Betting tax is going up and Twitter is split
Kenya’s army of online gamblers were among the biggest losers in the budget statement read out by Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich on Thursday.
Mr Rotich has proposed a tax increase from seven per cent to 50 per cent on all proceeds of gambling.
The proposal elicited mixed reactions online.
Some users lauded the proposal as an appropriate measure to curb irresponsible betting. Others saw it as unfair because betting companies have created job opportunities.
The Treasury CS said taxes from proceeds of gambling will go to the development of arts and culture.
Here are some of the reactions online:
Now ninja ziko busy this weekend washinde Jackpot before story ya Tax affects betting scene.. #BudgetKE2017
— Elijah (@KyamaElijah_) March 30, 2017
#BudgetKE2017 juu betting imechapwa 50% tax,kwani odds zitaenda chini ama ukishinda 1000 unaekewa 5soo
— Kelvin murithi (@MguuTupu) March 30, 2017
50% tax on betting companies? ?
Well RIP Sportpesa— Chairman (@un__ga) March 30, 2017
GAMING,LOTTERY & BETTING COMPANIES DESERVE THE 50% TAX.
— Gitonga Jata (@G1TONGA) March 30, 2017
Say bye to Betway, dafabet and all other foreign or small league betting sites. Sportpesa might survive. 50% is insane. https://t.co/cKpj4NS71c
— Jackson Mwendwa (@MwendwaMuia) March 30, 2017
Jubilee Treasury CS Henry Rotich claims that they've created 2 million Jobs when we only know of betting jobs#BudgetKE2017
— Neutral Kenyan (@fredagoro) March 30, 2017
@SportPesa_Care sasa hii story ya Rotish ya 50% ya betting kutaendaje? Will the proposal affect my next betting??
— Bigo (@BigoGeoffrey) March 30, 2017
@JakoyoMidiwo Good job for pushing govt to do sth about the betting industry.
— benson mathenge (@1enso) March 30, 2017
Betting and Drinking should attract a 90% VAT #BudgetKe2017
— Rein (@Asamoh_) March 30, 2017
These betting firms should be taxed to the core!!!! TIBIM
— Nelson (@drnyairo) March 30, 2017
For every sh.1 won through betting, the govt's going to take sh.0.5.Go drink those winnings, and it takes sh.200/liter of KC drunk.Wild
— Agent Aminu. (@NI_Mensah) March 30, 2017
Why can't the government explain this 50% tax rate on betting firms… sasa nikishinda 200,nawapa 100???…#BudgetKE2017
— Paudrian Dennis (@denojuma) March 30, 2017
