Unwavering Gambler: Bonnie Kamau, winner of the SportPesa jackpot, declared he has no intention of halting his wagers
In a stunning turn of events, Bonnie Kamau, an accountant from Nuclear Investments' OLKalau branch, has become the proud winner of the largest SportPesa Mega Jackpot ever, worth a staggering Sh424.6 million.
Kamau's victory, announced on the 3rd Sunday of 2025, came after he correctly predicted 17 out of 17 matches. This win marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the jackpot has been claimed since 2019, and it surpasses the second largest amount Kamau had previously won from SportPesa by a substantial margin (Sh171,000).
The jackpot win comes amidst a complex history between SportPesa and the Kenyan government. In 2019, the government, led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, revoked the licenses of 27 betting companies, including SportPesa, due to alleged non-compliance with tax regulations. The key issue was the imposition of a 20% excise tax on all betting stakes, which SportPesa contested, arguing that the tax was based on a misunderstanding of the bookmaker industry's revenue model.
Following these regulatory and taxation actions, SportPesa ceased operations in Kenya. However, the company resumed operations in October 2020 after receiving clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority, facing challenges and legal battles due to resistance from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
Ronald Karauri, CEO of SportPesa, has congratulated Kamau on his historic win and encouraged responsible betting. Karauri, who has been vocal about the importance of education regarding gambling, stated that the responsibility of dealing with gambling addiction is shared among all stakeholders. He also warned against pushing betting into the underworld, which could lead to illegal gambling.
Karauri, along with Kamau, discourages leaving work to bet and never promotes betting as a lifestyle. Kamau, who has been betting for over 10 years, advises other gamblers not to use essential funds like school fees for betting.
The SportPesa Mega Jackpot win is not only a personal triumph for Kamau but also a significant event for the betting industry in Kenya. The amount won is more than the equivalent allocated to fund the upgrade of health facilities in Nairobi City County and also exceeds the Sh402 million allocated for Sports Kenya, under the Sports, Art and Social Development Fund, in the 2025/2026 budget.
As Kamau plans to take time off from work to treat himself to a holiday, he remains undecided about his current job. However, one thing is certain: the SportPesa Mega Jackpot win is the latest and largest payout by the betting company SportPesa, and it has undoubtedly made Bonnie Kamau an overnight millionaire.
[1] The Standard: SportPesa resumes operations in Kenya after clearance from KRA
[2] The Star: SportPesa ceases operations in Kenya over tax dispute
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