GAMBLING PROMOTIONS

Kenya suspends all advertising and marketing related to gambling

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Country’s Betting Control and Licensing Board is concerned that promotions are mischaracterising gambling and causing harm to Kenyans.

Kenyan authorities have suspended all gambling advertisements and related promotional activities across all media platforms for 30 days.

Photo: Sascha Düser from Pexels 

The ban was announced yesterday (Tuesday, 29 April) by the country’s Betting Control and Licensing Board and became effective immediately. The board, known locally as the BCLB, controls and licenses betting, gaming and public lotteries within Kenya. 

 

In a statement, it said betting companies are “increasingly mischaracterising gambling as a legitimate investment opportunity and a shortcut to wealth creation”. 

 

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

 

Temporary ban applies to all platforms  

 

The suspension applies to all promotional platforms – including radio and television, print media, billboards, social media, email campaigns, SMS, and push notifications. It covers all gambling-related activities such as gaming, betting and lotteries. 

 

Also suspended are celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing activities around gambling. 

 

In the interim, all gambling advertisements must be submitted to the Kenya Film Classification Board for examination, classification and issuance of an approval certificate and filming license. 

 

According to the BCLB, other problems caused by gambling include growing social and economic harm, an increase in gambling addiction, and families and communities being placed at risk. 

 

The recently released ‘Betting in Africa 2025’ report from research company GeoPoll noted that betting has rapidly emerged as a significant cultural and economic phenomenon across Africa, propelled by the continent’s youthful demographic, expanding internet and smartphone access, and the widespread enthusiasm for sports, particularly soccer. 

 

Read our article about the ‘Betting in Africa 2025’ report here. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.