Police, regulator raid SportPesa’s Nairobi premises

The regulator had warned Milestone from trading under SportPesa brand saying the board authorised the use of trade name Milestone Bet.

Whereas BCLB tried to clamp down on Milestone’s use of Sportpesa name, the gaming company obtained a court order, early this month, to continue operating under the name, pending the determination of the case.

SportPesa termed the raid as illegal and intimidation of its management, employees and customers, despite a court order obtained early this month, stopping Betting Licensing and Control Board (BCLB), from interfering with its operations.

“Regrettably, the said illegal conduct by BCLB in conjunction with other parties, falls into a pattern of intimidation and harassment targeted at Milestone Games Limited, its management, employees and customers,” the company said through lawyer Robert Macharia.

The company obtained a court order on December 3, restraining BCLB from interfering with the operations and business of Milestone Games Limited, the current operator of the SportPesa gaming platform.

Court battle

“Accordingly, Milestone Games Limited has instructed its lawyers to urgently pursue legal redress to prevent any further violation of the said Orders by the Ministry of Interior, BCLB and any of their agents and proxies,” the lawyer said.

The latest court battle between the regulator and the company started on November 24, BCLB wrote to Milestone asking the company to show cause why its licence should not be cancelled.

This was after the company’s chief executive, Ronald Karauri tried to bring back SportPesa through Milestone but the regulator clamped down on the operation within hours, saying the trade name belongs to Pevans.

But on December 2, the company moved to court and obtained a temporary order, barring BCLB from interfering with its operations.