The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has refuted recent reports alleging that Kenyans spent a staggering Sh766 billion on betting and gambling in the 2023/2024 financial year.
BCLB Chairperson Jane Makau dismissed the figure, terming it as misleading and exaggerated. According to Makau, the estimate likely includes transactions from offshore and unlicensed platforms, thereby inflating the size of the regulated betting market in Kenya.
“The Sh766 billion figure misleads both the public and policymakers about the economic scale of licensed gambling operations,” Makau said in a statement. She clarified that the actual tax revenue collected from the betting sector—comprising excise duty on stakes, withholding tax on winnings, and betting and gaming taxes—stood at Sh22.3 billion in FY 2023/2024.
Makau highlighted that the reported figure is nearly 31 percent of Kenya’s total national revenue, which is unrealistic for a single industry. She projected that the sector is expected to generate Sh20 billion in tax revenue in 2025, indicating steady yet regulated growth.
“This reflects a robust but controlled gambling industry, emphasizing the importance of strong oversight,” she noted.
Makau emphasized the board’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory mechanisms through the proposed Gambling Control Bill, 2023, which is currently undergoing the legislative process. She also revealed that the gambling industry supports over 10,000 direct jobs and indirectly sustains more than 500,000 livelihoods.
Recognizing gambling as a demerit good, BCLB has launched a countrywide public sensitization campaign. This includes workshops, school programs, and media outreach to raise awareness of the risks associated with problem gambling.
Makau also stated that most betting in Kenya occurs via smartphones, making online platforms the dominant medium. In response, the board is deploying advanced technology to monitor licensed operators in real time and crack down on illegal gambling activities.
She called for a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach involving legislative reform, industry cooperation, and civic education to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure the social and economic well-being of communities.
