Kenya suspends all advertising and marketing related to gambling

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.