Responsible gambling: help, limits and self-exclusion

18+ only. Gambling is addictive. The Gambling Regulatory Authority's toll-free line is 0800-723-770, and you can exclude yourself from licensed operators by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Authority's office in Nairobi.

Last updated 2026-10-04

The plain facts about casino games

Every casino game is built so that the house keeps a share of the stakes over time. That share is the house edge. A licensed casino must display it, together with the rules, the odds and the average return to the player (Conduct of Gambling Operations Regulations, 2026, r.20). Displaying the edge does not remove it.

So the cost of gambling is not a risk that might happen. It is the expected outcome of playing for long enough. Money staked should be money you can lose without touching rent, food, school fees or debts.

Signs that it is time to stop

Section 115(1) of the Gambling Control Act, 2025 describes the situation the law has in mind: gambling that is harmful to the person, or that makes it hard to limit the money or time spent, with adverse consequences for that person or for others. In everyday terms:

• staking more to get back what was lost;
• borrowing, or using money set aside for bills, in order to play;
• hiding the amount or the time from family;
• feeling restless or low when not playing;
• playing longer than planned, repeatedly.

One of these is enough to act on.

Tools inside a licensed casino account

Regulation 87 of the 2026 Regulations obliges a licensee to give players real-time tools to control their gambling:

• deposit limits on a daily, weekly and monthly basis;
• loss, session and expenditure limits;
• reality checks: pop-up notices showing how long you have been playing;
• an easy option to self-exclude for a period of at least twenty-four hours.

A licensee may not give you credit to gamble (Act, s.74(1)(a)) and may not use alcohol as an inducement (r.97(6)).

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a voluntary agreement to be shut out of gambling, set out in section 115 of the Act. You tell the operator, and you notify the Authority, which keeps a register and informs all licensees. The Authority's website describes the process: visit the office or email [email protected], with proof of identity.

Once it is in place, the licensee must close your accounts and return any funds held, and must remove you from marketing databases within two days of receiving the completed notification (s.115(4)). The Authority's page is clear that you cannot leave the programme before the period ends.

The full procedure, including the form and the periods on offer, is in the guide on how to self-exclude from online casinos in Kenya.

If you are worried about someone else

Regulation 78 lets a family member or other interested party apply to the Authority for a person's exclusion where the gambling has caused or is likely to cause serious financial hardship, or puts dependants at risk. The Authority assesses the application and, where practicable, hears the person concerned.

Under 18

Gambling is for adults only. An operator must have mechanisms to ensure that a child is not registered and must require proof of age of majority before registering any player (Act, s.72(2) and s.72(3)). If a child has access to a gambling account, tell the operator and the Authority.

What this site does about it

Online Casino Kenya publishes no promotions, no links to operators and no encouragement to gamble. Every page carries the 18+ notice and a link back to this page.