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Sovereign state
Africa
ISO KE

Kenya: gambling regulation and licensing

Republic of Kenya

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoRegulated
  • Lottery and iLotteryRegulated
  • Horse race bettingRegulated
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya
Headline tax
15% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
14 Oct 2026

Summary

Kenya regulates gambling nationally under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, which commenced on 26 August 2025, repealed the 1966 Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act and replaced the Betting Control and Licensing Board with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. Online bookmaking, online casino and online lottery are separate licence classes. The regime became workable with six sets of regulations published between 29 June and 2 July 2026. Online licences now last one year; an online bookmaker or casino pays KES 50 million on grant and KES 5 million a year, holds KES 100 million of gambling capital and lodges a KES 100 million bond. Licensees must be companies at least 30 per cent owned by Kenyan citizens, and player data must be stored in Kenya unless the Authority grants an exemption. The Authority reopened applications on 18 August 2026 and set 24 September 2026 as the end of licences issued under the old law. The fee and capital schedules are under judicial review; the High Court let the Authority keep processing applications and collecting fees on an undertaking to refund them, with judgment scheduled for 2 October 2026; none had been published by 14 October 2026. Tax comes in layers: betting and gaming tax at 15 per cent of gross gaming revenue and lottery tax at 15 per cent of turnover, kept alive by the new Act; excise duty of 5 per cent on amounts deposited for betting or gambling, widened by the Finance Act, 2026 from 1 July 2026; and withholding tax of 5 per cent on punters' withdrawals and 20 per cent on lottery and prize competition winnings. Advertising needs prior approval, and broadcast adverts are barred between 06:00 and 22:00 outside live sport.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the 36-month licence term in s.31(3) of the Act applies online: the Fourth Schedule to the Licensing Regulations sets one year. Treating a licence issued by the Betting Control and Licensing Board as a continuing authority: the Authority set 24 September 2026 as the end of those licences and holders must apply afresh. Reading the foreign-based operator licence as a route into the Kenyan market: it is for operators that serve only players abroad and must geo-block Kenya. Relying on the KRA page for withholding tax on betting: since 1 July 2026 betting and gaming customers face 5 per cent on withdrawals, while the 20 per cent rate applies to lottery and prize competition winnings. Hosting player data offshore without a written exemption.

Key facts

Regulator
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA)
Regulator type
Dedicated regulator
Headline tax
15% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
18+
Tax base
Four layers. (1) Betting tax at 15 per cent of the revenue generated from betting, and gaming tax at 15 per cent, which the KRA sets against gaming revenue (gross turnover less winnings paid out); lottery tax is 15 per cent of lottery turnover. These rest on sections 29A, 44A, 55A and 59B of the repealed Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, kept in force by s.121(6)(a) of the Gambling Control Act, and are due by the 20th day of the following month with a 5 per cent penalty and 1 per cent monthly interest for late payment. (2) Excise duty of 5 per cent on the amount deposited for betting purposes and for gambling purposes; since 1 July 2026 "amount deposited" covers money from a player or the operator, whether or not held in a player account or converted into chips, tokens or credits, and betting on horse racing is no longer excluded. Excise is also 5 per cent of the price of a lottery ticket (charitable lotteries excluded) and of the charge to enter a prize competition. Betting and gaming excise must be remitted within 24 hours of midnight on the day of the transactions (Excise Duty Act s.36A). (3) Withholding tax on players (see playerWinningsTax). (4) Excise duty of 15 per cent on fees charged for advertising betting, gaming, lotteries and prize competitions.
Capital
Nairobi
Currency
KES
Official languages
English, Swahili

How to get a gambling licence in Kenya

The regulator is the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA).

We record 6 licence types for Kenya.

For the Online bookmaker licence, the application fee is KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026) and the annual fee is KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026).

Applications
Open
Time to licence
The Authority must review an application and notify the applicant within 14 days, and consider every application within 30 days of receipt (L.N. 111 reg. 20).
Local presence
A local company or establishment is required; servers must be located locally.
Financial guarantee
Security bond or bank guarantee under s.40 and the Third Schedule of the Act: KES 100 million for online gambling and for the national lottery, KES 20 million for casinos and other non-online gambling, KES 5 million for a totalisator or prize competition, KES 500,000 for each premises or shop run under an online licence and KES 200,000 for amusement with prizes. Separately, the Third Schedule to L.N. 111 sets gambling capital: KES 100 million for an online bookmaker, casino, totalisator or pool betting operator, KES 150 million for a long-term public lottery and KES 2 billion for the national lottery. The capital schedule is part of the pending High Court challenge.
Headline tax
15% GGR (see Taxation for the full position)

Licence fees in Kenya

Licence typeApplication feeAnnual feeTerm
Online bookmaker licenceKES 5 million application fee, KES 50 million licence fee on grant, and a KES 5 million annual operating licence fee; renewal costs KES 2.5 million to apply and KES 10 million for the licence. Gambling capital of KES 100 million (L.N. 111, Third Schedule) and a KES 100 million security bond or bank guarantee (Act, Third Schedule). Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
Online casino licenceSame schedule as the online bookmaker: KES 5 million application fee, KES 50 million licence fee, KES 5 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 2.5 million plus KES 10 million. Gambling capital of KES 100 million and a KES 100 million security bond. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
Online lottery licenceKES 5 million application fee, KES 20 million licence fee and KES 2.5 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 2.5 million plus KES 5 million. Gambling capital for a long-term public lottery is KES 150 million. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.KES 5,000,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)KES 2,500,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
Foreign-based operator licence (non-Kenya-facing)KES 10 million application fee, KES 100 million licence fee and KES 10 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 5 million plus KES 20 million. Minimum paid-up capital of KES 100 million and a KES 200 million bond or guarantee (L.N. 113 reg. 4 and Second Schedule). The 30 per cent Kenyan shareholding rule may be waived if all revenue is earned outside Kenya (reg. 5).KES 10,000,000 (as of 29 Jun 2026)KES 10,000,000 (as of 29 Jun 2026)Not yet verified
Land-based casino licenceKES 2.5 million application fee, KES 5 million licence fee and KES 1.5 million annual operating fee; KES 100 million gambling capital and a KES 20 million security bond. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.KES 2,500,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)KES 1,500,000 (as of 30 Jun 2026)Three years (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)

Built from the record on this page, last verified 14 Oct 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Open
Local establishment required
Yes
Local server required
Yes
Active licences
187 (as of 23 Sept 2026)
Typical time to licence
The Authority must review an application and notify the applicant within 14 days, and consider every application within 30 days of receipt (L.N. 111 reg. 20).
Bank guarantee or bond
Security bond or bank guarantee under s.40 and the Third Schedule of the Act: KES 100 million for online gambling and for the national lottery, KES 20 million for casinos and other non-online gambling, KES 5 million for a totalisator or prize competition, KES 500,000 for each premises or shop run under an online licence and KES 200,000 for amusement with prizes. Separately, the Third Schedule to L.N. 111 sets gambling capital: KES 100 million for an online bookmaker, casino, totalisator or pool betting operator, KES 150 million for a long-term public lottery and KES 2 billion for the national lottery. The capital schedule is part of the pending High Court challenge.
Notable licensees
Betika (Shop & Deliver Limited), SportPesa (Milestone Games Limited), Odibets (Kareco Holdings Limited), SportyBet (Dreamhub Technology Limited), 1xBet (Advanced Gaming Limited), Mozzartbet (Mozzartbet Kenya Limited), Shabiki (Playco Technology Limited), 22Bet (Nuntis Holdings Limited)
Certification requirements
An online applicant submits a gambling control system compatible with the Authority's central management system, and its platform, domain name and games provider, which must itself be licensed by the Authority (L.N. 111 reg. 11(2)). The system must provide geo-location blocking, a tamper-evident audit log, real-time monitoring through an API, segregation of player funds and a saving component (L.N. 112 reg. 41), and must integrate with the central monitoring system and the national gambling register (reg. 44).
Barriers to entry
A licensee must be a body corporate with at least 30 per cent of its shares held by Kenyan citizens and a Kenyan bank account for all gambling money (s.29); a foreign operator must also be registered in Kenya with a local physical address (s.79(1)). Online fees under the 2026 Regulations are high (KES 50 million on grant for a bookmaker or casino) and come with KES 100 million of capital and a KES 100 million bond. Player data must be stored in Kenya unless the Authority exempts the operator. Premises still need a county trade permit. The count of 187 is the number of companies on the Authority's register for the 2025/26 trading period (numbered to 188, with number 119 skipped); those licences were issued under the old regime and, by the Authority's notice, remain valid only until 24 September 2026.

Licence types

  • Online bookmaker licence

    Scope
    Operating, selling or promoting online betting in Kenya (Act s.67(1)(a); L.N. 111 reg. 11).
    Term
    One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
    Application fee
    KES 5,000,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Annual fee
    KES 5,000,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    KES 5 million application fee, KES 50 million licence fee on grant, and a KES 5 million annual operating licence fee; renewal costs KES 2.5 million to apply and KES 10 million for the licence. Gambling capital of KES 100 million (L.N. 111, Third Schedule) and a KES 100 million security bond or bank guarantee (Act, Third Schedule). Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.
    Renewal terms
    Apply at least 90 days before expiry (L.N. 111 reg. 24(2)); the Authority decides within 30 days.
  • Online casino licence

    Scope
    Online casino games (Act s.67(1)(c); L.N. 111 reg. 11(1)(c)).
    Term
    One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
    Application fee
    KES 5,000,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Annual fee
    KES 5,000,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    Same schedule as the online bookmaker: KES 5 million application fee, KES 50 million licence fee, KES 5 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 2.5 million plus KES 10 million. Gambling capital of KES 100 million and a KES 100 million security bond. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.
    Renewal terms
    Apply at least 90 days before expiry (L.N. 111 reg. 24(2)).
  • Online lottery licence

    Scope
    Online lotteries (Act s.67(1)(b)); the national lottery is licensed separately.
    Term
    One year, renewable for one year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
    Application fee
    KES 5,000,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Annual fee
    KES 2,500,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    KES 5 million application fee, KES 20 million licence fee and KES 2.5 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 2.5 million plus KES 5 million. Gambling capital for a long-term public lottery is KES 150 million. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.
    Renewal terms
    Apply at least 90 days before expiry (L.N. 111 reg. 24(2)).
  • Foreign-based operator licence (non-Kenya-facing)

    Scope
    For a gambling operator based abroad that does not intend to offer online gambling in Kenya (Act s.79(4)). It must geo-block Kenyan residents, comply with its host jurisdiction's law and give the Authority real-time server access (L.N. 113 regs. 6 to 8).
    Application fee
    KES 10,000,000 as of 29 Jun 2026
    Annual fee
    KES 10,000,000 as of 29 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    KES 10 million application fee, KES 100 million licence fee and KES 10 million annual operating fee; renewal KES 5 million plus KES 20 million. Minimum paid-up capital of KES 100 million and a KES 200 million bond or guarantee (L.N. 113 reg. 4 and Second Schedule). The 30 per cent Kenyan shareholding rule may be waived if all revenue is earned outside Kenya (reg. 5).
  • Land-based casino licence

    Scope
    Public gambling with table games and slot machines (Act s.28(2)(a)).
    Term
    Three years (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
    Application fee
    KES 2,500,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Annual fee
    KES 1,500,000 as of 30 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    KES 2.5 million application fee, KES 5 million licence fee and KES 1.5 million annual operating fee; KES 100 million gambling capital and a KES 20 million security bond. Fees and gambling capital in the Second and Third Schedules to the Licensing Regulations are challenged in Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026). The High Court stayed the whole Regulations on 20 July 2026 and narrowed the stay to these schedules on 7 August 2026, then on 21 August 2026 allowed the Authority to process applications and collect the fees on its undertaking to refund any amount the court later finds unlawful. Judgment was scheduled for 2 October 2026, but none had been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026.
    Renewal terms
    Renewal for three years; KES 1.25 million to apply and KES 2.5 million for the licence.
  • Supplier and key employee licences

    Scope
    Gambling equipment manufacture, sale, testing and repair, provision of gambling software or platforms, and key gambling employees, directors and shareholders. Suppliers must be licensed before supplying licensed operators.
    Term
    One year (L.N. 111, Fourth Schedule)
    Fee basis
    A software or platform provider pays KES 200,000 to apply and KES 1 million for the annual licence; equipment and testing licences cost KES 100,000 and KES 500,000; key employees and directors pay KES 50,000 to apply and KES 100,000 (local) or KES 200,000 (foreign) for the licence.

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
15% GGR
Effective date
1 Jul 2026
Player winnings tax
Withholding tax of 5 per cent on withdrawals made by punters, that is any amount paid to a player's account by a licensee under the Gambling Control Act, and 20 per cent on winnings, defined since 1 July 2026 as a pay-out from a lottery or prize competition. The same rates apply to residents and non-residents (Income Tax Act, Third Schedule, Head B, paragraphs 3 and 5, as amended by the Finance Act, 2026).
Withholding mechanism
The licensee paying the withdrawal or winnings deducts the tax at source under s.35(1) and (3) of the Income Tax Act and remits it to the KRA.
Tax base
Four layers. (1) Betting tax at 15 per cent of the revenue generated from betting, and gaming tax at 15 per cent, which the KRA sets against gaming revenue (gross turnover less winnings paid out); lottery tax is 15 per cent of lottery turnover. These rest on sections 29A, 44A, 55A and 59B of the repealed Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, kept in force by s.121(6)(a) of the Gambling Control Act, and are due by the 20th day of the following month with a 5 per cent penalty and 1 per cent monthly interest for late payment. (2) Excise duty of 5 per cent on the amount deposited for betting purposes and for gambling purposes; since 1 July 2026 "amount deposited" covers money from a player or the operator, whether or not held in a player account or converted into chips, tokens or credits, and betting on horse racing is no longer excluded. Excise is also 5 per cent of the price of a lottery ticket (charitable lotteries excluded) and of the charge to enter a prize competition. Betting and gaming excise must be remitted within 24 hours of midnight on the day of the transactions (Excise Duty Act s.36A). (3) Withholding tax on players (see playerWinningsTax). (4) Excise duty of 15 per cent on fees charged for advertising betting, gaming, lotteries and prize competitions.

Earmarked levies

  • Withholding tax on punters' withdrawals: 5 per cent of withdrawals (Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (Income Tax Act s.35(5A)))

Compliance

Minimum age
18+
National self-exclusion
Self-exclusion register kept by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (Act s.115; L.N. 112 regs. 68 to 79) (mandatory)
KYC timing
Before account activation and before the first deposit (L.N. 112 reg. 82(2)).
AML regime
Anti-money laundering inspections of casinos and other gambling, and supervision of licensees that are reporting institutions under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, are regulatory functions under s.4(1)(g) and (h) of the Act, and the repealed Act's AML powers and penalties continue (s.121(6)(b)). Every licence application must show AML and counter-terrorism financing policies, procedures and staff training (L.N. 111). Casinos must be registered with the Financial Reporting Centre before opening and apply targeted financial sanctions screening and freezing. Licensees report suspicious transactions and fraud to the Authority within 24 hours (L.N. 112 regs. 88 and 90). Anonymous gambling and virtual assets are prohibited unless the Authority approves (reg. 83).
AML supervisor
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (supervisory authority for casinos under the AML laws), with the Financial Reporting Centre
Deposit limits
Operators must offer real-time tools to set daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits (L.N. 112 reg. 84).
Loss limits
Operators must offer loss, session and expenditure limits (L.N. 112 reg. 84).
Session limits
Reality checks with pop-up notices of play duration, and a self-exclusion option of at least 24 hours (L.N. 112 reg. 84).
Central monitoring system
The Authority runs real-time monitoring of casinos and online gambling, accessible to the Communications Authority of Kenya (Act s.68(5)). Before starting, a licensee must confirm integration with the Authority's central monitoring system and with the KRA tax system (L.N. 112 reg. 3(3)); online platforms must provide real-time monitoring through a secure API (reg. 41(e)) and integrate with the national gambling register (reg. 44).
Data localisation
Player personal and financial data must be encrypted in transit and at rest and stored and processed on servers in Kenya unless the Authority grants a prior written exemption (L.N. 112 reg. 42). Operators must also disclose the location of all their servers and keep a customer care centre in Kenya (Act s.68(6) and (8)).
KYC requirements
A player must be registered and hold an account with the licensee (Act s.72(1)); the operator must obtain proof of age of majority before registration and before paying a prize (ss.72(3) and 70(6)) and must stop children registering (s.72(2)). Before account activation and before any deposit, online operators must run an identity check, location verification and age assurance against reliable, independent, electronically verifiable data, and must verify a winner's identity and self-exclusion status before paying out (L.N. 112 reg. 82). The Act does not state one gambling age in a single section; 18 rests on s.84(3), which bars persons under eighteen from amusement machines without a parent, and on the Advertising Regulations' references to persons under eighteen.
Stake limits
Minimum online stake of 20 shillings (Act s.71); no maximum stake is set.
Mandatory player messaging
Responsible gambling messages must be displayed on premises and online platforms, with information on help for problem gamblers (L.N. 112 reg. 94). A licensee must give players the rules of its games and any processing fees (Act s.72(6)).
Reporting obligations
Audited accounts within three months of the financial year end, by an auditor the Authority approves (Act s.43); an annual audited report of gross and net revenue, tax remitted and good causes supported (s.78); records of tickets, transactions, player accounts and complaints, with fraud reported within 24 hours (L.N. 112 reg. 88).

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Watershed
No television or radio gambling advertising between 06:00 and 22:00, except during a live sporting event
Sponsorship rules
Advertising gambling by organising, promoting or sponsoring a sporting event, trade fair, show or cultural, educational or entertainment programme requires the Authority's approval (Act s.87(1)(e)).
Celebrity and influencer rules
Using a prominent personality or celebrity to promote gambling requires approval (Act s.87(1)(d)), advertisements may not associate gambling with celebrities (reg. 9(b)), and endorsements by public officers, teachers, clergy or other persons of public trust are banned (reg. 6(1)(c)(iv)).
Social media rules
Advertisements may be directed only at audiences the Authority approves, including verified adults, and may not appear on platforms whose audience is predominantly minors (reg. 6).
Bonus advertising rules
A licensee may not make offers designed to induce people to gamble or to gamble more (Act s.74(1)(b)), but free bets and bonus bets in the ordinary course of business are allowed (s.74(3)).
Mandatory warnings
Every advertisement must state that gambling is addictive, tell players to play responsibly and prohibit children from playing (Act s.87(2)), and show the licence number, the words "gambling is addictive" or "play responsibly", the licensee's name, address and customer care number, a toll-free helpline or website, and that the licensee is authorised and regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (reg. 8). In print, the bottom 20 per cent of the artwork is reserved for the responsible gambling message, licence number and age restriction (reg. 11(2)).
Penalties for breach
Breach of s.87 of the Act: a fine of up to KES 20 million or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both (s.87(4)). Publishing an unapproved or prohibited advertisement under the Regulations: a fine of up to KES 1 million or six months, or both (reg. 14). Approval costs a KES 50,000 application fee plus 6 per cent of the advertising budget.

Restrictions

  • Every gambling advertisement needs the Authority's prior approval, applied for at least seven days before it runs (Act s.87(1); Advertising Regulations reg. 5), and must then be classified by the Kenya Film Classification Board before distribution (reg. 7).
  • No gambling advertising on television or radio between 06:00 and 22:00 unless during a live sporting event (Act s.87(2)(e); reg. 9(h)).
  • No call-to-action messages, testimonials, former winners, jingles or hooks, association with celebrities or social success, or depiction of gambling as income or investment (reg. 9).
  • Outdoor advertising only on electronic or digital billboards in approved locations, at most two advertisements an hour per screen, and none within 200 metres of a learning institution, place of worship or children's recreational area, on public transport or stations, or on walls and street poles (reg. 10; L.N. 112 reg. 60).
  • Print advertising only in the sports sections of newspapers and no more than twice a week (reg. 11).
  • Roadshows are banned (reg. 12).
  • Twenty per cent of an aired advertisement must promote responsible gambling (Act s.87(2)(g)).

Payments

Credit card ban
Yes
Crypto stance
Prohibited
Permitted methods
Debit card, Electronic funds transfer, Mobile money transfer, Cash deposit, Other methods approved by the Authority
Local rails
Mobile money transfer
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Monetary prizes must be credited to the player's account within two days (Act s.70(1)). A balance with no transaction for three months must be remitted to the player; after five years with the player untraced it goes to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (s.77).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Not yet verified
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
Suspension or revocation of a licence after notice, or instead a direction to remedy with monetary or other sanctions, with suspensions and revocations published in the Gazette (L.N. 111 reg. 26). On conviction a court may forfeit the licence or the security bond and disqualify the holder for up to five years (Act s.116).
Criminal penalties
Operating without a licence: up to KES 3 million or three years for a first offence, and up to KES 5 million or five years for a repeat (Act s.98). A foreign operator offering online gambling in Kenya without a licence: up to KES 50 million for a company (s.79(3)). Accepting an online stake under 20 shillings: at least KES 3 million or up to five years (s.71(3)). Providing hosting, domains, payment processing or technical services to an illegal gambling platform: up to KES 1 million, with forfeiture of proceeds and equipment (L.N. 112 reg. 102).
Operator liability
Liability reaches foreign operators serving Kenya without a licence (Act s.79(3)) and the businesses that host, process payments for or otherwise service an illegal gambling platform (L.N. 112 reg. 102).

Notable actions

  • All licensed casinos4 Feb 2026

    Directed to implement targeted financial sanctions screening, freezing and reporting after only 13 per cent responded to TFS Notice No. 10 of 2025

  • All applicants for annual licences2 Oct 2025

    Receipt of new and renewal licence applications suspended during the transition to the Authority; reopened on 18 August 2026

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
Not yet verified
Licensed operators
187

Timeline

  1. 1 Jul 2025

    Finance Act, 2025 cuts gambling excise to 5 per cent and moves it from stakes to deposits

  2. 7 Aug 2025

    The Gambling Control Act, 2025 is assented to

  3. 26 Aug 2025

    The Act commences, creating the Gambling Regulatory Authority and repealing the 1966 Act

  4. 2 Oct 2025

    The Betting Control and Licensing Board suspends annual licence applications during the transition

  5. 4 Feb 2026

    The Authority directs all casinos to implement targeted financial sanctions screening

  6. 25 Mar 2026

    Public participation on six draft gambling regulations opens

  7. 23 Jun 2026

    The Finance Act, 2026 is assented to

  8. 29 Jun 2026

    Licensing, Conduct, Foreign-Based Operators, Advertising and Appeals Tribunal Regulations are published (L.N. 111 to 115)

  9. 1 Jul 2026

    Finance Act, 2026 widens the excise base on betting and gambling deposits and redefines winnings and withdrawals for withholding tax

  10. 2 Jul 2026

    National Lottery Regulations published (L.N. 116)

  11. 7 Aug 2026

    High Court narrows its stay on the Licensing Regulations to the fee and capital schedules

  12. 18 Aug 2026

    The Authority opens applications for new licences and sets 24 September 2026 as the expiry of existing licences

  13. 21 Aug 2026

    High Court allows the Authority to process applications and collect fees pending judgment

  14. 4 Sept 2026

    Nairobi City County gazettes a taskforce to review its Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2026

Outlook

Licences issued under the repealed Act were due to lapse on 24 September 2026 under the Authority's notice, but by 14 October 2026 it had published no register of licences granted under the 2026 Regulations, so which of the 187 companies on the 2025/26 register hold new licences is still open; the court heard that 246 applications were pending in August. Judgment in Judicial Review E251 of 2026 on the licensing fee and capital schedules was scheduled for 2 October 2026 but had not been published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026, and the Authority has undertaken to refund fees the court finds unlawful. Existing licensees must connect their systems to the national self-exclusion register by about the end of December 2026, six months after the Conduct Regulations commenced. At county level, a Nairobi taskforce gazetted on 4 September 2026 is to propose changes to the county's own gambling Act and fees.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates gambling in Kenya?
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya, created by the Gambling Control Act, 2025 when it commenced on 26 August 2025. It took over the rights and liabilities of the Betting Control and Licensing Board. County governments still issue trade permits for gambling premises, and the Kenya Revenue Authority collects gambling taxes.
What does an online sports betting licence cost?
Under the Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations, 2026: a KES 5 million application fee, a KES 50 million licence fee and a KES 5 million annual operating fee, plus KES 100 million of gambling capital and a KES 100 million security bond under the Act. Online licences run for one year. The fees and capital are under judicial review, with judgment scheduled for 2 October 2026 but not published on Kenya Law by 14 October 2026; the Authority is collecting them on an undertaking to refund any found unlawful.
Can a foreign operator obtain a Kenyan online licence?
Only through a company registered in Kenya with a physical address there (s.79(1)), and licensees must be at least 30 per cent owned by Kenyan citizens (s.29). Offering online gambling in Kenya without a licence is an offence carrying a fine of up to KES 50 million for a company. A separate foreign-based operator licence exists for companies that serve only players outside Kenya and must geo-block Kenyan residents.
How is online gambling taxed?
Betting and gaming tax is 15 per cent of gross gaming revenue and lottery tax 15 per cent of turnover. Excise duty is 5 per cent of amounts deposited for betting or gambling, a base the Finance Act, 2026 widened from 1 July 2026. Operators withhold 5 per cent of punters' withdrawals and 20 per cent of lottery and prize competition winnings.
What happens to licences issued before the new regulations?
The Licensing Regulations kept them alive for 60 days from publication, and the Authority's notice of 18 August 2026 extended their validity to 24 September 2026. Holders must apply for new licences under the 2026 Regulations through the Authority's operator portal.
When can gambling be advertised on television or radio?
Only between 22:00 and 06:00, or during a live sporting event. Every advertisement needs the Authority's prior approval and classification by the Kenya Film Classification Board, and must carry the licence number and a responsible gambling message.
Is online gambling legal in Kenya?
Online casino and online sports betting are both legal for licensed operators in Kenya. The status of every vertical is at the top of this page. Last verified 14 Oct 2026.
How long does it take to get a gambling licence in Kenya?
The Authority must review an application and notify the applicant within 14 days, and consider every application within 30 days of receipt (L.N. 111 reg. 20). Last verified 14 Oct 2026.

Events in Kenya

Past events

Glossary and directory

iGT coverage of Kenya

Sources

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

  1. Gambling Control Act, 2025 (Act No. 14 of 2025)

    Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting)

    Kenya Law gives assent on 7 August 2025, publication in the Gazette on 12 August 2025 and commencement on 26 August 2025. The Authority's own public participation notices of March and April 2026 (source ke-gra-pp) say the Act came into operation on 20 August 2025. The Kenya Law commencement date is recorded.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Aug 2025
  2. The Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 111), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 162 (Legislative Supplement No. 91)

    Government Printer, Kenya Gazette Supplement (published by the Gambling Regulatory Authority)

    The printed supplement is dated 30 June 2026 and records that the Regulations were made on 29 June 2026. Kenya Law gives 29 June 2026 as both the Gazette and commencement date, and the High Court (source ke-jr-2026-08-21) treats them as operational from 29 June 2026.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Jun 2026
  3. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Jun 2026
  4. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Jun 2026
  5. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Jun 2026
  6. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 29 Jun 2026
  7. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 Jul 2026
  8. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  9. Who we are

    Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  10. Licensed gaming companies for the trading period 2025/26

    Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  11. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Aug 2026
  12. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Aug 2026
  13. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 Oct 2025
  14. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Feb 2026
  15. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Mar 2026
  16. Betting, gaming and lottery tax

    Kenya Revenue Authority

    The page states that withholding tax of 20 per cent applies to gross winnings from betting, lotteries, gaming and prize competitions. The Income Tax Act as amended by the Finance Act, 2026 with effect from 1 July 2026 (sources ke-fa-2026 and ke-ita) defines winnings as a pay-out from a lottery or prize competition, taxed at 20 per cent, and taxes withdrawals made by punters at 5 per cent. The statute is preferred for withholding tax; the page is relied on only for betting, gaming and lottery tax, which the Gambling Control Act keeps in force.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  17. Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Jul 2025
  18. Finance Act, 2026 (Act No. 19 of 2026), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 157

    Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting)

    The printed Act gives the date of assent as 23 June 2026; the Kenya Law document history shows 23 July 2026. The printed date is recorded. Section 36(b)(iii) amends paragraph 4B (gaming) by deleting the words "into a customer's betting wallet", although the consolidated paragraph 4B reads "gaming wallet" (source ke-eda); the substituted words "for gambling purposes" are recorded as the intended effect.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Jun 2026
  19. Income Tax Act (Cap. 470), consolidated as at 1 July 2026

    Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting)

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jul 2026
  20. Excise Duty Act (Cap. 472), consolidated as at 1 July 2025

    Kenya Law (National Council for Law Reporting)

    This consolidation predates the Finance Act, 2026, which with effect from 1 July 2026 changed the base in paragraphs 4A and 4B of Part II of the First Schedule and deleted the horse racing proviso to paragraph 4A (source ke-fa-2026). The 5 per cent rates were not changed.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jul 2025
  21. Owuor & another v Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs & 4 others (Judicial Review E251 of 2026) [2026] KEHC 13039 (KLR) (21 August 2026) (Ruling)

    High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (via Kenya Law)

    Latest decision in Judicial Review E251 of 2026 on Kenya Law when checked on 14 October 2026; no judgment dated on or after 2 October 2026 was listed. Trade press citing the operators' association reported that judgment was not delivered on 2 October and the file was listed for mention on 12 October.

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026Published 21 Aug 2026

Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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