Media Council of Kenya raises concern over rise in gambling ads

Appealing to journalists, media practitioners and media enterprises, MCK chief executive and secretary, David Omwoyo Omwoyo, reiterated that gambling advertising is limited to licensed activities.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) is responsible for licensing operators to offer gambling such as lotteries, betting and gambling. 

However, the MCK regulates and monitors the media sector, including ensuring journalists and media entities write fair, accurate and unbiased stories of matters of public interest.

As such, in line with the Media Council Act 2013, Omwoyo said media organisations must ensure any promotion or advertising for gambling on their platforms only promotes licensed activities.

“This advisory is issued in public interest to protect investors and to ensure the highest standards of media practice in relation to advertisement of gaming activities on media platforms,” Omwoyo said.