This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has been cracking down on rogue betting operators in the country, following a shocking revelation that Sport Pesa, a giant betting firm, made over Sh100 billion in revenues last year.
According to an article by Finance Uncovered, Sport Pesa's revenues in Kenya alone exceeded Sh100 billion, but the company does not publicly disclose its revenues or profits in Africa or the UK.
Well-placed sources told Finance Uncovered that Sport Pesa made more than $1 billion in revenues last year in Kenya, but the company's spokesperson described this figure as 'a very significant overstatement.'
The spokesperson also stated that Sport Pesa has made a commercial decision not to publish its revenues in order to protect its competitiveness.
As part of the government's crackdown on rogue betting operators, Matiang'i has suspended all betting agency licences in the country until the holders provide proof of tax remittance compliance.
On July 16, Matiang'i signed deportation orders against 17 foreigners who are directors of gambling firms, as the government widens its crackdown on the multi-billion shilling gambling industry.
