Betting Illustration.The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has established a multi-agency enforcement team to strengthen responsible gambling practices nationwide.
The team comprises key institutions such as the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Office of the Attorney General, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Film Classification Board, Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Financial Reporting Centre, and Betting Control and Licensing Board.
The team is tasked with developing strategic interventions and enforcement mechanisms.
"BCLB hereby calls upon all stakeholders, including but not limited to betting companies, media houses, digital platforms, telecommunication service providers, and members of the general public, to fully comply with this directive in the national interest," a statement issued by the authority read.
The initiative, the board said, underscores the Government's commitment to public welfare, youth protection, and integrity in the gambling sector.
BCLB at the same time asked the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to finalise and operationalise new guidelines to replace the programming code declared unconstitutional, in full compliance with the court ruling.
The board requested the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to undertake immediate measures to block and deactivate all foreign unlicensed gambling websites operating within the territory of the Republic of Kenya, in a bid to safeguard consumers and uphold the integrity of the sector.
The formation of the team came as the BCLB suspended all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for 30 days.
The directive, issued under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 131, Laws of Kenya), applies to all licensed gambling operators and covers television, radio, social media, print media, outdoor advertising, SMS, and email campaigns, as well as celebrity and influencer promotions.
"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 (BCLB) hereby ORDERS the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for a period of thirty (30) days with effect from the date of this statement," a statement by the authority read.
"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, Print media (newspapers, magazines, flyers), Outdoor advertising (billboards, branded transport, etc.), SMS, email campaigns, and push notifications; and Celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing."
During the 30-day suspension period, all licensed gambling operators and promoters are required to submit their advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for approval in line with the Film and Stage Plays Act (Chapter 222).
