How to Apply for a Bookmaker License in Kenya

An Act of Parliament to provide for the control and licensing of betting and
gaining premises; for the imposition and recovery of a tax on betting and
gaming; for the authorizing of public lotteries; and for connected purposes How to Apply for a Bookmaker License in Kenya
[Act No. 9 of 1967, Act No. 20 of 1967, Act No. 8 of 1968, Act No. 2 of 1975, Act No. 10 of 1981, Act
No. 14 of 1982, Act No. 8 of 1985, Act No. 18 of 1986, Act No. 10 of 1987, Act No. 22 of 1987, Act
No. 13 of 1988, Act No. 4 of 1999, Act No. 9 of 2000.]

Procedure to Apply for a Bookmaker License in Kenya

Apply In-Person.

1. One needs to approach the betting control and licensing board in person to make an application for a bookmaker license.
2. Here you will be given an Application of Bookmakers- Form 1A and a Probity form to fill and submit.The application forms can also be obtained by visiting their website. This can be done through the following link
3. Fill in the required information for application and submit the documents to the betting control and licensing board together with all the required documents. A list of these documents may be found in the documents required section of this page.
4. Pay the required fees and submit the receipt together with the required documents.
5. Officials from the betting control and licensing board will go through your application and visit the business premises to carry out more investigations if the business premisses is upto to sets standards.
6. Once everything is in order, the board will issued you with the bookmaker license.
7. This process usually takes a period of six months.

BOOKMAKERS REQUIREMENTS – Bookmaker License in Kenya

The applicant must submit a duly completed and signed application form and furnish the board with the following information/documents:

• The applicant to complete the prescribed form i.e. Form 1A
• Submit a detailed concept about the proposed business
• Payment of application fee is Kshs. 10,000 and Investigation fee (local Director) Kshs. 50,000 and (foreign Director) -Kshs.500,000/=. These fees are paid upfront and are non-refundable
• Proposed operating name of the business if different from …. Limited.
• Business form (sole Proprietorship of joint venture)
• Names of Directors and shareholders directorship to be supported by a current CR12
• A PIN certificate and Tax compliance certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority.
• A copy of the certificate of incorporation or registration as the case may be.
• Articles and memorandum of association for your company whose objects must among others include bookmaking
• Detailed mode of operation for the bookmakers business and evidence of capacity to undertake bookmaking operation in a seamless manner
• A business plan showing the minimum investment and Sources of funding 
• Submit a broad statement on the choice of Kenya for the licenses applied for and the anticipated benefits to:-

• Punters/players
• Kenyan public
• Government of Kenya
• Directors and shareholders 

• Certificate of Good Conduct for the Company Directors
• The proposed sports events and types of bets to be offered for betting purposes
• The name and full address of the company that would be providing the applicant with the Bookmaking Odds, to be supported by a copy of the agreement between your company and the Odds Provider
• The proposed terms and conditions of the bookmaking operation
• Proposed bookmaking architecture 
• Proposal on how to mitigate excessive play and underage participation
• Dispute resolution procedure
• Audited Accounts for the applicants other business operation for the last three (3) years, and evidence that none of them has a pending litigation and if any, provide Case No. nature and status
• The proposed principal place of business  Bookmaker License in Kenya

• Physical and contact address
• In case of a leased premises copy of lease agreement executed or due to be executed
• The location will  be subject to inspection to determine its suitability as a betting premise

• In addition to the submission of above information you will be expected to complete a Probity form to facilitate due diligence.  The Probity form must be completed by all directors to facilitate due diligence 
• Demonstrate ability to pay the applicable fees shown below.

• Application fee Ksh.10,000
• Investigation fee Ksh.500,000 for foreign applicant and Ksh.50,000 for local applicant. Both application and investigation fees are non-refundable
• License grant fee Ksh.200,000
• Annual license fee Ksh.50,000
• Premises grant fee ksh.100,000
• Premise annual fee Ksh.50,000
• License and premises renewal fee Ksh.5,000 each.

• Commencement of operations.

Upon successful applications and issuance of a license to an applicant, the license MUST be operationalised within six (6) months and evidence shall be required to demonstrate commencement of operations or milestones achieved towards its operationalization. 

All applicants shall be required to appear before the Board and make a presentation regarding the proposed operation for the licence applied for.  The presentation shall be judged on the following criteria;

• Understanding of the operations  regarding the licence being applied for in this 

case Bookmakers.

• Submission of the requisite documents
• Level of preparedness to commence operations 
• Demonstrate innovativeness and creativity
• Potentiality.

The Board may require further details merited to finalize your application request in conforming to the regulations as per the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 131 Laws of Kenya.  You shall also be issued with operational requirements for the licence once your applications is successful

Office Locations & Contacts

Kenya Charity Sweepstakes House,
3rd and 8th Floor,
Mama Ngina street,
Nairobi
P.O Box 43977-00100
Email: info@bclb.go.ke
Email: betting@homeaffairs.go.ke
Website: Link
Contact info: link

ligibility

• Any individual can apply for the license.

Fees

• Application fee Ksh.10,000
• Investigation fee Ksh.500,000 for foreign applicant and Ksh.50,000 for local applicant. Both application and investigation fees are non-refundable
• License grant fee Ksh.200,000
• Annual license fee Ksh.50,000
• Premises grant fee ksh.100,000
• Premise annual fee Ksh.50,000
• License and premises renewal fee Ksh.5,000 each.

Validity

• The license is valid for one year.

Documents to Use

• Application of Bookmakers- Form 1A
• Probity form

Processing Time

• Six Months

Required Information

1. Full name and address of the applicant
2. Physical Address
3. Name of business
4. Date and place of registration.
5. Full names of all partners, directors and secretary of a body corporate, managers
6. Bank details
7. Name of accountant.
8. Distance between principal place and nearest premises licensed for sale and consumption of liquor
9. Previous engagement in the bookmaking business
10. Expected amount of the gross turnover for the first twelve months

External Links

• Bookmakers Requirement
• Betting Control and Licensing Board
• Betting Control and Licensing Board
• betting, lotteries and gaming (cap. 131) – Kenya Law

Others

• No license is issued under the Betting, Lotteries And Gaming Act unless and until the Board has satisfied itself that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold the license and that the premises, if any, in respect of which the application is made are suitable for the purpose.
• No license is issued under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act unless the Board has sent a copy of the application for the license to the local authority within whose area of jurisdiction the applicant proposes to conduct his business and has given the local authority reasonable opportunity to object to, or make recommendations with respect to, the application.