BUNGE TOWER, NAIROBI
The Betting Control and Licencing Board requires Kshs. 500 million to install a gambling Central Monitoring System for effective regulation of the gaming industry, a House team has been told.
The Board’s Principal Administrative Secretary Mr Arthur Osiya told the Sports and Culture Committee that they were unable to effectively monitor and regulate the industry due to failure to deploy adequate technology and outdated laws.
“It is important to note that more than 80 percent of gambling activities in Kenya are online. Given the scenario, therefore, deployment of adequate technology is the only sure way to effectively monitor and regulate the industry,” he told the Hon Dan Wanyama-led Committee.
Mr Osiya told the Committee that the new technology will help in having a well-regulated gaming industry that can guarantee public protection, improved revenue generation, responsible gambling, investment growth and development of the industry in Kenya.
Speaking during a meeting at Bunge Tower on Tuesday, Mr Osiya called for fast-tracking of the enactment of the Gambling Control Bill 2023 that provides for a string of legal framework to safeguard the industry.
“The current Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap 131 has a lot of loopholes that frustrate the Board’s efforts to streamline the industry,” he added.
He told the Committee that the Board has managed to help the government collect Kshs. 88.4 billion from their activities in the last five years.
He however noted that inadequate allocation of funds by the Treasury has affected the implementation of their activities, leading to low revenue generation.
“In the last five years the Board was allocated Kshs. 531 million, collected Kshs. 894.6 million in revenue and Kshs. 88.4 billion in taxes,” he explained.
He added: “This is a confirmation that if we are allocated adequate money we will be able to effectively discharge our mandate and help the government collect more tax.”
Mr Osiya said controlling the underage from involving themselves in gambling has remained their major challenge.
“We have faced an uphill task in dealing with the underage in the gambling industry. Most of these young people engage in betting using their parent’s mobile phones,” he added.
He noted that despite the challenges the Board has made gains.
He added that the fight against illegal and unauthorized gambling has seen the Board flagging down 37 unauthorized foreign gambling websites alongside confiscating illegal gambling machines across the country.
“To promote and enhance responsible gaming activities, the Board has successfully undertaken sensitization activities in 12 counties,” he added.
Hon Wanyama assured the Board of the Committee’s support in their endeavours.
