Betting Firm SportPesa is back to sports betting in Kenya

SportPesa which made an exit after a row with the government over stringent betting taxes that hugely weighed negatively on them stated on Friday that they had acquired a new licence and have resumed operations in the country.

SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri made the announcement on social media, saying the company resumed operations under a new Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) licence holder.

SportPesa is back! I’m happy to announce that the SportPesa brand is back under a new BCLB license holder. https://t.co/qDIJ37kP3b #SportPesaisBack 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

— Hon Captain Ronald Karauri (@KarauriR) October 30, 2020

The firm said Government’s decision to impose a 20 per cent tax on all betting stakes was damaging on both their customers and treasury.

SportPesa is delighted to resume operations in Kenya. Thank you for your support.

Website: https://t.co/XdCIBkE6Sb
iOS app: https://t.co/ntTikWLTye
Android app: https://t.co/AqvovNEuIj#SportPesaisBack #SportPesaNiYetu pic.twitter.com/hTNKsvYElf

— SportPesa Kenya (@SportPesa) October 30, 2020

“SportPesa is disappointed with the decision by the Kenyan legislature to impose a 20 per cent excise tax on all betting stakes. The tax is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how revenue generation works in the industry. These taxes have a damaging impact on our customers,” read a statement.