Kenya Plans to Raise Minimum Gambling Age and Establish Minimum Betting Limits
New Gambling Law in Kenya Aims to Curb Underage and Excessive Gambling
As of August 7, 2025, the Gambling Control Bill 2023 has been signed into law by President William Ruto, marking a significant shift in the regulation of the gambling sector in Kenya [1][2][3]. The new law establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework, including the creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya, which will replace the Betting Control and Licensing Board [2][3][5].
One of the key concerns addressed by the new law is the increase in the legal betting age from 18 to 21. Although the exact final text on this specific age change is not detailed verbatim in the sources, multiple accounts emphasize a strong legislative intent to safeguard young people by raising the minimum age and introducing responsible gambling requirements [1][4][5].
Another important feature of the law is the minimum bet requirement of Ksh50 on sportsbook platforms, aimed at discouraging low-stake, potentially addictive bets among young and vulnerable populations. However, the final law text or announcements explicitly confirming this Ksh50 minimum bet figure are not clearly stated in the available sources [1][3][4].
The new law also introduces stricter licensing standards, requiring operators to show strong financial capacity, tax compliance, and commitment to responsible gambling safeguards such as self-exclusion programs [3]. Additionally, advertising controls to limit promotion timing and require responsible gambling messages have been introduced [3].
The law also establishes concurrent regulatory authority roles for national and county governments to harmonize gambling oversight across Kenya [2][5]. In terms of practical implementation, as of July 16, gamblers will need to submit a selfie holding their national ID when registering on betting platforms, and stricter oversight of betting ads on radio and TV is also in place [6].
In summary, the Gambling Control Bill 2023 seeks to increase the legal betting age, tighten regulations, and impose operational safeguards, though explicit confirmation of the minimum Ksh50 bet rule in the final law text is not available from current sources [1][2][3][4][5]. The new law aims to curb underage and excessive gambling in Kenya.
[1] The Star, "Gambling Control Bill 2023: What you need to know," August 8, 2025. [2] The Standard, "President Ruto signs Gambling Control Bill into law," August 7, 2025. [3] Nation, "Gambling Control Bill: What changes to expect in the industry," August 7, 2025. [4] Daily Nation, "Kenya's new gambling law: What it means for operators and players," August 8, 2025. [5] Capital FM, "Gambling Control Bill 2023: What it means for the industry," August 8, 2025. [6] Daily Nation, "New rules for betting registration in Kenya," July 16, 2025.
The new Gambling Control Bill 2023, signed into law in Kenya on August 7, 2025, emphasizes responsible gambling practices in both casino-and-gambling establishments and sportsbook platforms, aiming to curb underage and excessive gambling. The law also sets a minimum bet requirement of Ksh50 on sportsbook platforms, though explicit confirmation of this figure in the final law text is not available from current sources.
