Kenya’s gambling laws are currently in a state of flux. The industry was effectively unregulated until recently, but the government has now been taking steps to change that. A new gambling bill was introduced in parliament in late 2019, and was passed into law in 2020. The bill is imposing stricter regulation on the industry, and it has also introduced new taxes.
The current state of gambling in Kenya
With recent changes made to the gambling laws in Kenya, there are a number of legal casinos and other gambling establishments in the country.
Here’s what you need to know about the changes to Kenya’s gambling laws.
- There will be stricter regulation of the industry. Under the new gambling bill, all operators will be required to obtain a license from the government. Before, there was no such requirement, so anyone could set up a gambling business without any oversight. The licensing process will be overseen by a new regulator; the Betting Control and Licensing Board. The board will have the power to issue licenses, impose fines, and revoke licenses if necessary.
- There will be new taxes on gambling operators. The new bill has also introduced taxes on gambling operators. Before, there were no taxes on gambling in Kenya, so operators have been able to pocket all of their profits.
What types of gambling are legal and illegal in Kenya?
In Kenya, gambling is only legal if it is conducted through a licensed operator. There are three types of gambling licenses that can be issued in Kenya: sports betting, casino gaming, and lotteries.
Sports betting is the most popular form of gambling in Kenya, and there are many licensed operators offering this service.
Casino gaming is also popular, but there are only a handful of licensed casinos in the country.
Lotteries are not as popular as the other two forms of gambling, but they are still legal.
Proposed changes to gambling laws in Kenya
The changes to gambling laws in Kenya will have a significant impact on the industry, and will likely lead to an increase in gambling activity.
The changes will allow for more casinos and gaming facilities to be built, and will also allow for more online and mobile gambling options. This would provide more opportunities for people to gamble in Kenya.
The government has made recent changes to gambling laws in Kenya. The changes are designed to give better regulation and control over the industry, as well as provide more protection for gamblers.
