ATTENTION, BETTING BOSSES! Your flashy ads and high-stakes hype won’t see the light of day unless they pass through the watchful eyes of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)!
In a fresh twist to Kenya’s growing clampdown on gambling, all gambling operators are now required to submit their advertisements to KFCB for thorough vetting and approval before they’re broadcast on TV, radio, online platforms, or even posted on a billboard.
That’s right, no more catchy jingles, seductive slogans, or “bet now, win big!” pitches without a government green light.
Whether it’s a flashy TV commercial during halftime, a slick social media reel, a matatu sticker, or even a cheeky meme, if it promotes gambling, it must go through KFCB first.
Here’s what it means:
Operators must now get a “clean bill of health” before unleashing any promotional material.
No approval? No airtime. No billboard. No TikTok dance. Period.
KFCB will check for ethical standards, responsible messaging, and protection of vulnerable groups, especially children and youth.
This move is part of a larger effort to clean up Kenya’s advertising space, protect citizens from misleading and addictive gambling content, and rein in an industry that has, for years, danced on the edge of regulation.
As the advert game changes, gambling firms are being forced to swap glitz for grit, and only the most responsible, transparent campaigns will survive the cut.
So, next time you see a betting advert on your screen, know it’s been put through the wringer first. No more rolling the dice with reckless promos, Kenya… Lights, camera… regulation!
