Recent statistics on the popularity of gambling in Kenya have shown that there continues to be a surge in demand for the activity. It is a demand that is being met as well, as the booming industry continues to be highlighted in all areas of gambling. A strong, legalised and centrally structured industry provides a big income for regions, and Kenya’s future is bright in this regard.
But by no means does Kenya stand alone in seeing a huge recent growth in the online gambling industry. It is growing worldwide. British players flock to the best casino sites UK, which offer bonuses, a wide selection of games and a variety of payment options. It’s pretty much the same in Spain, Nigeria, or any other country where online gambling is permitted. The industry is on the up as a whole across the world.
The global gambling revenue is projected to hit US$477.30bn in 2025 which is an expected revenue change of 4.9% from the 2024 numbers. Furthermore, the industry is expected to show an annual growth rate of more than 3% by 2029. But where does Kenya stand in all of this?
The Worth of Kenya’s Gambling Scene
The value of Kenya’s gambling market is projected to hit US$831.80m in 2025, which is a huge increase of more than 6% from the previous year, a clear sign of rapid growth. Of that share, almost two-thirds of gambling revenue for 2025 will come from casinos, which is expected to produce a revenue value of US$557.20m.
But it’s where the Kenyan gambling market is projected to go from there that is eye-catching, because the future projections for the country are staggering. Kenya’s gambling market is expected to outgrow the expected global rate by seeing an annual growth of 5.46%. By 2029, the Kenyan gambling market is expected to be worth around US$1,029.00m.
More Players Joining
What that equates to in player figures, is that by 2029 there could be around 1.6m Kenyans partaking in a form of gambling. A 2024 report found that 82% of respondents in Kenya said that they had participated in gambling or betting, which was the highest percentage of all countries in the survey. In comparison, the next highest percentage of respondents saying they had bet on sports was from South Africa, at just under 74%.
The report also showed that the frequency of gambling was on the up. A similar 2022 study found that 44% of respondents bet once just a month, for example, but in the 2024 study, that was down to around 20%. People betting approximately once a week, however, had jumped up to 32% in 2024 and 15% of respondents reported betting more than once a day.
Younger Demographics
There has been something of a perfect storm for the rise of gambling in Kenya and other countries. The big driving force behind the increasing popularity has been better internet connections, the rapid number of online gambling platforms and the prevalence of smartphones.
Access to betting and gambling platforms has become increasingly easier in the last twenty years or so. It has become a much more mobile pastime, and only a smartphone with a connection is required to access a gambling platform from anywhere.
The highest demographic found to participate in gambling was males aged 26 to 35, closely followed by males 18 to 25. It was also reported that residents in urban settings spent an average of Ksh 2,125 on gambling, compared to an average of Ksh 1,481 spent by residents in rural areas.
Forward Thinking
After years of discussion, the Gambling Control Bill 2023 in Kenya was passed, providing sweeping reforms to the industry. Notably, it introduced a regulatory body to oversee the gambling sector, to establish much greater accountability.
Importantly, it also cracks down on illegal platforms. Kenya will only issue licences to gambling companies that have at least 30% local ownership, which ensures that a big share of the potentially lucrative industry stays within the country.
The more secure an industry is, the greater the fight against the grey areas of online gambling is, the more people are likely to trust and engage with it. Gambling in Kenya is regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
In Summary
The gambling scene in Kenya continues to track positively across all areas, from sports betting, to slots and casino table games. There are positives from revenue generated from gambling taxation, and the growth in the country can lead to greater job opportunities as well.
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