{"id":4185,"date":"2025-08-21T11:55:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T11:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/venasbet.com\/blog\/?p=4185"},"modified":"2025-08-21T11:55:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T11:55:18","slug":"kenya-proposes-raising-gambling-age-to-21-in-new-betting-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/venasbet.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/21\/kenya-proposes-raising-gambling-age-to-21-in-new-betting-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya Proposes Raising Gambling Age to 21 in New Betting Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kenya Wants to Increase Gambling Age Limit – Latest News<\/span><\/h1>\n

Lawmakers in Kenya are pushing for a new legal age requirement that would prevent anyone under 21 from gambling. This proposed change comes under the <\/span>Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 70 of 2023)<\/span><\/a>, which is currently under debate in Parliament. The bill also outlines tighter regulations for operators, tougher penalties, and a new minimum stake of KSh50 for all bets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parliament Targets Youth Gambling in New Proposal<\/span><\/h2>\n

Members of Parliament say the proposed increase in the gambling age limit is long overdue. Under current rules, anyone aged 18 and above can legally place a bet in Kenya. If this bill passes, that minimum will shift to 21. Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, one of the main supporters of the bill, said the change is needed to protect young people from harmful betting habits.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe discourage young people from engaging in it because getting Sh50 is already difficult,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Elachi said. <\/span>\u201cWhat we are doing to our youth is wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

She added that raising the age would align gambling laws with those for alcohol, where the legal age is already 21.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gambling as a Daily Routine<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lawmakers say gambling is no longer seen as casual entertainment. For many youths, it\u2019s now a routine. Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku said young people were abandoning school and work, lured by the hope of fast money.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are dealing with a growing menace,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Thuku said. <\/span>\u201cIt has gone unchecked for too long.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

New Rules for Media, Bet Sizes, and Registration<\/span><\/h2>\n

The bill includes more than just age restrictions. It introduces several reforms meant to control both how gambling is promoted and how it is accessed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum Bet Requirement Introduced<\/span><\/h3>\n

If passed, bettors would need to stake at least KSh50 on every wager. This is meant to discourage casual or impulsive betting, especially among students or unemployed youth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Proposed Rule<\/span><\/td>\nDetails<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gambling age limit<\/span><\/td>\nRaised from 18 to 21<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum stake<\/span><\/td>\nKSh50 per bet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advertising ban<\/span><\/td>\nGambling ads prohibited before watershed hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
User verification<\/span><\/td>\nPunters must submit a selfie with their national ID<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operator capital<\/span><\/td>\nKSh50M for gambling shops; KSh5B for casinos<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

BCLB Announces New Licensing Conditions<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB)<\/span><\/a> has also made separate changes. Ahead of the 2025-26 licensing period, the regulator released an official list of 99 approved firms, including well-known names like Betika, Odibets, Betpawa, and Kwikbet.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to BCLB Director Peter Mbugi, new applicants must meet these conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n