Our commitment to safe gambling
Mshikebet operates under the Gambling Control Act 2025 which requires operators to implement player protection measures. We take this responsibility seriously because problem gambling destroys lives—financial ruin, broken relationships, mental health issues.
We provide self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, reality checks, and direct links to counselling services. Our customer support team receives training to identify problem gambling signs and offer help appropriately. Underage gambling is strictly prohibited—you must be 18 years or older to create an account.
Signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling often develops gradually. Recognizing the signs early helps you or someone you care about get help before things spiral.
Financial warning signs
- Borrowing money frequently to gamble
- Selling possessions to fund betting
- Unpaid bills despite having income
- Lying about money spent gambling
- Chasing losses by betting more
Behavioural warning signs
- Gambling longer than planned
- Neglecting work or family responsibilities
- Irritability when unable to gamble
- Failed attempts to cut back
- Gambling to escape stress
Emotional warning signs
- Anxiety or depression
- Mood swings related to wins/losses
- Feeling guilty after gambling
- Preoccupation with gambling constantly
- Using gambling to cope with emotions
If you recognize three or more of these signs in yourself or someone close, gambling has likely become a problem requiring intervention.
Player protection tools
Mshikebet provides several tools to help you control your gambling activity. Access these through your account settings or by contacting support.
Deposit limits
Set maximum amounts you can deposit over daily, weekly, or monthly periods. Once reached you cannot deposit more until the period resets. Limit decreases take effect immediately. Increases have a 24-hour cooling-off period before activating—this prevents impulsive decisions after losses.
Loss limits
Define maximum losses over weekly or monthly periods. Once reached the system prevents further betting until the period ends. This tool helps prevent chasing losses—the destructive pattern where you keep betting trying to recover what you lost.
Session time limits
Set maximum time you can spend logged in per session or per day. The system logs you out automatically when time expires. Useful for controlling prolonged gambling sessions where you lose track of time.
Reality checks
Enable pop-up reminders appearing every 30, 60, or 120 minutes showing how long you've been playing and your net win/loss. This interrupts the gambling trance state and forces conscious evaluation of whether to continue.
Self-exclusion
Temporarily or permanently block your access to Mshikebet. Choose periods of 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanent. Self-exclusion activates immediately—your account locks and you cannot place bets. Existing balance gets refunded to your payment method. You cannot reverse self-exclusion during the period—requests to reopen are automatically denied.
Self-exclusion only affects Mshikebet. If gambling is problematic we strongly recommend registering with the national self-exclusion database managed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which blocks you from all licensed operators in Kenya.
Getting help for problem gambling
Admitting gambling has become a problem takes courage. Recovery is possible with proper support. These organizations provide free, confidential counselling to Kenyans struggling with gambling addiction.
National Gambling Helpline Kenya
Free 24/7 helpline offering counselling, support, and referrals to treatment services. Call 1190 toll-free from any Kenyan network. Operated by the Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya in partnership with the Gambling Regulatory Authority. Counsellors speak English and Swahili.
Gamblers Anonymous Kenya
Peer support meetings in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret where people recovering from gambling addiction share experiences. Free to attend, no registration required. Meetings follow the 12-step recovery program. Find meeting locations at gamblersanonymous.or.ke or call the national helpline.
Professional counselling services
Mental health professionals specializing in gambling addiction provide therapy to address underlying issues—depression, anxiety, trauma. KEMRI Addiction Unit offers assessment and treatment programs. Contact them at +254 722 845 677 or visit their Nairobi clinic at KEMRI Centre on Argwings Kodhek Road.
Mshikebet support team
Our customer support can activate protection tools immediately, provide information about self-exclusion, and direct you to external help resources. Email responsible-gaming@mshikebet-kenya.com or use live chat.
Help for family and friends
Living with someone with a gambling problem affects you too—financially, emotionally. You might feel angry, betrayed, helpless. These feelings are valid. Supporting someone through gambling addiction is difficult but possible.
Educate yourself about gambling addiction. Understanding it as a compulsive disorder rather than moral failing helps you respond with compassion while maintaining boundaries. The National Gambling Helpline (1190) offers support for family members, not just gamblers themselves.
Set financial boundaries. Don't lend money or pay their gambling debts—this enables continued gambling. Protect your savings and assets. Encourage professional help but respect their autonomy. You cannot force someone into recovery; they must choose it. Be patient—recovery involves relapses.
Take care of yourself. Seek counselling if the situation affects your mental health. GamAnon (companion program to Gamblers Anonymous) provides support groups specifically for family members of problem gamblers.
Tips for safer gambling
Most people gamble recreationally without problems. These guidelines help keep gambling as entertainment rather than letting it become harmful.
Set a budget before you start. Decide how much money you can afford to lose—and assume you will lose it all. Only gamble with disposable income, never money needed for rent, food, bills. When the budget runs out, stop.
Set time limits. Decide how long you'll play before starting. Set a phone alarm. When time expires, log out regardless of whether you're winning or losing. Extended sessions lead to poor decisions.
Don't gamble when upset, stressed, depressed, or intoxicated. These states impair judgment and make you vulnerable to impulsive betting. Gambling should never be a coping mechanism for emotional problems.
Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen, do something unrelated to gambling. Breaks interrupt the hypnotic state gambling can induce and let you evaluate whether continuing is wise.
Accept that the house always wins long-term. Gambling sites, casinos, bookmakers—they all have mathematical edges ensuring profit over time. You might win occasionally but expecting to make money from gambling guarantees disappointment. Treat any winnings as bonuses, not income.