In a move to strengthen oversight and streamline the gambling industry, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA-K) concluded a two-day public participation forum on new draft regulations under the Gambling Control Act, 2025.
The forum, which attracted a wide range of industry players, was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together stakeholders to deliberate on proposed reforms aimed at creating a more structured, robust, transparent and accountable sector.
Speaking to the media, Gambling Regulatory Authority Director General (DG), Mr. Peter Karimi, said the consultations, which took place from March 31 to April 1, mark a critical constitutional process in developing a robust legal framework to govern the sector, which plays a significant role in Kenya’s economy.
The DG underscored the importance of the public participation process, noting that it is designed to ensure inclusivity by bringing on board members of the public, industry operators, county governments and state agencies to discuss the proposals and submit their views.
According to the DG, the Authority will continue receiving additional submissions through its website and official e-mail channels until April 13. Afterwards, the feedback will be consolidated into a final document for submission to Parliament for legislation.
“Anyone who feels that their views need to be heard through this forum will have a public participation window closing on the 13th of April, and then all views will be collated into a final document that will then be submitted to Parliament for ratification,” said the GRA-K boss.
The proposed regulations comprise the Gambling Control (Licensing Regulations) 2026, Gambling Control (Conduct of Gambling Operations Regulations) 2026, Gambling Control (National Lottery Regulations) 2026, Gambling Control (Advertising Regulations) 2026, Gambling Control (Gambling Appeals Tribunal Regulations) 2026 and Gambling Control (Foreign-Based Operators Regulations) 2026.
The recommendations, he said, form part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the industry while paving the way for a new state-led entrant, the National Lottery.
The DG revealed that a significant portion of the discussions focused on the National Lottery Regulations, reflecting growing public interest in the state’s planned entry into the gambling space.
“This process is anchored in law. Public participation is not optional; it is a constitutional requirement. We want every Kenyan’s voice to be heard before these regulations are finalised,” he said.
While many responses have been positive, some industry players have raised concerns about implementation challenges, particularly around licensing and compliance requirements.
Karimi acknowledged that Kenya’s gambling sector has been operating under outdated laws for decades, noting that the previous framework, which dates back to the 1960s, is inadequate for addressing modern challenges such as online betting and consumer protection.
He pointed out that the new regulatory framework places strong emphasis on responsible gambling, player protection and safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly youth and individuals at risk of addiction.
He added that “the Authority is also focused on creating a fair operating environment for industry players while ensuring predictable and transparent tax collection mechanisms for the government.”
The DG said the Authority is working closely with agencies including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Communications Authority of Kenya, Financial Reporting Centre, Central Bank of Kenya, Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the National Intelligence Service to strengthen oversight and enforcement through a coordinated approach.
Karimi urged Kenyans to actively participate in the process, noting that the final regulations will reflect diverse views collected from across the country.
The Chairman of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, Joseph Limo, said, “We are gathered here today to fulfil our key mandate: to protect sector players by creating a fair operating environment and ensure a balanced framework where both the government and the sector can operate in support of the economy.”
The National Lottery, established under the National Lottery Act 2023, is positioned as a distinct gambling vertical designed as a public financing instrument. Through the National Lottery Board, the State will run lottery games aimed at raising revenue for good causes, including social development, sports, arts and community programmes.
Officials outlined that the lottery will operate within the broader regulatory framework but with stricter oversight, ring-fenced funds for public benefit and enhanced transparency requirements.
Stakeholders present raised questions around consumer protection, responsible gambling safeguards, advertising controls, legal fees and the role of technology in monitoring compliance, alongside how the lottery will differentiate itself from existing gambling products and build public trust.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya has been established as a statutory body under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, with the mandate to regulate, supervise, and control all forms of gambling across the country.
It provides a comprehensive framework for overseeing betting, casinos, lotteries, online platforms, and other gambling-related activities while formally creating the Authority to enforce these provisions.
Under the Act, the Authority is mandated to license operators and ensure strict compliance with legal, technical, and ethical standards. It aims to strengthen oversight of the sector, enhance consumer protection, and promote responsible gambling practices, positioning the industry as transparent and sustainable.
The new framework also safeguards public interest by ensuring fairness and integrity in gambling operations, curbing illegal and unlicensed activities, and protecting vulnerable groups from gambling-related harm.
Through collaboration with stakeholders and a focus on innovation, the Authority seeks to build a secure, well-regulated, and globally competitive gambling sector in Kenya.
The new reforms therefore signal a new dawn, aiming to transform the National Lottery into a source of robust, sustainable public revenue as it strives to meet expectations of strong governance that can compete and meet the current global trends.
The Authority is expected to incorporate stakeholder feedback before finalising the regulations, marking a critical step toward operationalising Kenya’s first National Lottery.
By Ian Chepkuto
