Varied reactions after Sportpesa withdrew all sports sponsorship

Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri at a past event.

Kenyans give mixed reactions over Sportpesa’s decision to cancel all sports sponsorship with immediate effect. The gaming firm confirmed this on Friday after a long tussle with the government regarding tax evasion allegations.

“SportPesa as a business has been subjected to punitive measures by regulators such as delayed license renewal and the suspension of pay bill numbers with these actions considerably reducing the level of business operations. This despite the existence of a court order prohibiting the regulator from taking such actions,” reads the statement.

“This has brought about immense pressure on business necessitating a re-evaluation of some plans. In light of these developments, we regrettably wish to announce that due to the uncertainty of this situation, SportPesa will be cancelling sports sponsorships effective immediately. All clubs and partners will have received notices as provided for in their contracts …” it adds.

This has thrown clubs into turmoil as they will have to dig deep in their pockets to facilitate their logistics before getting other sponsors.

Kenyans, however, have reacted differently with some claiming that the betting firm was milking citizens dry with their blackmailing activities while others utterly disagreeing with the government’s decision to frustrate the betting firm.

Below are some of the reactions;

Obonyo Mbas Chuo I don’t support anything gambling.

Aed Mur This is the kind of myopic thinking that will never get us nowhere. The sole purpose of governments is to provide enabling business environment so that businesses make enough money for it to tax them. The more money businesses make, the more money government makes. If someone dodges taxes, that is a good thing for government because on top of the tax they’ll have to pay, they’ll pay a fine on top of that.

Aed Mur There’s no law that says that if you dodge taxes your business will close. It defeats logic to close such a business because they’re doing business which will be taxable

Aed Mur And the stupidity in you doesn’t realise that if such a huge business closes down, there will be a deficit and for the government to seal that deficit, it will tax you more

Rono O. Gidy Kenyans made it big. We will make someone else big

Jina Yako I agree with you mister, Now let’s begin operation #boycottsportpesa

Sahmy Ogarah Ja’Coast Sheryl,I cld always use abt 100 bb to get 1500 a day! now,wea do we turn to for that easy money? can that silly gvt provide us wth 200bob a day!? #sirkandouruojogasana

Onyango William You’ve talked sense

Kiguhe Mbwaya Some pple will always struggle to try and portray that atleast they understand something when they don’t at all.

Erick Totti Alafu na ujinga yako, unatumia 10k ili ushinde 9600? Sasa hapo umebet upate pesa ama?

Mise Mise sportpesa was making supernormal profits and some foolish youths still believe it tried to solve unemployment.

Onyango William This one is a betika agent….confused mole. I love sportpesa the way i love sadaricom dont force us with other boring beting sites. I just wonder where on earth you live and work to be supporting the government on the merciless ban and stressing Sportpesa a company that is dedicated to helping our nation in all aspects of sports

SportPesa and other 19 betting firms are said to have failed to prove to the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) that they were tax compliant. BCLB claims the companies made Ksh 204 billion cumulatively last year but only paid Ksh 4 billion in taxes.

 

 

 

 

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