This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 15, 2019, Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) ordered Airtel to shut down the playbill numbers of betting firms whose licenses it has not renewed.
The move is part of a crackdown on the Ksh200 billion ($2 billion) betting industry, which has seen the BCLB disable the operations of 27 betting firms.
Airtel, the second largest mobile service provider, had continued to operate playbill numbers of betting firms a week into the crackdown.
According to a letter from BCLB acting managing director Liti Wambua, the licenses for several betting firms were not renewed due to outstanding renewal requirements and ongoing due diligence.
“We wish to inform you that the licences for the following companies were not renewed, until they meet the outstanding renewal requirements as well as outcome of ongoing due diligence to determine if they are fit and proper to hold a licence from this board,” Wambua said.
The BCLB has given Airtel until further notice to suspend the playbills and short codes of the affected betting firms.
Meanwhile, the board has asked Airtel to allow customers who may be affected to withdraw their deposits before July 19, 2019.
The top betting firms have moved to court, escalating their row with BCLB, with SportPesa suing the government for compensation and Betin Kenya claiming that the switch-off of their playbill numbers and short codes is illegal.
