Multiple African countries are experiencing booming betting and online casino markets. Kenya is one of them. A country that has a lot of enthusiasm for sports, Kenya has embraced the charms of online gambling combined with the rise of mobile use. Nation’s high rates of unemployment contributed to the attractiveness of betting and now we have a situation in which this is a dividing issue in the country.
Some argue that betting can be beneficial in the sense that it creates job opportunities and adds to the tax income. On the other hand, some consider betting to be a social problem and a bad influence on the population. Kenyan youth is particularly keen on sports betting, leading the way into addition as there are reports that indicate that Kenya spends the most money on betting out of all African countries.
The Legal Status of Gambling in Kenya
Despite what most people would expect, Kenya’s gambling market is rather well-regulated. Currently, the country has legalized land-based casinos, virtual casinos and mobile casinos. The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act was passed in 1966 – before that, any form of gambling was considered illegal. If we look at the effects of the lenient gambling laws on the country’s economy, it is evident that the effects are positive. As much as 20% of lotteries, raffles and gambling revenues go to the tax fund.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board is responsible for regulating the gambling industry in Kenya. This regulatory body is in charge of issuing licenses to casino operators and regulating virtual casinos, making sure they offer fair gambling environments for Kenyan players. While there are no domestic online casino sites in the country (meaning Kenyan players mostly visit offshore gambling sites), there are several virtual sportsbooks endorsed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
What the Future Holds for the Kenyan Gambling Industry
In recent developments, the National Assembly approved the Finance Bill 2020 which discontinues the sports betting 20% tax. The National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee justifies this decision with the fact that such a high level of taxation led to punters placing bets on foreign platforms and thereby denied the government revenue. President Uhuru Kenyatta is now left to decide on whether the latest bill will be passed into law. According to the source from Onlinegambling24.com, further changes to the Gambling Act are expected to happen, and according to announcements, they should limit access to foreign betting sites for Kenyan punters.
