Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN)

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has been Kenya’s go-to regulator for all casino gambling online and land-based gaming since 2025. Back in the day, you could jump onto any offshore casinos online real money site, but that led to issues like money laundering, lost tax revenue and weak player protection. Sasa, the BCLB makes sure every form of online gambling real money—from slots and table games to bingo—is licensed and properly overseen. Any operator wanting to offer you a safe, fair experience must first secure one of the BCLB’s official gambling licenses to operate.

If you’re on the hunt for the best online casinos in Kenya, you’ve got plenty of poa options. The BCLB issues three main license types for anyone targeting Kenyan players:

• Class A License: for casino operators offering real-money slots, blackjack, roulette, poker and more. Valid for 1 year, renewable annually.
• Class B License: for all software providers and companies supplying products or services—think RNGs, back-end platforms or payment processors.
• Class C License: exclusively for the National Lottery and related lottery games.

All licences come with specific fees and strict compliance rules. And thanks to Kenya’s open-market rules, licensed foreign casinos online can also welcome you—so in Kenya you’ll find a wide range of reputable online casinos to compare and choose from.

Getting your foot in the door with the BCLB isn’t too tough, mambo. Here’s what you need to sort:

1. Local Company Setup: You must be incorporated in Kenya or within the East African Community.
2. Server Requirements: If your main servers are outside Kenya, set up mirror servers here for fast, secure play.
3. Banking & Payments: Open a Kenyan bank account and route all player deposits and withdrawals through a licensed Class B payment processor—M-Pesa or Airtel Money are top picks.
4. Tech & Security: Your platform must handle large transaction volumes and player data, with advanced encryption, anti-fraud measures and solid cybersecurity.
5. Regulatory Standards: Regular audits, KYC, anti-money laundering controls, plus player protection tools like self-exclusion, deposit limits and problem gambling support.
6. Local Staff: Hiring qualified Kenyan staff not only boosts your compliance creds but also nets you tax deductions—shwari, right?

Meeting these requirements shows the BCLB you’re serious about offering a safe, fair online casino gaming environment for everyone.

If any online casino licensed by the BCLB goes off piste, you can file a complaint directly with the Board. Should an operator breach the rules, expect hefty fines and even licence revocation—achana na mimi with shady business. These strict regulations keep operators honest, and all platforms must use cutting-edge encryption so you can play slots, blackjack or poker without worries.

Kenyan regulators take marketing seriously. Here’s what’s off-limits:

• No unsolicited emails or spam blasts.
• No marketing to self-excluded players.
• Unauthorized gambling ads are banned.
• Outdoor adverts cannot be placed near schools, religious venues or cultural sites.
• Online casino bonuses only via licensed channels.

Plus, every operator must chip in KSh 5,000 yearly towards socially responsible gambling initiatives—keeping the scene safe and enjoyable for all.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board has been regulating Kenya’s gambling sector since 2025. Before the internet boom, Kenyan players were free to join any off-shore casino online with real money, but that lack of oversight left risks. As internet penetration hit about 29.5% and mobile use climbed, the BCLB tightened up regs for casinos online. Today, thanks to clear rules and transparency, you can enjoy top-tier slots, roulette and poker in Kenya with full peace of mind—poa, right?

18+ | Play responsibly – Responsible Gaming KE