iGaming Industry
Kenya’s new tax on betting highest in region, says PwC
Experts say hike will kill gaming firms and call for review to protect investment
Consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has revealed Kenya’s betting tax is the highest in the region and ahead of gaming hubs like the famed Las Vegas.
PwC says the new 35 per cent tax on all gambling revenues is higher compared to other African countries like South Africa which charges 9.6 per cent, Rwanda (13) and Uganda (20).
Neighbours Tanzania replaced corporate tax in the gaming industry with a six per cent tax on revenue as an incentive to attract more players to invest in the business.
Developed nations of Germany (five per cent), Las Vegas (6.5) and Canada (20) have significantly lower rates than the Kenyan one which became effective from January 1.
The United Kingdom levies 15 per cent as a conclusive tax for remote online gaming with no further levies. Companies established offshore are allowed to operate in the country.
The actual figures contrast sharply with what has been reported recently in local media claiming, for example, that the rate in the UK and other European nations such as Czech Republic, Belgium, Slovakia, Spain and Denmark is 50 per cent while in Germany the tax is at an astronomical 90 per cent.
Steve Okello, a Tax Partner at PwC, reckons that Kenya’s taxation is harsh on the nascent industry and could hurt the growth of related sectors and government revenues with the affected firms scaling back operations or relocating their businesses.
“I feel the tax change that is probably the highest in Africa looks discriminatory, you know one industry is being picked out and heavily charged,” said Mr Okello.
“We are likely to see lots of cutting back on expenditure if not closures in the industry that will affect overall tax growth,” he added.
Besides the blanket 35 per cent tax on revenues, lotteries pay 30 per cent corporate tax and dedicate 25 per cent of their sales to charities as a legal requirement before taking care of winnings and other operating expenses.
Betting firms say the tax hike will kill the fledgling industry and hurt supporting businesses including telecoms and media companies, which benefit from daily advertisements from the firms.
Safaricom #ticker:SCOM says mobile phone-based betting was driving revenue in its SMS business.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) warned the tax hike will hurt tax collection from gaming firms.
Pambazuka National Lottery suspended operations on Sunday following the hike.
“The effect of the 35 per cent tax on all ticket sales is that the total cost of operations rises to 115 per cent and this before deduction of operations costs,” said the firm in a statement.
Analysts fear local gambling firms could relocate to offshore tax havens which offer low rates to attract capital investment.
“Betting is online and technology based and firms can move to low tax jurisdictions like Malta and Gibraltar and still operate from Kenya. The country will lose revenue in this event,” Mr Okello added.
High taxes have seen renowned betting firms such as Bet365, Betway and Betfair — whose services are accessible to the Kenyan market through their websites — operate from Malta and Gibraltar which cap their rate at one per cent of gross gaming revenue.
The Treasury said it hiked taxes more than four times to curb the growth of gambling, arguing that it was hurting the young and vulnerable.
Mr Okello said that since winners are not taxed, with the affected firms absorbing the huge hit, the higher tax rate will do little to curtail gambling.
He proposes a tax of 10 per cent on betting firms as ideal to stem the likelihood of affected entities closing shop in Kenya and relocating elsewhere.
Profitable blue chip firms at the Nairobi bourse will slide to losses if subjected to the 35 per cent tax.
KenGen will dip to Sh1.6 billion loss compared to a profit of Sh6.7 billion, while the Nation Media Group will book a loss of Sh1.1 billion from a profit of Sh2.4 billion.
“In my view, the 35 per cent tax on all collections would have been proposed as a final tax like rental income,” says tax expert Mwaniki Githinji.
“If when computing the net profit they are allowed to offset the 35 per cent as an allowable deduction, then it would be okay. However, according to the Income Tax Act, for purposes of arriving at the net taxable income, this is not an allowable expense,” he added.
That mirrors Tanzania and the United Kingdom that replaced corporate tax with a conclusive tax to boost investment. SportPesa has issued a notice to appeal a High Court decision that maintained the 35 per cent tax rate.
The betting firm says the higher tax is in breach of Article 201 of the Constitution that demands the public finance system promotes an equitable society where the tax burden is shared fairly.
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Source: EEGaming.
Alejandro Navarro
Betski Secures $345,000 in Pre-Seed Funding for First-ever Tokenized Casino Ownership Platform
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 of 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratize access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Opening Casino Ownership to Everyone
The platform’s tokenization system reshapes traditional casino business rules through an automatic profit-sharing program. Token holders receive a percentage of every bet placed on the platform.
This system eliminates steep entry costs, such as operational expenses, licensing fees, and administrative management. Users can start earning returns without previous casino experience or large capital investments.
“A small group have exclusively enjoyed casino industry profits until now. Our platform opens these earnings to everyone through our tokenized profit-sharing system, turning users into online casino owners,” said Alejandro Navarro, founder and CEO of Betski.
Direct Profit-Sharing Through Tokens
Through a verified digital system, the ownership program distributes Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) among token holders. Investors have recognized this potential, contributing $345,000 in pre-seed funding that combines gaming entertainment with digital asset ownership. The platform maintains strict security protocols and automated distribution systems for reliable profit sharing.
“The platform distributes real money to token holders from every bet placed by players. This creates a steady income stream for online casino owners – something the traditional casino structure has never offered,” said Navarro.
Global Growth of Online Casino Ownership
The platform has attracted 2400 active Discord members and over 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). These early adopters are expected to participate in test runs of the profit-sharing system once it goes live. Over the next 24 months, the platform will roll out first in Latin America, followed by expansion into European and select Asian markets.
Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.
The team has partnered with major payment processors and marketing agencies to support the platform’s global expansion. These collaborations will facilitate smooth transactions and user acquisition across different regions. The platform meets all regulatory requirements in its target markets, certifying long-term stability for token holders.
New Opportunities for Investment
Following the successful pre-seed round, Betski is now opening its seed funding round to welcome additional participants into its casino ownership platform. This investment opportunity enables individuals and entities to join the platform’s growth journey ahead of its official launch in Q1 2025.
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.
“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.”
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.
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