Betting and Gaming firms must be cleared by KRA, CS Matiangí says

Betting and Gaming firms will now have to be cleared by the Kenya Revenue Authority to be allowed to operate in the Country.

This after Interior CS Fred Matiangí ordered the Betting and Licensing Board to only license firms that have complied with tax issues starting 1^st of July 2022.

In a statement, CS Matiangí said, “Over the years, the Government has endeavoured to regulate the betting and gaming industry to rid it of unscrupulous and unlicensed entities fleecing citizens and avoiding the due tax obligation.”

He said that despite the Government efforts, unlicensed companies are still trying to sneak their operations into the Country illegally.

“This provides a fertile avenue for money laundering, tax evasion and the financing of criminal activities,” The CS said.

As a result, the Board has been directed to ensure that all applications for renewal and new licenses from July 1^st 2002 must be accompanied by written clearances from KRA, the Financial Reporting Centre and the Inter-agency security team.

BCLB will also continuously monitor identify and report to the Communications Authority all unlicensed local and foreign betting and gaming websites for blockage of access.

CS Matiangí also ordered the Board to initiate the immediate blockage of access to mobile cash transfer numbers (pay bills) linked to betting and gaming companies operating illegally in Kenya.