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Betsson becomes new sponsor of BetSafe’s Kenyan Premier League

One of the leading online gambling operators, BetSafe is currently considering getting into the Kenyan football market as they addressed a huge football sponsorship. On Wednesday, the 17th of June BetSafe’s Besson AB company made a report to the public that they will now be sponsoring the Kenyan Premier League teams which are the AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. This new deal is expected to run for a period of three seasons, starting with the 2020/1 upcoming campaign.

 

Betsson becomes new sponsor of BetSafe’s Kenyan Premier League

Details on the New Kenyan Premier League

The new deals that will see BetSafe’s logo appearing on both the clubs’ shirt amount to approximately NZ$894 000 per season, with Gor Mahia, the reigning league champions getting the lion’s share. These deals were completed through Bet High Kenya, BetSafe’s recent Kenyan offshoot. According to the media, Tom Bwana, Bet High’s PR and Partner Manager said that BetSafe would soon be launching in Kenya and their top priority will be to support Kenyan Football.

The Chair of Gor Mahia – Ambrose Rachier was greatly celebrating his club for finally securing long-lasting financial support from a safe and reputable partner. Likewise, Dan Shikanda, the chair o AFC Leopards reported to the media that this new deal gives them work peace and a sense of security, making it easier for them to focus on being the best team in the country.

Both of these clubs were sponsored by a local online gambling operator before, called SportPesa. However, SportPesa decided to shut their Kenyan doors sometime last year, after they found themselves in a punch-up with the government for delayed back-tax payments or claims. Last year in August, the operator cancelled all their local sports sponsorships, quoting the reason as ‘uncertainty’ of the sports regulatory market.

Both clubs were previously sponsored by local betting operator SportPesa, which shut its Kenyan business last year after getting into a punch-up with the government over back-tax claims. Last August, SportPesa cancelled all its local sports sponsorships for the second time in as many years, citing the “uncertainty” of the regulatory climate.

Overview

Kenya boasted as the African continent’s most prosperous online gambling market before the state decide to redefine how both the gambling operators and its winners were going to be taxed. The then market-leading SportPesa was certainly not alone in choosing to leave the Kenyan gambling market as it was no longer ‘hospitable’, as the second-largest – Betin company also shut its doors in the Kenyan betting market round about the same time last year.

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