Consent reached as regulator stops use of speed dial for betting firms

The Betting and Control Licencing Board has agreed not to use the "Speed Dial" feature on various internet browsers used to advertise betting, lottery and gaming activities.

The speed dial feature allows consumers to land on a betting company’s website with a single click.

In a consent adopted by the court, the board, the Attorney General and CS Information on Tuesday reached an agreement that settles only one of the contentious issues raised in the petition filed by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) last year.

The consent as adopted by Justice Lawrence Mugambi reads “That the betting control and licencing board does and is hereby directed that all gaming operators cease the use of speed dial feature forthwith.”

The judge said the consent shall serve as an order of the court.

Cofek in its petition argued that the feature exposed consumers, especially children to harmful practices through the advertisements.

It has been their case that the speed dial feature disregarded an ongoing campaign by the communications authority of Kenya which focuses on child online protection.

Cofek claimed that the betting board and other parties failed to regulate and ignored the regulation of advertisement hence posing a risk to consumers, especially children and youth.

“…that failure has led to the introduction, engagement and gaming of children and youths which has caused an addiction and other negative effects,” their papers read in part.

The organisation claims that the illegal use of the speed dial is being used for dissemination of information which poses a great risk to consumers.

The case will still be proceeding for hearing as Cofek challenges other issues among them an order to have CA switch off any or all internet browsers engaged in advertising of betting, gambling and similar advertising activities.

The hearing proceeds on May 9.