Published on: May 17, 2024 10:11 (EAT)
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.