Kenya Gambling Licensing set for a resumption following the High Court decision
Highlights:
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) in Kenya has been given a partial lifting of the stay by the High Court, allowing it to resume its licensing and regulatory operations.
- New capital requirements and higher licensing fees are still being kept in abeyance, awaiting full judicial review.
The move enables the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) to resume some of its core functions, including taking in applications for licences and performing due diligence on operators and enforcing anti-money laundering and consumer protection regulations. The original order came out in July when challenges were made to the Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations 2026. Eventually, the government and the GRA asked for the most controversial elements to continue to be suspended, claiming that the overall order left a “regulatory black hole.” Most of the regulations have now been reinstated. But new capital requirements and higher licensing costs are still suspended.
The new framework had greatly increased the cost of operating in Kenya. The licensing fees have been reported to have jumped from between 200 per cent and 49,900 per cent, while online bookmakers and iGaming operators will also have to pay a new capital sum of Ksh100 million.
The court has not yet determined on which licensing fees to be applied during the suspension of the higher fees. Industry lawyers expect the regulator to provide guidance on the issue before applications fully reopen.
The general judicial review is ongoing, and written submissions are due September 21. The High Court will hear its verdict on October 2. For now, Kenya’s gambling industry can go ahead and continue licensing and regulation duties, while the final details on fees and capital requirements are still to be determined.
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