The newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) of Kenya is moving at a rapid pace to overhaul the nation’s betting landscape.
Officially replacing the Betting Control and Licensing Board in February, the GRA is now preparing a “tougher” oversight system ahead of a critical licensing window closing in June 2026.
A “Financial Enabler” for the Nation
The most ambitious proposal from the new regulator is the launch of a National Lottery. Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Director General Peter Karimi argued that a state-run lottery could contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, mirroring successful global models.
“We are looking at the Kenyan lottery generating revenue that can be a financial enabler for the country and support economic and social transformation,” Karimi stated.
The GRA plans to appoint a professional operator through a competitive international process, with advisory support to ensure the system maximizes revenue for social projects.
Surveillance and Staffing Expansion
To combat illicit activities and ensure tax compliance, the GRA plans to hire nearly 200 new staff members and implement advanced surveillance systems to track every betting transaction in real-time. Karimi highlighted the vulnerability of the sector:
“Many of these operations are online and casinos unfortunately are attractive targets for illicit activities.”
The Gambling Regulatory Authority is also seeking the power to retain a portion of the funds it collects to strengthen enforcement. By the June 2026 deadline, all operators, both land-based and online, will be required to comply with these updated technological and monitoring standards.
