Kenya's Regulatory Overhaul Reshapes Gambling Sector
HighlightsÂ
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Kenya’s new gambling rules aim to bring stability under the newly formed regime.
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Last July, the government introduced a 5% levy on betting wallet withdrawals, replacing a 20% tax on net winnings.
Kenya announces a new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) under the Gambling Control Act, with a new set of regulations.
This enforcement replaces the longstanding legislation dating back to 1966, while the newly established GRA assumed regulatory oversight of the sector, taking over responsibilities from the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
Recently, the country published the five subsidiary regulations that came into effect on 1st July and launched its first licensing cycle under a new regime.
Under the new regulations, the licence applications are to be reviewed within 14 days of submission, and the final board is to take action within 30 days. Approval must be brought to the tribunal within 2 weeks of rejection.
John Mutua, CEO of the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK), states that the Gambling Control Act’s provisions provide the industry with the structural foundations after years of regulatory uncertainty.
Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of trade body the African iGaming Alliance, is also convinced that Kenya is shifting to a stable, long-term regulatory framework, which has previously been absent from the sector.
The new rules meant all gambling ads were to be approved in writing by the GRA and classified by the Kenya Film Classification Board. They must also use 20% of the advertisement to display responsible gambling warnings.
The tax rate has been an important factor in regulatory uncertainty in Kenya, which has been changed multiple times.
The situation has since stabilized, with the Kenyan government replacing the 20% tax on net winnings with a 5% levy on all betting wallet withdrawals in July last year.
For more information, Refer Here!
This enforcement replaces the longstanding legislation dating back to 1966, while the newly established GRA assumed regulatory oversight of the sector, taking over responsibilities from the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
Recently, the country published the five subsidiary regulations that came into effect on 1st July and launched its first licensing cycle under a new regime.
Under the new regulations, the licence applications are to be reviewed within 14 days of submission, and the final board is to take action within 30 days. Approval must be brought to the tribunal within 2 weeks of rejection.
John Mutua, CEO of the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK), states that the Gambling Control Act’s provisions provide the industry with the structural foundations after years of regulatory uncertainty.
Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of trade body the African iGaming Alliance, is also convinced that Kenya is shifting to a stable, long-term regulatory framework, which has previously been absent from the sector.
The new rules meant all gambling ads were to be approved in writing by the GRA and classified by the Kenya Film Classification Board. They must also use 20% of the advertisement to display responsible gambling warnings.
The tax rate has been an important factor in regulatory uncertainty in Kenya, which has been changed multiple times.
The situation has since stabilized, with the Kenyan government replacing the 20% tax on net winnings with a 5% levy on all betting wallet withdrawals in July last year.
For more information, Refer Here!
