Gamblers seek alternatives after Govt shuts down betting companies

Gamblers seek alternatives after Govt shuts down betting companies

Kenyans continue to actively engage in betting activities even on the back of the recent crackdown on gambling firms which saw two top firms exit the Kenyan market.

After the exit of the two firms, gamblers are undeterred and have sought other platforms which have since implemented new laws on the withholding of customer winnings at the rate of 20 percent, to abide by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) tax requirements.

The remaining betting firms have been forced to adopt new measures including promoting safe gambling techniques and avoiding issues such as site crashes and addressing issues delayed reimbursements on winnings to retain and attract more gamblers.

“Gambling companies and the industry at large have a role to play in promoting healthy betting behavior among the youth. Odibets abides by the rules and regulations from the government through the BCLB around responsible gambling which you can see on all our adverts,” says Aggrey Sayi Odibets country marketing manager.

Kenyans aged between 18-29 have continued to place bets at an average Ksh.1550 on any given month, per person.

After dropping a Ksh.60 million shirt sponsorship deal with one of the local premier league sides Odibets has embarked on a countrywide 35,000 kits sponsorship initiative to promote safer gambling among Kenyans.

The kits are to be handed out to support local clubs with the exercise set to continue after the recent conclusion of the first phase of the exercise.

The firm is seeking partners in all corners of the country to have a more direct impact amid other ongoing initiatives in areas like Vihiga, Rongai and the expansive Rift valley.

At the height of the crackdown that had seen licenses of 27 betting firms revoked, some gamblers opened up to the possibility of holding offshore accounts which, unlike their domestic counterparts, would sit well beyond the view of the State’s prying eyes.

Earlier this month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i expressed satisfaction with the crackdown on gambling machines and betting companies saying it continues to bear fruit.

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