Inside Kenya’s Gambling Control Act, 2025: What It Means for Operators and Investors

iGaming Afrika January 28, 2026

4 minutes read

Kenya’s gambling industry has expanded rapidly over the past decade, fueled by widespread mobile money adoption, increased smartphone penetration, and aggressive digital marketing. What was once a niche, loosely regulated activity has evolved into a significant commercial sector with deep economic and social implications.

The enactment of the Gambling Control Act, 2025 represents the most comprehensive regulatory intervention the industry has experienced to date and marks a decisive shift in how gambling will be governed in Kenya. For operators and investors, the new law is not a routine legislative update. It fundamentally redefines licensing standards, regulatory oversight, and the role of technology in gambling operations. The Act signals a clear intention by the state to move the sector away from fragmented oversight toward a more structured, transparent, and enforceable regulatory regime.

In Issue 7 of iGaming AFRIKA Magazine, Brian Ondieki, Managing Partner at Octa88 iGaming Advisory, unpacks the implications of the Act and offers practical insights into what the new regulatory framework means for operators and investors navigating Kenya’s evolving gambling market.

Why the Old Law Was No Longer Fit for Purpose

For many years, gambling in Kenya was regulated under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, commonly referred to as Cap. 131. That law was enacted in a very different era, long before the emergence of online sportsbooks, digital casinos, jackpots, and cross-border gambling platforms. While Cap. 131 provided a basic licensing framework, it lacked the tools necessary to regulate modern gambling ecosystems, particularly those driven by technology. As online gambling grew, regulatory blind spots became increasingly evident, especially in areas such as platform oversight, consumer protection, and enforcement capacity. The Gambling Control Act, 2025 was introduced to address these shortcomings by replacing the outdated framework with a modern, comprehensive statute that regulates not only gambling operators, but also the systems and platforms that facilitate gambling activity. This shift reflects global regulatory trends and aligns Kenya more closely with international best practice.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority and Stronger Oversight

One of the most significant changes introduced by the Act is the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. The new Authority replaces the former Betting Control and Licensing Board and is designed to operate as a more autonomous and technically capable regulator. Its mandate extends beyond issuing licences and includes continuous supervision of gambling operations, enforcement, inspections, and oversight of responsible gambling measures. For the industry, this represents a move from reactive regulation to ongoing regulatory engagement, particularly in the digital space, where real-time oversight is increasingly critical.

A More Structured and Demanding Licensing Regime

Licensing under the new Act is clearer, more structured, and significantly more demanding. The law introduces distinct licensing categories for different gambling activities, including bookmaking, pool betting schemes, online gambling, casinos, and remote platform services. Applicants are required to demonstrate financial capacity, transparent ownership structures, tax compliance, and adherence to prescribed Kenyan ownership thresholds. Security bonds and capital requirements are expected to be materially higher than under the previous regime. While these requirements raise the barrier to entry, they also provide greater certainty and predictability for compliant operators and serious investors.

Technology Regulation Moves to the Forefront

Technology regulation is one of the defining features of the Gambling Control Act, 2025. For the first time, Kenyan law explicitly regulates online gambling platforms and remote technology providers. The introduction of remote platform authorization brings white-label providers, shared backend systems, and gambling software suppliers within the scope of regulatory oversight. These entities are now required to meet standards relating to system security, data protection, auditability, and regulatory access. This development significantly alters the operating environment for offshore and technology-driven gambling businesses that previously functioned with limited local supervision.

Advertising Controls and Responsible Gambling

Advertising and responsible gambling are central pillars of the new framework. The Act introduces tighter controls on gambling advertising, including restrictions on timing and content. Operators are required to include responsible gambling messaging and to implement safeguards such as self-exclusion mechanisms and robust age verification systems. Credit betting and misleading inducements are curtailed, signaling a shift away from high-intensity promotional strategies toward a more controlled and socially conscious market. These measures are intended to balance commercial activity with consumer protection and public interest considerations.

What the Transition Means for Existing Operators

The Act contains transitional provisions designed to manage the shift from the old regulatory regime to the new one. Existing licenses issued under the repealed law remain valid for a limited period, either until their expiry or until they are replaced under the new framework. However, existing operators are required to comply immediately with key operational provisions of the Act and must reapply for licenses within the prescribed transition period. In practice, this is likely to result in market consolidation, as smaller or undercapitalized operators struggle to meet the new financial, technical, and governance standards.

Implications for Investors

For investors, the Gambling Control Act, 2025 reshapes the commercial landscape. Compliance costs will increase, and speculative or short-term market entry will become more difficult. At the same time, the law offers improved regulatory clarity, reduced enforcement uncertainty, and stronger institutional oversight. These factors are particularly attractive to long-term investors seeking stable, well-regulated markets. Kenya remains one of Africa’s most commercially significant gambling jurisdictions, but the new framework clearly favors’ well-capitalized, compliance-focused participants.

A Market That Has Matured, Not Closed

Ultimately, the Gambling Control Act, 2025 should be understood as a signal of market maturity rather than market closure. While the law imposes higher standards and tighter controls, it also creates a more sustainable foundation for the industry’s future. Operators and investors who adapt early and invest in compliance, technology, and governance are likely to benefit from increased credibility and long-term opportunity. Kenya’s gambling market has not been shut down; it has entered a more disciplined and regulated phase of its evolution.

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