> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.techinsightsafrica.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # AiA CEO Peter Kesitilwe And Kenya Gambling Discuss Responsible iGaming and Illegal Operators - URL: https://www.techinsightsafrica.com/aia-ceo-peter-kesitilwe-and-kenya-gambling-discuss-responsible-igaming-and-illegal-operators/ - Published: 2026-08-22T04:07:12.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-22T04:07:11.000Z - Author: Tsaone Segaetsho By Tsaone Segaetsho NAIROBI, Kenya — African iGaming Alliance (AiA) Chief Executive Officer Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe has held a high-level engagement with Peter Maina Karimi, Director General of Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), with discussions centred on responsible gambling, consumer protection and the fight against illegal gambling. The meeting, held in Nairobi, comes at an important time for Kenya's gambling industry as the country implements a new regulatory framework under the Gambling Control Act, 2025\. The legislation replaced the former Betting Control and Licensing Board with the GRA and introduced a new regulatory structure for the sector. According to a statement attributed to Kesitilwe following the meeting, the engagement was intended to strengthen dialogue between industry stakeholders and regulators across Africa. «“I had the pleasure of paying a courtesy visit to Mr. Peter Maina Karimi, Director General of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) of Kenya. We had a valuable discussion on responsible gambling, consumer protection, combating illegal gambling and strengthening collaboration between regulators and industry.”» Focus on consumer protection The discussions highlight the growing importance of consumer protection as African gambling markets become increasingly digital. For regulators, online betting and gaming present challenges that extend beyond licensing. They include protecting minors, ensuring responsible gambling practices, monitoring advertising, safeguarding player funds and preventing unlicensed operators from accessing consumers. Kenya has already moved to strengthen these areas under its new regulatory regime. Recent regulatory measures include mandatory age verification, self-exclusion mechanisms and requirements around the protection of customer funds. The framework also introduces tighter rules governing gambling advertising and responsible-gambling messaging. For the AiA, closer cooperation between regulators and legitimate operators is particularly important in tackling operators that operate outside established licensing and compliance systems. Combating the illegal market Illegal gambling was another central issue raised during the Kesitilwe-Karimi engagement. The expansion of digital platforms has made it easier for consumers to access gambling services across borders, creating enforcement challenges for national regulators. Cooperation between regulators and industry bodies can therefore play a role in identifying illegal operators and improving compliance. The AiA represents licensed online betting and gaming operators across multiple African jurisdictions, with Kesitilwe working with regulators, governments and international organisations on issues including responsible gaming, taxation, integrity and player protection. He is also a former head of Botswana's gambling regulator. Kenya enters a new regulatory era The meeting also comes as Karimi leads the GRA through the implementation of Kenya's new gambling framework. Karimi was appointed the Authority's inaugural substantive Director General in February 2026 following a competitive recruitment process. The GRA says his mandate includes overseeing the Authority's operations and implementing the regulatory framework established under the Gambling Control Act 2025. The regulator's transition is significant for one of Africa's most established betting markets. Kenya's new framework is intended to modernise gambling regulation while giving authorities stronger tools to supervise operators and protect consumers. The GRA has also been publicly emphasising technology-enabled oversight and stronger compliance. Recent reforms include digital systems aimed at improving monitoring and preventing underage participation. A broader African regulatory conversation The Kesitilwe-Karimi meeting points to a wider conversation taking place across Africa about how gambling markets should develop as technology changes the industry. For operators, regulatory certainty is increasingly important as governments introduce new licensing, taxation, advertising and consumer-protection requirements. For regulators, cooperation with legitimate industry stakeholders can provide additional insight into emerging technologies and new forms of digital gambling. The AiA's engagement with Kenya's regulator therefore signals an effort to build stronger channels of communication between the private sector and regulators as African jurisdictions develop their respective iGaming frameworks. Kesitilwe and Karimi's discussions ultimately centred on a shared challenge: how to allow a legitimate digital gaming industry to grow while ensuring that consumers are protected and illegal operators are pushed out of the market. As Kenya continues implementing its new gambling legislation, the balance between industry growth, technological innovation, responsible gambling and regulatory enforcement is likely to remain one of the most important issues shaping Africa's iGaming sector.