This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 3-9, 2019, English Premier League side Everton toured Kenya at the invitation of SportPesa.
However, the Kenyan government's decision to suspend SportPesa's pay bills and shortcodes has led to significant losses for the betting firm.
According to a lawsuit filed by SportPesa, the company is seeking compensation for the money lost since the shutdown began.
Despite securing temporary court orders suspending the Betting Control and Licensing Board's decision to withdraw their license, SportPesa described the move as unlawful and in contravention of a court order.
The betting company also accuses the state of refusal to renew its license and wants the court to stop a directive by the government to Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom to suspend its M-Pesa pay bills and SMS shortcodes.
Already, SportPesa and Betin Kenya are the recipients of a Sh14 billion tax demand from the Kenya Revenue Authority.
The tax row is believed to have had a hand in the cancellation of Betin and SportPesa's business licenses.
