Government suspends gambling adverts for 30 days in move to tackle growing crisis
At the same time, the government has also formed a multi-agency team to craft stronger controls aimed at promoting responsible gambling and protecting the public.
All gambling advertisements have been suspended across the country for 30 days, following a directive by the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
At the same time, the government has also formed a multi-agency team to craft stronger controls aimed at promoting responsible gambling and protecting the public.
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“The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) hereby orders the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for thirty (30) days with effect from the date of this statement,” the statement read in part.
The decision comes in response to growing concern over the gambling crisis in the country and its negative impact on society.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Betting Control and Licensing Board said some promoters have been presenting gambling as a fast path to wealth, drawing in vulnerable groups, including minors.
“Some gambling promoters are increasingly mischaracterising gambling as a legitimate investment opportunity and a shortcut to wealth creation,” Jane Mwikali, the board’s chairperson, said.
Going further, the board said gambling has caused “devastating effects on individuals, families, and the broader community,” and highlighted the widespread airing of betting ads during hours when children are likely to be watching.
These activities include betting, lotteries, prize competitions, gaming, and related promotional content.
This ban covers radio and TV ads, social media, newspapers, billboards, SMS, email campaigns, and celebrity or influencer promotions. All licensed operators must stop these activities and submit any gambling ads to the Kenya Film Classification Board for approval. They are also required to comply with all relevant laws and take steps to promote responsible gambling.
“Submit all gambling advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for examination, classification, and issuance of a certificate of approval and filming license,” the statement said.
At the same time, a multi-agency enforcement team has been set up to come up with long-term measures to tackle irresponsible gambling.
The team brings together officials from several key government bodies, including the Ministry of Interior, Office of the Attorney General, Communications Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Film Classification Board, Media Council of Kenya, Financial Reporting Centre, and BCLB itself.
The team will be responsible for formulating policy recommendations and enforcement strategies to ensure that gambling practices are safe and regulated.
In addition, BCLB has put forward several proposals to strengthen regulation. These include asking the National Assembly to fast-track the Gambling Control Bill, urging the Media Council to finalise new content guidelines, and requesting the Communications Authority to block unlicensed foreign betting websites.
“The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is requested to undertake immediate measures to block and deactivate all foreign unlicensed gambling websites operating within the territory of the Republic of Kenya.”
Members of the public have also been asked to report any violations to either the police or BCLB directly.
All gambling firms, media outlets, digital platforms, and telecom providers have been urged to follow the ban and cooperate fully with the new enforcement team.
The government said it is committed to protecting the youth, restoring order in the gambling sector, and promoting responsible conduct.
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