This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
UK's Labour Party deputy leader, Tom Watson, has accused betting firms of neglecting addiction rehabilitation efforts, citing their meager contributions to the cause.
According to Watson, SportPesa, one of Kenya's biggest betting firms, contributed only £50 to a charity that rehabilitates gamblers in 2018, despite the increasing addiction problem, especially among children.
Watson's comments come as betting firms in Kenya are grappling with the closure of their pay bill numbers, following a government directive.
While the UK's betting industry had a turnover of £14.5 billion in 2018, the industry in Kenya is worth at least Sh50 billion and paid Sh15 billion in taxes.
Watson decried inadequate regulation and lack of laws to govern the gambling industry in a digital era, calling for a complete overhaul of the rules and regulations.
He also accused betting companies of behaving irresponsibly and fuelling addiction in countries like Kenya, where they operate.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, 27 betting companies face closure after the government halted their gambling pay bill numbers last week pending renewal of their licenses.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has ordered for the arrest and arraignment in court of any gambler found operating without a license anywhere in the country.
