In Kenya, the government passed the Gambling Control Act in 2025<\/strong>, replacing a law from 1966<\/strong>. The new rules, signed by President William Ruto<\/strong>, established the Gambling Regulatory Authority<\/strong> to handle licensing and oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Operators now receive three-year licences by default, must report details on games such as crash betting, and are required to maintain a minimum of 30 per cent<\/strong> local ownership. The act also sets a minimum bet of 20 Kenyan shillings<\/strong> to limit small wagers, with fines of up to 5m shillings<\/strong> or jail terms for violations. The new regulations followed concerns over advertising, leading to a 30-day ban<\/strong> on gambling adverts in April 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2019, Tanzania introduced updates to its Internet Gaming Regulations<\/strong>. The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT)<\/strong> oversees online casinos and sportsbooks, taxing gross gaming revenue at 25 per cent<\/strong>. This has allowed companies such as SportPesa and Premier Bet<\/strong> to operate, using mobile payments including M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa<\/strong> to reach users in cities and rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lotteries and Gaming Act of 2016<\/strong> regulates online betting in Uganda, with enforcement handled by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board<\/strong>. Licences cost $2,700<\/strong> (\u20ac2,484) for sportsbooks and $4,000 <\/strong>(\u20ac3,680) for casinos, with a 20 per cent tax<\/strong> on gross revenue and 15 per cent<\/strong> withheld from winnings. In 2025, the board accredited laboratories such as GLI Africa<\/strong> for software testing to meet global standards. According to estimates, Ugandans spend more than $40m<\/strong> (\u20ac36.8m) a year on gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the inauguration of the new National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board in 2025, Uganda\u2019s Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija<\/strong>, said the government recognises the gaming sector\u2019s role in generating non-tax revenue and promoting responsible gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethiopia introduced tax changes in 2025 under Proclamation 1395<\/strong>, applying rates of 20 per cent<\/strong> to 25 per cent<\/strong> on winnings and 15 per cent <\/strong>on turnover to boost government revenue. However, a December 2025<\/strong> announcement reportedly ordered all betting companies to close immediately, signalling a possible full ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The regulations were prompted by the surge in betting, fuelled by affordable smartphones and services such as mobile money. Governments aim to collect taxes for public use, protect users from fraud and prevent problems such as addiction among young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The framework has delivered higher revenues for governments, with countries such as Tanzania and Kenya benefiting from tax and fee income while also creating jobs in operations and technology. However, a blanket ban like the one taking shape in Ethiopia may stall industry growth and shift activity to unregulated platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/UGANDA-PSMS-300x200.jpg\")
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