Kenya has launched its first licensing cycle under the newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority, following the implementation of subsidiary regulations on 1 July. The updated framework introduces standardized review timelines and operational requirements for industry participants.
License applications now undergo a mandatory 14-day review, with final board decisions required within 30 days. Rejected applications may be appealed to a tribunal within 14 days. New advertising regulations mandate written approval from the GRA and classification by the Kenya Film Classification Board for all promotional materials.
Campaigns must allocate 20 percent of their space to responsible gambling warnings, exclude celebrity endorsements, and restrict television and radio broadcasts between 06:00 and 22:00, excluding live sports coverage. Licensed entities must also maintain a corporate structure where Kenyan citizens hold a minimum of 30 percent of shares.
Industry Response and Regulatory Oversight
John Mutua, CEO of the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya, stated that the legislation provides necessary structural foundations for long-term market stability. Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, noted that the framework establishes clear oversight and appeals mechanisms. Both executives emphasized that consistent regulatory application and full operator compliance remain central to sector development.The Gambling Control Act, enacted last year, transferred sector oversight from the Betting Control and Licensing Board to the GRA. The legislation replaces the existing regulatory framework originally established in 1966. Source: iGB.