The Government has ordered Safaricom to suspend M-Pesa pay bill numbers and SMS codes of 27 betting companies.
Other mobile money service providers, Airtel and Telkom Kenya, were also ordered to suspend their pay bill numbers and SMS codes.
This is after the government made good its threat and suspended operating licences of at least 27 betting firms from operating in the country.
The Betting Control and Licensing Board boss Liti Wambua said since the government has not renewed operating permits for the 27 betting firms which include SportPesa and Betin, their payment platforms should be suspended.
Wambua in a statement dated July 10 said the affected companies had their licences suspended until they meet the requirements set by the government.
“We wish to inform you that the licenses for the following betting firms were not renewed until they meet the outstanding renewal requirements as well as the outcome of ongoing due diligence to determine if they are fit and proper to hold a license from this board.”
“Consequently, we request you to suspend their pay bills and shortcodes until otherwise advised,” said Wambua as quoted by citizentv.co.ke.
The State refused to renew the licences of the betting firms after they failed to prove that they were tax compliant as required by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).