Gambling Regulations in Kenya

Kenya is a country in East Africa, with a widely varying geography, climate, and population. It is home to more than 40 million people and it is the 28th most populous country in the world. Kenya’s oldest city, Mombasa, was the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate, while Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. Kenya is a country famous for its diverse flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, high mountains, and dense forests. But our focus will not be Kenya’s beautiful nature, but its gambling industry and the legal framework surrounding it.

Kenya has been developing over the years, and so has been its gambling industry. This country has a long history of gambling, from traditional games, all the way to modern gambling activities. Let’s see how Kenya’s gambling regulations work in the rest of this article.

This article was updated on April 15th, 2026, and is based on information available at this time. Because regulations by nature are subject to change, one should consult with local experts for the most current information available pertaining to Kenya’s gambling laws.

Does Kenya Have Its Own Gambling License?

Kenya has its own gambling license, actually several of them. Under the Gambling Control Act of 2025, which fully overhauled the previous system, licenses are issued for various forms of gambling activities. There are several categories of licenses now recognized, including:

• Online Bookmakers (Sports Betting)

• Online and Land-based Casinos

• National and Public Lotteries

• Prize Competitions and Media Promotions

Sports betting remains extremely popular and these licenses are issued the most in Kenya. Under the new 2025 regulations, eligibility for a license now requires that at least 30% of the shares in the gambling company be held by Kenyan citizens. Additionally, online operators are now required to maintain a physical customer care center within the country and deposit a significant security bond (up to KES 200 million for online and lottery licenses) to ensure consumer protection and financial stability.

Who Oversees Gambling Regulations in Kenya?

As of late 2025, the regulatory body in charge of overseeing gambling regulations in Kenya is the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA). This body has replaced the long-standing Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). The GRA is a more powerful authority designed to modernize oversight, handle both national and online gambling licenses, and enforce real-time monitoring of all gambling transactions.

Kenya’s Gambling Laws

The original framework from 1966, known as the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act, was officially repealed and replaced by the Gambling Control Act of 2025. This new legislation was designed to address modern challenges, especially the rise of mobile and online gaming. These are the key parts of the current legislation:

• Licensing: All gambling businesses must be licensed by the GRA. The transition period for current operators to comply with the new regime concluded in February 2026.

• Regulatory Body: The GRA oversees the industry, conducting inspections, research, and ensuring anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.

• Taxation: Taxation remains a key pillar of the industry. Operators are generally subject to a 15% tax rate on gross gaming revenue (GGR). Additionally, recent finance laws have introduced taxes targeting betting-related deposits and withdrawals to further boost the country’s economy.

• Consumer Protection: The law strictly prohibits gambling for individuals under the age of 18. New regulations also impose strict advertising bans, prohibiting gambling ads on TV and radio between 06:00 and 22:00, and requiring that 20% of any advertisement be dedicated to responsible gambling messages.

• Penalties: The 2025 Act significantly increased penalties. Unlicensed gambling operations can now face fines of up to KES 50 million, while other serious breaches can lead to long custodial terms and fines up to KES 20 million.

Online Gambling in Kenya

Unlike in the past, online gambling in Kenya is now explicitly regulated and legal under the Gambling Control Act of 2025. The law has introduced specific licenses for online bookmakers, casinos, and lotteries. Operators must use approved gambling control systems that allow the GRA to monitor activities in real-time to prevent fraud and ensure player safety.

Kenyans love sports betting, so they often search for online sports betting sites. Majority of international websites that are licensed locally accept Kenyan shillings, allowing for seamless transactions via mobile money, which is the primary way Kenyans engage with these platforms.

Online casino games are also extremely popular. Players enjoy engaging with games like slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat. Online lottery has more fans than land-based versions due to larger jackpots and the convenience of mobile play.

Some of the top licensed online gambling sites operating in Kenya include:

• Mozzart

• 22Bet

• 1XBet

• MELBET

• Betika

Kenya’s Gambling Future

Kenya has successfully transitioned into a modern, enforcement-heavy regulatory era. By replacing the outdated 1966 laws with the Gambling Control Act of 2025, the government has strengthened its grip on the industry to ensure it is both profitable for the state and safe for the public. The focus for the future remains on the “real-time” monitoring of digital transactions and further tightening advertising and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) controls to protect the youth and the integrity of the financial system.