On May 31, 2022, Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi issued a directive to the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to tighten regulations on gaming firms.
The directive, aimed at combating illegal betting activities, requires all licensing for renewal and new licenses from July 1, 2022, to include written clearances from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Interagency team, and Financial Reporting Centre.
According to Matiangi, rogue and unlicensed companies continue to operate illegally in the country, despite government efforts to regulate the sector through licensing.
“Consequently, it has become necessary to subject betting and gaming firms to a stringent regulatory regime,” Matiangi stated.
The BCLB was also directed to block access to mobile cash transfer numbers linked to betting companies operating illegally in the country.
Furthermore, Matiangi directed the BCLB to continuously monitor, identify, and report to the Communications Authority of Kenya all unlicensed local and foreign betting and gaming websites for blockage.
Matiangi emphasized that illegal betting firms provide avenues for money laundering, tax evasion, and financing of criminal activities among other things.
