Betting Firms Swing Into Action Amidst Govt Plans For Crackdown

The Association of Gaming Operators – Kenya (AGOK) has introduced a series of new player protection measures, including time-out options, betting and deposit limits, and real-time notifications.

According to AGOK, this is to promote responsible gaming amid rising public concern about the industry's social impact.

Announced in a recent press release, these initiatives are part of AGOK’s wider strategy to uphold ethical standards and protect vulnerable groups, particularly the youth, from the risks associated with gambling addiction.

“These tools are designed to help players manage their gaming habits in a healthy and controlled way,” the association said, adding, “We are committed to building a safer and more accountable gaming environment.”

AGOK announced that its members will roll out self-exclusion options, upgraded age-verification tech, and 24/7 toll-free helplines to assist individuals struggling with mental health or gambling addiction.

The group is also backing the proposed Gambling Control Bill, aimed at strengthening consumer protections and creating a national self-exclusion database.

Working alongside regulators, civil society groups, and other key players, AGOK is kicking off national awareness campaigns and organising forums to help steer the development of forward-thinking gaming policies.

The association also called on media organisations to collaborate with AGOK for accurate reporting, stressing that responsible journalism plays a critical role in informing the public and driving policy changes.

This comes as the government announced on Saturday, April 26, plans for a crackdown on rogue betting firms following a public uproar on how the vice has been causing havoc in society.

Internal Security Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, who spoke at the time, announced that the government is aware of the growing crisis and will take action against unscrupulous betting companies exploiting Kenyans.

"We are losing a number of Kenyans, particularly young ones, who have been hooked on betting. We are working on cleaning that space, and we want to ask that you pay a lot of attention. Let's support the government officers so that we rein in rogue businessmen and women who want to take advantage of our youth to get them hooked on betting," he stated.

The PS emphasised that gambling addiction is no different from drug addiction and assured that the government, under President William Ruto’s leadership, has already put measures in place to tackle irresponsible betting.

"This is a matter, even His Excellency the President has taken note of and has given us guidance on what should be done, so going forward there are already changes that are happening and we expect more to happen so that we have a society that can develop and doesn't have some members being completely left alone," PS Omollo noted.

"We have heard cases of people committing suicide and other people getting into criminal activities just so that they can participate in the betting."

PS Raymond Omollo speaks on planned crackdown against rogue betting firms: Even President Ruto has taken note of it, and he has given us guidance on what must be done#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/VnHQFpBMFk — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) April 26, 2025

Beforehand, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued a strict directive to all radio and TV stations to cut down on betting, lottery, and gambling content within 14 days. In a letter dated April 23, 2025, and signed by Director General David Mugonyi, the Authority warned that any broadcaster failing to comply within the given timeframe risks having their license revoked.

Meanwhile, social media has seen a surge of public outcry, with many users demanding government action against the escalating betting crisis. A significant number of posts have also accused politicians of being complicit in the rapid spread of betting companies.