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Post Reply: Parliament Passes Gambling Control Bill with Strict Penalties to Curb Addiction

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on July 24, 2025, 8:00 am</div><div id="pl-7195"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7195-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7195-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7195-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="0 0 []">The National Assembly has passed the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, marking a significant overhaul of the country's gambling regulations. The legislation, which received approval from both the National Assembly and the Senate, introduces stringent measures aimed at addressing the rising tide of gambling addiction, protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, and cracking down on illegal gambling practices. The bill seeks to promote responsible gambling while imposing heavy fines and jail terms for violations, signaling a major shift in how gambling is conducted, advertised, and regulated in Kenya.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Gambling Control Bill introduces a range of measures designed to mitigate the harmful effects of betting and ensure that gambling operators adhere to strict standards. Among the most notable provisions is a ban on using celebrities or public service vehicles, such as matatus, to promote gambling. This restriction aims to reduce the influence of gambling advertisements, particularly on young people who are often swayed by celebrity endorsements or frequent exposure to betting promotions in public spaces.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Additionally, the bill prohibits billboard advertisements for gambling near schools and other learning institutions to shield children from exposure. It also bans misleading advertisements that portray gambling as a viable source of income, a practice that has fueled unrealistic expectations and contributed to addiction. All gambling advertisements must now include clear warnings about the addictive nature of gambling, urge players to gamble responsibly, and explicitly prohibit participation by children.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The legislation imposes strict time restrictions on gambling advertisements on television and radio, allowing them only between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, except during live sports broadcasts. Furthermore, 20 percent of all gambling-related advertisements must focus on promoting responsible betting, aiming to raise awareness about the risks of addiction. Media houses and gambling operators who fail to comply with these regulations face severe penalties, including fines of up to Sh20 million or imprisonment for up to seven years.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Gambling Control Bill grants significant authority to the Sports Cabinet Secretary to oversee which licensed gambling activities can be advertised and to regulate the content of those advertisements. This move is intended to ensure that only responsible and compliant gambling activities are promoted, reducing the risk of exploitation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bill also addresses the financial burden of gambling addiction on the government. It mandates that betting firms contribute to the rehabilitation of addiction victims, arguing that the government should not bear the cost of treating a problem created by the industry. This provision draws inspiration from frameworks in countries like the United Kingdom, where gambling companies are required to fund harm reduction initiatives. The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) emphasized that betting firms, which have generated Sh96.7 billion in government revenue since 2018, must take responsibility for the social harm caused by their operations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To enhance oversight, the bill proposes empowering the BCLB with advanced digital tools to limit gambling activity. One suggested measure would restrict individuals to placing only one bet per day across all platforms, aiming to curb excessive gambling. For example, if a person places a Sh50 bet on one site, they would be barred from placing additional bets that day. The BCLB also seeks greater enforcement powers, including the ability to impose fines on non-compliant operators and conduct field operations to monitor betting firms.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The passage of the Gambling Control Bill comes amid growing concerns about the gambling crisis in Kenya, particularly among the youth. The BCLB highlighted that gambling has shifted from a form of entertainment to a perceived source of livelihood, driven by economic hardships and unemployment. This trend has been exacerbated by the proliferation of illegal gambling websites, which operate without oversight and often exploit users by accepting deposits but refusing to pay out winnings. The board recently flagged 58 such websites and ordered their immediate shutdown, underscoring the need for updated regulations to address the digital nature of modern gambling.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The current legal framework, rooted in the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966, is considered outdated and ill-equipped to handle the complexities of today’s online betting industry. The BCLB has struggled with inadequate penalties, rapid technological changes, and budget constraints, limiting its ability to effectively regulate the sector. The new bill aims to modernize the regulatory framework, aligning it with the realities of a digitized gambling landscape.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Gambling Control Bill builds on recent efforts to tighten control over the gambling industry. In April 2025, the government imposed a 30-day suspension on all gambling advertisements across media platforms, including radio, television, social media, newspapers, billboards, SMS, and email campaigns. This ban also prohibited celebrity and influencer promotions and required all gambling ads to be submitted to the Kenya Film Classification Board for approval. A multi-agency enforcement team was established, comprising officials from the Ministry of Interior, Office of the Attorney General, Communications Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and other bodies, to develop long-term measures to promote responsible gambling.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Communications Authority has also taken action against non-compliant broadcasters. In May 2025, nine television stations, including Yahweh Media Services, were fined Sh500,000 each for airing unlicensed gambling promotions, with a 12-hour ultimatum to cease such broadcasts or face license revocation. Additionally, pay services for 23 television stations were suspended for violating advertising regulations by continuing to air betting content with on-screen payment details.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Gambling Control Bill has sparked varied reactions. The BCLB and government officials argue that the legislation is essential to protect vulnerable groups and curb the social and economic harm caused by gambling addiction. Committee Chairperson Dan Wanyama described the proposed reforms as critical and reasonable, noting that the bill could be finalized and assented to by the President soon after its passage.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, the Association of Gaming Operators-Kenya has criticized the government’s approach, particularly the blanket ban on gambling advertisements, arguing that it unfairly impacts licensed operators. Some digital creators have also pushed back against the new advertising guidelines, citing restrictions on their ability to promote betting content.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Public sentiment, particularly among religious communities, has been vocal. Renowned Muslim cleric Sheikh Salim Charo, Nairobi Region Coordinator of the National Muslim Leaders Forum, has called for a complete ban on gambling, describing it as a sinful and dangerous habit that leads to depression and financial ruin. He cited Islamic teachings, including Quran 5:90-91, which equate gambling to theft and prohibit it outright. Despite these prohibitions, many Muslim youths have joined the betting craze, highlighting the challenge of enforcing cultural and religious norms in the face of widespread gambling accessibility.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If signed into law, the Gambling Control Bill is expected to reshape Kenya’s gambling industry by introducing stricter controls on advertising, enhancing regulatory oversight, and holding betting firms accountable for addiction-related harms. The legislation reflects a broader effort to balance the economic contributions of the gambling sector, which has generated significant revenue, with the need to protect society from its adverse effects. As Kenya grapples with the challenges of a rapidly growing and increasingly digital gambling industry, the bill represents a critical step toward fostering a more responsible and regulated betting environment.</p>
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