How gambling giant SportPesa made waves in Africa — and Premier League

Lyndon Lloyd Friday, 19 July, 2019 6comments | Jump to most recent

Renowned for his journalism of the shadier side of football financing – although strangely remiss when it comes to Liverpool's sponsors, Standard Charter, and their controversial dealings – David Conn takes aim at Everton's Kenya-based sponsors.

» Read the full article at The Guardian

Reader Comments (6)

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Si Cooper
1 Posted 20/07/2019 at 02:36:25

Capitalism generally requires strong and sensible regulations to stop it from becoming unbalanced or even exploitative. That is the job of the lawmakers. In this country, I feel they fail to do it properly on plenty of occasions, many of which the media ramp up rather than exposing.

I wouldn't run an online betting company, because gambling will always have casualties (and those will always be the most desperate in any country) but if other people are allowed to do it I don't see their money is necessarily any â€˜dirtier' than that of many other corporations.

I wouldn't defend Everton on this association but neither would I condemn them on the evidence of the Guardian article.

Paul Burns
2 Posted 21/07/2019 at 15:02:30

God forbid any shit would ever stick to anything to do with Liverpool. The media are cowards when it comes to them, terrified of the hypocritical "don't buy the Sun" brigade who still subscribe to Sky which is part of the same empire.

Mike Owen
3 Posted 24/07/2019 at 11:31:34

I, for one, have concerns about our club's "partnerships" with gambling companies, not least SportPesa. Aren't we meant to be different from the rest ... a caring community club?

I finally got around a few weeks ago (July 4) to writing to the club, outlining my concerns. Not yet received a reply. I'll put that down to people being away on holiday.

James Flynn
4 Posted 24/07/2019 at 14:03:54

Haha, did SportPesa create gambling in Kenya? What a crock. People gamble everywhere. An outfit like SportPesa takes advantage of that for profit? Say it isn't so.

Some become addicted to gambling, no denying that. That happens with or without SportPesa. Can't wait for Conn's exposes on Monte Carlo and Las Vegas.

Rob Halligan
5 Posted 28/07/2019 at 09:43:58

I see Harry Kane has had his face plastered all over a billboard in Kenya, promoting another betting firm, IXBET, which the FA deem perfectly acceptable. Mina appears in a Facebook video clip promoting a Colombian betting firm and is charged. What's the difference?

One rule for one and one rule for another springs to mind.

James Hughes
6 Posted 28/07/2019 at 09:55:17

Rob- The mail has the story on it's back page. Just read it online and the journo even backs Mina, took me by surprise.
The firm Kane and teammates are posing for currently have their gambling licence suspended

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