The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is pushing for stringent new gambling laws, including a requirement for gamblers to submit selfies holding their National IDs for registration.
BCLB Director Peter Mbugi unveiled the new measures on Tuesday during an appearance before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Finance and Planning at Parliament Buildings. He informed lawmakers that the board is proposing these rules to curb casual and speculative entries into the lucrative betting sector.
Beyond the mandatory selfie for registration, the proposed law aims to significantly reduce the sheer number of betting companies operating in the country. This move seeks to streamline the industry and enhance oversight by the regulatory body.
Mbugi said that the comprehensive rules are also designed to effectively tackle the pervasive issue of underage gambling, which remains a major societal concern.
The board also proposed an increase in minimum capital for licencing, along with stricter operational requirements to limit casual and speculative entries into the gambling sector.
The board also proposed the introduction of a Ksh50 million entry barrier for small-scale betting shops and Ksh5 billion for public gaming operators like casinos.
“For a small-scale betting shop, the BCLB is proposing a minimum capital investment of Sh50 million. For public gaming operators like casinos, the draft proposed Bill aims to raise the requirement to Ksh5 billion,” Mbugi said.
The national lottery and online gambling firms will be required to deposit Ksh200 million to be licensed to operate if the president signs the new bill into law.
Mbugi told the committee that the board and the Communication Authority of Kenya have shut down more than 106 unauthorized gambling websites.
He said that all the gambling adverts must go through the Kenya Film Classification Board for classification and should be aired during a certain period.
“We have controlled gambling advertisement in the media, which is one of the factors contributing to the increase in gambling activity.”
“Going forward, gambling adverts must go through the Kenya Film Classification Board for classification, and we believe gambling is adult content that can only be aired outside the watershed period,” Mbugi said.
