The Gambling Control Bill 2023, currently before parliament, establishes a new Gambling Regulatory Authority. Once approved, it will replace the current Betting, Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
The Kenya Gambling Control Bill 2023 aims to introduce a new Authority responsible for licensing and regulating various forms of gambling, including betting, casinos, prize competitions, public lotteries, and media promotions.
The bill aims to crack down on unlicensed and underage gambling by enhancing the board’s mandate and imposing stricter measures. Offences will now attract higher taxes and fines, and operators offering bets below KES20 will face a statutory fine of KES5 million.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits radios and TV stations from airing gambling advertisements between 6am and 10pm.
Under the Gambling Control Bill, licensed operators must have at least 30% shares held by Kenyan citizens and facilitate transactions through a Kenyan-registered bank. They must also provide either a bank guarantee or insurance security bond to cover any unlicensed gambling activity.
Casinos will be required to deposit KES20 million, while online sports betting and lotteries must deposit KES200 million. The new Gambling Authority will also oversee the licensing of all lotteries raising funds for charitable purposes, with a minimum of 30% of proceeds allocated to the promoted charitable cause.
Promoting an unlicensed lottery will result in a KES1 million fine or one year in jail. The bill also introduces a 15% tax on gross gambling revenue and imposes a monthly gambling levy determined by local counties.
This bill follows Kenya’s finance bill in 2022, which imposed a 7.5% tax on betting stakes and caused leading operators Sportpesa and Betin to withdraw their services.
