EXPERTS KENYA Kenya launches AML probe focusing on betting operations 2 years ago Iwo Bulski Post Views: 942 Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i has highlighted gambling as a potential money laundering risk, increasing the government’s focus on the industry. It comes after 11 companies were cleared to receive gambling licences. The authorities say many operators still do not meet requirements. Matiang’i’s new report warns that betting firm owners could be using their companies to launder billions of shillings. It’s expected that the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) may require more disclosures on the cash used to pay jackpots, which have reached as high as Sh250 million (€2m) amid a boom in betting that has resisted government attempts to clampdown through higher taxes and tougher licence conditions. Business Daily Africa reported that the CBK may also look more closely at players who make large transactions or put significant funds in betting wallets as well as those making smaller but regular bets. “The risks for money laundering were assessed to be high for the owners of betting firms. The money laundering risk was noted where proceeds from sports betting could be co-mingled with funds from predictable crimes and passed off as genuine winnings with a possible collusion on who takes the winnings which are later either reverted into the syndicate or transferred outside the country,” – adds the report. The law does not currently require betting firms to report suspicious transactions to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), despite lobbying from the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA). However, the state has stepped up its oversight of the industry in the last two years. In 2020, the FRC launched an inquiry into SportPesa for possible money laundering. And earlier this month, the Betting Control and Licensing Board reported that the majority of betting and gaming firms had not complied with licensing requirements. The Communications Authority of Kenya ordered mobile network operators to stop issuing ICT platforms and services, including USSDs, shortcodes, and paybill numbers to betting, gaming and lottery operators who had not renewed their Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) licences. The BCLB has since cleared 11 operators to receive licences. Source: focusgn.com About Post Author Iwo Bulski Issues related to the gambling business is engaged in more than 30 years. My empirical experience gives me the opportunity to present events and companies from this business with full knowledge and industry knowledge. See author's posts Iwo BulskiIssues related to the gambling business is engaged in more than 30 years. My empirical experience gives me the opportunity to present events and companies from this business with full knowledge and industry knowledge. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Tags: betting company, Betting Control and Licensing Board, Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Continue Reading Previous Digital scams have hit Kenya’s gambling and travel industryNext Money laundering: ECOWAS agency fingers Nigerian casinos More Stories EXPERTS GHANA Can you bet on football with crypto? What you should know 12 hours ago Szarlot BETTING KENYA University student hangs self after losing KSh15,000 school fees to betting 12 hours ago Samuel BETTING KENYA Bangbet Charges Ahead with Renewed Sponsorship for Josiah Kariuki 12 hours ago Samuel EXPERTS SOUTH AFRICA The BiG Africa Summit 2024: Day Two Recap 2 days ago Iwo Bulski EXPERTS NIGERIA Bandits funding terrorism through crowdfunding, betting platforms 2 days ago Samuel BETTING KENYA Odibets unveils Sh5m sponsorship for Kenya Women 3X3 basketball team 3 days ago Szarlot EXPERTS KENYA Tappi expands services across Africa beyond Kenya and Nigeria 3 days ago Samuel KENYA ONLINE iGaming’s Global Growth: From Africa to North America 3 days ago Szarlot KENYA ONLINE Kenya’s Blockchain Association Makes Plea for Detained Binance Executives 3 days ago Samuel BETTING KENYA Kayole Matatu Driver Newest Millionaire in Town After Winning KSh 3.4m 1 week ago Samuel EXPERTS NIGERIA How NLRC Plans to Regulate Gaming 1 week ago Szarlot EXPERTS UGANDA Top 5 highest-paying jobs in Africa in 2024 1 week ago Szarlot Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.