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HarakaRank

If gambling is becoming a problem

  • Set a deposit limit before you play, not after a loss.
  • Never bet with borrowed money, and never chase a loss with a bigger stake.
  • Gambling is entertainment with a cost, not a source of income.

The GRA publishes a toll-free number, 0800-723-770, for « customer support, technical help, and gaming inquiries ». It is not presented as a gambling-addiction helpline.

Self-exclusion

A person may enter a self-exclusion agreement with a licensee covering all gambling including online; the Authority keeps a register and notifies all licensees, who must refuse service, stop marketing within two days, close the accounts and return the funds (Act, section 115). The GRA says requests can be made in person or by e-mail to support@bclb.go.ke, for a period typically from 6 months to 5 years.

Age

HarakaRank is for readers aged 18 and over, and every commercial link on the site carries that notice. An online operator may not register a child as a player and must require proof of age of majority before registering every player (Act, section 72). The Act does not print a number of years in that section. Betting with a child, receiving a bet through a child, or sending a child betting advertising is an offence punishable by a fine of up to one million shillings or up to one year in prison, or both (Act, section 109).

Credit

A licensee may not induce or help a player to bet by advancing credit, through credit cards or by meeting third-party costs; free bets and bonus bets in the ordinary course are excepted (Act, section 72(7)).

If an operator will not pay you

Complaints about lotteries, gaming, betting or casinos are lodged with the regulator by form, delivered to its offices (ACK Garden Annex, 7th floor, Nairobi) or e-mailed to complaints@bclb.go.ke.

Keep the transaction reference, the M-Pesa message and the timestamps: a complaint with evidence moves, one without does not. Tell us as well, at contact@harakarank.co.ke — a pattern of held withdrawals is exactly the kind of thing this site exists to record.