Many Surebet members ask me when or if Sportpesa will be back in operation in the Kenya market. Today, I will break it down for you to understand the chances of the betting behemoth coming back to life again in Kenya.
SPORTPESA'S BIRTHING & GROWTH IN KENYA
Since starting operations in Kenya in 2014, sportpesa grew to become the most popular betting site for Kenyans. Its success was so big that it attracted the attention of not only competitors but also regulators.
In Kenya's history, there has never been a more successful betting company inthe country than Sportpesa.
The secret was in Sportpesa's platform. It was easy to understand and use. Every step of betting on the Sportesa platform was seamless. Both on a computer and on mobile, Sportpesa was fast, responsive and had a beautiful interface. Depositing, withdrawing or placing bets on Sportpesa was so easy that many users opted not even to try other betting companies. It is no wonder when Sportpesa stopped operations in Kenya, some Kenyans decided to stop betting altogether.
SPORTPESA WOES
For 3 years in a row preceding to its downfall, Sportpesa received corporate awards from the taxman for tax compliance. It was therefore a paradox that they would be accused of massive tax arrears in mid 2019. The arrears, said the taxman, had accrued over a period of several years and ran into billions of shillings.
This, Sportpesa was accused of, together with other betting companies such as the second most popular, Betin.
Sportpesa then took to court after their paybill and entire business was shut down due to unrenewed licence. In the case, the betting giant had some wins which made it appear like they would be finnaly given a new licence. They however closed shop and rendered their staff redundant. A few weeks later, Sportpesa recalled the redundant staff to their offices sparking speculation that they were planing a comeback.
The employees reported and had their termination date extended for a month.
SPORTPESA EXIT
It is from that moment that Sportpesa has faded further and further into the dark. It however resurfaced this week when Everton, their long standing logo-carrier terminated their 42 million dollars T-shirt sponsorship. While this may seem as a sure way to show Sportpesa's demise, the club management insisted that the move was purely commercial.
SPORTPESA COMEBACK
As things are in Kenya, the government is not likely to burge. The new regulations in place that punters should pay withholding tax on both the stake and the winnings will not change any time soon. Since that was Sportpesa's condition for returning to the Kenyan market, it is therefore very unlikely to see Sportpesa's comeback any time soon.
You can however use Sportpesa if you are in UK, Isle of Man, South Africa or Tanzania. To get Sportpesa jackpot prediction for Tanzania send Tsh. 5000 to +254700926210.
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