NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has issued a stern directive for all gambling companies in Kenya to acquire filming licenses for their audiovisual advertisements.
This move follows a directive from the Executive Office of the President, which instructed the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to take action against the unregulated spread of gambling advertisements across media platforms.
In a press release dated April 29, 2025, KFCB emphasized that gambling companies must submit their recorded advertisements for classification and approval.
The advertisements are to be submitted via the Technical Management System (TMS), which can be accessed through the KFCB website or directly through the TMS platform.
KFCB’s Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Paskal Opiyo, underscored the importance of this move in regulating gambling content.
“This directive ensures that gambling advertisements adhere to appropriate content standards and comply with Kenyan laws,” said Opiyo in the statement.
In addition, KFCB has warned media companies against airing unclassified gambling advertisements.
According to the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya, all audiovisual content, including advertisements, must be classified and approved by KFCB before being broadcast on any media platform.
The board’s decision is a response to the growing concerns about the impact of excessive gambling advertisements on vulnerable populations, particularly the youth.
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄: 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.@citizentvkenya @ntvkenya @KBCChannel1 @K24Tv @Tv47Newske @KTNNewsKE @StandardKenya @NationAfrica @TheStarKenya
This regulatory step comes amid heightened scrutiny of the gambling sector in Kenya, following the government’s broader crackdown on gambling advertisements.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board had previously suspended gambling advertisements and formed a multi-agency team to enforce responsible gambling practices.
KFCB’s directive seeks to ensure that the rising number of gambling-related ads aligns with responsible content standards, safeguarding the public from exploitative practices.
The board’s action underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to balance the need for economic growth through the gambling industry with the protection of public health and social welfare.
In line with the directive, gambling companies are expected to submit all future advertisements for KFCB’s classification before airing.
The move is seen as a significant step toward curbing the potentially harmful effects of unregulated gambling promotions on Kenyan society.
