Kenya might rise gambling taxes

The reestructuring of gambling laws in Kenya has raised concerns among betting industry and sports stakeholders.

Kenya.- A possible rise in gambling and lottery taxes has gathered concerns among Kenyan betting industry and sports stakeholders as they could have a negative impact in business conditions and hamper tax revenues crucial to the nation’s sports and social development programs.

Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board published last week draft taxes that target betting and lottery operators. They would see the inclusion of levies on licensed operator market revenues, plus existing taxes on operating income and annual earnings.

Betting stakeholders have exhorted the National Assembly and Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) to take into account the growth in the betting industry and its role on the funding of local sports in order to offer fair hearings on its taxation.

Led by industry body, the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya (AGOK) they emphasise in the considerble funding made by bookmakers Betway Kenya and Sportpesa who have invested in Kenyan professional football teams and other initiatives.

Clarity is a major concern for bookmakers and they have complained to the KRA through AGOK of incurring in double taxation practices. Modification of Kenya’s gambling laws has been a main issue for the National Assembly as it seeks to improve consumer provisions and protections while sports betting’s popularity keeps growing.