Govt orders pay service suspension for 23 TV stations over illegal betting ads
In a letter addressed to the Communications Authority of Kenya dated May 5, 2025 and copied to Safaricom and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, BCLB directed immediate action against the offending media houses.
The government has intensified its crackdown on illegal betting promotions by ordering the suspension of pay services for 23 TV stations accused of violating advertising regulations.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) says the stations defied a 30-day suspension and continued airing betting content with on-screen payment details, urging viewers to take part in the promotions.
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In a letter addressed to the Communications Authority of Kenya dated May 5, 2025 and copied to Safaricom and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the board directed immediate action against the offending media houses.
Safaricom has been instructed to disable all paybill and till numbers linked to the 23 stations.
“Following the Board’s recent press statement announcing a 30-day suspension of betting advertisements, it has come to our attention that several media outlets continue to run unauthorised betting promotions,” BCLB said.
Among the affected stations are Tohanchane TV, Favour Life TV, Wave Time, Yahweh TV, Goodwill TV, Massa TV, JCDH TV, Swahili TV, Humble Touch, Deliverance TV, Moja One, Ngumbao TV, Naivera TV, Nyumba Ito, Aviation TV, Kameme TV, Repower, Happy TV, Jawabu TV, Maajabu TV, Madhabahu TV, Michezo TV, and Venus TV.
The board said it had been closely monitoring TV and radio broadcasts and found that the listed stations were still airing betting content despite the suspension.
“These violations include displaying payment details on screen and urging viewers to participate in promotions for a chance to win,” the statement said.
The board has now called on the Communications Authority of Kenya to take swift enforcement measures.
“In light of these breaches, we urge the Communications Authority to take immediate action against the non-compliant media houses as per your mandate,” it stated.
The directive is part of wider efforts by the government to regulate betting activities and protect consumers from unauthorised and unregulated gambling content.
The board has also involved law enforcement, seeking legal action against the promoters behind the stations.
“The board has determined that necessary measures must be taken against the listed TV stations, including their immediate shutdown,” read the statement.
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