Safaricom blocks deposit transactions to paybill numbers of blacklisted betting firms

It is now impossible for gamblers to place their bets after telecommunication company Safaricom suspended paybill numbers of major betting firms in the country. The company deactivated the paybill numbers following a government directive that ordered for withdraw of the betting codes of 27 gambling firms whose licenses were not renewed.

“We wish to inform you that the licenses for the following betting firms were not renewed until they meet the outstanding renewal requirements as well as outcome of ongoing due diligence to determine if they are fit and proper to hold a license from this board. Consequently, we request you to suspend their pay bills and short codes until otherwise advised,” Wambua stated. Below is the list of affected companies;

1. SportPesa 2. Betin 3. Betway 4. Betpawa 5. Elitebet 6 PremierBet 7. Lucky2u 8. 1xBet 9. MozzartBet 10. Dafabet 11. World Sports Betting 12. Atari Gaming 13. Palms Bet 14. Betboss 15. Kick-Off 16. Millionaire Sports Bet 17 Cheza Cash 18 Betyetu 19. Bungabet 20. Cysabet 21. Saharabet 22. Easibet 23.Easleighbet 24. Sportybet 25. AGB lottery and gaming 26. Atari 27.

Kickoff In his 2019 budget speech, Finance Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich proposed a 10% excise duty on betting for every amount staked in a bid to curb the negative impacts of gambling in society. Rotich noted the gambling culture has adverse negative effects on the local youth who needed to be protected from the vice. Read more: https://www.tuko.co.ke/