BCLB directs betting firms to renew licences, migrate to new system

Betting firms and gaming entities can now apply for the renewal of their licenses for the financial year 2024/25.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) on Wednesday called on all operators to comply, even as the roll out the new gaming management system continues.

This automation, the Board says, will streamline the collection of revenue by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), in line with a government directive on the same.  

In a stakeholder engagement, BCLB directed all betting firms to swiftly transition to the new gaming management system, emphasizing compliance.

The directive comes amidst reports indicating that only 97 out of the 180 licensed operators have integrated their systems with KRA to enable real-time monitoring of the industry, with the aim of closing revenue leakages and enhancing regulatory oversight at KRA.

"We have been doing applications and processes manually for years but now the time has come when we need to automate our processes." BCLB CEO Peter Mbugi said.

"So in terms of moving forward we require that our operators process their applications through the online system which is the gaming management system."

The betting regulatory body has also initiated the renewal of licences for the financial year 2024/2025. This comes as the board implements essential changes to streamline operations within the betting industry.

"We have participated in the development of the first gambling policy in Kenya and developed the GMS. We have as well successfully uploaded all our services to eCitizen, we have streamlined the licensing process by institutionalizing an open-door policy at BCLB," said Board Chairperson Dr. Jane Makau.

"The board is moving forward to look for issues relating to having a central monitoring system where we can be able now to monitor activities in the industry online and also without wasting a lot of time," Mbugi added.