Kenya Suspends Gambling Licenses During Regulatory Transition
Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board has suspended all annual gambling license applications including renewals while transferring regulatory authority to the newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya, with the transition scheduled for completion by February 2026.
Current Operators Continue Under Existing Terms
The BCLB issued a public notice stating that current licensees may operate under existing conditions until their licenses expire. The transition implements the Gambling Control Act 2025, signed into law by President William Ruto in August 2025 and commencing on August 16, 2025. The legislation replaces the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 131.
“The transition process is scheduled to be completed by the end of February 2026. A further communication will be issued to announce the official commencement of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya” the notice states. BCLB Director General Peter Mbugi characterized the transition as a critical step toward a modern, robust, and responsible regulatory framework.
New Framework Introduces Enhanced Compliance Measures
The Gambling Control Act 2025 modernizes Kenya’s gambling sector through stricter compliance requirements, enhanced consumer protection, and unified regulatory oversight. The legislation introduces streamlined online and county-level operations, consumer safeguards including self-exclusion programs and advertising limits.
The GRA is formulating comprehensive regulations under the Act covering licensing procedures, compliance standards, and operational guidelines for industry operations under the new legal framework. The transition represents a shift toward modern, accountable, and unified oversight for Kenya’s gambling sector.
Recommended