SportPesa has rubbished claims that the company is shutting down amid a dispute with the government over tough regulations in the betting industry.

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In a tweet on Thursday, the betting firm assured customers it was not closing business and expressed confidence that operations will resume soon after talks with the government. 

"SportPesa wishes to refute claims that our business is closing down. We are in discussions with the government and relevant stakeholders and are positive that we will be back to full operation soon. Note that any update regarding our business is communicated through our channels," the betting firm posted on its official Twitter account

The government, through Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), has already revoked operating licenses for 27 betting companies which include SportPesa.

Mobile communication service providers Safaricom and Airtel have also been ordered to stop processing payments for betting firms by suspending their M-Pesa pay bills numbers and SMS shortcodes.

SportPesa, however, has already sued the government seeking compensation for the days it has not been operating following the suspension.

In its petition, the company claimed it was in possession of a court order allowing it to continue with its operations despite BCLB failing to renew its operating license.

“Honourable court be pleased to award the petitioner damages for the lost business and breach of fundamental rights,” read part of SportPesa petition.