iGaming B2B

Betting Lottery and Licensing Board - Kenya

Government Regulator
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Founded
1966-01-01 in Nairobi, Kenya
Headquarters
ACK Garden Annex, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is Kenya’s principal statutory body responsible for the licensing, regulation, and oversight of all betting, gaming, lottery, and prize competition activities in the country. Established in 1966 under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Chapter 131 of the Laws of Kenya), the Board operates as a department under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, domiciled at the Executive Office of the President following Executive Order No. 1 of 2023. Headquartered in Nairobi at ACK Garden Annex on 1st Ngong Avenue, the BCLB oversees more than 220 licensed firms and plays a critical role in consumer protection, combating illegal gambling, and collecting significant revenue—in the 2023/24 financial year, taxes from the gambling sector (including excise duty on stakes and withholding tax on winnings) totalled KES 22.3 billion. The Board has recently implemented strict compliance requirements for aviator and crash games, introduced advertising guidelines that ban celebrity endorsements and restrict ads near schools and religious sites, and continues to enforce the Gambling Control Act of 2023, which established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya as a successor body. Despite the transition, the BCLB remains the active regulatory authority for licensing and enforcement as of mid‑2025.

Detailed Review

History & Legal Basis

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) was created by an Act of Parliament in 1966—the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Cap. 131)—to bring order to Kenya’s gambling industry. For over five decades it served as the sole regulator, issuing licenses to sports betting operators, casinos, and lottery providers. A pivotal moment came in July 2019 when the Board postponed the renewal of licenses for eight major operators, including SportPesa, Betin, and Betway, which together controlled an estimated 85% of the betting market, citing non‑compliance with regulatory requirements. In 2023, Parliament passed the Gambling Control Act, which created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA) to replace the BCLB’s governance structure. However, the GRA only began its official operations on 28 February 2025, and the BCLB continues to handle licensing and compliance during the transition period, with its legal status upheld by Executive Order No. 1 of 2023.

Mandate & Functions

The Board’s primary responsibilities include licensing and regulation of betting, gaming, and lottery operators; consumer protection against fraud, misleading advertising, and unfair practices; eradication of illegal gambling activities through enforcement and inspections; revenue collection via licensing fees and taxes; supervision and inspection of all betting and gaming premises nationwide; and promotion of responsible gaming and management of gambling addiction.

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

In March 2025, BCLB issued mandatory requirements for crash and aviator‑type games, ordering operators to submit detailed documentation on game mechanics, algorithms, and provider certifications within 14 days. In May 2025, the Board introduced advertising guidelines that completely ban celebrity and influencer endorsements, require mandatory pre‑approval of all advertisements, and prohibit advertising near schools and religious sites. The Board also published a list of 99 licensed operators for the 2025‑2026 financial year, including Betika, Odibets, Betpawa, and others. Tax revenue from the gambling sector reached KES 22.3 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year.

Products / Platforms / Services

As a regulator, BCLB does not offer commercial products. Its key services include betting operator licenses, casino and gaming premises licenses, compliance and enforcement, consumer complaints and protection mechanisms, responsible gambling programs, and advertising and marketing pre‑approval.

Key Products

  • Compliance and Enforcement

    Monitoring of licensed operators and action against illegal gambling.

  • Responsible Gambling Programs

    Public awareness campaigns and addiction support.

  • Advertising and Marketing Pre‑approval

    Review and clearance of all gambling‑related advertisements.

  • Betting Operator Licenses

    Permits for sports betting, lotteries, and gaming operations in Kenya.

  • Casino and Gaming Premises Licenses

    Authorisation for land‑based casinos and gaming establishments.

  • Consumer Complaints and Protection

    Mechanisms for reporting fraud and disputes.

Key Persons

Exhibition History

Related Companies

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