Parliament has reached consensus on key provisions of the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, following mediation between the National Assembly and the Senate, resolving weeks of deadlock over proposed regulations for the multi-billion shilling industry.
In the final mediated version of the Bill, the National Assembly rejected Senate-backed proposals to exempt gambling operators from both income tax and excise duty, insisting that all gambling entities remain subject to the current tax regime.
Lawmakers in the National Assembly also retained the minimum stake for a single casino bet at Sh20, dismissing Senate efforts to revise the threshold.
However, both Houses reached agreement on the Senate’s proposal outlining when an online bet officially begins and ends — a move expected to introduce clarity for operators and regulators amid rising scrutiny over digital betting.
A significant compromise was also struck over the contentious issue of mandatory security for online gambling and national lottery operations. The two Houses agreed to set the requirement at Sh100 million, a middle ground between earlier positions.
The Bill, once signed into law, will overhaul Kenya’s regulatory framework for betting and gaming, introducing tighter controls and increased financial safeguards in a sector often criticised for its social impacts and regulatory gaps.
