By Justus Ngaruci
Under the steadfast leadership of Dr Jane Mwikali, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) of Kenya has undergone a profound transformation, emerging as a reference point for regulatory integrity pegged on to global best practice.
Since assuming her role as Chairperson, Dr Mwikali has redefined the Board’s mandate and anchored it in transparency, accountability and a relentless commitment to safeguarding public welfare. Her tenure has not only revitalised Kenya’s gambling sector and set a precedent for ethical regulation in Africa.
Dr Mwikali’s vision for BCLB is rooted in the principle that regulation must evolve alongside industry growth. Recognising the dual role of the sector as both an economic driver and a potential social hazard she has spearheaded a multi-agency taskforce comprising the Communications Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) among others outfits.
This coalition has crafted guidelines to restrict gambling near schools, enforce age verification systems, and introduce time-based betting limits in the process ensuring that minors and vulnerable populations are shielded from exploitation.
One of Dr Mwikali’s most decisive actions came in April 2025, when BCLB suspended all gambling advertisements for 30 days, a move lauded as a watershed moment for consumer protection. The ban, which targeted ads on television, radio, social media, and even influencer endorsements, aimed to curb the glamorisation of gambling as a “get-rich-quick” scheme.
Dr Mwikali emphasis was on denying predatory marketing that would then distort the reality of risk. At the heart of Dr Mwikali’s strategy lies an uncompromising dedication to transparency. When reports surfaced in 2024 claiming Kenyans spent a staggering Ksh 766 billion (£4.4bn) on gambling, Dr Mwikali swiftly debunked the figures, clarifying that they erroneously included offshore platforms.
Dr Mwikali’s commitment to data accuracy has over time bolstered public trust and informed policy. For instance, her collaboration with the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) led to the adoption of real-time financial tracking tools, ensuring taxes on winnings are remitted promptly in an arrangement where operators cannot manipulate bet outcomes to evade obligations, a big concern raised by Parliament in 2024.
The Dr Mwikali-led reforms extend beyond enforcement to proactive harm reduction. Partnering with AGOK, she introduced Africa’s first nationwide self-exclusion register, allowing individuals to voluntarily bar themselves from betting platforms.
Complementary measures introduced during her tenure as Chairperson, such as deposit limits, time-out features and toll-free addiction helplines reflect global frameworks like those in force in Sweden and Singapore.
While critics argue that stricter regulations may stifle innovation, Dr Mwikali has demonstrated that ethical governance and economic vitality are not mutually exclusive. Under her watch, the sector employs over 10,000 Kenyans directly and supports 500,000 livelihoods indirectly, with CSR programmes having channelled millions into local projects thus far.
Her support for the proposed Gambling Control Bill that seeks to establish a national oversight framework has further reassured stakeholders of a balanced ecosystem where “innovation thrives, but player well-being is never compromised.”
Dr Mwikali’s transformative approach has drawn international acclaim. By integrating Kenya’s regulatory framework with practices from the UK Gambling Commission and Nevada Gaming Control Board, she has positioned BCLB as a model for emerging markets and more so in Africa.
Her insistence on operator accountability exemplified by raids on illegal gambling machines in Nandi County and elsewhere underscores a zero-tolerance stance toward non-compliance.
As Kenya’s betting industry continues to flourish, Dr Mwikali remains as vigilant and hawk-eyed as ever. “Our work is never done,” she stated recently. “Every policy must be dynamic, every decision data-driven, and every citizen protected.”
Dr Mwikali’s leadership at BCLB is a testament to the power of principled governance. By marrying transparency with innovation, she has sanitised a once-volatile sector and redefined its role in Kenya’s socioeconomic fabric. As other African nations grapple with similar challenges, Dr Mwikali’s blueprint offers a compelling case study based on the conviction that regulation need not be a barrier to progress. On the contrary, it is a bridge to sustainable growth.
In Dr Mwikali’s own words, “the true measure of success is not in revenue collected, but in lives safeguarded.”
For Kenya’s betting industry, that measure has never been clearer.
Ngaruci is a language teacher in Lamu County
