NAIROBI, Kenya – August 8, 2025: Kenya has officially established the Gambling Regulatory Authority, a new body replacing the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). This change follows President William Ruto’s signing of the long-awaited Gambling Control Act, 2025.
The law comes after both the National Assembly and Senate resolved differences in the 2023 Gambling Control Bill. They approved a final version in July 2025. This ends years of debate over how best to manage the fast-growing betting industry in Kenya.
“The Bill balances revenue generation and public protection,” said Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who sponsored the legislation. (Source)
Overhaul of Kenya’s Gambling Laws
The new law replaces the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, which had been in place for decades. Kenya’s gambling sector had outgrown the old framework, which lacked adequate tools to regulate online betting and digital platforms.
The new law introduces detailed rules for lotteries, casinos, prize competitions, media promotions, and sports betting. Importantly, it splits responsibilities between the national and county governments. This shared approach should improve local enforcement.
According to the Kenya Gazette, counties will now participate in licensing and oversight. This change is expected to reduce illegal gambling operations.
Concerns Over Youth Gambling
While the law aims to boost tax revenues, lawmakers are also concerned about increasing gambling addiction. In particular, the trend has become widespread among Kenyan youth.
On July 31, 2025, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi proposed raising the legal gambling age to 21, mirroring laws governing alcohol. She said,
“Just like with alcohol, we need an age limit for gambling.” (Source)
This proposal is gaining support across party lines.
Revenue Windfall for Government
The gambling industry is now a major source of public revenue. According to a KRA report, excise duty from betting hit Ksh13.2 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This was well above the Ksh11.3 billion target.
In addition, betting tax revenue climbed to Ksh5.7 billion, achieving a 103.7% target completion rate. These gains were driven by better digital integration between KRA and betting platforms.
“Real-time monitoring has improved transparency and compliance,” said Rispah Simiyu, KRA’s Commissioner for Large and Medium Taxpayers.
Excise duty on betting was reduced from 15% to 5% in July 2025. At the same time, the taxable base shifted from wagers to deposits. This change is meant to simplify collections and encourage legal participation.
Safeguarding Public Welfare
Despite the revenue benefits, the law puts strong emphasis on protecting the public. The new Gambling Regulatory Authority will have more power than BCLB. It will regulate licensing, monitor compliance, and manage disputes.
The authority will also work with counties to ensure fair enforcement. This coordination is critical, as some gambling activities operate at the grassroots level.
According to analysts, this structure may reduce illegal betting centers, which often target low-income communities. Learn more about these efforts in our report: Inside Kenya’s Youth Betting Crisis
Looking Ahead
The law maintains existing gambling taxes such as betting, lottery, and gaming taxes. These will remain in force until Parliament passes a new tax law.
Funds raised from these taxes go to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, supporting cultural, sporting, and social initiatives.
Experts say this new framework could make Kenya a regional model for responsible gambling.
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