Celebrities & Influencers Banned From Promoting Betting In New Move To Control Gambling
In a significant move to protect vulnerable individuals from the harms of gambling, Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has unveiled stringent new regulations governing gambling advertisements. The sweeping changes include an outright ban on the use of celebrities, influencers, and content creators in all gambling promotions.
This decisive action follows a temporary 30-day suspension of all gambling adverts, which began on April 29, 2025. The suspension was part of a broader government initiative to promote responsible gambling and shield minors and other susceptible groups from addiction and exposure to gambling-related content.
A Multi-Agency Effort for Safer Gambling
The BCLB collaborated with the Multi-Agency Enforcement Team to develop these new guidelines. This powerful consortium includes key government institutions such as the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Office of the Attorney General, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC).
Dual Approval and Media Accountability
Under the new rules, no gambling advertisement will be permitted to air without explicit approval from both the BCLB and the KFCB. This dual classification and approval process ensures rigorous oversight.
The BCLB is also holding media owners and advertising agencies accountable. The guidelines now mandate that these entities must ensure all gambling advertisements receive BCLB approval and KFCB classification before being distributed on their channels or platforms.
Furthermore, there are now geographical restrictions on where gambling advertisements can appear. No form of advertisement is allowed near schools, religious institutions, or places frequently visited by children, such as playgrounds and shopping malls.
