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| Photo collage of IG Douglas Kanja and a betting site |
The days of unchecked gambling in Kenya may soon come to an end, following a stern warning from the National Police Service (NPS) to illegal betting operators.
Through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the NPS has vowed to intensify the crackdown on unregulated betting platforms following a steep rise in illegal gambling activities, the majority of which are targeting vulnerable and young people.
In a statement issued this week, the NPS expressed alarm over the sharp increase in betting operations running outside the legal framework, many of which have flooded the media with advertising aimed at young people.
“In recent months, we have witnessed with deep concern a worrying surge in betting activities, exacerbated by an overwhelming wave of advertising that has saturated our media landscape,” the statement read. “This has affected our society’s vulnerable population, especially the youth.”
The DCI attributed the rise in illegal gambling to the seamless integration of mobile money platforms and online lending services, which have made access to betting services easier and more discreet.
Officials noted that these developments have enabled the rapid spread of exploitative gambling schemes that evade government oversight.
As part of ongoing enforcement efforts, the NPS has pledged full backing to the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), which on Tuesday, April 29, announced a sweeping 30-day ban on all gambling-related advertising.
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| BCLB Chairperson Jane Mwikali |
The suspension applies to both licensed and unlicensed operators across all media platforms—television, radio, social media, print, outdoor signage, SMS campaigns, email marketing, and influencer promotions.
BCLB Chairperson Jane Mwikali said the temporary ban will allow regulators to assess the state of the industry and enforce stronger standards for responsible gambling.
“For the next 30 days, all advertisements must be submitted to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) for vetting prior to airing,” Mwikali said. “This is to ensure that all content aligns with current licensing and regulatory guidelines.”
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has also been urged to finalize new guidelines to better regulate betting-related content in the media space.
This step marks one of the most severe government-supported interventions in the gambling sector in recent years as the authorities move to combat what they describe as a growing social plague facilitated by online convenience and aggressive marketing.
Authorities have urged the public to report suspect betting activity and help the country's effort to restore integrity and safety to the gaming industry.
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