Senate postpones voting on Gambling Control Bill 2023, again

Senate on Thursday failed to pass the Gambling Control Bill 2023 with amendments, forcing voting on the Bill to be postponed for the second time this week.

The Bill was referred to the Senate for consideration after it was passed by the National Assembly on December 6, 2023.

The Bill seeks to among other things provide betting regulations for Casinos and other forms of Gambling, authorization of prize competitions and public lotteries, establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority and the imposition of tax on betting and other forms of gambling.

Key contested amendments in the Bill include the Minimum Capital Deposit by gambling operators at Ksh.200 million up from Ksh.20 million.

"If the requirement is Ksh.200 million then it locks out local investors who want to invest in gambling. It will be a preserve of a few who want to dominate the market," said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

But in a quick rejoinder, the Mover of the Gambling Control Bill 2023, Leader of the Majority Coalition in the Senate Aaron Cheruyiot, is backing minimal capital deposit by a Gaming Operator capped at Ksh.200 million, arguing that the lower amount will expose players to exploitation.

"If you make it open to only Ksh.20M then you invite crooks to con Kenyans and disappear with their monies," he said.

Another contentious clause in the Bill is that of reduction of betting stake from the minimum Ksh.20 placement to Ksh.1.

"We want anyone to enjoy the gaming, even those with little amounts like a shilling," Sifuna said.

Cheruyiot however stated, "You cannot make gambling accessible to kids and school-going children who can get one shilling easily. I oppose the removal of the Ksh.20 placement limit."

Other Key elements contained in the Gambling Control Bill 2023 include license Issuance from one year to 36 months, banning registered sports players from gambling, banning of under18-year-olds from gambling, display of proof of age by a gambler, registration guidelines provided by the Gaming Authority and minimum penalty of Ksh.5 million for gambling companies.

The Gambling Control Bill 2023 will return to the National Assembly with amendments, after voting.