Kenya - Apply for a Bookmaker License

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Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for a bookmakers license in Kenya, the applicant has to contact the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) offices to make the application.
2. Here the applicant will be given an application Application for Bookmaker’s License– Form 1A and a Probity form by a licensing officer to fill and submit.
3. Fill in the application and attach the required documents. A list of the can be found under the Required Documents" section of this page.
4. Proceed to pay the required application fees and attach the payment receipt to the application document. The application fees to be paid can be found under the "Fees" section of this page.
5. Note that the fees are paid upfront
6. Submit the completed application form, requirements and payment receipt before the Board in person and make a presentation regarding the proposed operation for the licence applied. The presentation shall be judged on the following criteria;
   • Understanding of the operations regarding the licence being applied for in this case Bookmaker.
   • Submission of the requisite documents
   • Level of preparedness to commence operations
   • Demonstrate innovativeness and creativity
   • Potentiality
7. The board will review the application regarding any areas of noncompliance with the license requirements which the applicant is required to address. In addition, the board conducts a premise inspection to ensure that the applicant has adequate technical and administrative capacity to carry out the business for which the license is sought.
8. The Board may require further details merited to finalize the application request in conforming to the regulations as per the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 131 Laws of Kenya.
9. Upon successful review and approval of the application the applicant will be advised by the board when the license certificate is available for collection. The whole process usually takes six month to complete.

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Required Documents

• Duly filled Application for Bookmaker’s License– Form 1A
• Detailed concept about the proposed business.
• Payment of application fee
• Proposed operating name of the business
• These fees are paid upfront and are non-refundable. if different from the registered name.
• Business form (sole Proprietorship of joint venture).
• Names of Directors and shareholders directorship to be supported by a current CR12.
• A PIN certificate and Tax compliance certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority.
• A copy of the certificate of incorporation or registration as the case may be.
• Articles and memorandum of association for the company whose objects must among others include bookmaking.
• Detailed mode of operation for the bookmakers business and evidence of capacity to undertake bookmaking operation in a seamless manner.
• A business plan showing the minimum investment and Sources of funding.
• Submit a broad statement on the choice of Kenya for the licenses applied for and the anticipated benefits to:-
  • Punters/players
  • Kenyan public
  • Government of Kenya
  • Directors and shareholders
• Certificate of Good Conduct for the Company Directors.
• The proposed sports events and types of bets to be offered for betting purposes.
• The name and full address of the company that would be providing the applicant with the Bookmaking Odds, to be supported by a copy of the agreement between applicant and the Odds Provider.
• The proposed terms and conditions of the bookmaking operation.
• Proposed bookmaking architecture.
• Proposal on how to mitigate excessive play and underage participation.
• Completed a Probity form to facilitate due diligence. The Probity form must be completed by all directors.

Office Locations & Contacts

Betting Control and Licensing Board - Head Office
Kenya Charity Sweepstakes House,
3rd and 8th Floor, Mama Ngina Street, Nairobi
P.O Box 43977-00100
Tel: +254-20-2220186 / 316471 / 343578/9
Fax: +254-20-2227127
Email: [email protected]
Website Betting Control and Licensing Board

Eligibility

• Person / individuals wishing to receive or negotiate bets in Kenya i.e. Operate as a bookmaker, are eligible to make the application

Fees

• Application fees-Kshs. 10,000/ (non–refundable)
• License Grant Fee-Kshs. 200,000
• Premises grant - Kshs. 100,000
• Annual Operating Fee- Kshs. 50,000
• Annual Fee-Kshs. 50,000
• Investigation fee
• Local Director -Kshs. 50,000(non-refundable)
• Foreign Director- Kshs. 500,000/=(non-refundable)

These above fees are paid upfront

Validity

• The validity period is one year.

Documents to Use

• Application for Bookmaker’s License– Form 1A
• Probity form

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The processing time is six month.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M".

Instructions

• Upon successful applications and issuance of a license to an applicant, the license MUST be operationalised within six (6) months and evidence shall be required to demonstrate commencement of operations or milestones achieved towards its operationalization.
• The Board shall also inspect the proposed location and the premises to determine their suitability for Bookmaker.

Required Information

• Name and address of applicant
• Name under which business will be conducted
• Date and place of registration
• Full names and of all partners, directors and secretary of a body corporate, managers.
• Criminal History
• bankruptcy details
• Past applications.
• Expected gross turnover for which the first twelve
• Name and address of the accountant to appoint for the purpose of auditing the statement of accounts.

Need for the Document

• No person can receive or negotiate bets, without a bookmakers license issued by the Betting control and licensing board.
• The bookmakers license permits the holder to receive or negotiate bets.

Information which might help

• All applicants shall be required to appear before the Board and make a presentation regarding the proposed operation for the licence applied for. The presentation shall be judged on the following criteria;
  • Understanding of the operations regarding the licence being applied for in this case Public Gaming(casino).
  • Submission of the requisite documents
  • Level of preparedness to commence operations
  • Demonstrate innovativeness and creativity
  • Potentiality
• The Board may require further details merited to finalize your application request in conforming to the regulations as per the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 131 Laws of Kenya.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Service Charter
• Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act

Others

• Betting Control and Licensing Board was established by an Act of Parliament Chapter 131, Laws of Kenya of 1966. The Board is responsible for regulating betting, lotteries and gaming activities through formulation and issuance of policy guidelines. Over the last few years, the Board has implemented various measures, which have laid a firm foundation for the enforcement and implementation of gaming laws and regulations.
• The Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act Chapter 131, empowers the Board to license and control premises and the activities carried there in.