The National Police Service (NPS) has announced plans to take serious action against unregulated and illegal betting companies operating in the country.
This follows rising concerns over the negative impact of betting on young people, with authorities preparing for a wide-scale crackdown to eliminate unlawful gambling practices.
According to the NPS, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the move is in response to a sharp increase in unethical betting behaviors, particularly those exploiting the youth.
The police noted that the betting industry has become a major concern due to the massive amount of advertisements that now dominate TV, radio, social media, and even outdoor spaces, all of which are influencing vulnerable groups, especially young people.
“Over the past few months, we have observed with great alarm the steady increase in betting activities across the country.
These activities have been heavily promoted through endless advertisements in the media, which has had a dangerous effect on our youth,” the NPS said in an official statement.
The statement went further to warn that tough legal action will be taken against anyone found operating without proper licenses or trying to avoid regulation.
This includes members of illegal betting syndicates and those who create unauthorized betting platforms to dodge oversight.
The DCI pointed out that the problem has been made worse by how easily betting has been combined with mobile money platforms and online loan services.
This easy access has made gambling almost effortless, encouraging the rapid spread of the habit.
As part of the crackdown, the DCI assured the public that it will fully support the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), which recently announced a nationwide suspension of all gambling advertisements across every type of media.
The DCI also urged the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) and other players in the betting industry to take responsibility and promote honest and ethical betting practices that do not harm society.
On Tuesday, BCLB Chairperson Jane Mwikali confirmed that the suspension of gambling advertisements will last for 30 days.
The ban covers all licensed gambling companies and any form of advertising or promotion, including television and radio ads, social media content, printed newspapers and magazines, billboards, branded vehicles, SMS and email campaigns, push notifications, celebrity endorsements, and influencer marketing.
During the 30-day suspension, all betting and gambling companies must submit their advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for screening and approval before they can be shared with the public.
They will also be required to implement stronger measures to promote responsible gambling in line with the licensing and operating rules set by the BCLB.
Meanwhile, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has been asked to speed up the finalization of new advertising rules aimed at better controlling gambling promotions in the media sector.
The NPS concluded by calling for joint efforts from all sections of society—including the public, civil society organizations, and private sector players—to join hands in the fight against harmful gambling practices.
Their goal is to create a safer, well-regulated betting environment that protects all citizens, especially the youth.
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