Gambling Laws in Kenya – A Growing Industry
Since the 60s, gambling has been legal in Kenya, but it was not until recently that the industry experienced a massive boom in popularity and profits. With the advent of the internet, new laws are being drafted and approved, and our blog aims to guide you through the complex world of gambling laws in Kenya. Read on to learn more and use the quicknavi below to navigate through this blog:
Past and Present of Kenyan Gambling Laws
Kenya is one of the first African countries to legalise gambling, with the colonial government establishing the Gambling Ordinance Law in 1952. It would also introduce a gambling tax in Kenya in 1963, and a proposal was made to legalise all forms of gambling.
That led to the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act in 1966. It established the Betting Control and Licensing Board, which regulates and licenses all gambling activities in Kenya. Following this, more than 30 gambling establishments were created across the country. Slowly but surely, the gaming industry began to thrive in Kenya.
However, as the years passed and more and more casinos and online roulette sites in Kenya began to appear, the Kenyan gambling laws had to be updated. Although there are no concrete online gambling laws in Kenya, the BCLB began issuing online gaming licences in 2011 and set up a defunct state online gambling site.
In 2019, a new Gambling Bill was proposed to replace the BLGA, establishing new provisions for online gaming and updating some old ones. Most notably, it would replace the BCLB with the National Gaming Authority and impose new regulations on online gambling sites.
Other notable features include the creation of a National Lottery, stricter fines, imprisonment penalties, and the creation of the Gaming Appeals Tribunal to resolve any disputes. However, it also introduced some controversial aspects, such as raising the minimum bet limits to KES50 to combat gambling addiction and making all foreign operators set up a physical presence with servers in Kenya.
There has been no news regarding this new legislation, so the original act remains. We will keep you updated on any changes in Kenya’s gambling laws. In the meantime, you must note that the legal gambling age in Kenya is 16 for lottery and 18 for all other forms of gambling. Kenya-based companies have to pay a 30% tax on gross gaming revenues, while foreign ones have a 37.5% tax.
The New Nairobi County Laws and Gambling Tax in Kenya
The Kenyan government introduced a new Finance Bill in 2022 with a controversial gambling tax in Kenya. Previously, it planned to adopt a 20% excise duty on stakes and prizes but lowered it to 7.5% after major operators began leaving the market. This finance bill affects wagers, prizes from competitions and the lottery by planning to raise the tax to 20%. However, horse racing is exempt from the gambling tax in Kenya.
I believe something must be done to curtail the hours spent in these establishments by our youth if we are to secure our future as a county. Waithera Chege, Nairobi County Assembly Member
Another controversial gambling law in Kenya comes from Nairobi County as it attempts to combat gambling addiction among young people. In recent years, it has been discovered that 76% of the population, mostly people between 17-35 years old, participate in gambling. As such, the Nairobi County government aims to impose strict regulations in the city to help ensure that young people are safe and productive.
These measures include making all operators exist only in five-star hotels, operating only from 8 pm to 6 am, including through mobile apps, banning advertisement between 6 am and 10 pm and having all operators use only cashless forms of payment. If approved, this new act could severely impact the gambling industry in Kenya, especially in Nairobi.
It should be noted that each county can regulate gambling within its territory, provided it complies with federal law. As such, you should always stay up to date with the laws to ensure the best possible experience. Punishment for illegal gambling, such as unlicensed gambling or illicit advertising, involves strict fines and imprisonment.
Legal Gambling Options in Kenya
Despite the current complex situation, you can be certain that every form of gambling is legal in Kenya, provided the operator you are playing at has a valid licence from the Betting Control and Licensing Board. Although there are no specific online gambling laws, players can still enjoy local and offshore online casinos.
In the following paragraphs, we will go into more detail on some of the more popular forms of gambling. This will help you better understand the laws on online gambling and land-based gambling in Kenya. Use the table below to find your preferred games:
Sports and Pari-Mutuel Betting Laws in Kenya
Sports betting is one of the oldest and most popular legal forms of gambling in Kenya. Since it was legalised with the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act in 1966, fans could place bets at many sportsbooks across the country. When online gambling was fully legalised, players could also play at the best betting sites in Kenya.
Football is the most popular sport, followed closely by basketball and baseball. However, eSports have also been gaining popularity, with games such as Starcraft, FIFA and Overwatch. Lastly, Kenyan gambling laws also allow for pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. Horse racing is also exempt from the gambling tax in Kenya. Below, you can learn more about the only horse racing track in Kenya:
| 📛 Name: | Ngong Racecourse |
| 📍 Location: | Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya |
| 🏇 Events: | 25 Race Meetings Annually, Kenya Derby |
| 🏢 Operator: | Jockey Club of Kenya |
| 🏁 Race Dates: | Every Other Sunday |
| 🏗️ Established: | 1954 |
| 🍗 Other Amenities: | Restaurants |
Whenever you wish to place bets on local or international sports and horse racing events, you can do so through various operators. One of the most popular local sportsbooks, SportPesa, has been around since 2013 and even offers an online website. Players can also access it through mobile and participate in various promotions.
Offshore sports betting sites are also legal, although you must be careful when playing at them. Always make sure reputable authorities license them, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. Those looking for something unique can also try daily fantasy sports at dedicated sites.
Online Casinos in Kenya
Thanks to the excellent internet speed, mobile casino sites and payment methods, online gambling has quickly become a very popular form of gambling in Kenya. Although there are no specific laws on online gambling in Kenya, the BCLB has issued online gambling licences since 2011. As such, Kenya is incredibly lax when compared to online gambling laws in different countries.
Rest assured, the selection of games is equal to some of the best international casinos. Aside from innovative slot machines, including some popular classics, players can enjoy various table games, such as roulette, blackjack and more. There are also fun virtual sports games, live casinos, and video poker. Whatever your preferences, you can certainly find a decent selection of games.
The best experience for Kenyan players is at the local online casinos, as the BCLB fully licenses them. However, as most online sites are for sports betting only, players can also try offshore casino sites. While there are no restrictions for using these sites, you must check if they are licensed by reputable gambling authorities to ensure a safe online gaming experience.
Land Based Casinos in Kenya
Players who want the authentic casino experience can enjoy one of the 30 land-based casinos that appeared soon after the 1966 Kenyan gambling law. Twenty of these casinos are located in Nairobi, and they offer an experience similar to the best Las Vegas casinos.
The casinos offer several excellent games with slot machines from popular developers, such as EGT and Novomatic. Aside from blackjack and baccarat games, players can also find plenty of excellent poker variants, such as 5-Card Draw and Texas Hold’em poker. Sometimes, you may even be able to participate in poker tournaments.
Whenever you need a break from the casino games, land-based casinos also have plenty of amenities, such as restaurants and bars. You can even find special promotions and jackpots at the popular ones, such as Casino Flamingo. The gambling laws in Kenya are certainly favourable for fans of land-based casinos.
Bingo and Lottery Opportunities in Kenya
Fans of bingo can enjoy this popular gambling game at bingo parlours in Kenya. Additionally, the Kenyan gambling laws allow you to play online bingo games at your favourite online casino sites. Remember always to check if they are licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
While there is no national lottery, players can participate in various local lotteries. The online gambling laws in Kenya also allow casinos to feature international lotteries. That is why checking for valid licences from the BCLB, and other gambling authorities is essential before jumping into a game. Below, you can find some of the games available at these sites:
- Greece Keno
- All or Nothing Texas
- South Africa Powerball
- UK Free Lottery
- Cash4Life
- South Africa Daily Lotto
According to the 2019 Gaming Bill, a National Lottery will be implemented if accepted. Part of the revenue from this new lottery will be used for the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for various good causes in Kenya. You can enjoy the online lotto games at your preferred online casino until then. Remember to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed.
Future of Gambling in Kenya
The Kenyan gambling laws have a long and varied history, from the full legalisation of gambling in 1966 to the recently planned restrictions. As the market continues to grow, updates and changes become more necessary. Better regulations for responsible gambling, provisions for online casinos and the establishment of a national lottery seem to be incredibly important.
It is unclear how the market will look in the future, especially if some of these new restrictions pass. That is why it is important to keep up to date with the gambling law in Kenya. If you wish to compare Kenya to other African markets, you can check out the top South Africa roulette sites and the best online roulette casinos in Nigeria.
Gambling Laws in Kenya FAQ
Before wrapping up our blog on the gambling laws in Kenya, we will answer all your pressing questions. The situation is somewhat complicated, so, understandably, you may require extra explanations. Learn more about the relevant gambling authorities and the most important aspects of the Kenyan gambling regulations.
