Kenya's gambling regulator plans a licence for prediction markets
The Gambling Regulatory Authority has set no start date or application requirements, though it says companies have already approached it about the proposed category.
Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) plans a dedicated licence category for prediction markets, platforms that offer contracts on future events, iGaming AFRIKA reported, citing another outlet’s reporting of an interview with GRA director general Peter Karimi, published on 18 October.
Karimi said the authority has opened its 2026–2027 licensing period and that a number of companies have contacted it about the proposed category. The report says the regulator has not disclosed a start date or application requirements.
The details
- The GRA’s view: Karimi said gambling is mainly games of chance and that predicting future outcomes requires no skill, so the GRA treats prediction markets as gambling.
- Legal route: the Gambling Control Act of 2025 lists licences for online bookmakers, online lotteries and online casinos, and other categories may be set through regulations. The report says that route could allow a separate prediction-market category.
- Open issues: Karimi said the GRA is examining cryptocurrency payments and cross-border access. He said some services are available only in the US, while others take crypto for onboarding and withdrawals.
Source
Report by iGaming AFRIKADrafted with AI assistance from a report by iGaming AFRIKA and reviewed by our editors before publication. How we work