This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On July 16, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i signed deportation orders against 17 foreign directors of betting firms whose licenses were not renewed.
The move is part of an ongoing crackdown on betting firms thought to be evading taxes despite reaping millions of shillings in profit.
CS Matiang'i has authorized the deportation of 17 foreign directors of betting firms. Photo: Daily Nation
According to Matiang'i, the government will not relent on ensuring all rogue operators are tamed and the betting industry is cleaned up and effectively regulated.
He argued that uncontrolled gambling has reorganized the financial lives of poor Kenyans in drastic ways, with a huge chunk of the money being transferred to foreign capitals and very little left in circulation in Kenya.
"Uncontrolled gambling has reorganised the financial lives of poor Kenyans in very drastic ways. This money is directly pocketed by firms owned by non-Kenyans, a huge chunk of which is transferred to foreign capitals, and very little is left in circulation here in Kenya,” said the Interior CS
The government through the Betting Licence and Control Board ordered the firms to reapply for new operational licenses before a July 1 deadline.
After the deadline, the paybill numbers of some betting firms were suspended and rendered nonfunctional by leading telecommunication company Safaricom.
