The short answer: gambling is legal in Kenya, but only when it is licensed. Sports betting, lotteries, prize competitions, land-based casinos and online casinos can all operate lawfully, provided the operator holds a licence from Kenya’s regulator; unlicensed operation is a criminal offence. Players must be at least 18, and both deposits and winnings are taxed.
Since 2025 Kenya has overhauled its gambling regulation: the Gambling Control Act, No. 14 of 2025 replaced the 1966 law, and a new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) took over from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). This page covers regulation only: what is legal, who regulates it, how it is taxed, what advertising rules apply, and the Chinese legal boundaries PRC citizens should know. As of October 2026 parts of the new rules are still before the courts, and we flag what is not yet final.
Is gambling legal in Kenya? Legal status by type
Kenya is one of Africa’s most active sports betting markets, and mobile money makes placing a bet extremely easy, which is why the government has kept tightening the rules. Legally, the new Act follows an “everything must be licensed” approach covering casinos, lotteries, bookmaking, pool betting, prize competitions, bingo and online gambling.
| Type | Legal status (October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sports betting (retail/online) | Legal if licensed | GRA licence required; online bookmaker is a separate licence class |
| Land-based casinos (tables, slots) | Legal if licensed | National GRA licence plus a county trade permit for the premises |
| Online casinos | Legal if licensed | Separate online casino licence under the new Act; unlicensed platforms are illegal |
| Lotteries, prize competitions | Legal if licensed | National and public lotteries are regulated separately |
| Unlicensed operation (incl. offshore sites targeting Kenya) | Illegal | Criminal offence punishable by fines and imprisonment (e.g. up to KES 10 million and/or 10 years for unlicensed bookmaking, s. 101); providing services to illegal platforms is also an offence |
Land-based casinos are concentrated in Nairobi, Mombasa and coastal resort areas; see casinos in Kenya for locations and entry rules. Note that under the new Act premises need a county trade permit in addition to the national licence, and county governments handle local supervision and complaints.
The new law and the new regulator: from BCLB to GRA
Under the old system the legal basis was the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966 (Cap. 131), with the BCLB issuing licences. According to the Act as published by Kenya Law, President Ruto assented to it on 7 August 2025 and it commenced on 20 August 2025. The GRA is an independent state corporation responsible for licensing, monitoring and enforcement, and a Gambling Appeals Tribunal hears licensing disputes. Official information is published on the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) website.
- August 2025: new Act in forceThe President signs the Gambling Control Act 2025; the GRA replaces the BCLB
- 2 October 2025: transition noticeNew annual licence applications suspended; existing licences remain valid until expiry
- 30 June 2026: five regulations gazettedLicensing, conduct of operations, foreign-based operators, advertising and appeals tribunal rules, in force from 1 July
- July–August 2026: the courts step inThe High Court stays the licensing regulations; on 24 August it varies the order, letting the GRA enforce them and collect fees
- 24 September 2026: old licences expireOperators must reapply under the new framework
- October 2026: case still pendingThe judgment set for 2 October was postponed; the dispute over fees and capital requirements is unresolved
For ordinary residents, the main effect of the transition is that the market goes through a round of relicensing, and some operators may exit if they cannot meet the new requirements. Whether a platform is legal should be judged from the GRA’s list of licensees, not from the platform’s own marketing.
Licensing: who may operate gambling
According to law firm analyses of the Act, applicants must be corporate bodies with at least 30% of shares held by Kenyan citizens. They must hold a local Kenyan bank account for gambling funds and provide proof of capital and security (an insurance bond or bank guarantee). Online operators must also submit an approved gambling control system covering payment security, protection of minors, anti-money laundering and data protection, and accept real-time monitoring by the GRA.
The 2026 conduct regulations add further obligations: integration with the GRA’s Central Monitoring System and the National Gambling Register, geolocation technology, segregated player funds, and player data stored on servers in Kenya unless exempted. According to trade media, foreign-based operators need minimum paid-up capital of KES 100 million and a KES 200 million security bond (the capital requirements are also under judicial review). On fees, media report KES 50 million each for online bookmaker and online casino licences and KES 20 million for online lotteries, but these fees are under judicial review, so final amounts depend on the court ruling and GRA notices.
If you work in a gambling-related field in Kenya (tech outsourcing, payments, marketing or customer service), note that the new Act also brings software platform providers, equipment suppliers and even key employees into the licensing net, and providing hosting or payment services to an unlicensed platform can be penalised. Check the counterparty’s GRA licence before signing.
Online gambling: only licensed platforms are legal
Kenya does not ban online gambling; it requires online bookmakers, online lotteries and online casinos to each obtain a GRA licence. Websites and apps without a Kenyan licence that serve Kenyan users are operating illegally. As early as 2025, the BCLB named more than 58 betting companies operating illegally within Kenya’s internet space. We do not list or recommend any unlicensed platform; for the regulatory requirements on licensed online casinos, see online casinos in Kenya.
On unlicensed platforms, players’ money and data are not protected by Kenyan law, and refused payouts, frozen accounts or data leaks are practically impossible to pursue. Using cross-border platforms to gamble may also engage Chinese law (see below).
Minimum age: who may play
The minimum gambling age in Kenya is 18. The new Act does not state a single gambling age in one section, but its provisions and the advertising regulations treat 18 as the line for minors, licensed operators must verify age, and minors may not register accounts. In July 2025 Parliament discussed raising the age to 21, but that proposal did not make it into the final law. The Act does not distinguish between residents and tourists: foreigners aged 18 or over who pass identity checks may play at licensed venues or on licensed platforms.
This page is intended only for adult readers aged 18 and over (18+).
Gambling taxes in Kenya: excise duty and withholding tax on winnings
Kenya’s gambling taxes have changed frequently. From 1 July 2025 the Finance Act 2025 cut excise duty on betting and gaming from 15% of the amount staked to 5% of the amount deposited, and removed the previous 20% withholding tax on winnings, replacing it with a 5% withholding tax on amounts withdrawn from a betting wallet. The Finance Act 2026, assented on 23 June 2026, reintroduced a 20% withholding tax on winnings (for residents and non-residents, on lottery and prize competition payouts by licensed operators) and changed the excise base to “amounts deposited for betting purposes”.
These taxes are withheld and paid by licensed operators, so players normally do not file them themselves. However, analyses differ on the exact commencement date of each provision (1 July 2026 or 1 January 2027), so confirm with the operator or a tax adviser before a large withdrawal. For Chinese tax residents, incidental income earned abroad is also taxable under Chinese law; for how tax residency is determined, see our Leaving China section.
Gambling advertising rules
Advertising has been the most tightly regulated area in Kenya over the past two years. In April 2025 the BCLB suspended all gambling advertising across all media for 30 days, saying ads presented gambling as an investment and a quick route to wealth. The main rules under the new Act and the 2026 advertising regulations are:
- All ads need prior written GRA approval and classification by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB);
- Gambling ads may not air on TV or radio between 06:00 and 22:00, except during live sports;
- 20% of advertising time or space must carry responsible gambling messages, including that gambling is addictive;
- Celebrity and influencer endorsements are banned, as is the use of big prize winners, and gambling may not be shown as a source of income or success;
- Ads near schools are prohibited; breaches carry fines of up to KES 20 million.
Sports sponsorship is very common in Kenya; for the local culture of football, rugby and distance running, see sports in Kenya.
What Chinese citizens should know: the legal line at home
Lawful play at licensed venues in Kenya is governed by Kenyan law. Chinese citizens should also know the relevant domestic rules: Article 303 of the PRC Criminal Law covers the offences of gambling and of operating a gambling venue, and Amendment XI, in force since 1 March 2021, added the offence of organising PRC citizens to gamble abroad where the amounts are huge or the circumstances serious. Enforcement targets organisers, operators and recruiters rather than ordinary tourists, but driving traffic to, acting as an agent for, or processing payments for offshore gambling platforms carries high risk.
If someone offers you a well-paid job in Kenya or a neighbouring country as “platform customer service” or “marketing” and the employer actually runs gambling sites aimed at Chinese users, you may be breaking both Kenyan and Chinese law. This page is not legal advice; see our disclaimer.
Responsible gambling and where to get help
The new Act requires licensed operators to have responsible gambling policies, verify age and participate in the national self-exclusion system. The conduct regulations put out for consultation in 2026 also propose that players can sign self-exclusion agreements with operators for a set period, that family members and other third parties can petition the GRA to bar a person showing signs of addiction, and that operators must suspend accounts where a player shows severe financial distress. If you or a family member is struggling with gambling, start by setting deposit limits or self-excluding on the platform you use, check the GRA website for complaint and exclusion channels, and seek professional counselling if needed.
How Kenya compares with its neighbours
East and southern African countries all allow licensed gambling, but they regulate it differently. South Africa still largely prohibits online casinos, see gambling laws in South Africa; neighbouring Tanzania has a single gaming board, see gambling laws in Tanzania; for West Africa, see gambling laws in Nigeria. For visas, daily life and city overviews, go back to the Kenya relocation guide, and for sightseeing see Kenya’s top landmarks.
FAQ
Is gambling legal in Kenya?
Yes, but only through operators licensed by the GRA. Sports betting, lotteries, land-based casinos and online casinos can all be licensed; unlicensed operation is illegal.
Who regulates gambling in Kenya?
Since the Gambling Control Act 2025 took effect, the regulator is the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which replaced the BCLB. Physical premises also need a county permit.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Kenya?
Yes. Deposits currently attract 5% excise duty; under the Finance Act 2025 withdrawals attract 5% withholding tax, and the Finance Act 2026 reintroduced 20% withholding tax on lottery and prize competition winnings, all withheld by the operator.
Can foreign tourists play at casinos in Kenya?
Foreigners aged 18 or over with valid ID can play at licensed venues. Carry your passport and stick to licensed venues.
Sources
- Kenya Law – Gambling Control Act, No. 14 of 2025 (accessed October 2026)
- Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA) – official website (accessed October 2026)
- KRA – Adjustment of Excise Duty Rates by the Finance Act, 2025 (12 Jul 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- EY Global Tax News – Kenya enacts Finance Act, 2025 (16 Jul 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- EY Global Tax News – Kenya enacts Finance Act, 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- KPMG TaxNewsFlash – Kenya: Tax measures in Finance Act, 2026 (Jul 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Bowmans – Kenya: The Gambling Control Act, 2025 key provisions (accessed October 2026)
- CM Advocates – Transition from the BCLB to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (22 Oct 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- People Daily – Ruto signs Gambling Control Bill into law (Aug 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- SiGMA – Kenya launches first licensing cycle under new gambling rules (9 Jul 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Business Daily – High Court allows gambling regulator to implement contested fees (24 Aug 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- iGaming.News – Kenya gambling authority opens 2026 licensing window (21 Aug 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Focus Gaming News – Kenya gambling licensing case returns to court (5 Oct 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Business Daily – State bans celebrities from betting ads, sets Sh20m fine (1 May 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- iGaming Business – How Kenya’s new gambling regulations are restoring order (16 Jul 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- allAfrica – BCLB suspends gambling advertisements across all media for 30 days (Apr 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- iGaming Business – Kenya locals dismiss increased gambling age limit (Aug 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- The Star (Kenya) – New law: families to block accounts of betting addicts (8 Jul 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- 中国新闻网/法治日报 – 跨境赌博首次入刑（2021年2月23日） (accessed October 2026)
