Betting Control and Licensing Board(BCLB) governs the authorization of lotteries and prize competition as well as eradication of illegal gambling activities in Kenya. It was established through an Act of Parliament (Chapter 131 Laws of Kenya of 1966). On 1 July 2019, the Betting Control and Licensing Board postponed renewing the licenses of eight sports betting operators, including Sportpesa, Betin and Betway which controlled 85% of the total betting market in Kenya.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) was established by Section 3(1) of the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap. 131 – Laws of Kenya of 1966 (Rev. 2012). It is a regulatory body whose mandate is drawn from the Act that provides for the control and licensing of Betting and Gaming premises and the activities carried therein; for the authorization of public lotteries and prize competition as well as eradication of illegal gambling.
Useful Links
BLCB Contacts
ACK Gardens Annex , Bishop Road, 1st Ngong Ave,
Nairobi – Kenya
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone: +254-111021400 , +254-111021407
Types of Licenses
Public Gaming
Public gaming refers to casinos and the activities carried therein such as slot machine and table games .Casino gaming means any and all table and casino-style games played with cards. Casino gaming or “game” means baccarat, blackjack, twenty-one, poker, craps, dice, slot machines, roulette wheels, Klondike tables, punchboards, faro layouts, numbers of tickets, push cards, jar tickets, or pull tabs and any other activity that is authorized by the Board as a wagering game or device under this chapter. “Casino gaming” or “game” includes on-premises mobile casino gaming.
Requirements for a Public Gaming License
- Application form ( form 13A)
- Submit a detailed concept for the proposed Business.
- Proposed operating name of the business if different from the registered.
- Evidence of capacity to undertake public gaming operation in a seamless manner.
- A business plan showing the minimum investment and Sources of funding
- The proposed games of chance to be offered in the casino with a brief description of each game.
- Proposed Corporate Social Responsibility activities to be conducted during the license duration. Indicate the budgets, sector you would be supporting and details of the projects.
Bookmarkers
A bookmaker in this case implies sports betting, pool betting schemes and Totalisators. A bookmaker facilitates gambling most commonly on sporting events like football. A bookmaker accepts and pays off bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.
Requirements for a bookmarkers license
PUBLIC LOTTERY- SHORT TERM
This is public lottery conducted for a specific charitable purpose by a registered institution or organization for a period of 3 months. The public takes part in lotteries by buying raffle or lottery tickets, draws are conducted to determine the winners who are awarded with prizes..
Requirements for public lottery – Short term
PUBLIC LOTTERY- LONG TERM
Public Lotteries are conducted by registered institutions or organizations to raise funds for charitable purposes under section 36 of the Act and must be for a charitable cause that is on- going. The long-term public runs for a period of one year or more. The public takes part in lotteries by buying raffle or lottery tickets, draws are conducted to determine the winners who are awarded with prizes.
Requirements for a Public lottery – Long term
Totalizator
This is a form of betting where participants compete by predicting the outcome of sporting events such as horse racing or football. The winners paid based on the amount of the money they have played.An organization markets itself by giving prizes to those who participate in its activities to boost its sales.
Requirements for Totalizator license
Prize Competition
Prize competition is the promotion of goods/products or services owned by the promoter. In a prize competition there must be a product being promoted and entry to the promotion is based on the consumption of that product. The consumer must get value for money and entry to the promotion is free
Requirements for Prize competition license
Pool table and amusement games forms
Pool table / Amusement game is any game that provides entertainment or amusement. Amusement games conducted as part of gaming, by licensed organizations, are usually games of chances. Prizes money may be received. The outcome is unpredictable.
Requirements for Pool table and amusement machine permits
