Betting –Giant betting firm SportPesa has received back its operating license after a long battle with regulating agencies.
The Bettíng Control and Licensing Board BCLB, on Wednesday August 17, issued a fresh license to the popular betting company.
“We are in receipt of our license BCLB no. 0000448 valid up to June 30th, 2023,” SportPesa noted in new communication to the media.
On July 1, BCLB boss Cyrus Maina noted that only 3 firms – Betika, Betafriq and Spotika – had fully complied with relevant regulations as he asked telcos to ‘take necessary action’ against firms using their payment platforms.
The companies, primarily, use mobile money platforms including M-Pesa and Airtel Money to receive betting deposits from players.
“The board hereby notifies you that only the following gaming operators have been found to be compliant with the Bettíng Lotteries and Gaming Act as well as the operating requirements issued by the Board as of 1st July, 2022 and, therefore, their 2022/23 financial year licenses have been renewed,” An express letter to legal representatives of both Safaricom and Airtel read in part.
This licensing is coming just hours after SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri was declared the new Kasarani Constituency Member of Parliament in the just concluded general election.
SportPesa was among the 97 firms which, as of July 1st, had failed to have their licenses renewed by the BCLB which cited compliance issues.
