Key points:
- Kenya’s regulator – BCLB – has placed a 30-day ban on gambling advertising
- The ban is effective as of 29 April 2025
- This action comes amid rising concerns around the proliferation of gambling in the nation
Kenya’s Betting Control and Licencing Board (BCLB) has enforced a 30-day ban on gambling advertising in the nation – effective as of 29 April 2025.
Included as part of the prohibition are all forms of advertising pertaining to betting, gaming and lottery competitions – with BCLB Chairwoman, Jane Mwikali Makau, specifying that the rapid rise of gambling activities in the Kenya has sparked concern within the organisation.
More specifically, as part of her statement Makau has underlined an increase in intentionally misleading advertising practices by operators in the nation, citing that a key area of concern is the lack of restriction on watershed (5am-10pm) advertising activity leading to exposure of gambling advertisements to underage citizens.
As part of her full statement, Makau said: "In view of these occurrences, and pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 131, Laws of Kenya), the Betting Control and Licensing Board hereby orders the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for a period of 30 days with effect from the date of this statement.
“This directive applies to all licensed gambling operators and covers all forms of advertisement and promotional activity, including but not limited to; television and radio advertisements; social media platforms and print media (newspapers, magazines, flyers). All licensed gambling operators and promoters should implement comprehensive measures to promote responsible gambling practices, as per the licensing and operating conditions issued by BCLB.”
Good to know: A recent GeoPoll survey into gambling in Africa 2025 highlighted that South Africa and Uganda have both now overtaken Kenya with regard to gambling engagement statistics
This latest update falls in the wake of an order issued by the BCLB in 2022, which instructed gambling operators to cease their respective operations during the nation’s presidential election – an order which was ignored by many operators across the country.
