President William Ruto has signed the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, into law, marking a major step toward updating gambling laws in Kenya.

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.

One of the key provisions of the new law is the requirement that 15 per cent of gross gambling revenue be remitted to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.

“Further, the Bill seeks to provide a revenue-generation avenue for the government. Notably, 15 per cent of gross gambling revenue is remitted to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to promote culture, sports, and social development,” the National Assembly added in a statement on their X account.

This means that for every shilling made by licensed gambling operators, a portion will go directly into developing Kenya’s sports, cultural, and social sectors. The fund is expected to help improve local sports infrastructure, support artists, and grow youth talent nationwide.

The bill was introduced by Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and has gone through a lengthy legislative process involving both the National Assembly and the Senate. Following disagreement over amendments, a Mediation Committee was appointed, leading to the approval of the final version in late July 2025.

The law repeals the old Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (Cap. 131) but keeps tax-related rules in place until new tax laws are passed. It also establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority, a new body that will replace the Betting Control and Licensing Board. The Authority will issue licences, set industry standards, monitor gambling trends, and advise counties on regulation.

“The principal objective of the bill is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of gambling in Kenya, with emphasis on safe gambling principles. It seeks to regulate betting, casinos, and other forms of gambling, as well as the authorisation of prize competitions, public lotteries, and media promotions,” the National Assembly posted on their X account.

Tougher rules on gambling

In addition to the 15 per cent remittance, the new law includes several measures to address gambling-related harm:

• Raising the legal gambling age from 18 to 21
• Banning celebrities and influencers from promoting gambling
• Setting a minimum bet amount of Ksh50
• Introducing public education on gambling risks
• Enabling self-exclusion options for problem gamblers

The Authority will also work with the Kenya Revenue Authority to ensure gambling operators pay the correct taxes, using a central monitoring system for better compliance.