OdiBets among 10 Betting companies whose licenses have been restored by Kenya Revenue Authority, SportPesa and Betin left out

Betting Control and Licencing Board (BCLB) has restored licenses for 10 betting firms that had been blacklisted.

The companies that have been cleared were listed as OdiBets, Betway, Mozolt Bet, Eastleigh bet, Lucky to you, Ken book makers, Bet boss, Kick off, Easi bet and Palms bet.

However, SportPesa and Betin licenses remain suspended despite the partial lifted ban. The two companies moved to court to challenge the Kenyan government's action against them.

Jerseys donated by OdiBets to support football at grassroots level in an initiative dubbed OdiBets Mtaani - Photo courtesy of Standard, Game Yetu. Pulse Live Kenya

An initial application seeking to compel the government to lift the suspension was thrown out by High Court judge Weldon Korir, where he stated that he did not see a need to do so.

Paybill numbers shut down, 17 deported

One of the strict measures put in place by the government was shutting down the Paybill numbers used by the betting firms.

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i also signed a deportation order against 17 foreign betting firm managers who were allegedly not cleared to work in the betting industry.

Gamblers in a betting shop in Kenya. Government restores licenses for 10 betting firms, SportPesa and Betin left out Pulse Live Kenya

The government had ordered all betting firms to apply afresh for operating licences, by July 1, in a move to net firms that have been evading taxes despite reaping billions of shillings in profits.

CS Matiang'i had had warned that no betting company would be allowed to operate by the said date without proving it's tax compliant.