Kenya cracks down on illegal betting sites
BCLB found that unlicensed sites cheat bettors by accepting payments but refusing to pay out.
Kenya.- In another move to regulate the betting industry, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has blocked over 50 betting sites operating in Kenya without legal domains.
As part of the crackdown, Safaricom, the state’s mobile network operator, has immediately deactivated Paybill numbers linked to the unlicensed betting firms. Since players use the numbers to deposit funds for wagering, this move will effectively cut off their primary payment channel.
In a letter dated April 29, 2025, Peter Mbugi, BCLB chief executive, notified the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) about the enforcement action on illegal betting sites. He said: “The board has taken note of complaints from concerned citizens regarding these platforms, which exploit users by demanding money through betting schemes.
“Investigations by the Board reveal that these fraudulent sites scam bettors by accepting deposits via pay bill numbers or STK push services, only to withhold payouts. Additionally, the platforms violate the gaming regulations set by the Board, necessitating their immediate shutdown.”
Some of the betting companies targeted in the latest crackdown include Cheza Crash, Crash ke, Simple Crash, Skai Crash, Aviator ke, Aviator Pesa, Aviator VIP and Luckybet ke.
Other platforms mentioned in the letter include Vuma Bet, Mita Sita, Maybet, Nimbo Crash, Maybet, Binho Crash and more.
The development comes shortly after the government imposed a 30-day ban on gambling ads in the region.
Authorities are worried that betting is consuming a significant amount of youth’s time, contributing to depression and other serious issues.
Aviator and other crash games have been identified as major contributors to gambling addiction and financial hardship among Kenyan youths.
