Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Betting board cracks down on speed dial use by internet browsers

Brenda Murungi by Brenda Murungi
February 19, 2024
in News, Technology
Reading Time: 2 mins read

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has begun the implementation of a High Court directive prohibiting gaming operators from utilizing the speed dial feature on various internet browsers, mainly by the Opera Mini Browser and Google.

A speed dial in a browser creates visual thumbnails of the user’s most visited websites, and the user can visit the websites with one click. The move by the betting regulator is a win for consumers following a petition lodged by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek).

“Based on our research and consultations with line experts, we hereby confirm that browser providers, such as Opera, have introduced a “speed dial” feature, specifically curated for the Kenyan market.

This offending feature, sponsored by betting firms (your licensees), ensures these betting services are prominently displayed, regardless of the user’s age, religion and other diversities.” CoFeK said in a letter to BCLB.

RELATEDPOSTS

Kenya cracks down on betting ads to curb gambling surge

April 28, 2025

New bill proposes KES 20 minimum bet cap for online gambling

September 13, 2023

COFEK said the continued display of betting ads was creating a significant risk to millions of underage citizens who can intermittently access smart devices with or without permission from parents or guardians.

The consumers’ body, for instance, noted that a browser such as Opera Mini had introduced a speed dial feature specifically tailored for Kenya and which on any given day, was offering five to seven shortcuts to leading betting firms.

In a letter dated February 16, 2024, BCLB Director Peter Mbugi wrote to all gaming operators ordering them to comply with the board’s directive failure to which the regulator will commence contempt of court charges against them.

“We make reference to the Board’s circular REF: BCLB 8/71 VOL.1 (157) dated 11th August 2023 on the use of ‘speed dial’ feature on the internet browsers. We further make reference to a court order issued by the High Court at Nairobi in the above-stated matter on 16th January 2024. This is therefore to direct that you cease with immediate effect, the use of the ‘speed dial’ feature on all internet browsers,” Mbugi noted.

He further warned that those who defy the directive will face necessary legal action.

“Failure to comply with the board’s directive shall lead to the commencement of the necessary processes as stipulated under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act, CAP 131 of the laws of Kenya in compliance with the order issued by the High Court. Be informed accordingly,” Mbugi cautioned.

Previous Post

DCI nab robbers in possession of KES 520,000 in highway operation

Next Post

Police to crack down on unauthorized use of chase cars, strobe lights and sirens

Brenda Murungi

Brenda Murungi

Related Posts

News

Co-op Bank posts KES 6.9 billion profit in Q1’2025

May 16, 2025
Agriculture And Economy
News

Lets get Kenya out of FATF list

May 9, 2025
News

The downside of Impact Investing

May 2, 2025
Technology

AI in Kenyan enterprises: 2025 trends and challenges

April 30, 2025
News

Leadership challenges at the University of Nairobi

April 24, 2025
News

Easter eggs and earnings: Growing your nest egg with CMMF

April 16, 2025

LATEST STORIES

Economic reforms are costly

June 3, 2025

Cytonn Income Drawdown Fund (CIDDF)

June 3, 2025

Navigating the money market and fixed income funds landscape

June 3, 2025

Best investments for Kenyan seniors: Secure, predictable & low-risk

May 30, 2025

Why June is the Secret Sweet Spot for Travel

May 30, 2025

Strategies to elevate more women to corporate leadership

May 30, 2025

Tap on Kenya’s 2025 tech revolution

May 30, 2025

How CURBS supports employers and employees

May 30, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024