MPs raised concerns about growing impact of Aviator on Kenyan households and youth. However, the Betting Control and Licensing Board told Parliament it cannot take action against the popular betting game.
Peter Mbugi, Chief Executive of BCLB, said a foreign firm based outside Kenya’s legal jurisdiction owns and operates Aviator. He appears before the Finance and National Planning Committee of National Assembly.
He told MPs that the Aviator has swiftly risen to prominence as one of the most sought-after gambling games globally.
Officials explained that SPRIBE, a company based in Warsaw, Poland, holds the intellectual property rights to the game. They added that numerous variants have since emerged, contributing to the game’s widespread appeal across different countries.
He added that there are many other variants of the game touted to the public in different jurisdictions. This is why the game is so popular and seemingly attractive and enticing to the punter or gambler.
Citing a growing crisis of addiction, the legislators are investigating the operators of betting. They are also probing gaming companies in Kenya.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari questioned the legal status of Aviator and criticized aggressive promotion on local media. She said the game has become so widespread that it is affecting family stability in both urban and rural areas.
Wangari noted that Aviator has especially gained popularity among young people. Nonetheless, a lot of older Kenyans have also fallen into the gambling trap.
Her remarks raised concerns among other MPs. They said students were using school fees to gamble, while some parents were risking their life savings on bets.
Mbugi told the committee that the board is pushing for sweeping reforms to tighten control of the local betting industry. However, he noted that the board cannot restrict Aviator, which currently has 236 registered firms.
