation.

Sasa Krneta, Chairperson of the Association of Gambling Operators of Kenya (AGOK), affirmed that industry players support tighter regulations to promote responsible gambling. He emphasized the importance of ensuring bettors only wager amounts they can afford to lose and reaffirmed operators’ commitment to compliance and safeguarding community welfare.

Read Also: Kenya’s Regulator, BCLB, Launches a Nationwide Responsible Betting Campaign.

The BCLB recently imposed a temporary suspension on gambling advertisements across all media platforms. Dr. Makau explained that the ban, lasting 30 days, aims to streamline the sector while new guidelines take shape.

Meanwhile, legislators have raised alarms over allegations that some betting firms manipulate their systems to evade tax obligations, potentially defrauding the government of substantial revenue. During a parliamentary committee review of tax records, MPs questioned discrepancies in reported excise duty growth versus declining withholding tax on winnings.

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), tax collections from the betting and gaming sector in the current financial year (2024/25) have reached KSh 19.6 billion—an increase of KSh 2.53 billion compared to the previous fiscal period.

This regulatory overhaul signals Kenya’s commitment to tightening oversight in the gaming industry while balancing revenue collection with responsible gambling practices.

Read Also: Kenya Slips to 3rd, South Africa Leads in Gambling.