Gov’t Finally Speaks On Gambling Addiction After Week-Long Uproar
Isaac Mwaura, the government’s spokesperson, has stated that the government is currently enforcing tighter regulations in an effort to regulate gaming in the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, Mwaura stated that the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) collaborates with Parliament.
They intend to strengthen existing regulations to improve the monitoring of gambling in the country, particularly on online betting platforms.
“The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), in collaboration with Parliament, is fast-tracking the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, to modernise existing laws,” he said.
According to Mwaura, the country’s rapidly increasing rate of gambling addiction has contributed considerably to property loss, lower productivity, and even death.
According to Mwaura, the Ministry of Health has established a helpline, 719, via which Kenyans suffering from gambling addictions can contact and get assistance.
What is the government doing to address the rising problem of gambling and betting addiction in Kenya?
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) April 23, 2025
The govt is fully seized of the growing concerns surrounding betting addiction and strongly condemns all unlawful practices within the sector.
— Isaac Mwaura Govt Spokesman
“What is the government doing to address the rising problem of gambling and betting addiction in Kenya?” he said.
“The government is fully seized of the growing concerns surrounding betting addiction and strongly condemns all unlawful practices within the sector,” he added.
Kenyans have spoken out strongly in recent days, particularly on social media platforms, pushing for the country’s gaming to be regulated.
According to Mwaura, the government, through the Ministry of Health, would also implement further gambling regulations.
Mwaura has also warned Kenyans to remain watchful and avoid participating in ‘fraudulent schemes’ that have resulted in serious repercussions.
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The announcement comes only days after the BCLB denied reports that Kenyans would spend Ksh766 billion on gaming in 2024 in a statement released on Sunday, April 20.
The board labelled the figures as misleading to policymakers and the public. According to the board, taxes related to the gambling sector that were collected in the 2024/25 financial year totalled Ksh22.3 million.
“Debunking the Ksh766 billion myth recently reported in the media, claiming that Kenyans spent Ksh766 billion on gambling in 2024, a figure roughly equivalent to 31 per cent of national revenue,” the statement read.
“The sensational figure inaccurately inflates the size of the regulated market, likely by including offshore (unlicensed) platforms,” it added.
Gov’t Finally Speaks On Gambling Addiction After Week-Long Uproar
