Kenya's first national lottery will bar anyone under 18, offer players a self-exclusion option and may use artificial intelligence to flag problem gambling, National Lottery Board chairperson Dr Farida Karoney has said.
Karoney set out the safeguards in an interview on KBC Channel One's Inside Government. She said the lottery should not be treated as a route to wealth. She cautioned Kenyans against buying tickets with money meant for school fees, savings or investments.
The timeline she gave has not changed. The Board plans to issue an international tender for an operator before the end of 2026, and wants a working lottery by the end of 2027.
The safeguards on the table
Three measures were named directly: a block on under-18s, self-exclusion for players who ask for it, and technology that can identify problematic behaviour and temporarily restrict access.
In a separate interview with AfriGaming Bulletin, Karoney added age verification, participation controls, responsible advertising and clear information on odds and prizes. She said the Board intends to monitor responsible-gambling performance, not only ticket sales and revenue.
She described the planned product as modest and low-stakes by design.
Where the money is meant to go
The Board has identified five areas for lottery proceeds: emergency response, economic empowerment, research and innovation, arts and culture, and transformational national projects.
Under the National Lottery Act, what remains after prizes and operating costs goes into the National Lottery Fund. Karoney said the money must be distributed equitably so communities in every county benefit.
She said applications will be judged through an open, competitive process, supported by independent audits and public reporting broken down by category and county.
A warning on access to the Fund
Karoney was explicit on one point. Applications for Fund money are not open.
She urged Kenyans to rely on official Board communication, and to ignore anyone claiming to offer access to the Fund. The National Lottery Board publishes its notices directly.
What operators should watch
RSM Eastern Africa and Sweden's QLOT Consulting were appointed in August as transaction advisers, covering tender documents, contracts and procurement advice.
Karoney said the Board intends to set technical, data-protection and cybersecurity standards before any ticket is sold. Both retail tickets and digital play are planned.
A nationwide survey of public attitudes, preferred games and likely spend is due before the operator procurement concludes. Our earlier report set out the full end-2027 timeline, and the regulator is separately weighing a dedicated prediction-markets licence.
Frequently asked questions
When will Kenya's national lottery launch?
The Board is targeting a working lottery by the end of 2027. The international operator tender is expected before the end of 2026.
Who regulates Kenya's national lottery?
The National Lottery Board is responsible for the lottery and the National Lottery Fund. The Gambling Regulatory Authority oversees the wider gaming sector.
Can under-18s play Kenya's national lottery?
No. Karoney said the Board intends to prevent anyone under 18 from taking part, supported by age verification.
What will lottery proceeds fund?
Emergency response, economic empowerment, research and innovation, arts and culture, and transformational national projects, drawn from the National Lottery Fund.
Can I apply for National Lottery Fund money now?
No. Applications are not open, and the Board has warned against individuals who claim to offer access to the Fund.
