The National Assembly is debating the mediated version of the Gambling Control Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 70 of 2023).

The House during the afternoon session on Wednesday 30th July, 2025 debated the Bill that seeks to provide for the regulation of betting, casinos and other forms of gambling; authorization of prize competitions and public lotteries; for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya and for connected purposes.

While moving the motion for approval of the Mediation Committee report, Hon, Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop) told the House that the Gambling Authority of Kenya, which will be a successor to Betting Control License Board (BCLB), will be responsible for licensing and regulating gambling sector in the country.

According to Hon. Thuku, some of the deliberations that the Committee reviewed included the Senate proposal on amending Clause 5 of the Bill to expand the County governments functions in gambling to include developing legislation and issuing licenses.

He stated that the Committee noted that the Bill already addresses the shared regulation by assigning licensing to the national authority and trade permits to National government.

“As a result, the Committee retained Clause 5 as originally drafted and recommended Clause 2 to clearly define license and trade permit. I urge this House to adopt the report and approve the Gambling Bill which will provide a comprehensive legal framework to regulate gambling in Kenya while presenting a modernized approach that aims to balance both the economic benefits of the industry while preventing consumers in our society,” Hon. Thuku told the House.

Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah the Majority Leader who seconded the motion said that the measures that BCLB had put in place to regulate betting and gambling were not adequate.

He said that the fight will only be won through an operational Act of Parliament that will discourage youths from engaging in irresponsible gambling and believing that they can get rich through it and not by engaging in productive economic activity.

“We must have laws like this that discourage irresponsible gambling. It is okay to gamble and bet as a first time but it cannot be everyday of your life. It cannot be usual that many radio and TV stations were free to encourage the public to bet from as early as 5 am,” Hon. Ichung’wah stated.

However, according to Hon. James Nyikal (Seme), if passed the Bill will need to be amended in six months to have an age limit of those who can gamble, sanction on operators who allow young people below the age limit to gamble and a limit to increase the minimum amount one can gamble so that it is out of reach for the young people.

Speaking on age limits for gambling Hon. Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North) said, "We need to build an age limit on gambling in Kenya. Just the way we've done to alcohol, that 21 age limit should also apply to gambling."

She added that the minimum amount to place a bet should be increased to discourage excessive betting. "We discourage young people from engaging in it, because getting Sh50 is a bit hard. It is like these people are so powerful that they can convince the government until a Bill can be sized into what they want. What we are doing to our young people is wrong."

The Bill seeks to regulate Kenya’s betting and gambling industry while ensuring tax compliance and protecting citizens from exploitative practices. Hon. Caroli Omondi said,"This legislation is designed to bring order to the sector."

The National Assembly is expected to conclude debate on the Bill next week.