Amaya records 13 new millionaires

By Morris Aron

Thirteen Kenyans have in the last 13 days become millionaires after winning through a new SMS lottery.

The lottery, KWACHU 4848, that is being run by Amaya Kenya Limited — a subsidiary of Canada-based Amaya Gaming Group Inc — will end in mid-May when the winner of the grand prize walks away with Sh30 million.

"Despite what has happened in the last couple of months over some lotteries, we are here to tell Kenyans that lotteries is a global phenomenon that is guided by rules and regulations that any individual has a chance to win," said Amaya Kenya Limited Communications Director Julius Arungah.

Daniel Murimi celebrates after winning Sh1 million from Amaya Kenya Limited in the SMS lottery KWACHU 4848. [PHOTO: STANDARD CORRESPONDENT/STANDARD] . Keep Reading  Andiego eyes Olympics slot after victory at Nelson Mandela Cup  Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish  Kiptum's death casts shadow over London Marathon for Bekele  School food plan wins global innovation award as it scales up its reach  Mukuuni, Moi and Buruburu Girls top national drama fete

During the launch of the Amaya operations, the Betting Control and Licensing Board Director Amos Kwasi said the lottery firm had been allowed to operate after the introduction of stringent new conditions.

The new measures require that operators must submit weekly returns of the SMSs received, the amount of money raised, and amounts devoted to prizes and charity. The companies are also required to state to the licensing body how much of the proceeds they intend to give away to charity.

Collections

Amaya Gaming said they would use 15 per cent of their collections to aid computerisation in schools, five per cent to improve health care and another five per cent towards sports.

Records show Amaya Group paid Sh1 million application fee and another Sh1.5 million investigation fee, money that is used to investigate authenticity of new lottery firms.

Amaya Gaming began advertising in December, but the company requested for a deferral because there were many SMS lotteries in operation at the time. "Like any lottery, there is always an element of gamble," said Mr Arungah.

"By participating, you can win or you can lose. That is the chance we are giving Kenyans," he said.