Kenyan Parliament to review tougher policies for gambling operators

Kenya’s parliament is reported to be reviewing a number of proposed regulatory amendments to its ‘Betting, Lotteries & Gaming Act’, which could see the introduction of tougher controls and severe fines for non-compliant gambling operators.

Central to the proposed amendments will be the introduction of marketing/advertising restrictions on Kenyan sports betting operator services.

The amendments have been presented by Orange Democratic MP Jakoyo Midiwo, who has called for an outright ban of sports betting marketing throughout Kenyan media.

Midiwo who has previously asked Kenya’s Parliament to set-up a special committee investigating bookmaker fraud and potential tax evasion wants the Kenya Betting Control to oversee all gambling and lottery regulations. Midiwo further proposes that the authority should also have the power to vary, suspend or cancel the licences.

Presenting new provisions for the Kenyan gaming act, Midiwo stated that Parliament had to protect national consumers by introducing fines of KSH 1-4 million (£7,500 – £35,000) on non-compliant gambling operators breaching the proposed advertising standards.

At present, little is known as to whether the amendments proposed by Midiwo will be supported by Kenyan Parliament.