Senate Probe Betika Over Rampant Failure To Pay Out Winnings

The Senate’s Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare is investigating a betting company Shop and Deliver Limited operating in Kenya as BETIKA for alleged breach of the betting rules.

During the Tuesday’s sessions, Nandi Senator Cherargei rose to the floor for an answer from the committee regarding the failure by Shop and Deliver Limited to pay out winnings in breach of the betting rules.

The senator also sought to get explanations from the committee on any regulatory oversight exercise by relevant government agencies over the operations of betting companies, especially preventing underage gambling as well us upholding fair play and consumer protection.

Apparently, the senate has been receiving endless complaints from Kenyans who’re accusing Betika of shortchanging them by refusing to pay them mostly on larger amounts and in which the firm is accused of coming up with flimsy excuses.

Mysterious disappearances

One of the controversial cases being investigated by the senate include a prominent one where Collins Kiptoo, a Nandi Hills resident, allegedly lost 1.2m out of 1.5m he had won on betting at Betika Aviator.

After withdrawing Ksh 300,000 from his account, he found his balance empty after 24 hours. He called Betika customer care and was told he had lost the money after placing auto bets.

Kiptoo when he stormed the Betika offices.

Kiptoo insists he did not stake any bet after the deposit and is demanding to know who withdrew his money. He believes his money was stolen from his account by the firm.

Another case contested is that of Richard Githogori who claims to have won Sh1,021,706 in the Betika Super League Mega Jackpot in March 2023, the company took him rounds through legal blockades denying him access to the winnings.

Betika loses appeal 

In March this year, the sports betting company, lost an appeal against a court decision requiring them to pay gambler David Juma Sh500,000 won in a Sh10 jackpot bet.

High Court judge Samuel Mohochi dismissed Betika’s appeal, stating that it lacked sufficient merit to overturn the original Small Claims Court ruling. Betika’s appeal sought an extension of time to deposit the winning sum into a joint interest-earning account within 30 days and a stay of execution of the initial judgment pending the determination of their appeal.

Betika failed to meet the 21-day deadline and applied for an extension of 30 days, citing delays caused by the bank’s processing of account opening forms. Betika argued that the delay was beyond its control and was due to bureaucratic processes at the bank. Juma, the plaintiff, opposed Betika’s application, labeling it as incompetent and an abuse of court process.

The legal battle began after Betika failed to honor its commitment to pay Juma Sh500,000, which he had won in a jackpot bet. The small claims court ruled in Juma’s favor, ordering Betika to pay him the full amount of Sh500,000. The court found Betika liable for breaching its contractual obligations to Juma.