How Kenyan law regulates online casinos
Gambling has been a part of Kenyan culture for centuries, with traditional games such as bao and mbao still popular today. In recent years, the gambling industry in Kenya has grown significantly, with the introduction of new technologies such as online casinos and sports betting.
This growth has led to an increasing need for regulation, with the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) established to oversee the industry.
The first laws regulating gambling in Kenya were introduced in 1966 with the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap 131 Laws of Kenya. This act established the BCLB as the governing body responsible for regulating all forms of gambling activities within the country.
The BCLB is responsible for issuing licenses to operators wishing to offer gambling services within Kenya, as well as ensuring that all licensed operators comply with relevant laws and regulations.
In 2011, online gambling was legalized in Kenya with the introduction of new regulations governing remote gambling activities. These regulations cover online lotteries, sports betting, casino gaming, and all other forms of remote gambling.
The regulations also set out requirements for obtaining a license to operate an online casino in Kenya, including financial stability requirements and measures to ensure fair play and player protection.
Current Legal Status of Online Casinos in Kenya
Online casinos are legal in Kenya provided they have obtained a valid license from the BCLB. To obtain a license, operators must meet certain criteria including financial stability requirements and measures to ensure fair play and player protection.
Operators must also pay an annual fee which is calculated based on their gross gaming revenue (GGR). All licensed operators must adhere to strict guidelines regarding advertising practices and customer support services.
In addition to these licensing requirements, there are also several regulatory measures in place to protect players from fraud or abuse by online casinos operating within Kenya’s borders.
These include age verification checks when signing up for an account at an online casino, as well as regular audits conducted by independent third-party organizations to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Recent Developments in Gambling Regulation
In recent years, there have been several changes made to the legal framework governing gambling activities within Kenya’s borders.
In 2018, new legislation was introduced that increased taxes on winnings from both land-based and online casinos operating within the country’s borders. This legislation also imposed stricter penalties on operators who fail to comply with relevant laws or regulations regarding advertising practices or customer support services.
In 2020, further changes were made which required all licensed operators offering remote gambling services within Kenya’s borders to use locally hosted servers located within Kenyan territory when processing payments or storing data related to their operations.
This measure was introduced as part of efforts by the BCLB to increase transparency around remote gambling activities taking place within Kenyan territory.