Jockey Club questions Kenya gambling rules consultation
The Jockey Club questioned whether stakeholder submissions had influenced the final regulations, as the Senate committee prepared to consult further before completing its review.
Key takeaways:
- The Jockey Club of Kenya raised concerns about public participation in the development of the Gambling Control Regulations 2026.
- CEO Ben Lawrence presented the organisation’s views to the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation on November 3.
- The Jockey Club questioned whether stakeholder submissions had been adequately considered, even where consultations had taken place.
- Sections 58 and 59 of Kenya’s Gambling Control Act 2025 provide for bookmaker and totalisator licences, including those covering on-course operations.
- The Senate committee resolved to consult additional stakeholders before preparing its report for consideration by the House.
Kenya.- The Jockey Club of Kenya has questioned the consultation process behind the Gambling Control Regulations 2026, saying stakeholder views were not adequately considered. Its submission came as the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation reviewed concerns about the new regulatory framework and resolved to engage additional stakeholders before preparing its report.
The organisation’s chief executive officer, Ben Lawrence, presented its views to the Senate committee on November 3. According to Parliament’s report, he questioned whether stakeholder feedback had been adequately considered, even where consultations had taken place.
The Jockey Club manages Thoroughbred horse racing in Kenya and appeared before the committee to present its views on the Gambling Control Regulations 2026.
The regulations fall under the Gambling Control Act 2025, which sets out the licensing framework for bookmaker and totalisator operations. Section 58 provides for on-the-course, off-the-course, combined on-course and off-course, and online bookmaker licences.
Section 59 covers on-the-course and off-the-course totalisator licences, as well as licences authorising both types of operation. These may be issued for individual race days or for periods not exceeding one year.
The provisions form part of the regulatory framework for betting operations associated with horse racing. However, the parliamentary report does not indicate that these specific licensing provisions were among the concerns raised by the Jockey Club.
Lawrence’s submission formed part of a wider examination of the regulations by the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) also appeared before the committee on November 3, raising separate objections concerning licensing fees, minimum capital requirements and alleged procedural shortcomings.
Following the presentations, the committee resolved to engage additional stakeholders before preparing an informed and inclusive report for consideration by the House. The consultations would include private-sector organisations and government agencies.
The meeting was chaired by Committee chairperson Mwenda Gataya, with Vice Chairperson Danson Mungatana and senators Mohamed Faki, Consolata Wakwabubi, Dan Maanzo and Betty Montet also in attendance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What concerns did the Jockey Club of Kenya raise about the Gambling Control Regulations 2026? The Jockey Club questioned whether stakeholder views were adequately considered during the development of the regulations, even where consultations had taken place.
- Who presented the Jockey Club’s concerns to the Kenyan Senate? Jockey Club of Kenya CEO Ben Lawrence presented the organisation’s views to the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation on November 3, 2026.
- How does Kenya’s Gambling Control Act 2025 regulate horse-racing betting? Section 58 provides for different categories of bookmaker licences, including on-course and online licences. Section 59 covers on-course and off-course totalisator licences, including licences for both types of operation.
- What happens next in the Senate’s review of Kenya’s gambling regulations? The committee resolved to engage additional stakeholders before preparing a report for consideration by the House.
