Gambling Ads, Commercials Suspended For 30 Days After 2-Week Long Outcry
The Kenyan government has stopped all gambling commercials for 30 days in an effort to reduce irresponsible betting and protect vulnerable groups, particularly minors.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) announced the suspension on April 29, 2025, citing increased concern about the spread of gambling activities and deceptive advertising.
In a statement, BCLB Chairperson Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau stated that the Board had observed an alarming trend in which gambling promoters portrayed betting as a legitimate financial opportunity and a quick path to wealth.
She warned that such misrepresentations were having serious social and economic consequences for individuals, families, and communities.
The suspension of betting adverts is meant to:
— Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) (@BettingBclb) April 29, 2025
• Protect minors
• Curb misleading ads
• Promote responsible betting
No betting firm will be allowed to advertise until they fully comply with the revised BCLB guidelines.#BCLB #SafeBettingKE #ResponsibleGaming
Dr. Makau also voiced concern about the widespread broadcast of gambling commercials between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
She stated that this exposed minors to betting content and contributed to the rise in addiction cases.
To address the situation, the BCLB ordered an immediate halt to all gambling-related commercials and promotional content on all media channels.
These include TV, radio, print, social media, billboards, SMS, email, and influencer endorsements.
During the suspension, all licensed gambling businesses are required to submit their ads to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for review and classification in line with the Film and Stage Plays Act.
The BCLB also instructed operators to guarantee complete compliance with current gaming regulations and to incorporate responsible gambling practices as part of their license requirements.
In addition to the suspension, the government has formed a Multi-Agency Enforcement Team to develop strategic interventions and enforce responsible gambling rules.
The team includes members from important government agencies.
This comprises the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Attorney General, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, KFCB, the Kenya Media Council, the Financial Reporting Centre, and the BCLB itself.
🇰🇪 PUBLIC NOTICE
— Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) (@BettingBclb) April 29, 2025
Kenyans will NOT see betting adverts on TV or hear them on radio for the next 30 days.
We have SUSPENDED all gambling advertisements across media platforms until promoters fully comply with our set guidelines on responsible marketing.
#GamblingRegulationKE
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The BCLB also encouraged Parliament to expedite the Gambling Control Bill, which is likely to strengthen regulators’ supervisory powers.
It further called on the Media Council of Kenya to finalise new advertising guidelines, following a court ruling that nullified the previous programming code.
Members of the public were encouraged to report any violations or suspicious gambling operations directly to the BCLB or the nearest police station for investigation.
🚫 Seen a betting ad on TV, radio, or online? Report it!
— Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) (@BettingBclb) April 29, 2025
We have banned all gambling advertisements for 30 days.
Any adverts by media, influencers, or others during this period are ILLEGAL.
Report violations to the police or directly to the Board.
#ResponsibleGamingKE
The Board emphasised its commitment to protecting the youth, promoting social responsibility, and restoring integrity in Kenya’s gambling sector.
Gambling Ads, Commercials Suspended For 30 Days After 2-Week Long Outcry
