Kenya’s gambling regulator plans to introduce new fully regulated licence framework for prediction market operators as part of its 2026-2027 licensing cycle.
Peter Karimi, Director General of Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), stated that prediction markets are considered gambling in Kenya as players use money for stakes on possible outcomes.
The authority already created rulling for other sectors in iGaming. Kenya’s Gambling Control Act 2025 has licenses for online bookmakers, lotteries and casinos.
The current regulations of online gambling may serve as guiding principles for a future system. Gambling services must comply with payment, advertising, age verification and other standards set by regulators, though these standards may well be modified as prediction markets become part of the regulated offerings.
GRA representatives have stated that prediction markets do pose challenges that the traditional gambling venues do not face. The issue of cross-border gambling remains a concern, especially if betting operators provide gambling services to customers in many countries from one jurisdiction.
Kenya’s move coincided with some other African countries showing the interest towards prediction markets and their regulation. Liberia is an example worth mentioning, being the first African country to introduce a specific regulation aimed at prediction markets, which is part of the more extensive package of measures to regulate gambling.”