Kenya Halts All Betting License Applications Until February 2026 During Regulatory Handover

Kenya just hit the pause button on its entire gambling industry. So, the Betting Control and Licensing Board stopped processing all license applications on October 2, 2025 – no renewals, no new permits, nothing. This freeze will last until February 2026 while the country switches from its old regulatory system to the brand new Gambling Regulatory Authority. For a market worth KSh 200 billion annually, where 76% of young people gamble regularly, this transition is very important.

Kenya Suspended All Gambling Licenses Through 2026

So, what's happening is that Kenya's old gambling laws date back to 1966 – all these rules predate mobile phones, the internet, and basically everything that makes modern betting possible. The Betting Control and Licensing Board ran things for decades, but President William Ruto signed the Gambling Control Act in August 2025 to modernize everything.

Current operators can keep running their businesses with existing licenses until those expire – but nobody can apply for anything new. Peter Mbugi from the BCLB says they need this time to hand over properly to the Gambling Regulatory Authority. The new body will control everything – online betting, casinos, lotteries, and even those promotional competitions companies run.

The numbers show why Kenya needed this change, though. Kenyans bet KSh 620.97 billion between 2018 and 2022 – and about 96% of young gamblers place bets on their phones. Kenya Revenue Authority collected KSh 13.233 billion just in excise duty from betting last financial year, beating their target by almost KSh 2 billion.

Interestingly, while Kenya tightens regulations, online casino no account sites have become impressively popular. Such sites let you skip registration completely – well, you can still claim bonuses, play premium games, and get instant withdrawals without handing over any personal details. Gambling expert Matt Bestock has reviewed the most popular ones to help you find the best options that match your needs. It's a different approach from Kenya's new system, which demands more oversight and accountability from operators.

What Changes Under the Gambling Control Act 2025

The new law changes almost everything – foreign betting companies must now give Kenyans at least 30 % ownership of their local operations. So now, if you want to run an online gambling platform – you'll need KSh 100 million as a security deposit, which is about $775,000 US dollars. The government initially wanted KSh 200 million but settled for half that amount after some negotiations.

But taxes hit from every angle now – and even operators pay 15% on gross gaming revenue, while winners lose 20% of their payouts to withholding tax. Every single bet faces a 12.5% excise duty. Well, such rates make Kenya one of the most heavily taxed gambling markets in Africa.

The law also brings modern oversight tools. Anti-money laundering protocols get real, while companies must protect user data the right way – so no more sketchy handling of personal info from millions of bettors.

Kenya's Gambling Demographics Paint a Troubling Picture

Most Kenyan gamblers are young, male, and broke – men actually make up 69% of all bettors. The usual gambler is under 36, has at least a secondary education, and comes from a low-income household. About 57% spend less than $10 monthly on bets – they're not high rollers, just regular people hoping for a lucky break.

Football accounts for 79% of all betting, especially English Premier League matches. Kenyan youth bet more frequently than their neighbors – weekly instead of monthly. They also spend more per capita than young people anywhere else in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The social cost keeps mounting – and research shows that 79.55% of people seeking psychiatric help for gambling issues have some serious disorders. About 10 million Kenyans – 20% of the population – gamble each day. Well, that's KSh 2.1 billion wagered every single day, money that could go to food, education, or savings.

What Happens When the New Authority Takes Over

February 2026 marks the official handover to the Gambling Regulatory Authority. So, they're writing new rules for everything – licensing procedures, compliance standards, operational guidelines. The transition affects more than 110 licensed betting firms currently working in Kenya.

Smaller operators worry that the high financial requirements will force them out, leaving only big players standing.

The Takeaway

Kenya's gambling operation is one of Africa's most ambitious attempts to regulate online betting – but whether it protects consumers while keeping the industry viable remains to be seen. For now, everyone waits until February 2026 to learn the new rules of the game.