The Nairobi City County Assembly has approved Nairobi City County’s Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act 2021. The Act was assented to on 22nd April 2021 and it’s implementation commenced on 6th May 2021.
Nairobi City County Government Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act 2021 is an act of the Nairobi City County Assembly for the control and licensing of betting, gaming and totalisator premises.
“This act is aimed at providing for the implementation of National Government policy, standards and norms in relation to betting, Lotteries and Gaming in the County. It will also provide for the County institutions and for procedures applicable to the regulation and licensing of betting, Lotteries and Gaming within the County and make provisions for periodic monitoring and evaluation of betting, Lotteries and Gaming activities within the City,” Says Nairobi City County Deputy Governor and acting Governor Ann Kananu.
Kananu further added, “This act will also give further effect to paragraph 4 of the Fourth Schedule of the constitution which mandates the County government with the function of betting , Lotteries and Gaming regulation and licensing.”
The act seeks to cover other forms of gaming within the County for authorization of prize competitions and public Lotteries within the County for the imposition of the entertainment tax and for connected purposes.
County Executive in charge of Commerce, Tourism and Co-operatives Ms Winfred Gathagu commended the County Assembly for expediting the act. Terming it “Timely” said Ms Gathagu “This Act will apply to any person who desires to acquire, occupy, permit the use of premises for betting, establishment of casino or use of totalizator, all betting lotteries and gaming activities conducted within the County. Any person who possesses or permits the use of pool table or amusement machine in a public place.”