By Jackie Adhyambo
Kenya’s potential to become Africa’s replica of Macau or Las Vegas is not far-fetched. With its vibrant culture, strategic location, and huge tourism potential, Kenya is uniquely positioned to harness the economic power of regulated betting and gaming. Yet, critics continue to attack the industry, more often than not driven by ignorance and a dim view of how regulated betting works across the globe. Most of the scepticism expressed lately about betting ignores a global truism that readily confirms that from Macau to Monaco, regulated gambling is a proven catalyst for tourism, job creation, and economic prosperity.
Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, generates over 80% of its GDP from gaming. It attracted an average of 30 million tourists annually before Covid. In 2019, Macau’s casino revenue hit $36 billion, by far dwarfing Las Vegas’s 12 billion. Meanwhile, according to the American Gaming Association, the U.S. gaming industry supports 1.8 million jobs and contributes $261 billion annually to the economy. These hubs thrive on gambling alongside integrated resorts offering entertainment, dining, and conferences.
Though nascent, Kenya’s betting industry clearly already exhibits promise and great potential. A 2021 report by GeoPoll revealed that 57% of Kenyans aged between 18 and 35 years engage in betting, driven by widespread mobile money access. The sector contributed Ksh. 50 billion ($340 million) to the GDP in 2022. It employs over 10,000 people directly. Yet, this pales in comparison to Macau’s scale, a fact that signals untapped potential.
Embracing casino resorts could catapult Kenya into a regional entertainment leader. South Africa’s Sun City, for example, draws 4 million visitors yearly, contributing $300 million to the GDP. Kenya’s existing tourism infrastructure, hosting 2.4 million international tourists in 2024 could synergize with gaming to create a “safari and slots” appeal like no other in the continent.
Integrated resorts could generate 50,000+ jobs in hospitality, security, and tech, while boosting ancillary sectors. Tax revenue from regulated gaming could fund public services and unburden the taxpayer in an unprecedented way. ; Nevada collects $ 1 in gaming taxes. According to a March 2025 story by the well-regarded Business Daily, the Kenya Revenue Authority collected Ksh. 12.47 billion shillings in taxes from betting firms in the eight months to February 2025. This figure could multiply dramatically with strategic investment made to the sector to attract tourists and more ancillary economic activity.
Some opponents argue gambling has downsides that make the gaming enterprise untenable. While some of their arguments are valid, the concerns are not insurmountable. Critics overlook the success of nations like Singapore, which legalized casinos in 2010 under strict regulations, reducing problem gambling rates from 2.6% to 0.9% by 2022. Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) could adopt similar measures and ensure that there is strict adherence to mandatory age verification, addiction rescue-related programmes, and efficient revenue allocation to desirable public good causes.
Labelling betting as morally corrupt ignores its global normalization. The U.K., with stringent regulations, saw its gaming industry contribute £7.1 billion ($8.7 billion) in taxes in 2022. Meanwhile, Kenya’s “moral” panic risks stifling an industry that could alleviate youth unemployment (67% in 2023) and diversify a tourism sector heavily reliant on traditional attractions.
With regard to gaming, Kenya stands at a crossroads. Instead of imposing sanctions driven by blinkered views, lawmakers should study models like Morocco’s Marrakech gaming model where regulated casinos coexist with cultural heritage sites.
To dismiss betting’s potential is to ignore economic realities. As Nairobi’s skyline evolves, so too should its ambitions. By fostering a regulated, world-class gaming environment, Kenya can attract international investors, host high-profile events, and redefine African tourism.
Kenya’s dream of becoming Africa’s entertainment capital is within reach if we free our thinking and shun the emotional cesspit jaundiced critics of gaming want us to drown in. Naysayers must move beyond knee-jerk opposition and recognise gaming’s proven role in modern economies. With robust regulation, Kenya can emulate global success stories, turning betting into a win for the economy, tourism, and its people. The stakes are high, yes, but so are the rewards.
Adhyambo is a Nakuru-based knowledge management consultant.
