The Betting Control and Licencing Board requires Sh500 million to install a gambling Central Monitoring System for effective regulation of the gaming industry, MPs heard on Tuesday.
The board's Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya told the Sports and Culture Committee that they were unable to effectively monitor and regulate the industry due to failure to deploy adequate technology and outdated laws.
"It is important to note that more than 80 per cent of gambling activities in Kenya are online. Given the scenario, therefore, deployment of adequate technology is the only sure way to effectively monitor and regulate the industry," he said.
Appearing before the Dan Wanyama-led Committee, Osiya said technology would help in guaranteeing public protection, improved revenue generation, responsible gambling, investment growth and overall development of the industry.
Osiya called for fast-tracking of the enactment of the Gambling Control Bill 2023, which provides for a string of legal frameworks to safeguard the industry.
"The current Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap 131 has a lot of loopholes that frustrate the Board's efforts to streamline the industry," he added.
He told the committee that the board has managed to help the government collect Sh88.4 billion from their activities in the last five years.
He, however, noted that inadequate allocation of funds by the Treasury has affected the implementation of their activities, leading to low revenue generation.
"In the last five years the board was allocated Sh531 million, collected Sh894.6 million in revenue, and Sh88.4 billion in taxes," he explained.
He added: "This is a confirmation that if we are allocated adequate money, we will be able to effectively discharge our mandate and help the government collect more tax."
Osiya said preventing underage gamers from engaging in gambling has remained a major challenge.
"We have faced an uphill task in dealing with the underage in the gambling industry. Most of these young people engage in betting using their parent's mobile phones," he added.
He noted that despite the challenges the board has made gains.
He added that the fight against illegal and unauthorised gambling has seen the board flag down 37 unauthorised foreign gambling websites and remove illegal gambling machines across the country.
"To promote and enhance responsible gaming activities, the board has successfully undertaken sensitisation activities in 12 counties," he added.
Wanyama assured the board of the committee's support in their endeavours.
