A strict new gambling law has been proposed in Kenya which imposes greater fines and even jail terms for those who operate illegal gambling machines.
The bill was tabled last month by the National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale and will form an amendment to the existing Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act.
The gambling industry in Kenya is still reeling from an increase in taxation to a standard 50 per cent in the financial year 2017/2018. Should the new amendment become law, individuals seeking licences and permits to run gaming businesses will have to pay the Betting Board Sh20m as security instead of the current Sh40,000. The owners of gaming machines risk losing this money should their permits be cancelled for breaking the law.
Anyone operating or allowing the operation of unauthorised gaming machines will pay a fine of Sh2m or spend two years behind bars. This is up from Sh5,000, or six months in prison, according to the current act. Premises owners will also be slapped with similar fines should they be found to have allowed their buildings to be used for gaming with unauthorised machines.
