The Kenyan government plans to abolish the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) and replace it with a more authoritative body. The proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority would take over the duties of the BCLB and replace the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966. The Presidential Taskforce on the Establishment of a National Lottery has recommended this change to create a new legislative framework, including the draft National Gambling Policy, the draft National Gambling Control Bill, and the draft National Lottery Bill. These drafts will be published on Monday before public participation sessions commence next month. The new legislation aims to offer better protection for minors and control online gambling more effectively.

In 2019, the Kenyan government enacted new regulations for sports betting companies that resulted in a significant increase in licensing fees and taxes. Consumers were also provided with greater protection, such as limits on betting amounts and frequency. As a result of these new regulations, numerous sports betting companies, including Betway, halted operations in Kenya. The combination of high costs and restrictions on betting made it difficult for companies to remain profitable.

An estimated 10 million people in Kenya participated in some form of gambling, with approximately 54% of sports betting customers aged between 18 and 24, according to a survey by Geopoll. In addition to regulatory changes, there were concerns about the negative social impact of sports betting on young people in the country, which resulted in calls for greater regulation and oversight of the industry.

Overall, the high licensing fees and taxes, restrictions on betting, and concerns about the social impact of sports betting prompted numerous companies, including Betway, to close their operations in Kenya.

Kenya Sports betting