License Name
Bookmaker License (Kenya) / Internet Sports Betting License (Tanzania)
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Issuing Country/Region
Kenya / Tanzania
Regulatory Body
Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), Kenya / Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT), Tanzania
Types of Regulated Games
Sports betting, casino games, lotteries, virtual games, slot machines, table games, prize competitions
Market Coverage
Local (Kenya or Tanzania), some licenses may allow limited regional/international operations
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registration in Kenya/Tanzania required
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Background checks and probity, with relevant supporting documents for all directors and shareholders
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Mandatory AML compliance in line with national legislation
Data Protection Requirements
Companies must protect personal and financial data; privacy and security policies enforced
Reporting Requirements
Companies must submit business and operational reports as required by the regulator
Audit Requirements
Audited accounts for company and directors required at application; further audits as requested by the regulator
Software Certification Requirements
Use of certified RNGs and approved software for fairness and transparency
RNG Certification
Certified RNG technology required for virtual and online betting/gaming
Payment System Requirements
Use of recognized and approved payment systems
Server Location Requirements
Not explicitly specified, subject to regulatory approval and inspection
Domain Name Requirements
Not explicitly specified
Language Support Requirements
Local language and/or English support recommended
Currency Support Requirements
Local currency (KES for Kenya, TZS for Tanzania) required; others as approved
Legal Compliance Costs
Application, investigation, licensing, and renewal fees apply; legal and compliance costs vary
Background Checks
Mandatory for key personnel, directors, and shareholders
License Scope Restrictions
Activities limited to licensed category (e.g., sports betting, casino, lottery); explicit permission required for each activity
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Compliance with local tax laws and regular filing required
Player Data Storage Requirements
Compliance with local data storage and protection requirements, subject to audit
Cross-Border Operations
Limited; cross-border/international activity subject to explicit regulatory approval
License Application Transparency
Directors/shareholders must complete probity forms, attend board presentations, and disclose full application information
Regulatory Contact Point
Official regulator offices (see Contacts below)
Compliance Officer Requirement
Required for AML and regulatory compliance
Local Partnership Requirements
Not generally required unless specified by local law
Legal Dispute Resolution
Regulator-supervised, default to national court system
License Transferability
Transfer to another entity requires regulatory approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted; each operator must obtain their own license
License Cost
Kenya – Application fee: KES 10,000, Investigation fee: KES 50,000 (local) / KES 500,000 (foreign), License grant fee: KES 200,000, Annual fee: KES 50,000, Premises grant & annual fee: KES 100,000 & KES 50,000; Tanzania – Application fees vary by license type
Annual Fees
Kenya – KES 50,000, Tanzania – As set by GBT, varies by type
Income Taxes
Operators subject to corporate tax on gaming/betting revenue
Player Winnings Taxes
Withholding tax on winnings may apply per local law
Financial Guarantees
Security fees/deposits may apply, especially for online operations (see latest BCLB requirements, e.g., up to $750,000 security fee for major operators)
Liquidity Requirements
Proof of sufficient capital and working funds required for license grant/renewal
Financial Reporting Requirements
Annual audited financial statements, further reports as requested
Application Processing Time
Tanzania – Within 30 days of receipt of complete application; Kenya – subject to BCLB timelines
Required Documents
Company incorporation documents, business plan, tax compliance, directors’ details, audited accounts, proof of funding, premises lease, technology details, KRA PIN, good conduct certificates
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business/operational plan mandatory
Internal Policy Requirements
AML/KYC, responsible gaming, dispute resolution, data protection, internal control procedures required
Testing Requirements
Certification of gaming systems/platforms by recognized independent parties
Certification Requirements
Software and RNG certification for fairness and transparency
Staff Qualifications
Directors/key personnel must demonstrate good character and relevant qualifications; background checks required
Physical Office Requirements
Registered office address in the jurisdiction required
Local Representative Requirements
Not explicitly mandated unless specified by law
Marketing Restrictions
Restrictions on advertising to minors and mandatory responsible gaming messaging
Responsible Gaming Measures
Self-exclusion tools, deposit/time limits, responsible gaming policies required
Self-Exclusion System
Required for operators, tools must be provided to players
Age Verification Procedures
Mandatory 18+ with robust age/KYC verification
KYC Procedures
Full customer verification required, enhanced for large transactions
Customer Support Standards
Local language and/or English support recommended, must handle complaints promptly
Complaint Handling Procedures
Mandatory complaint resolution and escalation protocols
Player Funds Protection
Player funds segregation and transparency required
Payout Timelines
Not explicitly specified; timely payouts mandatory
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Must be transparent with clear terms; subject to responsible gaming checks
Permitted Games List
Only approved games per license; extensive lists maintained by regulators
Betting Limits
Not specified, set by operator subject to regulator’s responsible gaming rules
RTP Requirements
Not explicitly mandated; fairness and transparency must be assured through certified systems
Jackpot Regulations
Subject to regulator approval and operator compliance
Live Game Requirements
Additional approvals and certifications required for live casinos in Tanzania
Mobile App Compliance
Operators must comply with technical and responsible gaming rules for mobile platforms
Affiliate Program Rules
Must comply with all applicable licensing and advertising standards
Security Standards
Secure platforms with data protection controls; certification required for gaming systems/technology
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS or equivalent encryption mandatory for all player data transmission
Backup Requirements
Regular backups of gaming and player data required
Monitoring Systems
Operators must provide real-time operational data to regulator upon request
Operation Logging
Audit logs and trails for transactions and gaming activity mandatory
Anti-Fraud Systems
Systems must detect and prevent fraud/money laundering
API Integration Standards
Integration with approved payment, KYC, and data systems mandated as relevant
Hosting Requirements
No explicit requirements, but regulator approval/inspection of technology is mandatory
CDN Usage
Allowed; must not compromise integrity/security of operations
Scalability Requirements
Technical infrastructure must support licensed scale of operations
Uptime Requirements
High service availability required; regulator may establish minimum standards
Technical Support Availability
Operators responsible for 24/7 support for critical systems
License Duration
Kenya – Annual (renewable); Tanzania – as specified in license (commonly annual)
Renewal Procedure
Application with supporting documents, payment of respective renewal fees
Penalties for Non-Compliance
License suspension, revocation, fines, and criminal prosecution for violations
Ownership Change Rules
Regulatory notification and approval required for changes in control/ownership
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Subject to regulator review/approval
Subcontractor Regulations
Service providers must be disclosed and approved by regulator
Branding Requirements
Use of approved trademarks/logos only; misleading branding prohibited
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators must have legal rights to all software/platforms used
Dispute Arbitration
Regulator provides guidance; dispute resolution as per national laws
Insurance Requirements
Not explicitly mandated in law, but proof of sufficient financial resources required
Charity Contributions
Only for specific lottery/charity license holders
Staff Training Requirements
Responsible gaming, AML, and policy training for staff expected
Innovation Support
Not formally defined but innovation encouraged within regulatory compliance
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified
Accessibility Standards
Not specified
Multilingual Support
Recommended for platforms to support English/local languages
Cryptocurrency Support
No explicit provision for cryptocurrency acceptance
Esports Betting Regulations
Covered if included in sports betting license and approved by regulator
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Subject to regulatory approval if offered
Official Address
Kenya – BCLB, P.O. Box 43809-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Tanzania – Gaming Board of Tanzania, 6th Floor, Benjamin Mkapa Pension Towers, Azikiwe Street, Dar es Salaam
Online Application Portal
Kenya – Not public; Tanzania – https://glica.gamingboard.go.tz
Work Hours
Kenya – Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm; Tanzania – Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/BCLBKenya
Twitter/X URL
https://x.com/bettingbclb
Departments
Kenya – Licensing, Compliance, Investigations, Enforcement; Tanzania – Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, IT, Legal, Audit
FAQ Question 1
What is Bookmaker License (Kenya) / Internet Sports Betting License (Tanzania)?
FAQ Answer 1
The license allows operators to legally offer sports betting, casino, and related gaming services in Kenya/Tanzania under government regulation
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Bookmaker License (Kenya) / Internet Sports Betting License (Tanzania)?
FAQ Answer 2
In Kenya, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB); in Tanzania, the Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) is the official issuing and regulatory body
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Bookmaker License (Kenya) / Internet Sports Betting License (Tanzania)?
FAQ Answer 3
Kenya’s licensing involves multiple fees (application, investigation, grant, renewal) totaling KES 400,000+; Tanzania’s fees vary by license type
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Bookmaker License (Kenya) / Internet Sports Betting License (Tanzania)?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include company registration, proof of funding, AML/KYC compliance, background checks, business plan, certified gaming systems, and adherence to