Nairobi City Hall’s newly proposed rules include the introduction of an entertainment tax on gamblers

Nairobi City Hall (pictured) are set to stamp their authority on the Nairobi City County Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Bill 2020 with a set of new measures that will see the introduction of new rules and regulations focused on licencing. These changes are set to effect a number of punters within the Kenyan capital

One of the new regulation proposed by the Nairobi City Hall is a new tax measure effecting players. This tax is an entertainment tax, chargeable at 20% on gross winnings of all gaming, betting and lotteries.

The new Bill will also introduce fines and penalties. These fines could potentially amount up to Sh1 million ($9,110) according to the Bill.

The new Bill, which is at the second reading stage of introduction of the County Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Control Board, is a result of ‘the increase in the size of the county population,’ according to Mwangi Njahia, the Chairperson of the Culture and Community Service Committee.

The Governor will be given the power to appoint non-executive chairpersons who will work with a director to oversee gaming, betting and lotteries. The director will have the power to “approve or reject any application for licenses, issue licenses, suspend or cancel at the same time.”

Moreover, the public lottery licence will be set at Sh4 million per lottery while a Sh600,000 will be charged for owning a betting premise. Casinos will be subject to a grant fee of Sh100,000 and a renewal fee of Sh10,000. Casinos will also be charged Sh300,000 and Sh200,000 for annual and transfer fees respectively.

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