The Betting Control and Licensing Board has stopped the resumption of Sportpesa Operations in Kenya saying no authorization had been issued to the betting giants.
BCLB Chairman Cyrus Maina in a statement on Saturday said they have suspended the license of Milestone Gaming Limited which was to operate the brand Sportpesa.
BCLB has also ordered the Communications Authority and Safaricom to suspend pay bill numbers for the company.
"We note that Milestone Games LTD has been authorised to use the trademark 'Sportpesa' by Sportpesa Global Holdings LTD whereas during the 2020/2021 financial year renewal application the board authorised the use of trading name 'Milestone Bet' to yourselves," BCLB said in its letter to the company.
According to BCLB, records in their possession indicate Sportpesa belongs to Pevans East Africa LTD, who have an active court case over the suspension of Sportpesa operations in Kenya.
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"The matter before the Court of Appeal contests the issuance of the gaming license to Pevans East Africa. The matter is scheduled to be heard on November 16, 2020," stated the BCLB chairman in the letter.
"You are therefore prohibited from using the trade name 'Sportpesa', domain names, shortcodes and Pay Bill numbers until such a time when the court of Appeal shall make a determination on the pending appeal and until the board considers your request to use them," stated the BCLB boss.
The letter was copied to Safaricom legal officer Daniel Ndaba and CAK Acting Director-General Mercy Wanjau.
On Friday, Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karauri announced the comeback of the betting firm after it halted its operations in Kenya in September 2019.
"SportPesa is back! I’m happy to announce that the SportPesa brand is back under a new BCLB license holder," stated Karauri.
