Licensed gambling companies in Kenya have filed a lawsuit to contest a proposed 500 percent increase in regulatory fees. The legal challenge follows recent amendments to the national gambling framework.
Tariff Adjustments and Judicial Review
The revised fee structure introduces updated costs across the sector. Online bookmaker licenses now require a payment of $386,000, up from the previous $1,500. Casino operators face a license cost of $927,000, compared to the earlier $54,000 rate. Application and renewal procedures for bookmakers also carry higher charges, with submission fees rising from $77 to $38,600 and renewal costs increasing from $39 to $19,300.Industry representatives have requested a temporary suspension of the new fee schedule pending the judicial decision. They argue that companies paying the updated rates would face financial loss if the court later declares the amendments invalid. The judiciary has granted a provisional stay on the new requirements.
Regulatory authorities are currently seeking to reverse this stay, stating that the pause disrupts the standard license issuance process.
The current dispute follows recent regulatory tightening measures previously implemented by Kenyan authorities.