Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

iGaming Industry

Kenya lottery sues gov’t over planned gambling tax hikes

Published

on

Kenya lottery sues gov’t over planned gambling tax hikes

A Kenyan lottery operator has sued the government over its plans to hike gambling taxes by 35% starting next year.

 

On Thursday, Business Daily Africa reported that the Pambazuka National Lottery(PNL) had filed a High Court lawsuit against Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board, the National Assembly, the Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner-General and the Attorney General over the gambling tax hikes approved earlier this year.

PNL’s lawsuit claims the tax hikes – which replaced variable tax rates on betting, gaming, lottery and sweepstakes operators with a uniform 35% rate – were unconstitutional, in that parliament approved them as part of a national budget, not standalone legislation, which would have required greater public input.

The tax hike is set to take effect on January 1, 2018 and PNL’s lawyers claim that PNL and other Kenyan gambling operators “will likely suffer closure as well as collapse” if the Court doesn’t act before that date.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

PNL isn’t the first Kenyan firm to challenge the tax hike in court. In April, sports betting operator Sportpesa filed its own lawsuit against the government’s original plan, which would have seen the gambling tax hiked to 50%. For what it’s worth, Sportpesa is a PNL partner and PNL products are available via Sportpesa’s website.

Complicating matters, Kenya is enduring some serious political upheaval at the moment, as the country is headed into a presidential election on October 26 – the second such national poll in less than three months – after the country’s supreme court nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August victory due to electoral ‘irregularities.’

Opposition leader Raila Odinga is boycotting the upcoming vote due to suspicions that it will be subject to similar irregularities and has called for public protests to force changes to the country’s electoral commission.

 

SPORTPESA URGES SPORTS STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE ACTION
Meanwhile, SportPesa launched a new campaign this week intended to boost Kenya’s sports profile on the world stage. The new ‘Tujiamini’ campaign urges stakeholders at all levels to do what they can to help bring the local sports ecosystem up to global standards.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

On hand for this week’s campaign launch was SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri, who said Kenya had “a proud sporting history” thanks to athletes that had brought glory to the nation in international competitions. Karauri challenged sports stakeholders, including himself, on whether they were “doing enough to uphold this legacy.”

Karauri’s words stand in stark contrast to his warnings this June that SportPesa would likely be forced to scrap its many sponsorship deals with local sports bodies as of January 1 due to the financial hardships the new betting tax would impose on his company. It remains to be seen whether this week’s campaign represents a sober rethink of the original plan, or a reminder of what the nation’s sporting world stands to lose.…

The post Kenya lottery sues gov’t over planned gambling tax hikes appeared first on Eastern European Gaming – News – Interviews – Legal Market Updates – Premium Reports – Events – Directory.


Source: EEGaming.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Bradley Khoury

eCOGRA Approved to Operate in Arizona, Indiana and Panama

Published

on

ecogra-approved-to-operate-in-arizona,-indiana-and-panama

 

eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.

This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.

Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.

In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.

Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”

Continue Reading

BetConstruct

BetConstruct to Showcase Latest Innovations at G2E Las Vegas 2024

Published

on

betconstruct-to-showcase-latest-innovations-at-g2e-las-vegas-2024

 

BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.

As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.

Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.

BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Amusnet

Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas

Published

on

amusnet-sets-the-stage-for-global-gaming-excellence-at-g2e-las-vegas

 

Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.

“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.

Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.

Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Trending