Head of Public Service Felix Koskei during the meeting with GRA officials at his office on July 21, 2026/HOPS
The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) has unveiled a new digital Gambling Management System that will enable real-time monitoring of licensed gambling activities, marking a major overhaul of Kenya's gambling industry under the recently enacted Gambling Control Act, 2025.
The new platform, demonstrated to Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Wednesday, will digitise licensing and renewals while strengthening compliance, accountability and enforcement across the sector.
Koskei received the GRA Board and management at his office, where they briefed him on reforms being implemented under the new law, which replaces the former Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) with the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
The Gambling Management System will allow all licence applications and renewals to be processed online while giving regulators the ability to monitor licensed operators in real time.
According to Koskei, the platform will strengthen the Authority's regulatory mandate by improving oversight and supporting more effective enforcement.
"The leadership also demonstrated the new Gambling Management System, a digital platform that will support the Authority's regulatory mandate," he said.
"Once operational, all licence applications and renewals will be processed online, while the system will enable real-time monitoring of licensed gambling activities, strengthen regulatory compliance, improve accountability and support more effective enforcement."
The reforms are part of the implementation of the Gambling Control Act, 2025, which introduces tougher safeguards aimed at promoting responsible gambling and protecting consumers.
Gambling Regulatory Authority chairman Joseph Limo (right) with other officials during a meeting with Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on July 22, 2026/HOPS
Among the new measures is mandatory age verification using a National Identity Card or passport to ensure only persons aged 18 years and above participate in gambling activities.
The law also establishes a self-exclusion mechanism, allowing individuals to voluntarily bar themselves from accessing gambling services if they believe they are developing gambling-related problems.
In addition, operators will be required to maintain ring-fenced player accounts to safeguard customer funds, while gaming equipment must undergo certification to guarantee fairness and integrity.
The Act further imposes stricter advertising rules, including a daytime broadcast watershed and mandatory responsible gambling messages in all gambling advertisements.
Koskei said the reforms demonstrate the government's commitment to creating a transparent and accountable gambling industry that balances business interests with public welfare.
"They briefed me on the reforms being implemented under the new law to promote responsible gambling, strengthen compliance and enhance oversight of the sector," he said.
Some of the officials who attended the meeting/HOPS
He commended the Authority for embracing technology to improve regulation and urged it to ensure full implementation of the reforms.
"I commend the Authority for these reforms and reaffirm the Government's commitment to a gambling sector that is transparent, responsible, well-regulated and operated in the public interest," Koskei said.
The meeting was attended by GRA Chairman Joseph Limo and CEO Peter Maina Karimi.
The reforms come amid growing concern over rising gambling participation, particularly among young people, with the government seeking to strengthen consumer protection, curb underage gambling and enhance oversight of one of the country's fastest-growing industries.
