This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 11, 2019, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) directed mobile money transfer providers to disable pay bill numbers of 27 blacklisted betting firms, including SportPesa.
According to SportPesa, the government's actions amount to prejudice, considering a court-issued restraining order.
The firm assured its clients that it would challenge the directives and have its pay bill numbers restored.
SportPesa accused the government of business interference, saying it has been fully compliant with all tax and legal requirements in Kenya.
The company stated, "SportPesa has been fully compliant with all tax and legal requirements in Kenya. Our business has uniquely and consistently boosted sports development in the country and we have not minced our support in community investment. These are now at severe risk following the measures taken by BCLB."
Mobile money transfer services providers disabled deposit transactions to pay bill numbers of the 27 blacklisted betting firms following the board's directives.
