The Communications Authority in Kenya Gives Broadcasters Just 12 Hours to Pull All Gambling Ads Off Air or Face Licence Cancellations
Kenya – The Communications Authority (CA) has issued a stark 12-hour deadline for eight television stations and a media group to remove all gambling advertisements from their broadcasts in a decisive and forceful stance that could reshape the country’s broadcast industry.
The Authority warned that failure to comply within this timeframe could result in the cancellation of their broadcast licences.
The affected stations were each fined Sh500,000 ($3,900) for airing unlicensed gambling content—an act that blatantly contradicts multiple directives issued by the CA in recent weeks.
“Even with the directives to suspend advertising of all gambling-related content, a review by the Authority in the second week of May 2025 revealed the continued airing of such prohibited content by some broadcasters, in blatant disregard of sector laws and directives,” the statement from the CA read.
‘Sacred Swindle’
This crackdown follows an investigative report by NTV titled ‘Sacred Swindle: Inside the Gospel of Greed on Kenya’s Airwaves,’ which uncovered how some televangelists have been covertly promoting gambling under the guise of religious preaching. The report detailed “faith raffles” and cash competitions disguised as divine blessings.
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One pastor, featured in the exposé, revealed he could earn as much as Sh700,000 ($5,460) daily from followers who believed they were sowing seeds of faith.
The CA initially identified 33 broadcasters on March 13 and issued a general advisory on April 23. However, with continued non-compliance, the regulator has escalated its actions from warnings to sanctions.
“Consequently, in line with Section 83A of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, the Authority instituted a notice to issue a penalty of Sh500,000 to eight (8) non-compliant broadcasters for airing unlicensed price competition promotions, with a 12-hour ultimatum to cease all non-compliant broadcasts or face additional sanctions, including license revocation,” the CA stated.
As the 12-hour deadline approaches, all eyes are on Kenya’s airwaves to see if broadcasters will heed the warning and comply with the directives, or face severe consequences.
