This has to be one of the worst weeks of Sportpesa company history after BCLB suspended their license once more. BLCB announced that Sportpesa will have to wait until a pending court case against the firm is decided for it to start its operations.
The case involves the license of Milestone Games Limited, which entered the Kenyan market as Sportpesa despite seeking approval from the betting control agency Milestone Bet.
In a letter addressed to Milestone Games Limited (Sportpesa)on Friday, the BCLB barred betting firm Sportpesa from using that tradename pending the court case.
In the letter also, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) said that it approved the betting company Milestone Games Limited, which, upon receiving the go-ahead to operate in Kenya, chose by itself, to rebrand to Sportpesa without getting consent from the betting control agency.
“We note that Milestone Games Limited has been authorized to use the trademark Sportpesa by Sportpesa Global Holdings Limited, whereas, during the 2020/2021 Financial Year renewal application, the Board authorized the use of the trading name Milestone Bet to yourselves,” BCLB chairperson, Cyrus Maina, told the operations manager of Milestone Games Limited, Bernard Chauro, in a letter dated Friday, October 30.
Name Issues
According to BCLB, the name Sportpesa belongs to Pevans East Africa Limited, and, therefore, that name is not transferrable since Pevans East Africa Limited had filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal in Nairobi seeking to have Sportpesa’s license renewed.
Sportpesa, as the football betting pioneer has remained steadfast in their operation by growing and attracting a huge following. With hundreds of jackpot winners weekly, every gambler in Kenya looks forward to becoming the next in line with their resumption.
This might not be within their control but they continue to hope. On the other hand, competing betting firms will take advantage and launch their products in the vibrant Kenyan market.
