Nairobi, May 13 -- At least 185 gaming and betting firms in the country face closure for allegedly operating illegally, the government has announced.

The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy said the firms have been operating without formal registration.

The development comes after ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo gave gaming firms 40 days to ensure full registration to collect or handle Kenyans' data or risk licence cancellation.

Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Mr Kabogo revealed that 185 gambling and betting firms handling children's data in the country are not registered with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC).

In his submission, the former Kiambu governor said another fiv...