BCLB Unveils Tough New Measures to Regulate Gambling in Kenya

Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has rolled out a fresh wave of stringent proposals aimed at tightening oversight and curbing the rapid spread of gambling in the country. The new measures, if adopted, will significantly raise the bar for operators and introduce tougher rules for gamblers.

Among the key proposals is a requirement for all gamblers to submit a photo holding their national ID at the point of registration. This is part of a broader push for enhanced age and identity verification, with biometric checks such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning set to become mandatory for opening any betting account.

In a bold step to reduce the number of betting firms, the BCLB has proposed that small-scale betting shops must show a minimum capital investment of KSh 50 million before qualifying for a licence. Larger firms, too, will need to demonstrate substantial financial backing prior to entering the market.

Additionally, all betting companies will be required to adopt licensing addenda that provide specific endorsements for games of chance, ensuring stricter oversight over gambling formats.

The proposals also introduce bet and loss limits, daily loss thresholds, and mandatory platform time-outs, forcing betting firms to build systems that help mitigate addictive behaviours among users.

If implemented, these changes will represent one of the most comprehensive regulatory reforms in Kenya’s betting industry to date, signaling the government’s intent to safeguard vulnerable populations and restore public confidence in gambling oversight.