Betting Control and Licensing Board in Kenya was established by an Act of Parliament in 1966. Prior to the Act, the functions of the board were handled by the Police Department. The board has nine members and plays a big role in changing the nation that gaming is a vice.

Given the contributions gaming makes to the economy in terms of employment and revenue generation, it is a legitimate consumer pursuit and needs vigorous promotion. The Act provides for the control and licensing of betting and gaming premises and activities; authorisation of lotteries, prize competition and eradication of illegal gambling.

The board’s mission is to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly, and competitively with minimum costs but maximum contribution to society, and that it is free from criminal activities.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board is charged with the responsibility of controlling and licensing betting and gaming premises, facilitation of tax collection, authorisation of public lotteries, prize competitions, inspection and elimination of illegal gambling. It also curbs illegal betting, lotteries and gaming and creates awareness and public confidence in betting lotteries and gaming.