Ownership Shift Shakes Up Milestone Games
Milestone Games, the parent company of sports betting operator SportPesa, has undergone a major ownership shake-up. UAE-based investors now hold the majority stake in the company. This marks a big shift away from the previously Kenyan-dominated structure.
Filings with Kenya’s Business Registration Service confirm the change. Techglow, a UAE-registered firm, now holds a 54% stake in Milestone Games. Meanwhile, Commtech Consortium has acquired a 25% stake. This move makes Commtech the second-largest shareholder in the company.
Kenyan Founders See Their Stakes Shrink
As a result of these changes, local shareholders have lost significant ground. Businessman Robert Macharia’s direct stake has dropped sharply. It fell from 71% down to just 0.75%. SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri also saw his stake shrink. His holding dropped from 13.4% to only 3%.
New Structure Places Techglow in Control
Milestone Games’ ownership structure now looks quite different. Nob Five Ltd holds a 75% stake in the company. Commtech Consortium holds the remaining 25%. Within Nob Five itself, Techglow serves as the majority shareholder. Other stakeholders in Nob Five include Macharia, Karauri, James Ngengi Muigai, and White Hart.
Kenya’s Betting Market Keeps Growing
This restructuring arrives at a pivotal moment for Kenya’s gambling sector. The country’s sports betting market continues to expand rapidly. Mobile betting growth is fueling much of this momentum. Regulatory adjustments have also played a major role.
Industry data reveals just how fast the market is growing. Bettors staked a record KSh330.5 billion in the year to June. This surge followed a key policy change. Regulators reduced excise duty on betting stakes from 15% to just 5%. As a result, more Kenyans are placing wagers than ever before.
What This Means for the Industry
This ownership shift highlights growing international interest in Africa’s betting markets. Foreign investors clearly see strong potential in Kenya’s booming gambling sector. Going forward, industry watchers will track how Techglow’s leadership shapes SportPesa’s direction. Many also expect this deal to influence future esports sponsorship deals and esports team marketing strategies across the region, as international investors look to diversify their gaming portfolios beyond traditional sports betting.
For Kenyan bettors, licensed platforms continue to offer safer alternatives. Many now provide a legal online gambling no deposit bonus to attract new users responsibly.
