AGOK urges Kenya to annul gambling licensing fees and capital rules
Regulation2 min read
The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya urged the government to annul parts of the new gambling framework, challenging licensing fees and capital requirements at a Senate committee hearing. AGOK said the rules were made without the consultation required under the Statutory Instruments Act. The committee said it would hear from more stakeholders before preparing a report for parliament.
Kenya's government has been urged to cancel parts of its new gambling framework by the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK), whose vice chairperson Paul Mutegi raised licensing fee and capital requirement increases at a Senate committee appearance. At the hearing, the association warned that the fees were effectively a tax and could obstruct operators seeking licences.
AGOK claimed the regulations were not developed in accordance with consultation requirements under Part II of Kenya's Statutory Instruments Act. AGOK vice chairperson Paul Mutegi said the association wrote to the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary on 15 July and 6 August 2026. Mutegi said the office forwarded the concerns to the Gambling Regulatory Authority on 11 August 2026 and proposed a round-table discussion. He said no engagement had taken place despite AGOK's requests. Kenya Jockey Club chief executive Ben Lawrence said stakeholder submissions had not been considered, even where they had been made.
A High Court of Kenya stay order suspended the new gambling licensing framework in July. David Sarinke, a partner at Kenya law firm McKay Advocates, said the order followed a constitutional argument that final capital requirements and licensing fees exceeded those presented for public consultation. Licensing was able to continue after the stay was partly lifted. Kenya's Gambling Control Act created the Gambling Regulatory Authority and introduced a new framework in 2025, replacing legislation dating to 1966.
Further stakeholders will be consulted before a report is prepared for consideration by Kenya's parliament, the committee said.