Kenyan betting operators are shouting for joy as legislators thumbed down plans to increase betting taxes from 7.5 percent to the ridiculously high 50 percent. Gaming and lottery operators, on the other hand, are still pinching themselves to see if the 50 percent tax hike for them is not just a bad dream.

Sure thing. The proposal was part of the Kenyan government’s Finance Bill, which proposed a uniform 50 percent tax on all gambling revenue—be it betting, lotteries, or gaming. Kenyan operators opposed the dizzying tax proposal, with SportPesa challenging the constitutionality of the proposal in court.

Well, if you ask Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich, it is a sound proposal. Rotich claims that the tax hikes will generate revenue for the government and will deter gamblers from spending too much.

While betting operators are still able to live in their 7.5 tax rate paradise for another day, gaming and lottery operators are in the 50 percent tax hell. Yet, some MPs vowed to save them from their misery as they would revisit the issue next week after more discussion with the Treasury and stakeholders.

Kenyan betting operators may have scored a victory, the fate of their brothers in the lottery and gaming sectors still hang on the balance.

This week we peak at Victor Chandler and the FSBTech (Bet)Lions, John Terry’s suspect exit, the glacial pace of US legalisation, FOBTs and where next for The Industry Eye?

The Indian state of Telangana is studying whether it would classify online poker and rummy as gambling.

Because of acquisitions, South African hotel and casino operator Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd.’s has sustained an 11-percent jump on its full-year profit.

GVC Holdings’ turnaround of its Bwin.party brands has given the company a double-digit growth in the first three months of 2017.

Problem gamblers account for 40 to 60 percent of slot machine revenues, according to studies conducted over the past decade.

Double Spend: In Bitcoin, it is the act of a user who tries to spend his bitcoins to two different recipients at the same time.

You have no reason to miss the Gaming in Holland Expo because admission is free!

Asian poker players, come through! The seventh Manila Megastack festival takes place from May 29 to June 4, 2017 at PokerStars LIVE at City of Dreams Manila featuring a P30,000 main event with an P8 million guarantee!