AGOK proposes 20% GGR tax for Kenyan land-based casinos
Regulation1 min read
The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya proposed a 20% gross gaming revenue tax for land-based casinos during discussions with the National Treasury and Kenya Revenue Authority on the 2027 Finance Bill. AGOK also called for clarification of online gambling tax definitions and supported retaining existing 5% excise and withholding taxes, according to its CEO John Mutua.
Land-based casinos would pay a unified tax of 20% on gross gaming revenue under a proposal from the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) ahead of the Finance Bill 2027. The proposals were presented at a meeting with the National Treasury and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), according to AGOK chief executive John Mutua.
Mutua said a tax on money retained by casinos would make calculating and auditing their taxes clearer. He said a single tax would benefit an industry that employs many Kenyans.
Mutua said AGOK supported keeping the existing 5% excise duty on online gambling deposits and 5% withholding tax on withdrawals. He said the current arrangements had increased revenue and given operators more certainty and players greater clarity about applicable taxes. He argued that stability was worth preserving after years of changes to the tax regime.
AGOK has asked for a review of the Finance Act 2026's revised definitions of deposits and withdrawals. Mutua said operators interpreted the amendments differently, creating ambiguity. He raised concerns that the broader interpretation could unintentionally bring deposit bonuses into the tax system.
Mutua said betting sites and mobile network operators independently hold records of each deposit and withdrawal, allowing transactions to be cross-checked. He said matching records reduced the scope for transaction disputes.