The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) on Thursday reported that the majority of betting and gaming firms have not complied with licensing requirements.
BCLB came to the conclusion after finalizing a report for the Financial year 2022/23 on the compliance status of licensing of the firms.
This is according to a statement released by the Ministry of Interior.
On May 31, the Interior CS Fred Matiang'i directed the Board to ensure that the betting and gaming firms have been cleared by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Financial Reporting Centre and the Interagency security team before being licensed to operate.
The firms were also required to have clearance from the Communication Authority.
The Board has so far directed that the firms' license applications will be considered upon resubmission of the relevant requirements.
It urged the firms to carry on any further consultations with the Board chairperson, Cyrus Maina.
BCLB was also directed to issue immediate blockage to mobile cash transfer numbers (pay bills) linked to betting and gaming companies operating illegally.
"The BCLB is to continuously monitor, identify and report to the Communications Authority of Kenya all unlicensed local and foreign betting and gaming websites for blockage of access," Matiang'i added.
He added that the measures are a bid to rid of any unscrupulous and unlicensed gaming and betting firms that have been fleecing customers and evading tax.
