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Obtaining a gambling license in Kenya
Obtaining a gambling license allows you to legally conduct gambling activities in the country. This procedure ensures the legitimacy of your activities, builds customer trust, and opens up access to potential future business expansion. Our team will help you successfully navigate this process and create a solid foundation for your business.
Kenya has become one of the leading jurisdictions for opening a gambling business due to transparent regulation and the growing popularity of gambling. This article covers the key aspects of obtaining a gambling license in Kenya, as well as legal requirements, the application process, and the benefits of working with professional consultants
A casino is an organization that organizes gambling for profit as the main goal of its activities. An online casino allows you to expand your customer base internationally.
Legal Compliance and Risks
Opening a gambling business in Kenya requires strict compliance with the law. Failure to comply with the rules can lead to serious consequences, including fines, license revocation, or even criminal liability. This is why it is important to enlist the help of experienced lawyers to ensure reliable compliance with all legal requirements.
Our Services for Gambling License Support
We offer a full range of services for obtaining a gambling license, including::
- Full support at all stages of licensing;
- Assistance in preparing and submitting documentation;
- Interaction with the local regulator;
- Consultations on compliance with regulatory requirements.
Our team consists of experts with many years of experience, ready to provide you with top-level assistance throughout the entire process of obtaining a license.
Why Do You Need a Gambling License?
Our team analyzed Kenyan legislation in terms of requirements for organizations wishing to obtain a gambling license, and identified the following general requirements:
Types of Gambling Licenses in Kenya
There are several types of gaming licenses in Kenya, such as:
- Bookmaking license;
- Lottery license;
- Casino license;
- Tote board (totalizator) license.
Each type of license has its own characteristics, allowing you to choose the most suitable option for your business.
Regulatory Requirements for Applicants
| Minimum capital | up from 6,750,000 KES (approximately 52,000 USD) |
|---|---|
| Employees | the organization must have at least one director who is an individual, the organization must have a local representative in case the director is a foreigner, the presence of an AML officer is mandatory |
| Legal structure | registration of a legal entity within the state in the established organizational and legal form, the organization must have a legal address in Kenya |
| License fees | The annual license fee is 500,000 KES (approximately 3,900 USD) |
Document Requirements
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Passport details of the founders | Certified copies |
| Certificate of good conduct | For all key participants |
| Business plan | Must include strategy, minimum investment and Sources of funding |
| AML documentation | Anti-Money Laundering Policies and Procedures |
| Games | The proposed games of chance to be offered in the casino with a brief description of each game |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | Proposed Corporate Social Responsibility activities to be conducted during the license duration |
Timeframes for License Approval
The process of obtaining a gambling license can proceed without delays, the main thing is to set for yourself the desired time frame for obtaining a license and carry out proper preparation before submitting documents.
Preliminary analysis:
- Assessing compliance with Kenyan requirements;
- Preparation of a business plan and financial model.
Preparation of documents:
- Company registration;
- Contribution of authorized capital;
- Collection and certification of all necessary materials;
- Checking for compliance with regulatory standards;
- Filling and submitting an application.
Application review:
- Duration: from 2 to 4 months;
- Communication with regulators, provision of additional information.
Issuance of a license:
- Starting a business and complying with current regulatory requirements.
Our Team was also able to determine the approximate time frame for obtaining a gambling license, provided that the process begins only with your desire.
- Preparation of documentation (both for company registration and for the license itself): 1-2 months;
- Company registration, opening an account, contributing the authorized capital: 1 month;
- Review of the application and obtaining a license: up to 4 months.
Recommendations and Legal Support
First of all, it is important to establish for yourself whether you really want to obtain this license in this jurisdiction. Then determine what terms are optimal for you, and which are extreme. After that, you will need to familiarize yourself with local legislation and begin the preparation process, or trust lawyers who are already familiar with this area and continue with them.
Separately, we note that when obtaining this license, it is recommended to contact lawyers, since incorrect execution of documents at any stage may entail a refusal to register a legal entity or a refusal to issue a license. To successfully complete all stages, it is important to seek help from professionals. Law&Trust lawyers will help you obtain a license, prepare documents and are ready to fully support the entire process, helping you even after you receive a license.
