Betting companies operating in Kenya may soon have to pay for the treatment and rehabilitation of gambling addicts. This is part of a new proposed law aimed at tightening the rules in the gambling industry. The move is included in the Gambling Control Bill of 2023, which is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee.
The government is pushing for this change because it believes the cost of treating addiction should not fall only on public resources. Officials argue that while betting companies make huge profits, the government is left alone to deal with the rising number of people suffering from gambling problems. The proposed law suggests that part of the money these companies earn should be directed toward a fund that will help people recover from gambling addiction.
This proposal comes at a time when concerns about gambling are growing, especially among young people in Kenya. Many youths are turning to sports betting, online casinos, and lottery games in the hope of making quick money. This trend has led to more cases of addiction, debt, and mental health issues. The government wants to reduce these problems by involving betting firms directly in the solution.
According to the Betting Control and Licensing Board, also known as BCLB, the new bill would require betting companies to help fund addiction treatment programs. These funds would support centers that offer rehabilitation services and public campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of gambling. This is not a new idea globally. Countries like the United Kingdom already have similar systems in place where betting firms are legally required to contribute to the cost of addiction treatment.
The BCLB believes that Kenya should adopt the same model. The board says the government should not continue to handle the issue alone while betting companies keep making billions. The goal is to create a balance where companies take some social responsibility for the harm their services may cause.
In addition to funding addiction treatment, the proposed law includes new digital tools to help control betting habits. One of the most notable suggestions is a limit on how often a person can place bets in a day. The law could require a system that allows only one bet per day per person, regardless of which platform they use.
The idea is to give people a break from constant gambling and help reduce addiction. If someone places a single bet, for example a 50-shilling wager, they would not be able to place another bet for the rest of the day. This is called a “cooling system,” which gives players time to think and avoid impulsive betting.
To make this system work, the BCLB is also recommending the creation of a central digital monitoring system. This system would track all bets made across different betting platforms in real time. It would be able to stop a person from placing more than one bet per day, even if they switch apps or websites. The technology needed for this kind of tracking is complex and would require legal support from Parliament to access private betting data.
The government believes that without this kind of monitoring system, it would be almost impossible to stop people from jumping from one betting site to another. That’s why the law would give the BCLB stronger powers to monitor and regulate all betting activities across the country. The proposed system would act like a digital safety net to catch excessive betting before it becomes a serious addiction.
While some people welcome the idea, others believe it may be difficult to enforce. Betting firms may argue that the law is too strict or that it could affect their business operations. There is also the risk that some gamblers might turn to unregulated platforms, which could lead to more problems. However, supporters of the bill say strong measures are necessary to protect young people and reduce the long-term effects of addiction on society.
The National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee is still reviewing the bill. If approved, it would be one of the most important changes to gambling laws in Kenya’s history. The proposed rules would not only shift financial responsibility to betting firms but also limit how often people can bet in a single day.
