The government has directed telecommunications companies operating in Kenya -- Safaricom, Telkom and Airtel -- to withdraw the Paybill numbers and SMS codes used by 27 betting firms, whose operations have been suspended.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board acting director, Liti Wambua, said the operating licenses of the 27 firms remain suspended, and, therefore, their tools of operation shouldn't be accessible.
Firms whose licences have not been renewed or which have been told to fulfill certain conditions in order to be allowed to operate are: SportPesa, Betin, Betway, Betpawa, Premierbet, Lucky 2 U, 1X Bet, Mozzartbet, Dafa bet, World Sport Bet, Atari Gaming, Palmsbet and Betboss.
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Other gambling companies on the list are: Betyetu, Bungabet, Cysabet, Elitebet, Nestbet, Easybet, Millionaire Sports Bet, Kick Off, Kenya Sports Bet and Eastleighbet.
SportPesa, Betin and Betway control at least 85 per cent of the market.
All betting companies were supposed to renew their operating licenses by July 1.
Among the conditions that all the betting firms must meet before having their licences renewed is to be tax-compliant.
They were also expected to prove that they had been operating within the law.
The companies are also expected to prove they are sufficiently liquid, and have performed well, financially, in the last four years.
More soon.
