Photo: Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, Chairperson, Betting Control and Licensing Board
NAIROBI, KENYA, 20th April 2025 – The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in Kenya has issued an important clarification regarding the current landscape of gambling in Kenya.
The letter, as seen by iGaming AFRIKA, outlines the Board’s commitment to proactively address rising public concerns surrounding gambling activities in the country, which some have labeled a “pandemic.”
The Board’s statement counters alarming media reports in the recent past claiming that Kenyans spent KES 766 billion on gambling in 2024, a figure that drastically misrepresents the actual figures from licensed operators.
The BCLB asserts this sensationalized figure may be misleadingly inflated by including unlicensed offshore platforms, ultimately distorting economic realities for policymakers and the public alike.
Related Articles
-
Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) Issues Mandatory Compliance Requirements for Aviator and Crash Games -
Read Also: Celebrating 2024’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa: Esther Argwings -
Insufficient Government Funding Hinders BCLB’s Ability to Fulfill Its Regulatory Responsibilities Effectively -
Celebrating 2024’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa: Jane Makau
In the letter, Dr. Jane Makau, the chairperson of the Betting Control and Licensing Board in Kenya elaborated, “In fact, taxes related to the gambling sector totalled KES 22.3 billion in FY 2023/2024. The industry directly employs over 10,000 Kenyans, supports over 500,000 livelihoods indirectly, and contributes substantial amounts to community projects under corporate social responsibility (CSR).”
To prevent gambling-related harm and safeguard the well-being of citizens, the BCLB has implemented a series of strategic measures, including:
- Establishing a functional complaints section that has received no suicide-related complaints to date.
- Running public sensitization campaigns to educate citizens on the potential risks of problem gambling.
- Strengthening advertising guidelines to prohibit youth-targeted promotions and enforce responsible gambling messages.
- Launching a digital monitoring platform to oversee licensed operators and swiftly sanction unlicensed sites.
The BCLB also highlighted its ongoing collaboration with health institutions to provide counseling and treatment options for those affected. “Revamping and launching a national self-exclusion program is vital for individuals to voluntarily bar themselves from all gambling services,” stated Dr. Makau.
As the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, progresses through the legislative process, the BCLB is poised to enhance protections against gambling-related harm. The Chairperson reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to “preserving the social and economic health of our communities.”
In the letter, Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, Chairperson of the BCLB, emphasized the critical nature of this discourse, stating, “The current gaming activities demand a united, multi‑sectoral response. This calls for continued industry collaboration, legislative reform, and public education.”