KENYA- Kenya’s National Lottery Board (NLB) has clarified the separate but complementary roles of the Board and the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) as preparations for the country’s first National Lottery continue.
In a statement, the NLB said its mandate, established under the National Lottery Act, No. 20 of 2023, is to establish, oversee and safeguard Kenya’s National Lottery, procure and contract its operator, and administer the National Lottery Fund.
The GRA, established under the Gambling Control Act, 2025, has a broader mandate covering betting, casinos, commercial gaming and lotteries. The NLB said the future National Lottery operator will therefore be licensed by the GRA while remaining contractually accountable to the Board.
The clarification comes as Kenya moves closer to launching its first National Lottery, following the appointment of RSM Eastern Africa and Sweden’s QLOT Consulting as transaction advisers. NLB Chairperson Farida Karoney has also stressed the importance of using the procurement process to strengthen institutional capacity.
The NLB describes itself as the “Steward of the National Lottery”, with responsibility for ensuring the lottery operates with integrity, protecting players and generating returns for national development and good causes.
The regulatory framework is further supported by the Gambling Control (National Lottery) Regulations, 2026, which set out licensing procedures, operational standards and compliance requirements, while defining the respective responsibilities of the NLB and GRA.
Under the regulations, the NLB will apply for the National Lottery licence through an operator it procures to run the lottery on its behalf.
The Board is continuing preparations to appoint the National Lottery operator, who will operate under the NLB’s contractual oversight and within the GRA’s regulatory framework.
