By Grace Gilo
The government has suspended all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for 30 days, starting from Tuesday, 29th April.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), which controls and licenses betting, gaming and public lotteries, noted a rapid increase in gambling, hence the suspension.
The directive applies to all licensed gambling operators and covers all forms of advertisement and promotional activity, including: Television and radio advertisements, social media platforms, print media (newspapers, magazines, flyers), outdoor advertising (billboards, branded transport, etc.), SMS, email campaigns, and push notifications and celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing.
“Some gambling promoters are increasingly mischaracterizing gambling as a legitimate investment opportunity and a shortcut to wealth creation,” read the statement in part from Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, the BCLB Chairperson.
“The erroneous depiction occasions adverse socioeconomic consequences, with devastating effects on individuals, families, and the broader community,” BCLB added.
The government is particularly concerned about the airing of gambling advertisements during the watershed period (5:00 am to 10:00 pm), which exposes vulnerable members of the population, especially minors, to gambling-related addiction.
The gambling activities affected include betting, gaming, lottery prize competitions, and all related promotional undertakings.
During the suspension period, all licensed gambling operators and promoters must submit their gambling advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for examination, classification, and issuance of a certificate of approval and filming license in accordance with the Film and Stage Plays Act.
Operators are required to ensure strict compliance with all relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks governing gambling and related advertising in Kenya. They must also implement comprehensive measures to promote responsible gambling practices, according to the conditions set by the BCLB
Additionally, the BCLB has urged the National Assembly to expedite the enactment of the Gambling Control Bill, to empower the sector regulator with enhanced enforcement and supervisory powers.
“The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is requested to finalize and operationalize new guidelines to replace the programming code declared unconstitutional, in full compliance with the court ruling,” added the chairperson.
“The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is requested to undertake immediate measures to block and deactivate all foreign unlicensed gambling websites operating within the territory of the Republic of Kenya, in a bid to safeguard consumers and uphold the integrity of the sector,” she added.
Furthermore, the government has established a Multi-Agency Enforcement Team mandated to formulate strategic interventions, policy recommendations, and enforcement mechanisms to advance responsible gambling practices across the country.
“The Government remains firmly committed to safeguarding public welfare, protecting the youth, promoting social responsibility, and restoring integrity within Kenya’s gambling sector,” she noted.