Get a totalisator or pool betting licence from GRA
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on its GMS portal (operator.gra.go.ke) as a company at least 30% owned by Kenyans: Form 3 for a totalisator, Form 6 for a pool betting scheme. An on-course totalisator costs KSh 50,000 to apply and KSh 100,000 for the licence; pool betting costs KSh 1 million and KSh 2.5 million. Both licences last 1 year.
- Fee
- KSh 50,000Totalisator (on the course): application feeKSh 100,000Totalisator (on the course): licence feeKSh 1,000,000Pool betting scheme: application feeKSh 2,500,000Pool betting scheme: licence fee
- How long
- GRA must consider applications within 30 days
- Where
- Online on GRA's Gambling Management System (operator.gra.go.ke). GRA office: ACK Garden Annex, 7th & 8th Floor, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi.
What you need
- Totalisator: the Form 3 application
- Pool betting: the Form 6 application
- Valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate and PIN certificate
- Proof of gambling capital: KSh 50 million (land-based) or KSh 100 million (online)
- Proof of anti-money laundering compliance (policies, procedures, staff training records)
- Totalisator: audited financial statements for the last two years, where applicable, and your certificate of incorporation
Steps
- Prepare Form 3 (totalisator) or Form 6 (pool betting) with all the documents and proof of gambling capital.
- Log in to GRA's Gambling Management System at operator.gra.go.ke, submit the application and pay the application fee.
- GRA reviews your application and tells you within 14 days. A Board committee then approves or refuses it.
- Once approved, pay the licence fee and deposit the required security. GRA then issues your licence.
Watch out
- On top of fees, a totalisator operator must deposit KSh 5 million as security.
- A totalisator must pay back at least 85% of the total amount pooled to winners, unless GRA approves another amount.
- Totalisator and pool betting licences last only 1 year, so plan to renew every year.
Who can apply
- A company (body corporate) in which Kenyan citizens hold at least 30% of the shares.
- The company must keep an account with a bank registered in Kenya for all gambling money.
- A totalisator licence can be for a specific racecourse (on-course), a specific betting premises (off-course), or both.
Official sources (4)
- The Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations, 2026 (L.N. 111, Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 162, 30 June 2026) gra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Gambling Control Act, 2025 (No. 14 of 2025) gra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Notice for the commencement of applications for gambling licensing for the year 2026 (18 Aug 2026) gra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- GRA Gambling and Operators Administration Portal (GMS) operator.gra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026