The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) recently imposed fines on nine television stations for broadcasting gambling-related advertisements without approval, some of which appeared during religious program slots, attracting widespread attention.
The regulatory body emphasized that gambling advertisements must obtain proper licensing and should not appear in programs aimed at minors or of a religious nature, to prevent misleading the public, especially the youth. The Communications Authority noted in its announcement that the relevant TV stations had violated broadcasting content regulations and advertising guidelines, and therefore must face the corresponding legal consequences.
Although the specific names of the TV stations were not disclosed, the regulatory body stated that it has issued formal warnings to the involved companies and demanded immediate rectification. The Communications Authority also called on all broadcasting companies to strictly comply with regulations to ensure that the placement of gambling advertisements meets ethical and legal standards.
In recent years, as Kenya's gambling market continues to expand, gambling advertisements have frequently appeared on television, radio, and digital platforms, raising concerns among various sectors of society about the proliferation of gambling promotions. To address this, regulatory authorities are intensifying enforcement efforts to crack down on illegal advertisements and unauthorized gambling promotions.
It is noteworthy that the Communications Authority is pushing for stricter advertising review mechanisms and plans to collaborate with other government agencies to introduce more specific advertising regulatory policies to further protect consumer rights and prevent gambling content from adversely affecting the public, especially adolescents.
