For years, betting in Kenya was overseen by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). Under the Gambling Control Act 2025, that role passed to a new, dedicated regulator — the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) — which formally took over in 2026. When you see an operator or an older article refer to the BCLB, read it as the predecessor; the GRA is the current authority.
What actually changed
- A dedicated regulator. The GRA is a standalone authority focused on gambling, rather than a board, reflecting how large the sector has become in Kenya.
- A modern legal basis. The Gambling Control Act 2025 updates the framework for licensing, oversight, and player protection.
- The same core idea for players. Operators still must hold a current licence to legally accept Kenyan players, and you can still escalate a licensed operator to the regulator if something goes wrong.
What it means for you
Practically, very little changes about how you protect yourself — the rule is still "only play with a licensed operator." What changes is the name and the body you're checking against. Some operators may still display older BCLB wording while the transition settles; what matters is whether the operator appears on the GRA's current register.
Related: is online betting legal in Kenya? and the betting glossary.
By Samuel Kamau · Last reviewed June 2026. General information, not legal advice; the GRA is the authority on its own status and register.