Betting Regulator, The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) instructs authorized betting companies to halt displaying ads on the ‘speed dial’ browser feature in Opera Browser without regulatory approval.
This directive follows Consumer Federation of Kenya’s (Cofek) request to the licensing board to act against internet browser providers persisting in showing betting ads, violating BCLB’s guidelines to protect minors.
A browser’s ‘speed dial’ compiles frequently visited web pages visually. Entries appear as images; users click them for quick access.
Cofek recently highlighted that ongoing betting ads risk underage individuals accessing smart devices with or without permission.
For instance, Opera Mini browser tailored a speed dial for Kenya, consistently showing five to seven quick links to betting firms.
Gaming operators adopted this speed dial, promoting betting services without considering users’ age and vulnerability.
In summary, BCLB’s instruction mandates authorized betting firms to cease ads on the ‘speed dial’ browser feature in Opera Browser.
This responds to Cofek’s concerns about minors exposed to betting content, despite established guidelines.
