The government has suspended all gambling advertisements in Kenya for 30 days across all media platforms.
In a public statement issued on Monday, Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) Chairperson Jane Mwikali Makau said the decision was made due to growing concerns about the increasing spread of gambling in the country.
Makau said some gambling companies have been misleading the public by presenting gambling as a reliable way to make money, which she said has serious social and economic consequences.
“Some promoters are falsely marketing gambling as a shortcut to wealth, which has devastating effects on individuals, families, and society at large,” she said.
She also raised concern about gambling ads being shown during the watershed period (between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm), exposing children and other vulnerable groups to gambling content and addiction. The banned adverts include those promoting betting, gaming, lotteries, prize competitions, and related promotions.
“In view of these occurrences, and under our legal mandate, the BCLB has ordered the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements and endorsements across all media platforms for 30 days from the date of this notice,” said Makau.
The ban applies to TV, radio, newspapers, outdoor billboards, social media, SMS, emails, push notifications, and influencer or celebrity endorsements.
During the suspension period, all licensed gambling companies must submit their advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for approval in line with the Film and Stage Plays Act. They are also expected to comply with all existing advertising and gambling regulations in the country, and to promote responsible gambling using messages that have been officially approved.
To further strengthen regulation of the gambling sector, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has also made several key recommendations. The National Assembly has been urged to fast-track the Gambling Control Bill to provide the regulator with greater powers.
The Media Council of Kenya is expected to complete and implement new advertising guidelines to replace the programming code that was declared unconstitutional. Members of the public are encouraged to report any illegal gambling activities or suspicious advertisements to the BCLB or the nearest police station for immediate investigation. In addition, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has been called upon to block and deactivate all unlicensed foreign gambling websites operating within the country.
The government has also formed a Multi-Agency Enforcement Team to develop policies and enforcement plans to promote responsible gambling nationwide.
“The BCLB calls on all stakeholders—including betting firms, media houses, telecom companies, and the public—to fully support this directive. The government remains committed to protecting the youth, promoting social responsibility, and restoring order in the gambling industry,” Makau said.
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