Kenyan creators fight back for being excluded from major gambling ad decisions
The Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) has criticised the Betting Authority for excluding key players from major decisions.
Kenya.- Kenya’s digital storytellers are hitting back and hard. A sweeping directive by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has sparked outrage among the country’s content creators after it slammed the brakes on celebrity and influencer endorsements of gambling platforms.
Unveiled on May 29, the ban aims to curb the glamorisation of betting and protect impressionable audiences, particularly the youth. But creators say the move comes out of nowhere and worse, without a whisper of consultation.
The Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) isn’t pulling any punches. In a sharp rebuttal, the association condemned the directive as a top-down decision that sidelines the very voices shaping Kenya’s digital economy.
“We were not consulted, yet we remain a significant and legitimate player in the advertising and creative economy,” said DCCAK chairman Bob Ndolo in a statement.
He emphasised the importance of regulation and responsible advertising but opposed a complete ban. The group argued that, when used appropriately, influencers can help deliver ethical and properly regulated messages, particularly on digital platforms where younger audiences are most active.
“Our members do not glamorise betting or present it as a way to get rich quickly,” they said.
Broader crackdown
The backlash follows the BCLB’s broader crackdown on gambling advertising. The updated guidelines demand that all gambling ads be vetted by the BCLB and the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) before being aired.
Ads are also prohibited near sensitive areas such as schools, churches and malls, in line with the 2025 Media Code of Conduct.
But for Kenya’s bustling creator economy, the restrictions spell financial loss. Influencers and celebrities have long been used by betting firms as powerful brand amplifiers.
DCCAK argues this move could decimate income streams for thousands of creatives already navigating a tough economic climate.
“We believe that influencers should not be unfairly excluded. They can play a big role in promoting responsible gambling,” said Ndolo.
DCCAK is now urging the BCLB to rethink the directive, calling for collaborative policy-making that includes all stakeholders.
As tensions mount, the DCCAK’s firm stand signals a brewing standoff between regulators and Kenya’s vibrant digital creator economy. With livelihoods on the line, the association is demanding dialogue, warning that without inclusive policy-making, the ban risks stifling innovation.
