Betting sector takes action to curb addiction with new rules

In response to the growing public concern over gambling addiction and its devastating impact on individuals, particularly young people, the betting industry in Kenya has announced new measures to promote responsible gambling.

The Association of Gaming Operators, which represents betting firms, acknowledged the serious challenges faced by their customers, including addiction, mental health issues, and ethical concerns.

The association responded to mounting fears that gambling has become a "pandemic" destroying many young lives. To combat this, members of the association have implemented advanced age-verification systems to ensure that individuals under the age of 18 are blocked from accessing gambling platforms.

Furthermore, the industry has rolled out self-exclusion tools, allowing individuals to voluntarily and permanently restrict themselves from gambling activities.

The firms have also introduced 24/7 toll-free helplines to offer confidential support to individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues.

In addition, the association has launched national campaigns to promote responsible gaming practices.

"The gaming industry in Kenya continues to evolve rapidly, creating opportunities for economic growth, digital innovation, and employment. However, with this growth comes an increased responsibility to safeguard the welfare of players, particularly vulnerable populations, including young people," read the statement from the association.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), the regulatory authority overseeing betting activities, has also weighed in on the situation.

Dr Jane Mwikali, the BCLB Chairperson, acknowledged that a significant proportion of Kenyan youth have engaged in gambling. She revealed that licensed betting firms are expected to generate over Sh20 billion in revenue by 2025, with the industry providing direct employment to more than 10,000 people and supporting over 500,000 livelihoods.

Mwikali emphasised that the majority of adult Kenyans have gambled at least once in their lifetime, with online platforms now being the dominant channel due to the widespread use of smartphones.

She further explained that the proposed Gambling Control Bill of 2023 will introduce strict measures to safeguard players, including a ban on youth-targeted promotions, mandatory responsible gambling messages, and restricted hours for broadcasting betting-related content.

The bill also proposes the use of advanced technology to monitor licensed operators in real-time, quickly identify and shut down unlicensed platforms, and conduct regular audits and surprise inspections.

The bill will also require betting operators to allocate a percentage of their total gross gaming revenue to fund addiction prevention and rehabilitation services.

"The current gaming landscape demands a multi-sectoral approach. This includes continued collaboration between the industry, government, and other stakeholders to ensure responsible gambling," said Mwikali.

Meanwhile, the Communications Authority of Kenya has raised concerns over the growing amount of gambling-related content on TV and radio.

CAK Director-General David Mugonyi warned broadcasters to adhere strictly to licensing conditions regarding content aimed at protecting children.