NEWS
13-07-2019 by redazione
The Kenyan government yesterday blocked access to the country's two most important online sports betting agencies, SportPesa and Betin.
The decision of the Ministry of Interior came after the two agencies had been forced to regularize with the payment of taxes and after an arm wrestling that goes on for two years on the increase in taxes for gambling.
First, the Ministry suspended the licenses of 27 betting companies operating in Kenya stating that they would not meet the requirements for the pending renewal and then their licenses, expiring this month, have not been renewed.
In the evening came the official protest of the "giant" SportPesa, which starting from Kenya is now rooted throughout Africa and also in Europe, where he bought the online betting platform of the Gazzetta dello Sport and is in partnership with the media tycoon Urbano Cairo, and England where among other things sponsors the Premier League team of Everton.
National data from the media research company, Reelforge, indicate the betting and gambling sector as the largest turnover in the country, which has grown exponentially in the last five years and is set to further increase its turnover.
Last year, betting companies accounted for 22 percent of the 95 billion shillings that the media earned in advertising revenue, starting at 0.3 percent in 2014.
"SportPesa is extremely disappointed by the recent damaging actions by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLC) that have blocked our payment systems via Mpesa, despite a court order preventing it," said the company, stressing that for its part there are no failures to comply with tax and legal requirements in Kenya.
"Our business has also uniquely and consistently stimulated sports development in the country and we have not reduced our support for investment in the community - continued SportPesa - our commitment is evidenced by our impact in areas such as football, boxing, rugby and social projects involving access to water, the environment and improving skills in the country. Actions that are now at serious risk as a result of the measures taken by the BCLB".
SportPesa, however, stated that it will oppose the ban in court.
Also Betin, protagonist of advertising campaigns that have as testimonial the popular former footballer of Inter McDonald Mariga, sent an official protest, reiterating the respect of tax obligations as required by law and confirming that the Government has not been able to give a specific explanation on the failures of the company.
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