This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 10, 2019, the Kenyan government made a surprise move, blocking the payment systems of 27 betting firms operating in the country. The move, which caught the betting industry off guard, has left many sports betting fans in a difficult situation.
The government's decision was made public on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, when the Ministry of Interior suspended the licenses of the 27 betting firms, citing outstanding renewal requirements. This move effectively blocked the firms' ability to operate in Kenya.
However, not all betting firms were affected by the government's decision. Betika, a popular betting firm in Kenya, was among those that had their licenses renewed and was therefore not suspended. As a result, Betika continues to offer its services to customers, including sports betting options such as pre-match betting, live betting, and casinos.
For fans of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, the news came as a relief. With Betika still operational, fans can continue to enjoy betting on the tournament as it progresses to the semi-finals this Sunday.
Despite the silver lining for some fans, the government's decision has left many others in a difficult financial situation. Those who had deposited large sums of money in their betting accounts are now facing the possibility of losing their funds.
