President William Ruto has signed the Gambling Control Bill of 2023 into law.

In a brief ceremony at the State House on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Ruto assented to the bill, which proposes sweeping changes to betting and gambling as it is known in Kenya.

A central element of the bill is the creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. This new Authority will replace the existing Betting Control and Licensing Board.

It will be a corporate body with the power to sue, be sued, hold property, and enter into contracts. The Authority will be headquartered in Nairobi but can establish other offices across the country.

Gambling Regulatory Authority

Among the mandates of the authority will be developing standards and norms for gambling activities, issuing licenses for betting, casinos, and online gambling, conducting security checks and due diligence on licensees and their staff, creating a central, real-time electronic monitoring system for gambling activities, and monitoring the socio-economic impacts of gambling, including addictive behavior.

The authority will also be charged with collaborating with county governments on gambling regulation and handling public complaints related to gambling.

The authority will be empowered with stricter oversight, including a new requirement for online operators to have a minimum capital of Ksh100 million. This significant increase from the previous Ksh250,000 is intended to ensure that only financially stable and serious companies can operate, providing a better safeguard for players’ funds.

Gambling age

The bill equally proposes the increase of the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, mirroring the proposed age limit for alcohol consumption.

Furthermore, the legislation imposes strict controls on advertising. It bans celebrity and influencer endorsements, which are seen as a powerful tool for luring young people into betting.

It also requires that a percentage of all gambling advertisements be dedicated to promoting responsible gambling. Another significant proposal is to raise the minimum bet amount to Ksh50, a measure specifically designed to make impulsive, low-stakes gambling more difficult for young people with limited finances.

The bill seeks to modernize the industry, curb the harmful effects of addiction, and ultimately protect the well-being of Kenyan youth.