BCLB refutes claims Kenyans spent Ksh 766 billion on gambling in 2024

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that Kenyans spent Ksh 766 billion on gambling in 2024, labeling the figure as grossly exaggerated and misleading.

In a statement issued on Sunday, April 20, BCLB Chairperson Dr. Jane Mwikali addressed growing concerns over what some have described as a national gambling “pandemic,” sparked by claims that Kenyans wagered Ksh 24,000 every second—amounting to a staggering Ksh 2.1 billion daily.

The claims, widely circulated following the release of the Betting in Africa 2024 report by GeoPoll, had placed Kenya at the top of the continent in terms of betting participation, with 82.81% of adults reportedly engaged in gambling.

However, Dr. Mwikali strongly disputed the Ksh 766 billion figure—roughly 31% of the country’s total revenue—arguing that the amount likely includes offshore and unlicensed platforms that fall outside the scope of regulated oversight.

“The figure inaccurately inflates the size of the regulated market, likely by including offshore (unlicensed) platforms,” she said. “This misrepresentation distorts the economic reality of the licensed betting sector and misleads both the public and policymakers.”

According to the BCLB, taxes collected from the betting and gaming sector—including excise duty on stakes and withholding tax on winnings—stood at Ksh 22.3 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Dr. Mwikali also emphasized the industry’s socio-economic contributions, noting that it directly employs more than 10,000 Kenyans, supports over 500,000 livelihoods indirectly, and invests heavily in community development initiatives through corporate social responsibility programs.

While the Board acknowledged that a majority of adult Kenyans have participated in gambling at least once, it underscored the importance of focusing on facts and promoting responsible gambling practices rather than sensationalism.