Kenyan MP Calls for Scrutiny of Aviator Betting Game Amid Addiction and Advertising Concerns
Aviator, a fast-growing online betting game, has come under scrutiny in Kenya’s Parliament. Legislator Martha Wangari Wanjira raised concerns over its unregulated spread, accusing the game of contributing to financial hardship and targeting vulnerable groups through aggressive media promotion
Lawmaker Calls for Government Response
During a parliamentary session on April 16, Gilgil MP Martha Wangari Wanjira urged the government to investigate and regulate Aviator, calling it “an addictive game of chance.” She formally requested a statement from the Finance Committee regarding measures taken by the state to control such digital betting products.
“I rise to seek a statement from the chairperson of the Committee on Finance regarding the measures being taken by the government in respect to its mandate of regulating and controlling gaming activities in Kenya, specifically the so-called Aviator game of chance,” she said.
Wangari also requested an inquiry into the game’s licensing status and its oversight by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
Public Impact and Game Mechanics Under Question
The MP cited multiple incidents involving students and parents who have lost money on Aviator. The game, unlike traditional sports betting, requires no specialized knowledge. Users place bets on how long a pair of virtual airplanes will stay airborne before crashing. Its simplicity and instant outcomes have contributed to concerns about addiction.
“The craze has terrorized both women and men and the youth in equal measure by gobbling up livelihoods. There are numerous cases of students gambling on their school fees and parents gambling on their savings,” she added.
Wanjira criticized the prominent placement of betting advertisements during peak broadcast hours. According to her, some betting companies have even integrated promotional content into news segments on high-profile television channels.
“There has been a drive by registered gaming farms to place advertisements on leading TV and radio stations during prime time with their abnormal profits amassed. There is evidence of a firm whose betting and gaming activities are part of prime-time news in one of the most watched TV stations in the country,” Martha Wangari Wanjira said.
Questions for the Committee on Finance
The legislator has asked for specific information from the Committee on Finance, including:
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The legal status of Aviator and similar betting games.
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Revenue generated from betting and gambling taxes.
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Annual national expenditure on gambling.
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Regulatory actions taken by the BCLB to manage betting-related media content.
She also called for a public listing of licensed gaming firms and media houses, including their license numbers.
“Table a list including license numbers of firms including media houses that are authorized to conduct game of chance in the country,” said Wangari.
The Committee on Finance has been given until April 17 to respond to the questions raised. The outcome may influence future regulatory steps regarding digital betting games in Kenya and their promotion across national media platforms.
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