Bonface Kanyamwaya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economic, business, markets, and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wants all gambling firms in Kenya to renew their licences before Monday, June 30, so that their permits may not be blocked.

The directive which was issued by the taxman on Tuesday, April 29, applies to all gambling firms in Kenya that were registered by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLLB) in the financial year 2024/25.

The taxman has tightened its noose on all gambling firms in the country to tame rising cases of betting which is now degenerating in a public health concern.

"The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) reminds all licensed betting and gaming firms that the current operating licences for the financial year 2024/2025 issued by the Betting Control & Licensing Board (BCLB) under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act (BL&G Act) Cap. 131 are due to expire on June 30, 2025, pursuant to Section 9 of the BL&G Act.

"Clearance by KRA is a mandatory requirement for renewal of the licences by the BCLB. In this regard, all betting and gaming operators are encouraged to update their tax matters with KRA to avoid any inconveniences, " said KRA in a recent public notice, a copy that was seen by

As a condition for renewing the permits, KRA wants all betting firms in Kenya that were registered with BCLB to provide details such as an updated company iTax profile with the current directors as per the CR12, the physical location of the company and their contact details.

The betting firms must have also filed returns for all tax obligations and respective periods for both the company and its directors.

They must provide all requested records for ongoing tax audits or compliance checks and they must provide full access to systems for ongoing system audits as is necessary for the purpose of the audit.

The betting firms will also provide details such as a valid tax compliance certificates for both the company and directors, integration with KRA Systems as per requirement and for purposes of daily tax remittances and data transmission.

"The relevant documents/records should be delivered to the KRA Offices at Ushuru Pension Plaza, Muthangari Drive or to the official email addresses of the relationship managers. KRA remains committed to support all taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations in a timely and efficient manner. All taxpayers are encouraged to act promptly and take advantage of the tax amnesty before June 30, 2025 deadline," said KRA in the notice.

The government is reminding betting firms to clear with the taxman as a condition for renewing their licenses barely a few weeks after it established a rapid response team to tackle gambling.

The team was set up to tackle rising cases of addiction to betting among the youths in Kenya.

They were tasked with responsibilities such as championing a multi-sectoral intervention to to try come up with ways to address the rising cases of betting which is now degenerating into a public health concern.

Several young Kenyans have are engaged in betting in Kenya. They are looking at it as an investment opportunity.

Source: TUKO.co.ke