Reimagining Online Gambling for Community Benefit
A newly licensed charitable online casino platform is preparing for launch in Kenya, promising a unique blend of entertainment and social impact. Spearheaded by Gloria Herndon, Chair of the Top Deck Entertainment Board, the project is not just another iGaming rollout — it’s being touted as a “reinvestment mechanism” aimed at bolstering local communities through structured philanthropic contributions.
Developed in collaboration with Humanitarian Gaming International (HGI) and Electronic Gaming Solutions (EGS), the platform combines responsible gambling technology with a sustainable funding model for Kenyan social infrastructure. Profits generated from the casino will be earmarked for healthcare, education, and youth empowerment, in line with a new Pan-African vision of community-first gambling.
Licensed to Operate and Built with Oversight
The platform has already received full licensure from Kenyan regulatory authorities, including approval from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). Its operational framework includes content and backend systems provided by HGI and EGS, who will also deliver long-term governance support to ensure compliance with international standards.
Herndon emphasized the broader vision behind the platform:
“This isn’t just a business venture — it’s a reinvestment mechanism. We’re building something that generates revenue and returns it to the communities that need it most.”
Responsible Gambling at the Core
What sets this platform apart is its built-in responsible gambling features, which include self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and real-time behavioral monitoring. This is crucial at a time when the Kenyan government is tightening its grip on gambling operators, particularly those seen as contributing to social harm.
Launched Amid Stringent Regulatory Climate
This initiative comes during a particularly turbulent regulatory quarter for Kenya’s betting industry. In April 2025, the BCLB imposed a 30-day ban on gambling advertisements, targeting widespread concerns over underage exposure. This was followed by fines levied by the Communications Authority of Kenya against nine television stations for broadcasting unlicensed gambling promotions. Most recently, the BCLB outlawed celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing for gambling services — a significant move to limit the industry’s reach via social media.
Against this backdrop, Top Deck’s socially responsible model may offer a palatable alternative for regulators seeking to strike a balance between economic opportunity and public protection.
A New Model for African iGaming
The launch of this platform could become a blueprint for ethical gambling ventures across Africa, where concerns about gambling addiction and youth exposure continue to mount. As more countries look to formalize and regulate their digital gambling sectors, Top Deck’s Kenya project may signal a new era of purpose-driven gaming, aligning private profit with public good.
Should it succeed in execution and public trust, this model could redefine how gambling licenses are issued and how profits are expected to serve society — not just stakeholders.
