17 Foreigners To Be Deported Over Gambling As CS Matiang’i Signs Orders

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has signed deportation orders against 17 foreigners following intensified crackdown on gambling firms.

Majority of the deportees are Europeans, and the orders will be effected immediately.

The affected foreigners are said to have violated work permits engaging in business not stated on the application.

Last week, the government through the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) refused to renew licenses of 27 gambling firms.

Read: Government to pay Miguna ksh.7 M for rights’ violation

On Monday, the Central Bank of Kenya wrote to the CEOs of all local banks and financial institutions asking them to monitor accounts of 27 betting firms and public lotteries who licenses have been cancelled.

BCLB also ordered mobile service providers to suspend pay bill numbers and SMS codes of the 27 betting companies among them SportPesa, Betin, Betway, Betpawa, Elitebet, PremierBet, Lucky2u, 1xBet, MozzartBet, Dafabet, World Sports Betting, Atari Gaming, Palms Bet and Betboss.

Others are Kick-Off, Atari, Millionaire Sports Bet, Palmsbet, Chezacash, Betyetu, Bungabet, Cysabet, Saharabet, Easibet, Easleighbet, Sportybet and AGB Lottery & Gaming.

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“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,” read the letter  dated July 10, 2019.

The firms were required to show that they were tax compliant by July 1, which they failed.

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