Kenya Wants to Block Foreign Online Gambling Operators

KENYAN M.P. WANTS TO EXCLUDE FOREIGN OPERATORS FROM ONLINE BETTING BUSINESS

Proposed bill faces opposition from the Kenyan sports betting industry.

Kenyan sports betting operators are currently voicing concerns regarding amendments to the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act proposed last month by member of parliament Jakoyo Midiwo.

The proposals include provisions that seek to license only betting companies that are fully owned by Kenyan nationals; marketing and advertising restrictions; tax on winning players; limits on playing time, deposits and even winnings; a 25-year minimum gambling age; and a puzzling requirement that appears to require sports betting operators to install their own telecommunications platforms and bans local telecommunications organizations from accepting their business.

According to local media reports there has been a sharp reaction to the proposals from operators and the Betting Control and Licensing Board, whose chairman Anthony Kung’u told local reporters that whilst he acknowledged the need for reasonable and practical amendments to legislation in order to keep pace with the growth of online gambling, the Midiwo proposals went too far and could reverse the gains that had been made by the industry.

The trade body for sports betting operators in Kenya, the Association of Gaming Operators in Kenya revealed that it has written to the National Assembly protesting the Midiwo proposals. CEO Harrison Ikunda said his members “oppose the bill in its entirety” and urged the government to engage with all interested parties in order to "develop a workable framework to bridge the perceived gap between legislation, regulation and industry realities.”

Among other reservations, Ikunda warned that the Midiwo proposals on excluding international ownership could be in conflict with the national constitution and its clauses guaranteeing protection to foreign investors.

He pointed out that some of Kenya's largest betting companies had foreign investors, who would be compelled to exit Kenya, and that the reportedly long list of foreign betting companies interested in applying for Kenyan licensing would be discouraged from entering the local market.

The proposals would also presumably impact the existing foreign company licensees in Kenya, which include internationally respected names like Bet365 and Betway.

Box 24 Launches 3 New Slots - This week sees the addition of 3 New Games at Box24 Casino. Check them out they all seem pretty interesting.

Oink Country Love Slot Launches - Oink Country Love will have players tapping their feet to the country beat with the lovable Oink Bros, Willy and Chancho, who are trying to win over the heart of Miss Southern Charm in this five by three reel, 45-line online slot.

Tim Chung Wins MPNPT Manchester - The 288-runner £550 MPNPT Manchester Main Event today crowned its champion, awarding the bulk of the £150,000 total prizepool to the nine players surviving after two days of tournament poker at the Grosvenor Casino.

MPNPT Manchester Day 2 - Day 2 of the £550 MPNPT Manchester Main Event saw 60 Day 1 survivors (from a total of 288 entries) and three intrepid last-minute registrants sit down to play to the final table.

Day 1B MPN Poker Tour Manchester - Day 1B of the £550 MPNPT Manchester Main Event saw the field rise to 285, as players took full advantage of the whole-day re-entry period.

Day 1A MPNPT Manchester - The £150,000 guaranteed MPNPT Manchester kicked off today in style – 74 poker players from all over Europe arriving at the Grosvenor Casino to contend the first of two starting days

Kung Fu Rooster Slot Goes Live - Celebrate Chinese New Year - 2017 Year of the Rooster. It's time to sweep away any ill-fortune and make way for incoming good luck, with this exciting 12 lines slot game.

Sensational Sixes Slot Goes Live - Light up Icons like BAR's, black spades, red hearts, blue diamonds, and green clubs. The best part of Sensational Sixes are the three wild icons, for 2X, 4X, and 6X multipliers!

3 New Betsoft Slots - 3 new Betsoft slot Games were also added this week to most online casinos allowing US players.

2017 Bodog Super Millions Poker Open - The first events on the 105-tournament schedule have already been completed; there are three more tourneys on Thursday’s schedule, with a total of $34,000 in guaranteed prize money waiting to be won.