A state backed bill by Kimani Ichungwa Is in a bill before parliament awaiting its debate in parliament before it is approved.
The bill has some tough rules:
- A person who conducts and gambling business or activity without proper license shall face a fine of Kshs 3 million or three years in jail with repeat offenders facing kshs 5 million fine or five years in jail or both.
- Radios and TV stations would be banned from airing gambling advertisements between 6 am and 10 pm
- an online gambling form that allows a bet of kshs 20 or below risks a fine of not less than kshs 5 million under the new bill.
- Children are prohibited from registering or gambling in any palatiform whatsoever.
The bill further states that a licensee shall not allow any person to participate as a player in an authorized game conducted by the licensee, unless the person is registered as a player and holds an account with the licensee
The bill imposes a 15% tax on the gross gambling revenue and a monthly gambling levy that will be determined by the CS in charge of the gambling body.
It furthers propose that gambling bodies shall deposit an insurance security bond or a bank guarantee with the government to cover the liability that may arise from licensed gambling activities. Online gambling and lottery will deposit kshs 200 million each and land-based casinos to deposit kshs 20 million respectively. Important to note is that operating permits shall be issued by county governments at a fee to be determined by the county heads.
Within three months after every financial year, the firms are required to file financial audited results, fail or delay may attract a penalty.
A good thing to note is that it seeks to create a gambling appeals committee that shall be headed by a chair person and not fewer than 10 or more 12 other members.
The 2023 gambling control bill is geared towards enhancing tax compliance and fines for offences and see anew authority to regulate the sector.