Telecommunication company Airtel were ordered to shut down playbill numbers of betting firms whose licences have not be renewed.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) gave this order just a week after giving the same directive to Safaricom, banks and the Communication Authority of Kenya.
Airtel who are the second largest mobile service provider left their paybills open a week after being told to shut them down.
“We wish to inform you that the licences for the following companies were not renewed, until they meet the outstanding renewal requirements as well as outcome of ongoing due diligence to determine if they are fit and proper to hold a licence from this board,” said Liti Wambua, the BCLB acting managing director.
In a letter dated July 15, Airtel Money Director Vincent Wakaba had been directed to shut down paybill number of betting firms that havent renewed their licences.
“Consequently, we request you to suspend their playbills and short codes until otherwise advised,” BCLB said.
In the letter, the company was requested to give gamblers up to Friday to withdraw all their money from the affected sites. More so, it was requested to provides numbers of those who would have complied with the order to remove their money.
So far, the government has disabled operations of 27 betting firms.