Kenya to ban gaming ads

The further control would be implemented on sports betting companies.

Kenya.- The National Parliament of Kenya will vote on a new amendment on the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act to prohibit advertisements for the sports betting industry. The iGaming firms would be banned to promote sports betting competitions with the prize included.

“No person shall conduct in Kenya, in or through any newspaper or broadcasting, or in connection with a trade or business or the sale of which any article to the public a competition in which prizes are offered for broadcasts of result either of future event, or of past event the result of which is not yet ascertained or not yet generally known,” expressed Jakoyo Midiwo, the sponsor of the Bill and member of the Parliament.

The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming (Amendment) Bill 2016 would prohibit current sports betting operators in Kenya, such as Sportpesa, Betin, Betway, Mcheza, to publish advertisement on print or electronic media before international football matches. Furthermore, the new law would create an official Kenya Betting Control and Licensing Authority.

The gaming bill would set strict control on industry’s tax policies, financial activities of the operators, regulation and companies’ contribution to Kenya government. The gaming committee would set fines over US$9.7 million to US$38.8 million in case of major illegal activities.