Aviator, betting and Kenya's new gambling rules: what young people should know
A senator told the Senate that people are 'crying' over losses on games like Aviator, and asked MPs to look at how betting is regulated before the Bayern–Ajax match. Here is how the new Gambling Control Act works, what it costs you in tax, and how to protect yourself.
On 3 November 2026, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei warned the Senate about losses on online betting, especially crash games like Aviator: "Where you sit with somebody, before you know, somebody is crying." He asked for a parliamentary review of how gambling is regulated before the Bayern–Ajax match in January, which he expects to drive a betting spike.
What is Aviator, and why is it different?
Aviator is a "crash" game: a plane takes off and a multiplier climbs (1.2×, 2×, 10×...) until it suddenly "crashes". You win only if you cash out before the crash. Rounds last seconds, so it is easy to play dozens of times in a few minutes, chase losses and lose track of how much you have spent. The game is made by a company based abroad, which has made it hard to control directly.
The new law: the Gambling Control Act, 2025
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| New regulator | The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) replaced the old Betting Control and Licensing Board, under a law signed in August 2025 that replaced the 1966 Act |
| Age | Gambling is for adults 18 and over only |
| Advertising | Ads need GRA approval; TV and radio betting ads are banned between 6am and 10pm except during live sport, and must carry warnings |
| Licences | Operators had to reapply; old licences were valid only until 24 September 2026 |
| Self-exclusion | A national self-exclusion register, where you can ban yourself from betting sites, with operators due to connect by about the end of December 2026 |
Separately, regulators have proposed tighter controls on Aviator-style games, including a central monitoring system that would flag signs of addiction and trigger steps like account suspension and counselling referrals.
What it costs you in tax
- 5% excise duty on money you deposit into a betting wallet.
- Withholding tax taken from withdrawals and prize pay-outs.
So even before you place a bet, part of your money goes in tax. Check your betting app's terms for the exact deductions.
How to protect yourself
- Set a limit you can afford to lose, before you start, and stop when it is gone.
- Never chase losses or bet with rent, fees, loans or HELB money.
- Avoid fast games like Aviator if you notice you can't stop.
- Use self-exclusion on your betting app, and the national register once it is live.
- Talk to someone. If betting is causing stress, debt or secrecy, speak to someone you trust or a counsellor. You are not alone, and help works.
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