Next story
Kenyan gambling operators challenge fees as Ugandan casinos seek tax change
A Kenyan industry association wants new fees and capital requirements annulled. Ugandan casinos say a tax on player winnings is difficult to administer.
Gambling operators in Kenya have called for new licensing fees and capital requirements to be annulled, while land-based casinos in Uganda are seeking an alternative to a tax on player winnings, the Telegram channel Inteliumlaw iGaming & Crypto News reported.
The Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK) made its call on November 3, arguing that the measures were introduced without adequate consultation with the industry and could make it substantially harder to enter the market, according to the channel.
The channel reported that online bookmakers in Kenya now face a Ksh5 million application fee, a Ksh50 million license fee covering three years and a Ksh100 million minimum gambling capital requirement.
In Uganda, land-based casino operators are seeking an alternative to the 15% withholding tax on player winnings, the channel reported, citing local media on November 7. The operators argue that determining taxable winnings is difficult when customers use chips, play table games and make repeated transactions.
The tax has applied since July 1, 2026, according to the channel. Operators must calculate winnings for each visit, show the tax on receipts, keep records for five years and file detailed monthly returns.
The channel reported that the Ugandan casino industry is proposing to continue paying tax under the existing 30% GGR regime instead.