The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has commenced a consultative forum with betting firms to evaluate their compliance and operational dynamics ahead of the 2025/2026 license renewal cycle.
The fora comes in the wake of hue and cry over the legitimacy of their operations prompting the vetting of operators to weed out those engaged in malpractices in which out of the 214 applicants the board received, only 119 were approved for consideration.
So far only 118 companies have been appraised, while 88 were found to be inactive and will not proceed beyond preliminary vetting, effectively disqualifying them from possible license renewal.
Speaking during the engagement held in Nairobi, BCLB Chairperson Dr. Jane Makau reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to maintaining a regulated an ethical betting industry that can be held accountable for its actions in a way that reflects Kenya’s national values and aligns with its development agenda.
She noted that the BCLB, which is domiciled in the Executive Office of the President, plays a critical role in ensuring the industry operates within the framework of national priorities.
Dr. Makau stated that the ongoing exercise is more than a routine administrative procedure, describing it as a structured evaluation process anchored on the principles of integrity, transparency, and public interest.
She explained that the renewal assessment considers several parameters, including regulatory compliance, consumer protection, financial and tax integrity, technological safeguards, ethical advertising, good governance, corporate social responsibility, and innovation.
Dr. Jane called on betting firms to align their operations with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and national priorities. She commended operators who have initiated community-focused programmes that demonstrate social responsibility. These include environmental conservation efforts, public awareness campaigns on responsible gambling, support for persons living with disabilities, and empowerment initiatives targeting youth and women.
She further emphasized the need for deliberate public awareness creation on the risks of addiction, calling on betting firms to include clear messaging such as “Betting is addictive — bet responsibly” in their communication materials. “This message must be visible, clear, and consistently communicated,” she said.
Dr. Makau urged operators to actively involve professional counselors to support individuals seeking help, noting that early intervention and awareness creation are critical in addressing problem gambling.
Dr. Jane also urged betting operators to steer clear of practices that target minors and vulnerable persons, emphasizing the importance of protecting those most at risk from the harms of irresponsible gambling.
She called on the industry to champion projects that reflect the Vision 2030 development blueprint, citing areas such as education sponsorships and bursaries, job creation, women’s economic inclusion, healthcare support, and the development of community infrastructure as key avenues through which the industry can make a meaningful contribution to society.
“These initiatives reflect Kenya’s development ethos and underscore our shared responsibility to build a socially conscious betting industry,” she added.
The session concluded with a reaffirmation of the Board’s dual commitment to strict regulatory compliance and the promotion of innovation and positive community impact, both of which are key considerations in the license renewal process.
By Jacqueline Adyang
