Audit Requirements
BCLB vetting process includes review of business plan, financial records, and audit reports
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Software Certification Requirements
Certification standards apply, especially for games like crash and aviator; only approved games permitted
RNG Certification
Not explicitly required for betting, but approval required for new game types
Payment System Requirements
Not specified, but approved modes of payment expected
Server Location Requirements
Not explicitly stated
Domain Name Requirements
Not specified
Language Support Requirements
Not specified
Currency Support Requirements
Kenyan shilling (KES) mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal and compliance professional fees apply in addition to licensing fees
Background Checks
Certificate of Good Conduct required for directors
License Scope Restrictions
Licence type determines scope (e.g., public gaming, bookmakers, lotteries, prize competitions)
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Tax compliance certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) required
Player Data Storage Requirements
Not explicitly stated
Cross-Border Operations
Licence is for operation within Kenya
License Application Transparency
Extensive documentation required, including business plan and background details
Regulatory Contact Point
The BCLB
Compliance Officer Requirement
Not explicitly required
Local Partnership Requirements
Local registration of the business is mandatory
Legal Dispute Resolution
Resolution per Kenyan law and BCLB oversight
License Transferability
Licences and permits not transferable
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not authorised
License Cost
For bookmakers: Ksh.10,000 application fee, Ksh.200,000 licence grant fee, Ksh.100,000 premises grant, Ksh.50,000 annual operating fee, Ksh.50,000 annual fee, Ksh.50,000 investigation fee (local)/Ksh.500,000 (foreign); total Ksh.460,000 (local)/Ksh.910,000 (foreign). For public gaming: Ksh.1,000,000 application fee, Ksh.3,000,000 licence grant fee, Ksh.500,000 annual fee, Ksh.250,000 investigation fee (local)/Ksh.1,000,000 (foreign); total Ksh.4,750,000 (local)/Ksh.5,500,000 (foreign)
Annual Fees
Bookmakers: Ksh.100,000-110,000+ annually; Public gaming: Ksh.500,000+ annually
Income Taxes
Tax compliance enforced; operator must provide current KRA certificate
Player Winnings Taxes
Withholding tax on winnings as per KRA regulations
Financial Guarantees
Proof of financial capacity required
Liquidity Requirements
Demonstrated via bank statements and audited accounts
Financial Reporting Requirements
Submission of business plan, financial and audit reports; further periodic reporting as required
Application Processing Time
Not specified; involves application, vetting, possible presentation
Required Documents
Certificate of incorporation, business plan, shareholder/director IDs, KRA PIN, tax compliance, CR12, company constitution, bank statements, audited reports, certificate of good conduct
Business Plan Requirements
Mandatory business plan with minimum investment details and funding sources
Internal Policy Requirements
AML/Responsible gaming policies expected
Testing Requirements
Site inspection and presentation to Board; evidence of operational and technical capability reviewed
Certification Requirements
Only compliant and certified games permitted; new types require BCLB pre-approval
Staff Qualifications
Experience and good conduct criteria for directors
Physical Office Requirements
Permanent office in Kenya mandatory
Local Representative Requirements
Not specified separately from office requirement
Marketing Restrictions
Heavy restrictions on marketing; all ads require BCLB pre-approval; must display responsible gaming message in at least 20% of ad space; direct call-to-action prohibited
Responsible Gaming Measures
Implementation of loss limits, reality checks, self-exclusion, and deposit limits required
Self-Exclusion System
Operators must offer mechanisms for self-exclusion
Age Verification Procedures
Strict identity checks, including ID/selfie required for online registration
KYC Procedures
Full KYC/AML required: identity, address, and source of funds verification
Customer Support Standards
Not explicitly stated
Complaint Handling Procedures
Board investigates and resolves disputes between players and operators
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player and company funds expected
Payout Timelines
Not specified, but prompt payment enforced under consumer protection mandate
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
All promotions subject to BCLB ad approval and responsible gaming standards
Permitted Games List
Only licensed and approved sports betting, casino, lottery, prize competition games
Betting Limits
Subject to approval and responsible gaming controls
RTP Requirements
Payback percentages and game rules to be disclosed in application
Jackpot Regulations
Not specified
Live Game Requirements
Only approved live games permitted
Mobile App Compliance
Not specified
Affiliate Program Rules
Not specified
Security Standards
General requirement to ensure financial and technical integrity; IT/AML standards enforced
Encryption Requirements
Not explicitly required, but best practices and data security compliance implied
Backup Requirements
Not specified
Monitoring Systems
Operators subject to BCLB compliance monitoring; new technical tools for real-time oversight planned
Operation Logging
Not specified
Anti-Fraud Systems
Compliance regime to prevent fraud and illegal betting
API Integration Standards
Not specified
Hosting Requirements
Not specified
CDN Usage
Not specified
Scalability Requirements
Not specified
Uptime Requirements
Not specified
Technical Support Availability
Not specified
License Duration
Annual renewal required
Renewal Procedure
Renewal process mirrors application with presentation, documentation, and payment of the renewal fee
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Suspension, fines, and licence revocation possible; illegal operation subject to prosecution under Cap 131
Ownership Change Rules
Must notify BCLB; new vetting applies
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Approval/notification required as with ownership change
Subcontractor Regulations
Not specified
Branding Requirements
Not specified
Intellectual Property Protection
Not specified
Dispute Arbitration
Complaints handled by BCLB or Kenyan courts
Insurance Requirements
Not specified
Charity Contributions
Not specified
Staff Training Requirements
Not specified
Innovation Support
The Board encourages sustainable industry development and adoption of new technologies
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified
Accessibility Standards
Not specified
Multilingual Support
Not specified
Cryptocurrency Support
Not specified
Esports Betting Regulations
Not specifically outlined, falls under generic betting regulations
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Not specifically outlined
Official Address
BCLB, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Building, Block D, 10th Floor, Bishops Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Postal Address
P.O. Box 34584-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Fax Number
Not found
Online Application Portal
Not specified
Work Hours
Not specified
Emergency Contact
Not specified
Regional Offices
Not specified
Technical Support
Not specified
Media Contact
Not specified
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/BettingBclb
Departments
Licensing, Compliance, Investigations
FAQ Question 1
What is Betting Control and Licensing Board Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming?
FAQ Answer 1
The Betting Control and Licensing Board Licence is a government-issued permit legally required for companies to operate sports betting, gaming, lottery, and related gambling activities in Kenya under the supervision of the BCLB. It covers both online and land-based operations, enforcing fair play, consumer protection, and compliance with both gambling and AML laws.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Betting Control and Licensing Board Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming?
FAQ Answer 2
The licence is issued by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in Kenya.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Betting Control and Licensing Board Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming?
FAQ Answer 3
Bookmaker licensing for local applicants costs approximately Ksh.460,000 (including all fees), and for public gaming operators about Ksh.4,750,000; annual fees and possible higher capital requirements also apply. Foreign applicants pay significantly higher investigation fees.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Betting Control and Licensing Board Licence for Sports Betting and Gaming?
FAQ Answer 4
Requirements include business registration in Kenya, complete identification and background checks for directors/shareholders, compliance with KRA tax and AML protocols, detailed business plan, financial capacity proof, technical compliance with certified software and approved games, site inspection, and responsible gaming controls.