This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Ambassador Amina Mohammed, has thrown her weight behind the Building Bridges Initiative's (BBI) proposal to introduce a government-run lottery to replace the private betting industry.
Speaking at the second annual lecture on Sports Arbitration in Nairobi, Amina said the move would help control the industry, which is mostly associated with the youth.
“In support of sports, I think it is a fantastic move. We have been very careful on who we allow in the country. It is important to note that we have a very young population and would not want anything that would distract them from achieving their potential. So, if it is one totally managed and controlled by government, then that is a welcome development,” she said.
The proposal comes following a protracted tussle between the government and betting firms, which led to the closure of SportPesa and Betin, the largest players in the industry.
At the same event, Amina also reiterated Kenya's quest to establish a regional Sports Arbitration Centre to resolve sports disputes in Africa.
