Kenya to Increase Gambling Age, Set Minimum Bets

Lawmakers in Kenya want to adopt an even tougher stance on gambling with a fresh attempt to raise the legal betting age from 18 to 21. 

During the National Assembly session held at the end of July, parliament members also considered introducing a minimum bet requirement of Ksh50 ($0.39) on all sportsbook platforms. Both moves would curb underage and excessive gambling in the country.

“What We Are Doing to Our Young People Is Wrong.”

The proposed changes belong to the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 70 of 2023), which previously established the legal gambling age at 18. 

If the amendment goes through, anyone under 21 would be banned from placing a bet, particularly in parimutuel markets.

Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi voiced strong support for the reforms, saying the changes are necessary to protect young people.

“We discourage young people from engaging in [betting], because getting Ksh50 is a bit [difficult],” she said, while also criticizing the influence of powerful gambling interests.

“It is like these people are so powerful that they can convince the government to pass a bill that can be shaped into what they want. What we are doing to our young people is wrong.”

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah backed the new bill, which includes stricter oversight of betting ads on radio and TV.

“We must have laws like this that discourage irresponsible gambling,” he said. “It cannot be usual that so many radio and TV stations were free to encourage the public to bet from as early as 5 am.”

If They Can Serve the Army, They Can Gamble Responsibly 

The proposal, however, hasn’t gone over well with everyone, as many Kenyans argued that if 18-year-olds are old enough to vote or serve in the military, they should be trusted to gamble responsibly.

“Adults should be able to have free will when it comes to gambling,” commented a trader at Nairobi’s Gikomba Market.

“If the government believes 18-year-olds are mature enough to go to war, then they are surely mature enough to spend their money on sports if they so wish.”, they added. 

As the bill moves forward, operators found breaking the proposed age rules could face strict penalties. There’s no clear timeline for when a final vote will take place.

As of July 16, gamblers will need to submit a selfie holding their national ID when registering on betting platforms, according to  Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) director Peter Mbugi.

99 Operators, Clear for Operations 

In related news, at the end of last month, the BCLB published its 2025–26 list of licensed gaming operators that will be allowed to keep providing their services after the 30-day extension expires. 

The list counts 99 names, including leading operators like Betika, Odibets, Betpawa, and Flamingobets.The BCLB’s push for a safer gambling environment continues with tightened advertising rules and hints at higher licensing fees as part of broader regulatory reforms.