Kenya creates Player Protection and Research Unit to strengthen gambling oversight

Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has launched a new unit focused on problem gambling, operator data and consumer-risk monitoring as the country moves toward a more data-driven model of gambling regulation.

Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has established a Player Protection and Research Unit as part of the country’s wider gambling-sector reforms under the Gambling Control Act, 2025. The new unit is designed to strengthen consumer protection, monitor gambling-related harm and support the regulator’s shift from traditional licensing control to active market surveillance.

According to Kenyan media reports, the unit will monitor betting behaviour, identify addiction patterns and publish annual reports on gambling-related harm. It is also expected to analyse operator data and track consumer risk exposure, allowing the regulator to make decisions based on market evidence rather than relying only on licensing records or complaints.

The move comes at a time when Kenya is tightening control over one of Africa’s most active betting markets. Mobile phones, digital payments and online betting platforms have made gambling products more accessible, particularly to younger users, while also creating new challenges for regulators. Kenya’s own Regulatory Impact Statement notes that the gambling market has been transformed by digitalisation, mobile payments, online platforms, intensive advertising and cross-border operators, creating consumer-protection gaps and practical enforcement challenges.

Under the new framework, licensed operators will face stronger responsible-gambling obligations. These include self-exclusion tools, cooling-off periods and clearer warnings about the risks linked to betting. The regulator is also reviewing advertising limits, affordability checks and stricter age-verification rules following public consultations.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya was established under the Gambling Control Act, 2025 to regulate, supervise and control all forms of gambling in the country. Its official mandate covers betting, casinos, lotteries, online gambling platforms and related services, with a stated focus on fairness, accountability, prevention of illegal gambling and protection of vulnerable groups.

For operators, the creation of the Player Protection and Research Unit signals a more demanding compliance environment. Companies may need to improve data reporting, risk monitoring, customer-protection tools and internal responsible-gambling procedures. For the market as a whole, the reform suggests that Kenya wants to preserve the economic potential of betting while reducing social harm and bringing digital gambling under closer regulatory supervision.