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The new crypto Law in Kenya on online gambling marks a major shift for the country’s betting industry.
The new legislation regulates digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, closing offshore loopholes and creating a safer, more transparent market for both operators and players.
Kenya’s crypto law introduces digital oversight
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, sets a clear legal framework for crypto use in Kenya.
Passed by Parliament on October 13 and signed into law by President William Ruto on October 15, the bill regulates digital assets and the companies that manage them. It brings long-awaited clarity to Kenya’s gambling market, where many operators had relied on unregulated offshore crypto wallets to process payments.
The new law aims to increase transparency, strengthen consumer protection, and give legitimate operators a clear path to operate safely within Kenya’s legal framework.
Dual-regulator model for digital finance
Two agencies will share responsibility for licensing and supervision.
Under the new framework, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will license stablecoins and other virtual assets, while the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) will oversee crypto exchanges and trading platforms. This dual-regulator approach aligns Kenya with international best practices, promoting innovation while reducing fraud and money-laundering risks.
Finance Committee Chair Kuria Kimani said the reform could make Kenya
“We are hoping that Kenya can now be the gateway into Africa.”
Meanwhile, CMA acting CEO Wyckliffe Shamiah stated that:
“By licensing and supervising virtual-asset platforms, we will be able to safeguard investors, promote transparency and curb money laundering risks.”
New compliance standards for betting operators
Gambling companies face stricter KYC and anti-money-laundering requirements.
For licensed gambling operators, Kenya’s new crypto law introduces tighter Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) checks on all crypto transactions. Although compliance costs are expected to rise, analysts say the reform gives the sector legitimacy and builds player trust.
The CBK supported the new law, viewing it as a step toward reinforcing financial stability. Analysts predict the reform will also phase out offshore crypto channels previously used to bypass banking oversight.
For more on the country’s legal landscape, see gambling regulation in Kenya.
Kenya’s online gambling enters a new era
The law paves the way for a more accountable and transparent digital betting market.
Although the legislation covers the wider crypto economy, its impact on gambling is already evident. Operators are expected to adapt quickly to the new framework as Kenya positions itself as a digital finance hub.
As Kenya‘s new crypto law on online gambling takes effect, will stricter rules fuel sustainable growth, or slow down innovation in one of Africa’s fastest-growing gaming markets?
Source: Focus Gaming News
