Local fans to bet as new sports lottery is launched

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Stakeholders cut the cake during the launch of SportPesa, a sports lottery game at a Nairobi hotel on Saturday. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

A new sports lottery, SportPesa, has been launched in the country.

Football fans will be able to bet on their favourite teams to win instant cash.

The Pevans East Africa Limited brainchild is the first ever real-time sports gaming experience in Kenya and East Africa that uses mobile phone and online platforms to engage in competitions.

“It is a sports entertainment and gaming platform built to engage fans and enhance the viewing experience across a multi-range of channels,” said Pevan East Africa Limited Director, David Kanyeki.

SportPesa seeks to excite, inspire and motivate engagement of sports fans by providing an opportunity to bet  and win on specific games. Currently, the lottery targets football games, both local and international, but will eventually incorporate other sports betting.

Local football fans can place a bet on their favourite teams via short text message to 79079 or online at www.sportpesa.com and win instant cash directly on their mobile phone through their mobile money transfer provider.

Registration can be done by sending the word ‘Game’ to 79079 or at the online link to receive a username, pin and mobile operator playbill number to get started.  Fans can place a single or multiple bets. They can bet with as low as Sh100 and as high as Sh20, 000 with a maximum amount that can be won to be Sh5 million.

During a match, fans can a bet before the first whistle of the game and collect winnings after the last whistle.

While praising the new platform, Betting Control and Licensing Board Chairman, Paul  Wambua said : “As a regulator we are excited with this modernisation of sports in this country by Pevans East Africa, it’s a clear direction that sports is inline with Kenya’s vision 2030.”

The sport platform has partnered with mobile phone services providers Airtel, Orange, Yu and yet to be included Safaricom. Airtel Kenya Communications Manager John Musonye and Orange Chief Corporate Communications Officer George Mlaghui said that the new concept will revolutionise their industries in one way or the other.

“I’m glad that we are being pushed to fully embrace sports. This is good for the running of Airtel Rising Stars across the contitnent and supporting school games locally,” said Musonye. 

Pevans East Africa CEO Guerassim Nikolov said: “This is an innovative new gaming concept that will revolutionise the sports entertainment industry in Kenya. We are excited to be pioneering this technology for Kenyan soccer fans.”