The legal position of online sports betting in Kenya is always changing. This is because the industry is very popular, but the government also needs to collect a lot of taxes and safeguard people. The Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966 made gambling lawful, but that law is now very old. The internet sector has been closely watched and has had to deal with a lot of regulatory crackdowns, especially when it comes to taxes and licensing.
Licensing and Taxes That Are Strict
Oversight by the BCLB
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is in charge of the sector right now. It gives out licenses and makes sure that all digital and retail activities follow the rules. Operators must follow severe rules, including as having enough money to cover their costs and following strict responsible gambling rules. The Gambling Control Bill and other recent legislative measures want to replace the old Act with a new one that creates a new Authority to make oversight even stricter, charge hefty minimum license costs, and require all transactions to be monitored from one place. This is a clear push for more control.
Taxes and Following the Rules
Taxation has been a major source of disagreement, with the government charging high rates on both the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of the operators and a withholding tax on player winnings. Tax policies are harsh which aims to increase state revenue, resulting a periods of market instability and the temporary departure of key worldwide brands.
Final Insights
Kenya has a lawful but increasingly strict system for internet sports betting. It is evident that the trend in regulation is toward stricter compliance, more expenses, and more accountability in order to make sure that the industry’s huge economic activity is balanced with social responsibility.
