Gambling has been part of human culture for centuries, and Kenya is no exception. Recently, the gambling industry in this East African nation has grown substantially. This article intends to delve into the history of gambling in Kenya.
From its inception to the rise in sports betting and the casino scene. We will also look at the factors that have led to the rapid expansion of this market in Kenya.
Establishment of Gambling in Kenya
The Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act was introduced in 1966. This Gambling Act Kenya was the basis for establishing the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in 1968.
The bill saw the emergence of brick-and-mortar casinos in major towns in Kenya. At that time, at least thirty casinos were in operation, thus creating a vibrant gambling atmosphere. These gambling establishments offered various games, including poker, roulette wheels, and slot machines, which were widely accepted.
Introducing the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act was a crucial moment for the nation’s gambling industry. This act created gambling laws in Kenya under which this sector could work, ensuring that all gambling games were fairly conducted. It also defines how old you have to be to gamble. It paved the way for the subsequent growth and development of the sector in Kenya.
Sports Betting
In Kenya, sports betting is a popular online pastime activity. The sector has been boosted by the love for sports, with football leading in fame. Unlike some countries where residents mostly focus on football betting, the Kenyan market is more diverse. These are three sports with high bettor interest in the country:
- Football: With many Kenyans following top local and international leagues, football betting takes first place in terms of sports betting.
- Rugby: Kenya is one of the few African countries where rugby is just as loved as it is in India. Not only does the country have a thriving rugby team, but residents actively bet on the sport.
- Basketball: Sportsbooks in Kenya offer different betting markets for basketball, giving residents multiple betting options to explore. Kenyans follow and bet on popular leagues, like the NBA.
Casinos
Although not as popular as sports betting, casino gambling is gaining traction in the Kenyan market. There are many land-based casinos in Kenya, most of which are located in top cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa. Over time, online casinos have also become part of the thriving gambling space in the country. In both cases, the gambling age remains 18 years. Here are the most popular game genres among Kenyan players:
- Slots: These make up a large percentage of the most played games. That’s mainly because of their simplicity and diverse features. You’ll hardly find an online gambling platform without slots.
- Table games: These classics are also quite popular in Kenya, especially roulette and card games like blackjack. However, the number of players is smaller than that of slots as these titles require some element of skill.
- Live dealer games: Fans of table games who would rather play remotely but enjoy some live action often opt for live dealer games. These games are available in most Kenyan online casinos. Popular live casino games include live roulette, live blackjack, and live poker. her games.
Why Did the Kenyan Market Grow So Fast?
The rapid growth of the Kenyan betting sector has been due to several factors, including:
Stable internet speed: The primary driver has been the country’s fast internet connection. According to reports, the average internet speed in Kenya is faster than that of the US, standing at 13.7 megabits per second. This puts Kenya in a more privileged position compared to other African nations because of its good connectivity.
High mobile internet penetration: The high penetration rates of internet users, which stand at about 43%, have encouraged online gaming. This has made Kenya a mobile-first nation, with more people accessing the internet through their mobile phones, hence the ease of reaching out to online betting platforms and online casinos.
Mobile payment support: Another important factor behind the growth of casinos in Kenya is the widespread usage of mobile money transfer services. M-Pesa and Airtel money are the most popular mobile payment methods. With these options, deposits and withdrawals are processed almost promptly.