Despite betting firms and some leaders going to court and the public outcry to have the revoked licenses renewed, the government renewed all except Sportpesa and Betin. Only about ten companies that were deemed as tax compliant by KRA had their licenses renewed.
Odibet which is the fastest growing in the gambling business was among the first to be cleared. There are concerns that gambling addiction is fasting becoming a problem and the owners of such firms questioned over money laundry and tax evasion.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i vowed to introduce strict measures to regulate the gambling sector that he has repeatedly accused of misleading the youth. The gamblers that remain closed still have their pay bill-numbers shut.
Betting firms have been in the headlines in months after the government crackdown led by the Interior CS. The government is conducting security vetting on their operations and directors before renewing their licenses.
