Ruto enacts the Gambling Regulation Act
New Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya Established to Modernize and Regulate Gambling Sector
President William Ruto has signed the Gambling Control Bill of 2023 into law, marking a significant step towards modernizing Kenya's gambling sector. The new legislation establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRAK), which will replace the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) and oversee the licensing, regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of gambling activities throughout the country.
Under the new regulatory framework, GRAK will issue and manage licenses for various forms of gambling, including betting, casinos, lotteries, and prize competitions. The Authority will also be responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with gambling laws, combating illegal operations, and preventing underage gambling.
To promote transparency and traceability, GRAK will develop and operate a central electronic monitoring system for all online and casino gambling activities. The Authority will also collaborate with county governments and county gambling authorities to harmonize gambling regulation at local levels.
In addition to its regulatory functions, GRAK will receive, investigate, and determine complaints from both companies and the public relating to gambling activities. The Authority will also advise county governments on gambling regulation issues and establish programs to enhance their regulatory capacity.
To ensure fairness and protect children and vulnerable persons, GRAK will work with the Kenya Revenue Authority to implement a monitoring system for tax compliance under the gambling law. The Authority will also prescribe guidelines in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary on how gambling facilities should be operated.
The Gambling Control Bill of 2023 emphasizes safe gambling principles within the sector to protect consumers and promote responsible gaming practices. However, it does not address the potential impact of gambling on public health or social welfare in Kenya, nor does it provide details about the specific safe gambling principles to be implemented.
The new legislation aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for betting, casinos, prize competitions, public lotteries, and media promotions. The Bill's enactment fosters responsible betting practices within the gambling sector in Kenya and signifies Kenya's commitment to combating crypto-fueled financial crimes in Africa, as highlighted at the ADDO Symposium in Cape Town.
By establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya, the government aims to create a secure environment for both operators and players in the gambling industry, ensuring transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. The new regulatory regime ushered in by the 2023 Act will balance the economic benefits of gambling with public interest safeguards, particularly by addressing concerns such as addiction, youth protection, and illegal practices.
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRAK) will issue licenses for casinos, a move that is part of the new gambling regulatory framework aimed at modernizing the sector.
- As part of its policy-and-legislation duties, the GRAK will collaborate with county governments and county gambling authorities to harmonize gambling regulation, particularly focusing on combating illegal operations and protecting children.
- In the general-news sphere, the establishment of GRAK signifies a significant step towards regulating the casino-and-gambling sector in Kenya, fostering responsible betting practices and promoting partnerships for a fair, transparent, and accountable gambling industry.
