Gambling firms lose bid to stop new levies in Nairobi

The High Court has declined a request by gaming and betting operators in Nairobi to temporarily stop the implementation of a new law that allows the county government to charge higher fees for various licences.

In an application filed by the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya, the investors argued that the new tax is bad for business amid the harsh economic downturn caused by the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

But Justice Anthony Mrima said the operators failed to lay the basis for the grant of the temporary order.
The judge also said the petitioners delayed filing the application within the three months grace period before the enactment of the law.

Although the Nairobi City County Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2021, came into effect in May, the gaming and betting operators filed their petition in July.

“Whereas petitions on infringement of Bill of Rights are not time-bound, a party, however, must account for the time between the alleged infringement or threat of infringement of the human rights and fundamental freedoms and the filing of the claim,” – said the judge.

Source: businessdailyafrica.com

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Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.

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Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.