Online gambling regulation in Kenya

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA). Mixed model. Checked 2026-09-21.

Advertising unlicensed gambling banned: Yes
Public licence register: Not confirmed
Online casino: Licensed
Online sports betting: Licensed

Casino, sports betting, poker and more

Kenya distinguishes online casino, sports betting/bookmaking, and lottery by separate online licences under the gambling regulator. Poker is not clearly a standalone licence category; it is generally folded into casino/public gaming or left as an unclear vertical.

Product	Status	What that means
Online casino	Licensed	—
Online sports betting	Licensed	—
Online poker	Restricted	Poker can be offered only within licensed online casino/gaming frameworks; no dedicated poker licence confirmed, and offshore unlicensed play is not lawful.
Sweepstakes and social casinos	Not confirmed	Unclear; no Kenya-specific regime found for sweepstakes/social casinos using dual-currency or prize models. If real-money wagering or prize redemption is involved, it may be treated as gambling and require licensing.
Prediction markets	Not confirmed	No Kenya-specific confirmation found for real-money prediction markets; they may fall outside express online gambling licence categories unless treated as betting/lottery/casino.
Mystery boxes	Not confirmed	Kenya’s Gambling Control Act 2025 requires gambling to be licensed; I found no Kenya-specific ruling clearly classifying paid mystery/loot boxes, so status is unregulated/unclear under that Act as of 2026.

Advertising unlicensed gambling in Kenya

Prohibited. Official BCLB/GRA guidance; exact section unconfirmed.

Current official guidance says gambling adverts require prior approval; unlicensed operators cannot seek approval.

Regulator and law

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA) — gra.go.ke

Gambling Control Act, 2025.

Online casino: Licensed. Online sports betting: Licensed.

Checking a licence

We could not confirm a public register. I did not verify a live public licence register from official sources in the gathered material.

How the black market is fought

licence suspension/revocation
fines
criminal offences
advertisement pre-approval
digital monitoring

Advertising rules for licensed operators

Prior approval by regulator; then KFCB classification before publication/broadcast.
No celebrity, influencer, or testimonial endorsements.
Include licence number, 18+ warning, and responsible-gambling message.
No glamorising betting or implying quick wealth.

Recent developments

New Gambling Regulatory Authority regime began operating in July 2026.
First licensing cycle opened in July 2026 under new regulations.
Existing licences were reported to expire on 24 September 2026, requiring reapplication.

Questions

Is it illegal to advertise unlicensed gambling in Kenya?

Yes. Official BCLB/GRA guidance; exact section unconfirmed. Current official guidance says gambling adverts require prior approval; unlicensed operators cannot seek approval.

Who regulates online gambling in Kenya?

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya (GRA). The main law is Gambling Control Act, 2025..

How can I check whether a gambling operator is licensed in Kenya?

I did not verify a live public licence register from official sources in the gathered material.

What we could not confirm

Whether the Gambling Control Act, 2025 now contains an explicit section banning advertising of unlicensed/illegal online gambling.
Whether an official public whitelist/register of licensed operators is currently published online.
Exact statutory provisions for fines, blocking, and platform notices under the 2025 Act and 2026 subsidiary regulations.
Whether Kenya’s 2026 Gambling Control Regulations are fully in force after the reported High Court pause.
Whether a dedicated online poker licence exists under current Kenyan law.
Whether sweepstakes/social casinos are specifically permitted or prohibited in Kenya.
Whether prediction markets are regulated as gambling, securities, or derivatives in Kenya.
Whether paid mystery boxes/loot boxes are treated as gambling or consumer products in Kenya.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.