The Central Bank of Kenya has come out to hammer another nail into the coffin of the 27 suspended betting firms.
In a statement to banks on Monday, the CBK notified them of BCLB’s failure to renew their permit for July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, period.
“This is to bring to your attention that the BCLB has not renewed the operating licenses of certain bookmakers and lottery operators, for the period July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2020. Please find attached, the list of entities whose licenses have not been renewed for your information,” read the statement from CBK.
The move was followed by an announcement that for the firms to keep enjoying banking services in the country, they had to get there licenses renewed.
With no operation permits, the 27 betting and gaming companies are illegally operating in the country and will not be allowed to enjoy banking services, which is a critical component in their operations.
The order by the BCLB contained in a letter dated July 10, effectively dealt a blow to a multibillion-shilling industry, that had been on a roll.
The crippling of the firms has left about 600 jobs at stake, as most consider laying off their workers.
On Monday, People Daily reported that the government was planning to deport foreigners working in the betting firms that were shut down.
The Mediamax-owned newspaper further stated that the ministry is targeting the said individuals, as most of them entered the country using tourist visas.
Interior CS, Fred Matiang’i, on Friday, stated that the betting customers had 48 hours to withdraw their money from betting wallets or risk losing it.
On the same day, the government ordered all the telecom companies to shut down the payment methods of the affected companies.
