By Davis Mugabi
BetPawa, a prominent global gambling company trading under Intel World Company Limited in Uganda, is under scrutiny as reports surface of a potential financial crisis.
The company has allegedly taken the drastic step of deleting accounts, particularly that of a fortunate gambler who clinched a staggering Shs 230 million jackpot. This unfolding situation has left both the gambling community and industry observers in a state of shock and speculation.
Denis Kasibante, who hails from Bushenyi District, operated two accounts with Betpawa to wit: 0774902913 and 0700236990.
On August 26, 2023, Mr Kasibante placed three bets, which were duly accepted by Betpawa and reflected on his accounts.
The details of the bets placed are as follows:
1. BET ID #4465295840 worth UGX 159,245,6241= through Acc. No. 0700236990.
2. BET ID #4465243301 worth UGX 1,152,686/= through Acc. No. 0774902913.
3. BET ID #4465266679 worth UGX 73,796,342/= through Acc No. 0774902913.
Mr Kasibante won all the bets as placed and the money was credited to his Betpawa-Accounts.
However, in a turn of events, all the sums, which had been credited, were reversed and all bets cancelled and the two accounts expunged.
FUTILE CHASE
Kasibante complained to Betpawa, but all in vain.
With no explanation given, Kasibante decided to file a complaint to the Head of Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, on September 4, 2023, through his lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana and Company Advocates.
“The actions of betPAWA against our client suffice to predatory dealing and breach of contract. Pursuant to Section 40(2) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016, we request that you defray the statutory security bond of betPAWA and pay to our client,” a letter reads.
Further this Website understands that Kasibante had again reached out to Mr Ngabirano on 11 October, revealing that when he first contacted the office, he was invited to the Communications House and met two ladies and three gentlemen from Betpawa.
The gentlemen from the betting company requested to file a response against his complaint in three days.
However, he was dismayed to learn that Betpawa had vehemently rejected to file a response as agreed, and until today he has not received his money.
He asked Mr Ngabirano to exercise his authority to retrieve the 230 million from BetPawa-Account and pay him.
Contacted for a comment on the whether the regulator had contacted Betpawa to arrange on how to pay Kasibante, Denis Mudene Ngabirano didn’t not pick our repeated calls.
No official from Betpawa was willing to comment on the matter.
This website was advised to send an email ug@betpawa.com to which our Queries would be answered in less than an hour.
By the time of filing this report, Betpawa was yet to reply.
The intent to purge the accounts raise concerns about BetPawa’s financial stability and the company’s ability to honor substantial payouts and maintain a solid financial standing in the competitive gambling industry.
