This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 11, 2019, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) ordered Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom Kenya to withdraw pay bill numbers and SMS codes of 27 betting companies, including SportPesa, Betin and Betway.
SportPesa has described the move as 'illegal, abrupt, malicious and prejudicial', accusing the BCLB of trying to 'discourage and disrupt' Kenyans.
According to SportPesa, they have complied with tax and legal requirements and have boosted sports events in the country.
However, the company fears that the move could 'drive the business underground and have far-reaching consequences on the social and economic agenda of this country.'
Users were unable to access their accounts on Friday, with some taking to social media to express their frustration.
“Failed. Dear customer, this Paybill is unavailable due to the Government directive to suspend Betting Paybill Numbers. Kindly contact your Betting Company……………..nifanye aje?” one user asked on Twitter.
SportPesa and Betin have since taken to social media to issue an apology and assure their customers that they are working to restore normal operations.
“We are working tirelessly to restore normal operations very soon and we thank you for your patience and support. _BA,” SportPesa tweeted.
