The Kenyan government, through the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), has suspended all forms of gambling advertisements across every media platform in the country.
This move comes in response to the growing concern over the rising rates of gambling and addiction, particularly among the youth and other vulnerable groups.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 29, BCLB Chairperson Jane Mwikali announced that the ban will remain in place for 30 days.
During this period, no gambling-related ads will be allowed on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, social media platforms, or outdoor displays like billboards.
The ban also includes branded vehicles, SMS promotions, email marketing, push notifications, celebrity endorsements, and influencer campaigns.
“The Betting Control and Licensing Board, in line with its legal duties under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 131, Laws of Kenya), hereby ORDERS the immediate halt of all gambling advertisements and promotional testimonials across all forms of media for thirty (30) days, starting from the date of this announcement,” the statement read.
BCLB expressed deep concern over the frequent airing of gambling adverts during the watershed hours — between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. — when children and minors are most likely to be exposed.
The board warned that such exposure is drawing more young people into gambling and leading to rising addiction rates.
It also clarified that the ban affects all forms of gambling including betting, gaming, lottery draws, prize competitions, and any related promotional campaigns.
During the suspension, all gambling companies and promoters will be required to submit any future adverts to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for approval before they can be aired or published.
In addition, the BCLB has directed these companies to put in place strict measures to promote responsible gambling.
These measures must align with the licensing and operational guidelines already issued by the board.
The board further emphasized that all licensed gambling firms must fully comply with all relevant laws and regulations that govern gambling and advertising in Kenya.
To help implement these new rules, the government has established a multi-agency enforcement team.
This team includes officials from several key government bodies, such as the Ministry of Interior, the Attorney General’s Office, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Kenya Film Classification Board, the Media Council of Kenya, the Financial Reporting Centre, and the BCLB itself.
Their task will be to come up with effective policies and recommendations that will help promote responsible gambling across the country.
Additionally, the BCLB has asked the Communications Authority of Kenya to shut down and block access to foreign gambling websites that are operating in Kenya without authorization.
“The government remains committed to protecting public health, especially the youth, promoting responsible gambling practices, and restoring integrity and accountability within Kenya’s gambling industry,” the statement continued.
The board has also called on the National Assembly to speed up the passage of the proposed Gambling Control Bill. This legislation is expected to strengthen the legal framework around gambling activities and offer better regulatory oversight.
At the same time, the Media Council of Kenya has been asked to quickly finalize and implement new guidelines that will regulate how gambling content is presented in the media.
Lastly, the public is encouraged to report any illegal gambling operations or suspicious activities to the BCLB or to the nearest police station.
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