Interior CS, Matiang’i insists sports betting is still banned

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Interior CS, Fred Matiang’i has stated that the government is still ready to take on betting firms and will not relent. In a press conference on Friday, Matiang’i said that the decision to ban sports betting in the country was in order to ‘protect the moral fabric of society’.

Not going back on decisions

“I’ve seen the debate in the country about betting. We are not going back on the decisions that we took on betting and gambling.” He said.

Matiang’i said that they needed to protect the youths from the vices of gambling. Thus, they had not re-evaluated the decision to ban sports betting.

Tax addition controversy

Kenya banned sports betting in the country last year after what they said was the firms destroying lives through gambling.

The President signed into law a Finance Bill that charged extra levies on bets, a move which did not sit well with many such companies.

The biggest betting firm in Kenya, Sportpesa, left too. Sportpesa had been a sponsor for KPL clubs Gor Mahia and AFC. it also had sponsored other sports and tournaments.

Finance Bill amended

Its decision to exit the Kenyan market left the KPL and the other teams struggling to stay afloat.

However, a recent last-minute amendment on the bill in June 2020 saw the lawmakers drop the controversial tax. The move effectively opened up the opportunity for the betting firms to return.

Betsafe not safe?

Already, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have begun reaping after signing three-year deals each with a new entrant into the Kenyan market, Malta-based Betsafe.

However, Matiang’i’s insistence that the government is not opening up its arms to the firms throws a spanner in the works form the firms.

The Kenyan betting market is very lucrative. This, unfortunately, means that more and more people are gambling their livelihood away with hopes of striking a jackpot.

Source: kenyannews.co.ke