Kenyan high court passes down guidelines on gambling administration

Justice Isaac Lenaola of the Kenya High Court has laid down administrative guidelines for gambling regulators after adjudicating on an issue regarding the Nairobi County’s taxation on betting companies.

In his judgement, Justice Lenaola suspended the County’s betting, lotteries and gaming Act for 60 days pending gazetting. And if that does not occur within the suspension period, the law becomes invalid, the judge ruled.

Justice Lenaola also gave his views regarding the respective regulatory roles of national and county government in Kenya regarding gambling, opining:

*The national government ought to give licences for public gaming, whereas the county will give licences for the premises where betting will be conducted;

* National government should issue licences for national lotteries whereas the county should supervise those lotteries that are within its confines;

* National government will be responsible for online gaming whereas the county will handle pool tables operating in cities;

* Both the betting, lotteries and Gaming Act (national) and the Nairobi County Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act should be implemented in the above terms.

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