Step by step explanation of how SportPesa, Betin case win against KRA will affect your bet

So what does the ruling mean to a gambler?

Let’s use an example of bet to explain this in layman's terms;

If you place/stake sh100 on a bet-slip that has an odd of 15.5 then if successful,you will win Sh1550 (Sh100 X 15.5 =Sh1550).

So deduct your sh100 stake from Sh1550 winnings, of which you will be left with Sh1450 as net winnings.

(Sh1550- Sh100 = Sh1450)

It is the net winnings i.e. Sh1450 that is charged 20 per cent tax.

In the end, the tax man will deduct Sh290 (20 per cent tax of net winnings) from your net winnings (sh1450)

Therefore, you will get Sh1450- Sh290 = Sh1160 as profit

So your Sh100 stake will not be subjected to the 20 per cent tax unlike before where tax man deducted 20 per cent tax from total winning (Sh1550).

Already some betting firms whose licences are in operation have started implementing the Tax Appeals Tribunal ruling.

Customers of these Betting firms have received a text message informing them that the Tax Appeals Tribunal of betting firms has ruled that the 20 per cent withholding tax should be based on net winnings and not gross.

“Dear Paul, the Tribunal ruled in our TAT Appeal no. 149 of 2019 that winnings refers to payout excluding the amount staked. Going forward, withholding tax is now on this basis i.e. PAYOUT less STAKE. Thank you for standing with us,” read one of the messages seen by GameYetu.

The move comes two months after licensed betting firms begun deducting 20 per cent withholding tax from their customers’ winnings to comply with directives from the Government.

The taxes were introduced last year by the Finance Act 2018 but have faced litigation.

Betting firms were of the view that the 20 per cent withholding tax might see their customers incur a higher tax burden that would wipe out their winnings as well as eat into the amount they had put in the bet.

SportPesa halted operations in Kenya and expressed disappointment with the 20% excise tax on all betting stakes.

The company stated that it would only resume operations once a non-hostile regulatory environment is restored.