BETTING KENYA Kenya – SportPesa to cut club sponsorship after KRA truce 3 years ago Samuel Post Views: 843 Sports betting firm SportPesa has ruled out full sponsorship to local clubs just days after it reached a truce with taxman to resume operations once cleared by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). In an interview with the Business Daily Friday, SportPesa chief executive Ronald Karauri said the firm would only support a few football clubs on need basis once it resumes operations. The firm has been a direct sponsor of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and two clubs that participate in the top-tier — AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. It spends Sh96 million directly on KPL, Sh55 million on AFC and Sh65 million on Gor Mahia. Together with its rival Betin Kenya, they were among 27 firms whose betting licences were not renewed to await the outcome of an inquiry on suitability to operate. It has since been cleared by the Kenya Revenue Authority, setting stage for its return to operations after a two-month absence. The next phase of sponsorship will, however, be uncertain. “Sportpesa will not support all footballs clubs in the country. We will see which ones to support,” – said Mr Karauri. KRA in June demanded Sh8.59 billion from Safaricom as withholding tax arrears due from SportPesa and Betin Kenya, in a crackdown of the Sh200 billion sector. KRA was demanding that Safaricom pays Sh5.29 billion withholding tax arrears due from Gamcode Limited, trading as Betin, and a further Sh3.29 billion due from Pevans East Africa, which trades as SportPesa. On Friday, Mr Karauri said that all pending issues had been settled and a deal reached which should see the firm get back to business as soon as BCLB clears it. “We have held talks with KRA and they have allowed us to get back to business,” – said Mr Karauri. Source: businessdailyafrica.com About Post Author Samuel I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos. See author's posts SamuelI am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Tags: Kenya, sponsoring, SportPesa Continue Reading Previous Kenya – Highway to Hell or On-Ramp to Digital Finance?Next Uganda: BungaBet makes betting simpler More Stories KENYA ONLINE Leading Africa’s casino GamePawa launches in Kenya 3 hours ago Szarlot BETTING KENYA Court orders gambling firm to pay former staff Sh12m in terminal dues 4 hours ago Samuel BETTING SOUTH AFRICA Kambi Group to Continue Supplying SunBet with Solutions 7 hours ago Samuel BETTING GHANA Betway extends sponsorship for Ghana Women’s Premier League 7 hours ago Samuel BETTING WORLD NEWS LeoVegas Group launches new global partnership with Inter 7 hours ago Iwo Bulski BETTING KENYA Ndungú’s stake in Sportpesa firm risks seizure without pay 1 day ago Szarlot BETTING NIGERIA Parimatch Tech evolves into GR8 Tech 1 day ago Szarlot CASINO KENYA Illicit brew, counterfeit goods retrieved in a nationwide police crackdown 1 day ago Samuel BETTING SOUTH AFRICA SIS, Kiron Interactive in Africa partnership 4 days ago Szarlot BETTING UGANDA Melbet online betting is a stable source of income 4 days ago Szarlot BETTING WORLD NEWS Bookmaker 1xBet denies problems with license and connection with Russia 4 days ago Samuel EXPERTS KENYA Gamblers Rejoice As Court Scraps Nairobi Law 4 days ago Samuel 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.