NAIROBI, Kenya – The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has told Parliament it lacks the legal authority to take action against Aviator, a popular online betting game, despite growing concern among lawmakers over its impact on Kenyan families and youth.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee, BCLB Chief Executive Peter Mbugi said the game is operated by a foreign company based outside Kenya’s jurisdiction, making it difficult for regulators to enforce control.
“Aviator has swiftly risen to prominence as one of the most sought-after gambling games globally,” said Mbugi. “Its intellectual property is held by SPRIBE, a firm based in Warsaw, Poland.”
He noted that the game’s design and multiple variants have boosted its appeal across markets, particularly among Kenyan youth, and that it has become difficult to track or regulate.
Lawmakers Alarmed by Growing Crisis
The committee is investigating the operations of betting and gaming companies in Kenya amid a rising crisis of gambling addiction.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari criticised the widespread promotion of Aviator in local media and warned that it was destabilising households nationwide.
“This game is everywhere—from urban estates to remote villages. Young people are hooked, and now even parents are staking school fees and life savings,” Wangari told the committee.
Several MPs echoed her concerns, calling for urgent measures to protect vulnerable populations.
BCLB Pushes for Sweeping Reforms
While acknowledging the limitations of current laws, Mbugi said the BCLB is pushing for major reforms to rein in the rapidly expanding betting industry, which currently has 236 licensed operators.
Key proposals in a new draft bill include:
- A minimum capital requirement of Sh50 million for small betting outlets, and Sh5 billion for public gaming operators like casinos.
- Mandatory ID selfies during registration—requiring gamblers to submit photos holding their national ID.
- Tighter content regulation of betting advertisements, now classified as adult content to be aired only outside watershed hours.
- A requirement for all gambling ads to carry health warnings such as “Gambling is Addictive” or “Play Responsibly.”
“We’ve already stopped authorising outdoor advertising, daily jackpots, and bonus promotions,” Mbugi added.
He said over 106 illegal gambling websites have been flagged in collaboration with the Communications Authority and that Kenya must treat gambling with the same urgency it applied to tobacco and alcohol control.
Industry Still a Major Tax Contributor
Despite regulatory gaps, the betting industry remains a significant source of government revenue.
The BCLB revealed that the government has collected Sh96.7 billion in taxes from betting companies over the last seven years.
In the 2023/24 financial year alone, tax collections hit Sh22.3 billion, with Sh14.5 billion raised by January 2025.
Betting companies in Kenya currently face multiple taxes, including:
- 15% excise duty on betting stakes
- 20% withholding tax on winnings
- 50% gaming tax on gross revenues
- Corporate income tax on profits
Mbugi concluded by urging lawmakers to support the passage of the new regulatory framework, warning that the sector is still governed by outdated laws passed in 1966.
