Kenya Suspends All Annual Gambling Licensing During Transition to New Regulator

Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has announced a suspension of all annual gambling license applications — new and renewals — as the country transitions regulatory authority to the newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), with the process set to conclude by February 2026.

In a public notice dated October 2, 2025, the BCLB confirmed that existing licensees may continue operations under current terms until their licences expire. The board emphasized that no new or renewal applications will be accepted during the transition period.

The shift to the GRA is mandated by the Gambling Control Act, 2025, enacted earlier this year to modernize Kenya’s gambling oversight system. Under the new regime, all functions, assets and obligations of the BCLB will transfer to the GRA, which will take over full regulatory control across the sector.

Peter Mbugi, Director General of the BCLB, described the move as a “critical step toward a modern, robust and responsible regulatory framework,” urging operators and stakeholders to stay alert to further announcements.

During the suspension, the GRA is developing its licensing procedures, compliance standards and operational guidelines so that once it formally assumes control, licensing activities can resume under the new structure.

The gambling sector in Kenya now enters a phase of regulatory uncertainty, with operators awaiting clarity on new requirements, timelines and fees once the GRA becomes fully operational.