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October 30, 2020
3 min read
likes:
SportPesa Officially Back in Kenya, Resumes Sportsbook
Leading sports betting operator SportPesa has made an official return in Kenya after a year since it left the country in October, 2019.
Update (31/10/20): The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has suspended Milestone Games Limited’s right to use the ‘SportPesa’ trademark – read more details here.
SportPesa Is officially Back in Kenya
Sports bettors in Kenya have much to be happy about as SportPesa has just announced that it is resuming operations in the country following a 12-month beef with the government and a tax ruling that forced it to suspend operations in the first place.
The last time we heard about SportPesa was when a rumor swirled that the Liverpool-headquartered sports betting operator might be considering a return, but nothing in the legal landscape suggested as much.
In an official message shared on Twitter less than an hour ago, Sportpesa said that it was delighted to resume operations in Kenya, and thanked fans for their continuous support:
“We are pleased to once again offer gaming services to our customers. Over the coming months, we are excited to explore a wide range of new partnerships in the country. Thank you for your support.”
Sportpesa has long been touted as the best betting sites in the country and has built a loyal following in Kenya.
Why the Breakup?
The bad break-up with the Kenyan government started when SportPesa, a company that has shareholders from Kenya, Bulgaria, and the USA, decided to withdraw from the market because of a stringent new tax that wanted to tax gambling gross receipts by 20% instead of taxing operators’ winnings.
SportPesa finally discontinued operations in October 2019 and released 453 employees. Prior to this event, the sportsbook had taken its case to the Tax Appeals Tribunal in Nairobi, and hoped to obtain a favorable ruling alongside other disgruntled operators, including competitor Betin.
Shortly after, the Tribunal ruled in favor of the operators, deciding that any taxation should only apply to winnings rather than the overall gross revenue. Winning the Tax Appeals Tribunal was an important step forward for SportPesa, but the company faced a new challenge.
Litigation Cuts Both Ways
The Betting Control and Licensing Board, the national gambling regulator in Kenya, had suspended SportPesa’s license back on July 1, 2019, claiming that SportPesa owed millions in unpaid tax. Payment options were also suspended.
SportPesa lost an appeal against the Nairobi High Court arguing against the BCLB’s decision.
It seemed incredible that SportPesa had managed to defeat the government on the most controversial law the sports betting industry had seen but failed to successfully argue its case against the back taxes.
As to the present return of the company, there have been no official details on why, how, and what SportPesa has negotiated with the government and the regulator.
Commenting on the return, SportPesa CEO Captain Ronald Karauri said that the company was excited to be back in Kenya and was looking forward to working with the regulator.
He specifically had this to say: “As market leaders, SportPesa will focus on upholding the highest standards of service and responsible gaming. We look forward to working closely with BCLB and all other stakeholders,”cited by Nairobi News, a media outlet.
Regardless, Kenyan sports bettors are thrilled to have it back.
Stoyan holds over 8 years of esports and gambling writing experience under his belt and is specifically knowledgeable about developments within the online scene. He is a great asset to the GamblingNews.com team with his niche expertise and continual focus on providing our readers with articles that have a unique spin which differentiates us from the rest.
Previous Article
Sports
October 30, 2020
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65 Comments
Are you really back in kenya where is your pay bill number?
Sportpesa highly payed games
App not working properly
wow great
Very wonderful. At last God has answered our prayers. ✔️✔️👍👍
Every day, every human being has the right to choose His/Her destination.Thank you Benjamin, your words mean quite right.thanks again Sir.
Very nice. How to join please. Pay bill please. Your app please.
Your new AFC can’t respond why?
Welcome sportpesaaa,,,hoping for winnings💪💪💪💪
am very glad tohear sportpesa is back in kenya you are my best
If the information is live, also work on the app for proper and reliable functioning.
sportpesa my choice …!upgrade ua app
come baby come
We really appreciate for your concern as a gambling platform…. As from now am going to send this notification to all my my WhatsApp groups…. #sportpesatheprideofkenyans
It’s not yet functioning
No paybill,app not functioning why?
Am very happy to see sportpesa again how rigester
Pay bill not working pliz
thanks sportpesa
we are glad to you to be back, and why is not able to register know?
It will be better and more winning than bet
It’s not yet functioning
Welcome back sportpesa…. Waiting for a winning
Am I betting this weekend or not
wow!great! God has answer our prayers
I am really happy for sportpesa to be back to kenya
My site is back.
Welcome back the sportpesa , happy to hear your comeback
Happy for resumption of sportpesa in kenya
welcome……………………………………….. back…….. whaoooooooo but dont cheat we need your ay bill no.
Uhuhuu I missed my money so much come on sportpesa welcome back
Welcome back after along holiday,while you getting you were away,we had never won good money and had trust on the remaining betting site you left behind.welcome back and bring more JACKPOT BONUSES.
Am now happy to hear the return of sportpesa fraternity,i stopped betting immediately sportpesa withdraw,now kenya is happy.Welcome.
When will you start operations?waiting that pay bill number……..
It’s not working properly
Welcom back
Welcome back to Kenya real gambling platform
Wellcome
Very happy to see you back betting giants,you are the best
I’m very glad with the CEO of Sport Pesa for thorough Consultant to resume their websitesite in Kenya.. great job to all Kenyan an the Funs of the Spirt Pesa.. congrats..💅💅
Am glad to hear that sportpesa back to Kenya
Am happily with Sportpesa. Want to bet but its not available, what can I do?
Deposits is a problem online or through playbill since yesterday Saturday night
Kenya has no job at least God has seen us
Wow, good news indeed!
Am very very happy to hear that sportpesa is back and operating well keep it up guys cheers
What is the Pay bill no
i have been waiting for best gambling site.welcome back
I can’t withdraw my winnings sportpesa..are you back for real or it’s scam coz I have placed a bet with you and iwon but I try to withdraw with no success
It’s good to have sportpesa back
well come
That’s great
Welcome back, when are you resuming the operations?
Thanks for coming back.You have rescued us .The paybill is not working .You cannot deposit cash.Work on that guys
Am missing you hoo
I don’t think you guys are back, there is no pay bills no withdrawals how can we place our bets.
Iam happy to sportpesa come back to kenye because it is good campaney
What about the money we deposited
Please comeback my money is there in the account
Oh gosh my money is back
People are angrly waiting for ur resume.u said that u are back,but ur pay bill is not working.am tired of ukora ya Odibet.Pliz come back and then resume.
Thank u dear sportpesa am hapy
When a you really in action. Am really waiting to place.
Still waiting
Thanks for coming, I have placed many bets, but am not seeing my bet history why?