Public lotteries
Lotteries offered to the public, under a public lottery licence.
KE Kenya · Guide
Lotteries and competitions in Kenya.
Kenya's Gambling Control Act 2025 created separate licences for public lotteries, prize competitions and online lotteries, and its regulations took effect on 30 June 2026.
01 At a glance
The short version.
- Law
- Gambling Control Act 2025
- Licences
- Separate licences for public lotteries, prize competitions and online lotteries
- Prize competitions
- Licence requires a bond of KES 5 million
- Regulations
- In force since 30 June 2026
- Software providers
- Need a licence of their own under the new regulations
02 The models
Three licensed routes.
The 2025 Act gives each type of draw its own licence.
Prize competitions
Competitions for prizes, under a dedicated licence that requires a KES 5 million bond.
Online lotteries
Lotteries offered online, under their own licence category.
+ Know before you run
What operators need to know.
- Each type of draw needs the matching licence under the 2025 Act.
- A prize competition licence requires a bond of KES 5 million.
- Since 30 June 2026, software providers need their own licence, so check your supplier holds one.
03 Questions
Common questions.
Are prize competitions licensed in Kenya?
Yes. The Gambling Control Act 2025 created a dedicated prize competition licence, which requires a KES 5 million bond.
Can lotteries run online in Kenya?
Yes, under the online lottery licence created by the 2025 Act.
Do software providers need a licence in Kenya?
Yes. Under the regulations in force since 30 June 2026, software providers need their own licence.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and depend on exactly how a draw is run, so take advice for your own model. Reviewed September 2026.
04 Access
Running draws in Kenya? Talk to us.
Every Blockdraws draw is sealed in advance and verifiable by anyone, under your own brand.
Blockdraws is white-label draw software with every draw verifiable by anyone. Available by application.
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