New Kenya Gambling Law Requires Age Verification and Faster Prize Payouts

President William Ruto has enacted new legislation designed to modernise oversight and enhance consumer protection within Kenya's gambling industry. 

Assented to on Thursday, 7 August, the bill introduces sweeping reforms, particularly targeting online platforms, underage participation, and responsible betting practices. A key provision of the new law is the establishment of a minimum betting threshold of Ksh20 for all online wagers. 

Operators found in violation of this requirement face substantial penalties, including fines of at least Ksh5 million or imprisonment for up to five years. The legislation also mandates that all online gamblers must be registered users with active accounts, enhancing accountability across digital platforms.

To protect minors, the law obligates gambling operators to implement robust age verification systems. Operators must verify age prior to registration and deploy mechanisms to prevent children from accessing gambling services. This responds to growing concerns about the accessibility of online betting to vulnerable populations.

The legislation further establishes clear timelines for prize disbursement, requiring monetary winnings to be transferred to players within two days and non-monetary rewards within seven. These measures seek to standardise service delivery and minimise disputes between operators and consumers.

Central to the reforms is the creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, a new body responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance. Applicants seeking an online gambling licence must demonstrate adherence to stringent standards, including data protection, secure payment systems, and safeguards against exploitative practices. 

The Authority will also develop a real-time monitoring framework accessible to the Communications Authority of Kenya, enabling enhanced surveillance across both physical and digital gambling environments.