This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
Kenyan punters are abuzz with excitement as Sportpesa, a giant betting firm, hints at a possible comeback to the Kenyan market. The firm's website has been relaunched, but players are still unable to place bets or deposit funds.
As reported earlier, Sportpesa had exited the Kenyan market in September last year following a taxation row with the government. The firm had protested the government's move to impose a five per cent withholding tax on all bets placed, stating that the tax was based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how revenue generation works in the bookmaker industry.
However, it appears that Sportpesa is plotting to make a comeback to the Kenyan market with or without the changes it had protested. The firm's website currently displays a message stating that it is unable to accept deposits from customers in Kenya due to regulatory restrictions.
Despite this, several local sporting teams, including those in the Kenya Premier League (KPL), are eagerly awaiting Sportpesa's return. The firm was the main sponsor of the KPL and also sponsored Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. Boxer Fatuma Zarika also benefited from the firm's sponsorship.
Several KPL teams have forfeited matches over lack of funds to honour them, while Gor has not paid its players for months due to lack of money. AFC Leopards has been depending on donations from their fans to honour matches.
