Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has drawn attention across the country after making a bold call for a total ban on both Aviator gambling and jackpot games in Kenya.
His comments have caused conversations both online and offline, with many Kenyans expressing mixed feelings about his proposal. Speaking just before a scheduled parliamentary session, Salasya raised concern about how digital gambling platforms are affecting young people.
He warned that the addiction is spreading fast and is leaving many young Kenyans in deep financial and emotional trouble.Salasya said it would not make sense to ban Aviator alone, which is one of the most popular online games, without also banning jackpot games.
According to him, both types of gambling are dangerous and misleading. They give the illusion of easy money, yet in reality, they often leave players worse off than before.
The MP believes that gambling is draining young people’s savings, driving them into debt, and sometimes even pushing them into depression when they fail to win.He also highlighted that even students and graduates with no jobs are now caught up in the trap.
They borrow money or use what little savings they have, hoping for a big win that never comes. In many cases, this has led to broken families, arguments at home, and growing frustration among the youth. Salasya insisted that Parliament must have a serious conversation about this issue and come up with laws that address the problem fully, not partially.
His firm position has gained him support from those who feel the gambling industry has taken advantage of the vulnerable for too long. These supporters argue that betting companies make huge profits while many Kenyans continue to suffer silently.
They believe a total ban or heavy regulation is long overdue and necessary to protect young people from further harm. Civil society groups have also welcomed Salasya’s initiative and have shown interest in joining the discussion in Parliament.
They are asking lawmakers to listen to Kenyans and understand the true effects gambling is having on ordinary families. However, not everyone agrees with Salasya. Some critics say a total ban might not be the solution. They warn that it could push gambling into secret and unregulated spaces, making it even harder to control.
Others worry that removing these platforms could lead to job losses and reduce government income from taxes collected from betting firms. Instead, they suggest the government should focus on setting clear rules, teaching people how to gamble responsibly, and punishing companies that break the law.
As Parliament prepares to debate the matter, all eyes are on whether this could be the first real step toward serious reforms in Kenya’s gambling sector.
