The government through the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has flagged UK-based betting firm W88 for operating in Kenya without a license.
BCLB Chief Executive Peter Mbugi while issuing a warning to gamblers in a statement on April 8, 2024, said W88 has been offering its services in Kenya without approval.
“W88 has not acquired a license to provide gambling services in Kenya. Any punter who will engage them should do so at its own risk. We are still pursuing them,” he said.
According to Mbugi, BCLB has since requested the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to take down W88’s website.
The regulator further requested CA to close the social media account on X (formerly Twitter) the company has been using to promote its activities in the country.
W88 which is operated by Philippines-based Marquee Holdings Ltd is being investigated by BCLB.
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“Before you register a gambling business in Kenya, you must have a letter of no objection from us to allow you to apply for a license, a process that they didn’t follow,” added Mbugi.
BCLB issues warning
The CEO further warned that the regulator is surveying the market to establish if there is a betting firm operating illegally.
According to statistics from the BCLB, there were at least 128 licensed betting firms in Kenya as of September last year.
The growth of the betting and gambling industry in Kenya has defied higher taxes imposed by the government which were meant to discourage the gambling craze among Kenyans.
President William Ruto on December 11, 2023, assented to the National Lottery Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 69 of 2023).
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The Bill which was sponsored by Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wa was published on October 31, 2023, and passed on December 6, 2023.
“This paves the way for the establishment of the National Lottery Board that will administer the newly established National Lottery,” read part of a statement from State House in regard to the assentation.
According to the Act, members of the board would be drawn from institutional representatives as well as independent members.
The Board on the other hand would be tasked with the supervision, control and monitoring of the operations of the National Lottery.
The National Assembly majority leader noted that the goal of the conduct of the National Lottery is to fund social development in the country.
Additionally, it was also mandated to erect measures to prevent fraud in the conduct of the National Lottery.
