BCLB shuts down claims of KSh766 billion gambling spend in Kenya
Kenya’s betting regulator sets the record straight, slamming inflated gambling figures and warning of offshore distortions.
Kenya – In a bold rebuttal that cut through the noise, Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has firmly dismissed recent reports that claim Kenyan gamblers splurged a staggering KSh766 billion ($5.89bn) on betting activities in 2024.
The explosive figure, equivalent to nearly a third of Kenya’s national revenue, made headlines across the country last week and stirred public debate. But the BCLB says it’s simply not true.
“This figure is roughly equivalent to 31% of national revenue. The sensational figure inaccurately inflates the size of the regulated market, likely by including offshore (unlicensed) platforms,” said BCLB chairperson Dr Jane Mwikali in a press statement shared with the TUKO.co.ke publication.
Dr Mwikali warned that such exaggerated statistics are not only misleading to the public but also risk distorting policy decisions around the fast-evolving gambling sector.
The actual state of the market
According to the BCLB, the actual scale of Kenya’s regulated gambling market is far more modest. In 2024, the sector contributed KSh22.3 billion ($171.54m) in tax revenue, drawn from gaming and betting excise duty and withholding tax on winnings.
While the betting industry continues to grow, the board emphasised that the sector remains tightly regulated. The projected tax contribution for 2025 stands at KSh20 billion ($153.85m).
“It reflects robust but regulated growth. These figures underscore both the popularity of licensed gambling and the critical imperative for continued strong oversight. The oversight is set to be strengthened by passing into law the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, which is in the legislative process, ” the board noted in its statement.
Job creation in Kenya
Beyond the numbers, the betting sector is a vital economic player, directly employing around 10,000 Kenyans and indirectly supporting more than half a million others.
And smartphones have become the gateway to gambling, with most Kenyans engaging in sports betting through mobile devices. The board noted this trend and stated that there was a need for in-depth oversight and regulation in the digital arena.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to public awareness projects aimed at protecting players. Key to this is continued collaboration across the industry, updated legislation, and a focus on education.
As the Gambling Control Bill inches closer to becoming law, the BCLB’s message is clear: the future of betting in Kenya lies in facts, not fiction.
