Garowe (PP News Desk) — The Puntland State of Somalia Presidency yesterday issued an executive decree banning the 1XBET app, widely used in Puntland State for online betting and gambling purposes. “1XBET betting and gambling services have been banned throughout Puntland State of Somalia. Telecommunications companies are duly obliged not to open private telephone number accounts for 1XBET services. They are also required to close existing private telephone number accounts for betting and gambling services,” reads the decree addressed to several Puntland State ministries and three telecommunications companies — Golis, Somtel, and Amtel. Telecommunications companies have so far not shown willingness to comply with the executive decree.
Earlier this month, Abdiqani Farah Dhaashane, an MP in the Puntland Parliament, called for measures to ban unregulated online betting and gambling services offered by 1XBET. “It has come to our attention that many young people are betting using the 1XBET app. This contributes to capital flight from Somalia and is also causing family breakdowns. Have telecommunications companies been asked what they could do about this issue?” said Dhaashane.
“The executive decree from the Puntland State Presidency is welcome but is seen as unprecedented. It was a matter for the Telecommunications Ministry of Puntland to issue a decree banning illegal online betting and gambling services in Puntland State. The presidency is usurping the power of the line ministry,” said an MP in Garowe, who spoke to Puntland Post anonymously.
© Puntland Post, 2024
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