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Kenya to Reimpose 20% Tax on Wagering Stakes
The Kenyan betting and gaming sector has encountered a major fiscal hurdle, as the country’s government reimposes a 20% tax on wagering stakes as well as doubling its taxation of foreign tech firms.
Publishing the 2022 Finance Bill, the Treasury detailed that the 20% tax rate would be reintroduced, just under two years after it was abandoned in 2020 after substantial criticism from the Kenya Betting Control Board (BCLB).
Described by the BCLB and operators active in Kenya at the time as a “market killer”, the 20% taxation saw several betting firms depart the country such as Betin and SportPesa – exacerbated by an additional 20% tax on player winnings – although brands such as Betsson’s Betsafe have since found success in the market.
Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Undersecretary Ukur Yatani stated his intent last year to reintroduce the 20% tax rate, and the Finance Bill has been submitted to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning after its first reading.
As well as raising the tax on stakes, the Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) has proposed to increase digital tax service (DST) to 3% of the gross value of online transactions in the financial year, seeking to take advantage of an increasingly digitised economy.
The current DST stands at 1.5% and will increase from July onwards. Although predominantly targeting firms such as Amazon and PayPal, the raise could have an added effect on the betting and gaming industry, due to the impact of revenues of solution, software and payments providers.
Kenyan authorities are targeting increased revenue via the tax rate, with the current 1.5% rate currently projected to generate around Sh13.9 billion by June 2024, with the tax levied on digital content provided by international companies such as music, games, films and e-books.
Writing in the Finance Bill 2022, Ukur Yatani explained: “The Third Schedule to the Income Tax Act is amended by deleting the expression ‘one-point-five percent’ appearing in paragraph 12 (digital service tax rate) and substituting.”
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Bingo Paradise, a prominent UK iGaming affiliate, has announced its most successful quarter ever, achieving record growth during Q3 2024. The portal saw an unprecedented rise in first-time depositors (FTDs), a testament to its commitment to delivering value to players and operators in the highly competitive iGaming space.
“Q3 2024 has been a standout quarter for Bingo Paradise,” said Tom Waite, Manager of Bingo Paradise. “Our success is thanks to the hard work of our small team of talented writers and the oversight of our dedicated compliance manager. Together, they ensure that we provide honest, transparent reviews and operate within the highest industry standards. This, combined with our marketing efforts, including SEO and negotiating exciting player offers with operators, has been key to sending substantially more FTD’s to the operators.”
Bingo Paradise achieved a 65.24% year-over-year increase in FTDs compared to Q3 2023. This impressive growth underscores the affiliate’s focus on player-first strategies, such as creating honest, well-researched reviews that empower users to make informed decisions. The team’s compliance manager ensures every piece of content adheres to strict regulations, building trust with both players and operators.
A key factor in the platform’s success is its ability to negotiate exclusive offers with UKGC-licensed operators. These partnerships allow Bingo Paradise to provide unique deals that resonate strongly with players, enhancing its appeal as a go-to player resource. The focus on promoting only licensed operators also ensures fairness and security for users, which further solidifies the portals reputation.
The brands approach is a model of integrity and innovation. By prioritising compliance and transparency, Bingo Paradise, which itself is owned by Meteor Marketing Ltd has positioned itself as a trusted affiliate partner, both for operators seeking reliable collaborations and for players looking for guidance in the iGaming world. As the platform celebrates its Q3 2024 achievements, it remains committed to exploring new opportunities and maintaining its high standards.
Eagerly anticipated release now confirmed following a highly successful exclusivity period with Rush Street Interactive
Play’n GO has today announced the official US release of its hit title Colt Lightning Firestorm, following a three-week period of exclusivity with Rush Street Interactive brands BetRivers and SugarHouse.
Colt Lightning Firestorm was released in Europe and other jurisdictions in May 2024, and its release in the US comes with much fanfare following the game’s rave reviews in its short exclusivity period. The game is a sequel to the wildly popular Colt Lightning game which was released early last year, and indications at this stage suggest that this sequel may prove even more successful.
This announcement sees Colt Lightning Firestorm available to players in each state and operator with whom Play’n GO is licensed. Play’n GO first entered the online casino market in the US in 2022, and has reiterated its commitment to becoming active in every regulated market around the world.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO said: “We’re excited to unveil Colt Lightning Firestorm to the wider online casino gaming community in the US, and have been very pleased to see its strong performance during its exclusivity period with Rush Street Interactive. We had high hopes for the game following the success of its predecessor, and we’re confident that these robust results will continue now that the game is available to an even bigger audience.”
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