Nairobi, Kenya – July 5, 2025 – As public debate around gaming regulation and ethical corporate behavior intensifies in Kenya, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) continues to play a critical role in guiding the industry toward greater transparency, responsibility, and social accountability. This shift was clearly demonstrated during the launch of “Changing Lives – Powered by Bangbet”, an initiative that reflects the evolving standards now expected of gaming operators.
Held at Lord Erroll Gardens, the launch event brought together representatives from government, healthcare institutions, civil society, and the media. The central announcement was the Bangbet Hospital Support Fund, created to support vulnerable patients unable to leave hospital due to unpaid bills. Bangbet committed Ksh 1,000,000 to St. Mary’s Hospital, one of Nairobi’s most trusted faith-based healthcare facilities.
Crucially, the event adhered strictly to BCLB guidelines. No betting services were promoted. No branding activations took place. Instead, the focus remained entirely on social impact.
“This noble act is a shining example of the kind of impact we expect and encourage from all licensed operators,” said Rev. Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, Chairperson of the BCLB, who attended the event and delivered official remarks. “Bangbet Ltd has demonstrated that the gaming industry can operate with integrity, compassion, and public interest at its core.”
For the BCLB, moments like this go far beyond ceremony. They represent a new regulatory direction — one that emphasizes the gaming sector’s contribution to Kenya’s broader development agenda.
“We regulate not just to enforce rules, but to inspire responsibility,” Rev. Dr. Makau noted. “Let this moment mark a renewed commitment to collaboration between the private sector and community institutions. It also proves that CSR can be impactful without being exploitative.”
The BCLB Chairperson emphasized that future compliance will increasingly be tied not just to legal obligations, but to how operators align with national values, ethical conduct, and demonstrated public benefit.
Bangbet CEO David Gichuchi echoed this sentiment, stating that the company was deliberate in separating its CSR work from its commercial identity. “This is not about promotion. It’s about purpose. We are committed to using our platform to support real stories of hope and growth,” he said. “Our engagement with the BCLB helped shape how we approached every detail of this initiative.”
The Board has in recent months increased its emphasis on non-promotional CSR, urging all licensees to pursue programs that directly serve communities without tying them to marketing, brand visibility, or product use. This approach reflects an awareness of the unique ethical sensitivities around gaming, particularly among vulnerable populations.
In that context, Changing Lives – Powered by Bangbet is being viewed as a model initiative.
In addition to the hospital support fund, the event included the symbolic recognition of “Friends of Bangbet” — a group of Kenyans who were presented with empowerment tools like motorcycles and household electronics, selected for their resilience and community engagement. These gifts, though not large-scale, were life-changing for the recipients and presented with dignity, not spectacle.
At no point were attendees exposed to betting promotions, games, or sales representatives. The event stayed tightly aligned with the spirit and letter of BCLB’s CSR guidance.
What emerges is a picture of a regulator that is no longer passive — but actively steering the sector toward deeper responsibility.
Under Rev. Dr. Makau’s leadership, the BCLB is encouraging gaming companies to integrate CSR into their long-term business models — not as charity, but as accountability.
For St. Mary’s Hospital, the intervention was a lifeline. Sister Dr. Rose Nafula, the hospital’s CEO, noted: “This act of compassion restores hope to families and relieves pressure on the healthcare system. The support is deeply appreciated.”As Bangbet continues to expand its CSR footprint, other operators will likely take note. Because in this new regulatory environment, compliance is no longer enough — active contribution to national wellbeing is the new benchmark.