Kenya Communications Authority orders reduction of gambling ads
Media have been given 14 days to come into licence with approved quotas.
Kenya.- The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has issued a directive to television and radio broadcasters to significantly reduce gambling-related content. Media outlets have been given 14 days to take action or risk losing their broadcasting licences.
The CAK said several stations were breaching the approved quotas for gambling content according to the Programming Code and that it would no longer tolerate such violations. In a statement, it said the order was intended to safeguard Kenyan audiences, particularly young people.
“Failure to comply within the stipulated period will result in regulatory action, including possible revocation of broadcast licenses,” the watchdog said.
This move comes amid rising concerns over the normalisation of gambling among young Kenyans. Interior principal secretary Dr Raymond Omollo recently compared gambling addiction to substance abuse and stressed the urgency of protecting young players.
Association of Gaming Operators takes steps
The Association of Gaming Operators, which represents betting firms, has acknowledged public concerns and has implemented age-verification systems and 24/7 toll-free helplines for confidential support. It has also launched national campaigns to promote responsible gaming practices.
“The gaming industry in Kenya continues to evolve rapidly, creating opportunities for economic growth, digital innovation, and employment. However, with this growth comes an increased responsibility to safeguard the welfare of players, particularly vulnerable populations, including young people,” the body said in a statement.
New Kenyan gambling legislation
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), the regulatory authority overseeing betting activities, has also commented on the situation. Dr Jane Mwikali, the BCLB chair, acknowledged that a significant proportion of Kenyan youth have engaged in gambling but noted that the industry provides direct employment to more than 10,000 people and supports over 500,000 livelihoods.
She said the proposed Gambling Control Bill 2023 would introduce strict measures to safeguard players, including a ban on youth-targeted promotions, mandatory responsible gambling messages, and restricted hours for broadcasting betting-related content.
The bill also proposes the use of technology to monitor licensed operators in real-time along with regular audits and surprise inspections. It will also require betting operators to allocate a percentage of their total gross gaming revenue to fund addiction prevention and rehabilitation services.
