Police officers and officials from Betting Control and Licensing Board (BLCB) on Wednesday raided SportPesa offices on Valley Road, Nairobi amid controversy over the company’s comeback into the lucrative gaming business.
The company later issued a statement condemning the raid and accused the industry regulator of violating a court order, which allows Milestone Gaming Ltd to trade as SportPesa brand.
The regulator had warned Milestone from trading under SportPesa brand saying the board authorised the use of trade name Milestone Bet.
Whereas BCLB tried to clamp down on Milestone’s use of Sportpesa name, the gaming company obtained a court order, early this month, to continue operating under the name, pending the determination of the case.
SportPesa termed the raid as illegal and intimidation of its management, employees and customers, despite a court order obtained early this month, stopping Betting Licensing and Control Board (BCLB), from interfering with its operations.
“Regrettably, the said illegal conduct by BCLB in conjunction with other parties, falls into a pattern of intimidation and harassment targeted at Milestone Games Limited, its management, employees and customers,” the company said through lawyer Robert Macharia.
The company obtained a court order on December 3, restraining BCLB from interfering with the operations and business of Milestone Games Limited, the current operator of the SportPesa gaming platform.
“Accordingly, Milestone Games Limited has instructed its lawyers to urgently pursue legal redress to prevent any further violation of the said Orders by the Ministry of Interior, BCLB and any of their agents and proxies,” the lawyer said.
