By Kamadi Amata

The government has suspended all gambling advertisements and testimonials across all media platforms for a period of 30 days.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) — the agency responsible for regulating betting, gaming, and public lotteries — expressed concern over the rapid rise in gambling activities. The board noted that promoters are increasingly portraying gambling as a legitimate investment and a shortcut to wealth creation.

“Of particular concern is the rampant airing of gambling advertisements during the watershed period (5:00 am to 10:00 pm), thereby exposing vulnerable members of the population, particularly minors, who are gradually drawn into gambling-related addiction,” said BCLB Chairperson Jane Makau.

As a result, the board has suspended the promotion of all gambling-related activities, including betting, gaming, and lottery prize competitions. The directive affects all forms of advertising — including television and radio, social media, print media, billboards, SMS, email campaigns, and push notifications. Celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing for gambling products have also been prohibited during the suspension period.

In addition, all gambling operators and promoters are now required to submit their advertisements to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for review, classification, and approval, including the issuance of a filming license.

Makau further urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Gambling Control Bill, which would strengthen regulatory oversight and enforcement capabilities. She also called on the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to introduce new guidelines to replace the programming code recently declared unconstitutional and appealed to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to block and deactivate all foreign gambling websites operating without a license.

This directive comes shortly after BCLB dismissed media reports that indicated Kenyans spent a staggering Ksh.766 billion on gambling in 2024. On April 20, the board labeled the figures as exaggerated and inaccurate.

In defense of the betting industry, BCLB stated that the sector employs over 10,000 Kenyans directly, supports more than 500,000 livelihoods indirectly, and contributes to community projects through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The industry is also projected to generate Ksh.20 billion in tax revenue in 2025 through excise duty, withholding tax, and other levies on betting and gaming.