Matiang’i: Kenya Now leads the Continent in Betting!

Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i has renewed his attacks on Betting companies in the country this time round taking issues with the foreign betting companies exploiting the Kenyan gamblers.

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While addressing the Betting Control and Licensing stakeholders meeting held at KSG, Lower Kabete on Monday morning Matiang’i expressed his concerns over the 90% foreign betting investors exploiting Kenyans saying that if it was his will he could have instructed the closure of all betting sites in Kenya.

Matiang’i observed that the companies had converted Kenyan youths into betting robots. without even considering paying taxes to the government. He said that the gov’t is committed to supporting clean business and we must live by the law.

He also vowed to introduce sweeping changes to regulate the industry.

“We must come up with changes to make betting and gambling governable. While the industry may present possible opportunities to some, and probably contribute to the economy, it comes with challenges,” Dr Matiang’i said in the past.

“With the participation of betting stakeholders, we have come up with a policy and will soon draft the gaming bill to be taken to Parliament.”

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He, however, added that despite the participation of betting stakeholders, the envisaged measures would be stringent “as it is the only practical way to regulate the industry”.

The country’s Cabinet secretary said Kenya now leads the continent in betting among young people. He added that 76 percent of Kenyan youngsters are involved in betting and gambling while 54 percent of those taking part in gaming are low-income earners.

 

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