Court dismisses petition to suspend BCLB order cancelling betting company licenses

Betting company owners have suffered another blow as the courts dismissed their application against the Betting Licensing and Control Board (BCLB).

Advanced Gaming Limited, one of the companies in the case, had requested the court to suspend an order by BCLB which cancelled their operating licenses last week.

The companies sought to have the order suspended until the case against BCLB was heard and determined.

Gamblers in a betting shop in Kenya Pulse Live Kenya

Justice Weldon Korir, however, declined to issue the conservatory orders stating that he did not see a need.

He further gave BCLB and co-respondent Safaricom to file their responses in the next three days.

The hearing was set for July 26.

Deportation order

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on Tuesday issued a deportation order against 17 foreigners who are heads of betting firms operating in Kenya.

"Most East Europeans violated work permits by engaging in business not stated on applications. The deportation orders are immediate," Interior Ministry spokesperson Wangui Muchiri told reporters.