The Kenyan government has made it mandatory for all gambling companies to now obtain filming licenses for their recorded audiovisual advertisements from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
Under the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222, the KFCB is a state agency within the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs with the authority to regulate film and broadcast content to ensure it adheres to Kenya’s cultural and moral standards and national goals and protects children from harmful content.
In a notice to the public, KFCB states that all gambling companies must “acquire filming licenses for their recorded audiovisual advertisements from the KFCB through the Technical Management System (TMS) available on our website (kfcb.go.ke).”
Upon submission, the advertisements will then be classified by the state agency, and a Certificate of Approval will be issued via the TMS. Media companies are directed to cease the broadcast of any gambling advertisements that have not undergone the required classification process, as mandated by Kenyan law.
KFCB’s announcement followed the immediate suspension of all gambling advertisements across media platforms for 30 days by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). BCLB has also established a multi-agency enforcement team, including the Ministry of Interior and the Attorney General’s Office, to strengthen responsible gambling practices nationwide.
The gambling activities affected by the suspension include betting, gaming, lottery prize competitions, and all related promotional undertakings.
