High Court Suspends Kenya’s New Gambling Licensing Rules
Kenya.- 24 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com Kenya’s High Court has temporarily suspended enforcement of the Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations 2026, only weeks after the framework came into effect.
The ruling pauses the Gambling Regulatory Authority’s (GRA) new licensing system until the court determines a judicial review challenging the regulations’ legality.
News Details
Justice W. Musyoka ordered enforcement of the rules to be halted while the challenge filed by Thomas Buckley Opar Owuor and Ken Brance is considered.
The case names Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the GRA and the Attorney General as respondents. The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya and Safaricom have joined the proceedings as interested parties.
The GRA began operating under the regulations on 3 July 2026, after Mudavadi signed them on 29 June and the government published them the following day. The authority replaced the former Betting Control and Licensing Board under the Gambling Control Act 2025.
Industry Context
The dispute centres on significant increases in regulatory fees. The applicants claim that some licensing charges rose by between 200% and almost 50,000%.
The renewal fee for a land-based bookmaker licence increased from KES5,000 to KES2.5 million, while online bookmakers and casino operators were required to pay KES50 million for licences issued through the GRA.
The regulations also introduced an approval charge equal to 6% of gambling advertising budgets, which the applicants argue would impose a substantial financial burden on licensed businesses.
The legal challenge additionally disputes the process used to introduce the regulations. The applicants allege inadequate public participation, insufficient explanation of how stakeholder feedback was considered and a possible lack of legal authority for Mudavadi to sign the rules.
Next Steps or Impact
The applicants have been directed to file their formal judicial review motion within fourteen days.
The matter will return to the High Court on 21 September 2026 for further directions. Until then, the GRA’s licensing framework will remain suspended.
The decision creates uncertainty for operators and suppliers that were preparing to apply for, renew or adapt licences under the new requirements. The proceedings will determine whether the fees and regulatory process remain in place, are amended or are invalidated.
Edited by: @_fonta
