Gambling advertisement rules for print media
Fresh rules were released on May 29, 2025.
2mon agoHillary BettInfographics
Gambling operations in Kenya will be henceforth be under the Gambling Regulatory Authority, that replaces the Betting Control and Licensing Board, after President William Ruto signed a new law.
The new legislation come into force after parliament concluded deliberations on the long-awaited 2023 Gambling Control Bill, now Act.
The Act will now overhaul the country’s gambling framework with new safeguards and regulatory structures aimed at balancing economic gains with public protection.
Over the past few years the government has been pushing for regulations with the main aim of raising revenues from gambling activities.
However lawmakers have now been raising alarm over the growing gambling addiction among Kenyan youth.
The legislation, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, was first introduced in October 2023.
After a back-and-forth process between the National Assembly and Senate—including mediation to resolve differences, both Houses approved a reconciled version in July 2025.
“The National Assembly considered and rejected the Senate’s amendments on 16th January, 2025, which essentially committed the Bill to a Mediation Committee,” the brief reads in part.
“The National Assembly and the Senate, respectively, considered and approved the version of the Bill proposed by the Mediation Committee on 31st July, 2025, and 23rd July, 2025, respectively, thereby concluding the bicameral consideration of the Bill.”
The revised Gambling Control Bill aims to introduce a comprehensive legal framework for regulating betting, casinos, lotteries, prize competitions, and media promotions in Kenya.
Recognizing gambling as a shared function between the national and county governments, the Bill outlines distinct but concurrent responsibilities for each level of government.
If approved by the president, the Bill will repeal the existing Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, which has governed the sector for decades.
However, provisions relating to gambling taxes—such as betting tax, lottery tax, gaming tax, and prize competition tax—will remain in force until replaced by future legislation, ensuring no revenue gaps arise.
With gambling taxed at 15 per cent of gross revenue, the Bill identifies the sector as a source of critical government funding.
These funds are directed to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, which supports cultural initiatives, sports, and social development.
The betting industry has become a surprise economic powerhouse, beating tax targets and boosting government revenues amid broader economic headwinds.
New data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) shows excise duty from betting hit Sh13.2 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, surpassing the Sh11.3 billion target. This marks a sharp rise from Ksh10.6 billion the previous year.
Separately, betting tax revenue totaled Sh5.7 billion, also exceeding projections with a 103.7 per cent achievement rate, driven by 22 per cent year-on-year growth.
KRA attributed the gains to enhanced digital integration of betting firms’ systems with its own infrastructure—allowing real-time monitoring of transactions.
“This has enhanced compliance, transparency, and effective collection,” said Rispah Simiyu, Commissioner for Large and Medium Taxpayers.
In July 2025, excise duty on betting was reduced from 15per cent to 5 per cent, with taxation shifting from wagers to deposits.
A section of the lawmakers have also been pushing for the revision of legal betting age.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi had in July 31 called for the introduction of an age limit for gambling, similar to that applied to alcohol consumption.
“We need to build an age limit on gambling in Kenya. Just the way we’ve done with alcohol — that 21 age limit should also apply here,” Elachi said.
She further suggested increasing the minimum amount required to place a bet as a deterrent.
