Peter Mbugi News Today

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has commenced enforcement of a High Court order barring all gaming operators from the use of the speed dial feature on all internet browsers, majorly Opera Mini Browser and Google.

Kenya is in plans to set up a gambling regulatory authority that will offer greater protection of minors and provisions to tame online gambling.

Betting firms have been flagged for inflating costs of sponsorships and community projects to reduce their tax burden.

Withholding tax on winning bets, which was paid to the Kenya Revenue Authority in the year ended June, dropped by Sh1.42 billion.

Some 24 betting firms have been locked out of operations in the current year ending next June.

Communications Authority orders mobile operators to stop issuance of ICT platforms, services to betting and gaming firms that have not renewed their licences

BCLB directs companies to disclose their expenditure on CSR activities. Some firms are suspected of diverting the amount pledged for charity to fund political parties.

The betting regulator has ordered all gaming companies to provide an audit of all sponsorship deals and community investments for review.

Gaming regulator is locked in a row with the Nairobi county government over City Hall’s push to restrict gambling to five-star hotels and limit gambling hours.

Betting firms licensed to operate in Kenya have hit 100, defying a government’s policy to clamp down on gambling through imposition of higher taxes.