The Betting Control and Licensing Board(BCLB) has suspended all gambling advertisements across all media platforms in the country following the accelerating rate of gambling activities and addiction in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 29, the BCLB chairperson, Jane Mwikali, confirmed that the ban will last for the next 30 days.
According to the board, the ban will apply to all licensed gambling operators and promotional activities aired on television,radio, social media platforms, all forms of print media, outdoor advertising, including billboards, branded transport, SMS, email campaigns, push notifications, celebrity endorsements, and influencer marketing.
"In view of these occurrences, and pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 131, Laws of Kenya), the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) hereby ORDERS the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for a period of thirty (30) days with effect from the date of this statement," it stated.
"Of particular concern is the rampant airing of gambling advertisements during the watershed period (5:00 am to 10:00 pm), thereby exposing vulnerable members of the population, particularly minors, who are gradually drawn into gambling-related addiction. The gambling activities include betting, gaming, lottery prize competitions, and all related promotional undertakings," it added.
According to the board, the gambling operators and promoters shall, within this period, be required to submit all gambling advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for assessment before airing, in addition to executing measures that will ensure responsible gambling in line with the licensing and operating conditions issued by BCLB.
"During this period of suspension, all licensed gambling operators and promoters shall ensure strict compliance with all applicable legislative and regulatory frameworks governing gambling and related advertising in Kenya," it stated.
According to BCLB, a multi-agency enforcement team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Office of the Attorney General, the Communications Authority of Kenya, Kenya Revenue Authority, the Directorate of Criminal Activities, the Kenya Film Classification Board, Media Council of Kenya, the Financial Reporting Centre and BCLB has been deployed to fabricate policies and recommendations to promote responsible gambling.
The Board has further urged the Communications Authority of Kenya to also block and deactivate all foreign unauthorised gambling sites that are operating in the country.
"The Government remains firmly committed to safeguarding public welfare, protecting the youth, promoting social responsibility, and restoring integrity within Kenya’s gambling sector," it stated.
Furthermore, the National Assembly has been encouraged to push for the enactment of the Gambling Control Bill that will reinforce oversight of gambling activities in the country.
The Media Council of Kenya(MCK), on the other hand, has been urged to finalise and operationalise the new guidelines to ensure that gambling advertisements are well-regulated in the media ecosystem.
Lastly, members of the public have been urged to report any illegal gambling activities to the board or the nearest police station.
