The government has suspended all gambling advertisements and endorsements across all media platforms for a period of 30 days, citing a concerning rise in gambling addiction and the misrepresentation of betting as a viable investment strategy.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) — the regulatory body overseeing betting, gaming, and public lotteries — announced the sweeping ban, expressing alarm over the industry’s portrayal of gambling as a “shortcut to wealth.”
“Promoters are increasingly mischaracterising gambling as a legitimate investment opportunity and a shortcut to wealth creation,” said BCLB Chairperson Jane Makau.
She also raised the alarm over the increasing number of gambling ads aired during the watershed period (5:00 am to 10:00 pm), warning that such exposure is luring vulnerable populations, particularly minors, into gambling-related addiction.
“Of particular concern is the rampant airing of gambling advertisements during the watershed period… exposing vulnerable members of the population, particularly minors,” Makau noted.
Under the new directive, all forms of promotion — including TV and radio ads, social media posts, print materials, billboards, SMS alerts, email marketing, and push notifications — have been temporarily halted. Additionally, celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing of gambling products have also been discontinued.
During this suspension, all gambling operators and promoters must submit their advertisement materials to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for examination, classification, and issuance of an approval certificate and filming license before any resumption of advertising.
