Penalties including fines for gamblers who place bets with stakes of less than Ksh100 could be implemented if Parliament accepts a proposal before the house.
In 2019, Parliament had proposed a minimum stake of Ksh50 in a bid to tame gambling addiction among the youth.
The CS Fred Matiang’i-led Interior Ministry, however, submitted to the National Assembly’s Sports, Culture and Tourism committee that the proposed minimum stake be doubled.
The committee, chaired by Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, agreed to the submission which if approved by lawmakers will have major ramifications on the industry.
The proposals include a fine of Ksh5 million for placing a bet using less than Ksh100. Numerous betting platforms allow users to bet with as little as Ksh1.
“Amend by deleting the word ‘fifty’ and substitute thereof with the words ‘one hundred’ to promote responsible gaming and to prevent addictive gaming,” the committee noted in its report on the Gaming Bill, 2019.
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Matiangi’s Interior Ministry has been at the forefront of the government campaign against gambling addiction in the country.
According to a recent report by Geopoll, Kenya has the highest rate of youth actively engaged in betting at 76%.
Several online platforms have aggressively marketed features allowing customers to bet with small amounts ranging from Ksh1 to Ksh 49.
Major players in the industry including Sportpesa and Betin had capped minimum stake at Ksh50.
Proponents of increasing the minimum stake argue that the move will discourage youth from staking their hard-earned money.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Parliament will adopt the committee report.
