VetLab Golf Captain Karuga Summoned by Betting Control Board Over Illegal Gambling Allegations

VetLab Sports Club captain Eric Karuga is facing scrutiny after being summoned by the Betting Control Licensing Board (BCLB) over allegations of conducting illegal betting activities at the club premises.

According to a letter seen by this publication, Karuga has been accused of organizing unauthorized betting events “on Tuesdays, Fridays and public holidays” at VetLab Sports Club without proper licensing from the regulatory body.

“The Betting Control & Licensing Board is in receipt of complaint against you for conducting illegal betting activities… without the requisite license or authorization from the Board,” wrote Fredrick Mbasi, a BCLB official, in the letter addressed to Karuga and copied to the VetLab Sports Club Chairman.

The Board has invited Karuga to attend its Complaints Handling Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10:30 am at the BCLB offices on 1st Ngong Avenue to respond to these allegations.

It remains unclear whether Karuga will attend the hearing in person or send a representative.

Under Kenyan law, the BCLB is “expressly mandated vide Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap 131, Laws of Kenya to control, license and regulate different forms of gaming/gambling in the country.”

Betting activities are reportedly prohibited in members clubs, and violations could result in penalties including fines or bans.

If found culpable, Karuga could face consequences ranging from suspension to complete revocation of his club membership.

The complaint, which was reportedly filed approximately two weeks ago, raises serious questions about integrity in sports and the involvement of participants in betting activities.

Karuga, a longstanding member and resident golfer at VetLab, recently led the club during the Easter holiday Tannahill Cup.

He is a regular competitor in domestic tournaments, including the KCB East Africa Golf Tour and the Chairman’s Cup, which he won in 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, in other sporting news, cash-strapped Mathare United has been forced to forfeit Kenya Premier League games due to financial difficulties.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​