BCLB clears 11 betting companies to receive operating licenses.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has cleared 11 betting companies in Kenya to receive financial year 2022/2023 operating licenses.
According to a letter to the Communications Authority of Kenya director general Ezra Chiloba, BCLB said the eleven companies are eligible to get the licenses.
“After review and scrutiny of the applicants, the following firms have been cleared for issuance of licenses,” reads the letter by BCLB chairman Cyrus Maina.
The firms include; Betika, Odibets, Dafabet, Bangbet, Kilibet, Kwik Bet, Sportika, Betviva, Scorepesa, A Kick-off Sports Bar and Betafriq.
In June, the BCLB reported that the majority of betting and gaming firms had not complied with licensing requirements.
BCLB came to the conclusion after finalizing a report for the financial year 2022/23 on the compliance status of licensing of the firms.
On May 31, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'I directed the Board to ensure that the betting and gaming firms have been cleared by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Financial Reporting Centre and the interagency security team before being licensed to operate.
The firms were also required to have clearance from the Communication Authority.
In July, Communications Authority directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure the use of licensed ICT platforms for betting is done to duly licensed firms.
Ezra Chiloba further ordered the Operators to immediately discontinue the issuance of licensed ICT platforms and services to gaming and betting firms that are yet to be licensed, including; USSDs, Short codes and PayBill numbers.
