Kenya’s Gambling Control Bill is now ready for public review, with a Presidential task force beginning a tour of the country to make the public aware of its intentions. All relevant stakeholders will offer their views and opinions after the draft bill is published.
Public participation forums will then commence across all forty-seven counties (replacing eight provinces) and are the result of the new administrative structure of 2010.
The Implications of the Gambling Control Bill for the Gambling Industry in Kenya
There is no doubt that Gaming is a dynamic industry with changes happening daily, and as Kenya embraces technology, there is always an opportunity to embrace new products.
A spokesperson from JeffBet said, “This is a positive and welcome move by the Kenyan government. The implications for the Kenyan gambling market to generate increased revenue to fund worthwhile causes are commendable.
Having a solid, structured framework to move forward as technology advances can only be applauded, especially as it has the protection of all players, including minors.
The prevention of underage gambling cannot be taken lightly together with the protection of operators and, of course, the government itself, allowing the industry to grow more positively and responsively.’
The Reasons Behind Creating a new Gambling Regulatory Authority in Kenya
The main reason behind creating a new Gambling Regulatory Authority in Kenya is to protect minors and establish stricter regulations on online gambling. Taking over from BCLB (the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966).
There have been many amendments to the BCLB over the years, and now it has been determined that there is a need for a robust revamp of the whole Gaming situation throughout Kenya, which should increase participation in a structured and controlled way.
Kenya has a vibrant gambling community which contributes significant revenue to the country formed by the public lotteries who, together, formed the gambling industry in Kenya.
With around a hundred licensed bookmakers in Kenya and from that one hundred bookmakers, there are only around twenty that are active. Kenya also has around fifty land-based casinos.
It is hoped that the new Gambling Regulatory Authority will improve compliance with the rules and regulations set down, improving the whole gambling industry in the country.
What is the Main Objective of the Presidential (National Lottery) Task Force?
The main objective of the task force is to complete a comprehensive review on establishing a National Lottery, taking into account all best practices gleaned from other jurisdictions.
The task force is responsible for developing the policy and implementing the plan to assist and guide the establishment of the National Lottery through its operation in Kenya.
President William Ruto stated that his government established the task force to establish a national lottery, which is in line with BETA (Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda, “to increase the government’s revenue collection to help it deliver on the promises it made to the Kenyan citizens”.
The task force is semi-autonomous, which means it is supposed to generate revenue and have a critical infrastructure that comes up with regulations that reflect the current gaming situation in Kenya.
The task force is structured in two tiers, ‘The Steering Committee and the Technical Committee’, and comprises the following people. KCB Bank Group CEO Paul Russo, Joint secretaries Margaret Githaiga and Clinton Mwita. Principle secretaries, National Treasury, Interior, Social Protection, Culture and Heritage. The Solicitor-General (or a representative). A representative of the Council of Governors.
Who are the Members of the Presidential (National Lottery) Taskforce?
Billionaire Narendra Raval headed the steering committee of the National Lotteries task force and was appointed by President William Ruto. Raval's deputy is Gideon Thuranira, the Managing Director of Nairobi Web Space.
The task force’s steering committee consists of the following:
Anne Wakathiru Njenga, Judith Karigu Kiragu, Grace Kamau, Abdillahi K. Mutwafy and Jackline Chelangat Tonui.
The task force’s technical committee includes the following people:
Linda Musumba (Chair), Eric Aligula, Eric Korir, Collins Kiprono, Wanjiku Wakogi, Peter Mbugi, Geoffrey Malumbe, Fred Mbasi, Wilson Njenga, Catherine Ochanda and Murimi Murage
Conclusion
With outdated gambling laws, it can only be good for the country to implement a new, positive regulatory authority which will move forward with the advancement in technology that can only generate increased revenue for the Kenyan government, enabling it to fulfil further its promises made to its citizens regarding worthwhile causes.
