In a bold move to overhaul Kenya’s rapidly growing gambling sector, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) unveiled proposed reforms on July 16, 2025, requiring gamblers to submit a selfie holding their national ID during registration, as announced during a National Assembly Finance and Planning Committee session.
These stringent measures, detailed by BCLB Director Peter Mbugi, aim to curb underage gambling and enhance oversight, with additional rules mandating a minimum capital of Sh50 million for betting shops and Sh200 million for online platforms.
The proposals, sparking debate, are part of the Gambling Control Bill set for parliamentary review on July 22, 2025.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is spearheading a transformative overhaul of Kenya’s betting industry with sweeping reforms designed to tackle underage gambling, ensure fairness, and reduce speculative operators.
Unveiled on July 16, 2025, during a session with the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee chaired by Molo MP Kimani Kuria, the proposed rules introduce a selfie ID verification system for new gambling account registrations.
This measure, aimed at preventing minors from accessing betting platforms, responds to concerns raised by BCLB Director Peter Mbugi about youths using their parents’ IDs to gamble.
The initiative has drawn mixed reactions on X, with some users praising the move as a step toward responsible gambling, while others question its practicality for rural bettors.
Under the BCLB betting reforms 2025, betting shops, referred to as “Muaka,” must maintain a minimum capital of Sh50 million to secure a license, a significant increase from the current Sh10,000 application fee and Sh400,000 to Sh1 million annual fees, which lawmakers like Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma argue are too low given the sector’s risks.
Online platforms and national lottery operators face a steeper Sh200 million capital requirement, while casinos must demonstrate Sh5 billion in capital, reflecting the BCLB’s intent to weed out unserious players.
Mbugi emphasized that these thresholds will streamline the industry, which saw 236 companies licensed in 2024 alone, alongside 106 unauthorized gambling websites shut down with the Communications Authority of Kenya.
The proposed Gambling Control Bill, expected to be debated on July 22, 2025, aims to replace the outdated Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1966, providing a robust legal framework for these reforms.
A key component is the centralized monitoring system, which will track all licensed betting operations in real-time to ensure compliance and transparency.
Additionally, game algorithms, particularly for high-risk games like Aviator, must be vetted by the BCLB to guarantee fairness, addressing concerns raised by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari about the game’s addictive nature.
Wangari’s probe into Aviator’s licensing status prompted the BCLB to ban unapproved advertisements for such games, requiring clearance from both the BCLB and the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
The reforms also build on earlier measures introduced in May 2025, when the BCLB banned celebrities and influencers from promoting gambling and restricted ads near schools or areas frequented by minors.
All advertisements must now display the operator’s license number, a responsible gambling warning, and a customer care contact, with airtime limited to two digital billboard ads per hour.
These rules, enforced by a multi-agency team including the Ministry of Interior and KFCB, aim to protect vulnerable groups, particularly Kenya’s youth, 70% of whom are aged 18–35 and actively engaged in betting, according to a 2025 survey.
The BCLB’s push for responsible gambling is further supported by a public hotline for reporting violations and regular audits to ensure compliance.
The Kenya betting industry reform has sparked significant online discussion, with X posts reflecting both support and doubts.
@MwangoCapital highlighted the selfie ID requirement and capital thresholds as necessary to “clean up” the industry, while @C_NyaKundiH
criticized internal BCLB tensions, noting a rift between Chairperson Jane Makau and Mbugi over banning Aviator.
The reforms align with broader fiscal changes, including a reduction in excise duty on bets from 15% to 5% under the 2025 Finance Bill, shifting taxation to when funds are transferred to betting accounts.
This change, approved on June 23, 2025, aims to improve tax enforcement against offshore operators, though critics warn it may fuel gambling addiction.
For those seeking BCLB 2025 proposed changes updates, the Gambling Control Bill’s passage is critical. If signed into law by President William Ruto, it will establish a new Gambling Regulatory Authority to replace the BCLB, enhancing oversight and consumer protection.
Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma emphasized balancing revenue generation with preventing societal harm, stating, “Gambling shouldn’t propel moral decay.” As Kenya’s betting market, the third largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, continues to grow, evidenced by a 17.04% wagering increase to KSh 75.18 billion by March 2025, these reforms aim to foster a safer, more regulated industry while addressing public health concerns.
