The Senate is considering reviewing Kenya’s gambling regulations after gaming operators and representatives of the horse racing industry raised concerns over the legality of some provisions, high regulatory fees and minimum capital requirements.
The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation announced on Tuesday, November 3, that it would consult more stakeholders, including private organisations and government agencies, before deciding whether to revoke or amend some of the contested rules.
The committee heard submissions from the Association of Gaming Operators-Kenya (AGOK) and the Jockey Club of Kenya, both of which raised objections to aspects of the regulations.
Senate to consult Kenyans before making decision on gambling rules
The committee said it would gather additional public and institutional views before preparing a comprehensive report for consideration by the Senate plenary.
The consultations will inform the Senate’s next steps on the gambling regulations, which have attracted criticism from sections of the gaming industry.
The review could result in some provisions being revoked or amended, depending on the committee’s findings and recommendations.
Betting operators challenge Ksh100 million minimum capital requirement
During the hearing, AGOK asked senators to annul specific provisions of the regulations and recommend amendments, arguing that the rules were introduced without following legally required procedures.
The association also claimed that some provisions were inconsistent with the Gambling Act and other written laws, questioning the legal basis for certain requirements imposed on gaming operators.
AGOK particularly objected to the minimum capital thresholds and fees introduced under the regulations, arguing that they could create barriers for businesses seeking to operate in the gambling industry.
Under the requirements cited during the debate, online betting operators must maintain minimum capital of Ksh100 million, while retail bookmakers are required to have at least Ksh50 million.
AGOK questions gambling regulatory fees
The association further argued that some of the charges imposed on gaming operators amounted to taxation rather than legitimate regulatory fees meant to cover the cost of oversight services.
AGOK representative Mutegi told the committee that the association had previously raised the concerns with the Executive in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
“We had raised these matters with the Executive. It wrote to the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary on July 15, 2026, and again on 6 August 2026,” Mutegi told the committee.
He explained that the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi subsequently forwarded the concerns to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on August 11, 2026.
The office also proposed a round-table discussion to address the issues raised by the gaming operators.
Gambling Regulatory Authority yet to respond to operators
Despite the correspondence being forwarded to the GRA, AGOK told the committee that the authority had not formally responded to the concerns approximately two months later.
The association maintained that the outstanding issues needed to be addressed before the disputed requirements continued to affect gaming operators.
The Senate committee is expected to consider the submissions alongside views from additional stakeholders before presenting its report to the plenary.
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