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Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has threatened to have illegal foreigners in the betting and gaming industry deported for working without the necessary papers.
Speaking at the Betting Control and Licensing stakeholders meeting, CS Matiang'i stated that Gaming industry players who are yet to pay taxes risk having their licenses revoked.
Corrupting the country
On Monday CS Matiang'i also raised concerns that the industry was corrupting the country's youth and called for stiffer measures to combat addiction.
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Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i
"We cannot allow our youth to be converted into betting robots yet the companies do not pay taxes... If it was my will, I would wind up the betting sector," the Interior CS said.
"90 percent of betting investors are foreigners and they are taking away our resources," he added.
Owing KRA billions
CS Matiangi revealed the gaming sector owes KRA tax arrears totaling Ksh 26 billion.
"Evidence from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) shows that the sector owes and estimated Ksh. 26 Billion," Matiang'i said.
"Poignantly, attempts to recover this amount have not been fruitful because the key industry operators have found refuge in judicial processes where all manner of court orders are sought and issued thereby frustrating the collection of taxes," he added.
He stated the government is mulling over amending the Betting, Lotteries & Gaming Act to align it with global best practices and warned of stricter enforcement of the laws henceforth.