Are you a sports fanatic and want to find the best sports betting sites in Kenya? Then you are certainly on the right page. Kenya is one of the highest gambling countries in Africa, after Nigeria and South Africa. Unsurprisingly, the East African country has been home to huge sporting legends, especially in Athletics, and a few top names in Football and Rugby. This partly explains why betting in Kenya is at an all-time high. Besides the popular Kenyan sports, bettors will also be thrilled to bet on other popular local and international events on the licensed betting firms in Kenya.
The major highlight for bettors is that the betting companies in Kenya provide sports markets and add incentives to retain their customers. They include top-value bonuses & promotions, convenient payment options, innovative features, among other first-class services. What’s there not to love about customer-oriented sites? Our guide dives into the Kenyan gambling space, including what the law provides, before providing a detailed list of licensed betting companies in Kenya:
Top 9 Bookmarkers in Kenya
Betika
Betika is one of the most popular bookmakers among Kenyan online bettors. Betika has been owned and run by Shop and Deliver Limited Company and has offered online betting since 2016. Betika is licensed and regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya (BCLB). Only players of legal age (18+yrs) are allowed to bet on Betika.
The bookie offers a wide range of sports events that have attractive odds. Betika Kenya has everything that players would want in a sportsbook, including weekly jackpots and several bonuses.
Betika Mobile App
Betika is among the few Kenyan sportsbooks to have a mobile betting app. The betting app allows players to place and track bets even while on the move. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It’s available on both Appstore and Playstore. A lite version of the app is available for players whose environment has poor network connectivity.
Mobile betting is easy as the app has a simple design to allow players to navigate easily through the app features. Players can access all the features on their website via the app.
Betika Bonuses and Promos
Betika offers a welcome bonus to new players who sign up at the site. New bettors can claim the welcome bonus after making the first deposit. There are also referral bonuses that both new and old players can get for referring players to the site.
Odibets
Odibets is a top-rated bookmaker that ranks high in the Kenyan betting market. The bookie is run and operated by Keraco Holdings Limited, and it runs its operations from Nairobi, Kenya. Despite the strict taxation laws that saw many bookmarkers close business, Odibets pulled through and has become a most sought-for sportsbook.
The bookie is registered and monitored by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya, BCLB. It complies with all legal requirements of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act, Cap 131 of the Kenyan constitution.
Odibets Mobile app
As the popular bookie it is, Odibets has a mobile app available for download on Playstore. The best thing is that the apk download is only 2.2MB in size. It won’t take much phone space.
The app has exciting features like a fast streaming service, light and dark mode, virtual football league betting, and betslip sharing tips. Also, the app has a notifications feature that notifies players of upcoming matches, gaming tips on some sports events and allows players to monitor their placed bets.
Odibets Bonuses and Promotions
Odibets offers several goodies to both the new and old players. The first would be the cash refund that players get on their first deposit every day. If a player deposit at least Kshs 50 or more, Odibets refunds the charges incurred when making the deposit. This offer encourages players to place a bet every day.
Besides cash refunds, the site also offers free bets to new customers. All new Odibets players receive a free bet worth Kshs 30. The bookie also gives a 50% refund daily on all initial bets lost. Odibets punters also enjoy free data bundle offers from time to time.
Betway
Betway is a favorite betting destination for Kenyan gamblers. The globally recognized bookmaker was registered in Kenya in 2015 and is licensed and regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya. As an internationally trusted brand, Betway offers an extensive list of sports events with fascinating odds. It provides betting events such as esports, live betting, sports betting, casino games, and live casino betting. Betway is loved for convenience and simplicity.
Betway Mobile App
Betway offers players a chance to bet on the go with their mobile betting app. The app is ergonomically designed with a simple UI and fast loading speed. It is compatible with all iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from Appstore and Playstore.
The app has a full selection of local and global bet markets with multiple betting types. You also get push notifications about upcoming promotions and match fixtures. Punters can access all features found on their site from the app.
Betway Bonuses and Promotions
Betway is loaded with a myriad of offers and promotions to keep their customers coming back. When you sign up at the bookie, you get a 50% top-up on your first deposit. The welcome bonus is credited to your account, and you stand a chance to win up to Kshs 5,000 in free bets.
Other offers include a possibility to win Kshs 100,000non the Betway Pundit Quiz - a test to show how much you know about your favorite sport. There’re over 6,000 free spins up for grab and the Betway Win Boost. All these are meant to give you a chance to win at Betway.
SportyBet
SportyBet Kenya is the brand name that is owned and managed by SportyBet LTD. The company is licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya as a compliant sportsbook under the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act, Cap 131 of Kenyan Laws. The bookie operates under license no. 000024 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
SportyBet offers several sports like football, rugby, badminton, cricket, volleyball, basketball, and handball. Ice hockey, cricket, table tennis, beach volleyball, and many more. In addition, the bookie has live betting, instant, and scheduled virtual sports.
SportyBet Mobile App
SportyBet’s new app feature has it all. It comes loaded with immense features customized in a simple-to-use design to give players an easy betting time. The app is free to download and compatible with both Android and iOS devices. The app can only install on Android 4.0.3 devices or higher.
The app is meant to help players betting while on the move. The app is light, as it is only 6MBs in size and performs super-fast. You get notified of promotions, upcoming game fixtures, and win notifications right from the app. All features found on the SportyBet web page are also in the app.
SportyBet Bonuses and Promotions
SportyBet offers several gifts and bonuses from time to time. Currently, the bookie has a lucrative first deposit bonus for new registrations. In the welcome bonus dubbed Karibu Gift, a player gets 300% of their first deposit, equivalent to Kshs 1,500, on top of your first deposit.
The bookie also offers a referral bonus feature they call Rafiki Gifts. Here you earn rewards for referring friends to sign up at SportyBet. You earn, and your friend earns too.
Bet365
Bet365 is one of the most popular international sportsbooks and ranks as one of the best. Though it’s run and operated from the UK by Hillside (Sports) ENC, the bookie has thousands of fans in Kenya. Since 2,000, the bookie has offered its global players an excellent gambling experience.
Bet365 has a wide range of sporting events with incredible odds. Bet365 Kenya offers live betting, virtuals, casino sports, and other sports games. The bookie has found an audience in Kenya for its large focus on football, a favorite of most Kenyan punters.
Bet365 Mobile App
Bet365 is a betting bigwig, and so is their mobile app. The bookie developed an app that suits punters who want to bet while on the move. It is ergonomically designed with a simple but world-class user interface. Navigation through the app features as it loads super-fast.
The app is compatible with all mobile devices from iOS, Android, and Windows. It’s free to download. Users can access all the features offered by the Bet365 sportsbook from their smartphones. It also allows push notifications to help players with betting in-play.
22BET
22BET is registered and licensed to operate in Kenya by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). 22BET is owned and operated by the Marikit Holdings LTD Casinos. It was formed and registered in 2016 in Cyprus but incorporated in Kenya in 2019.
The sportsbook offers a wide selection of betting sports events in all markets. Apart from football, 22BET has sports like basketball, tennis, ice hockey, snorkeling, Formula 1, curling, and many more. The bookmaker also has Casino slots, live bets, and other esports. All betting events have multiple betting options with great odds to predict.
22BET Mobile App
22BET has an excellent betting app that brings the entire betting world to your pocket. With their app, you get instant access to placing bets, streaming live events, and advances in-play scoreboards on your smartphone.
The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. You can download it from Appstore or Playstore. You can cash out, deposit, or withdraw funds from your 22BET e-wallet using the app.
22BET Bonuses and Promotions
Registration at 2o2BET makes players eligible for the welcome bonus of up to Kshs 15,000. When you make your first deposit, 22BET offers you a 100% bonus on the deposited amount. Also, the sportsbook provides other promotions from time to time, like the Friday Reload bonus.
888Sport
888Sport is a European-based sportsbook that was formed in Gibraltar, England. It is relatively new in Kenya, but players have legal permission from the Betting Control and Licensing Board. Though it’s new in the Kenyan market, 888Sport is working its way into the Kenyan market.
The bookmaker offers a variety of sports including, soccer, boxing, horse racing, cricket, tennis, golf, darts, and many more. Players can also have a great time betting on casino games, live bets, and virtual sports.
888Sport Mobile App
The app prides in their well developed mobile app that comes in handy for players who want to bet while on the move. The app offers pre-match and in-play betting on all match fixtures and live events.
The app is freely available for download on both Appstore and Playstore for iOS and devices. It offers a great user experience and easy navigation through its features. All 888Sport features on the website are available and can be accessed through the app.
888Sport Bonuses and Promotions
Players who bet on 888Sport are bound to enjoy several gifts from the bookie. The firm gives new players an attractive welcome offer on their first deposit. There are freebies to be won on casino games and other periodic offers during the big international events like the Premier League, World Cup, e.t.c.
BetKing
BetKing is a brand from the Entertainment Group Kenya LTD licensed and controlled by the Betting Control and Licensing Board of Kenya. The bookmaker is compliant with the Kenyan laws under the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act, Cap 131.
BetKing offers several sports, live virtual events to Keyan gamblers. Sports include soccer, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, cycling, handball, and futsal. BetKing doesn’t offer horse racing and casino games.
BetKing Mobile App
BetKing has an efficient and reliable betting app for players to bet even while on transit. BetKing mobile app offers a seamless betting experience thanks to its elaborate features. It provides all the features available on the main BetKing website.
The app is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones. It’s free to download the app from Appstore and Playstore. However, players’ devices need to have enough space and RAM to allow the app to function smoothly.
BetKing Bonuses and Promotions
BetKing offers an accumulator bonus dubbed ‘Jumbo bonus.’ The bonus adds up to 225% on your winnings. A player only needs to bet on at least five games, each having odds of 1.2 and above. A higher number of events attracts higher bonuses of up to 225%.
Betfair
Betfair ranks among the big names in the betting world, and it’s worth the title of an international online sports betting provider. It has spread its reach throughout Europe, America, and Africa. The Malta Gaming Authority licenses the European-based bookie. Though it’s relatively new in Kenya, the bookie significantly impacted the Kenyan betting market.
The bookmaker offers many sports events, including casino slots, live bets, virtual sports, and live casino betting. Sports include football, tennis, basketball, handball, volleyball, greyhound, horse racing, motorsports, snooker, golf, etc.
Betfair Mobile App
The Betfair sportsbook app works excellently on both Android and iOS devices. It has a neat user interface with easy navigation through the app features.
Players can place and track their bets on the go with Betfair mobile app. Players can stream over 100,000 live events all year round. All features found on the Betfair site are available on the app.
Betfair Bonuses and Promotions
Betfair has plenty of promotions, sign-up offers, and bonuses. In its bet builder insurance offer, the player can place a bet builder, and in case of a loss, they get up to 10 Euros free bets every day.
Also, players earn rewards when they refer new players to sign up at Betfair. The bookie has several promotions that come with international events like the World Cup, The premier league, UEFA championships, among others.
Gambling Laws in Kenya
The mention of licensing points out the legality status. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the significant steps we recommend our players check before signing up on any platform. But, worry not. We have done the hard work to point you to the top licensed betting firms in Kenya. However, before diving deeper, it is vital to understand what Kenyan law provides on matters of gambling.
Is Betting Legal?
The straightforward answer to this is yes! Kenya is one of the oldest countries in Africa to legalize all forms of gambling in the late 60s. All this is captured under the Kenyan constitution on the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act that gives the Kenya Betting Control and Licensing Board mandate to oversee all gambling operations within the jurisdiction and license all betting firms that meet all its parameters. Therefore, the first step before betting on any betting firm in Kenya is to check whether it is approved by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). One can find this information at the bottom of the page.
While betting is legal, Kenya made some amendments in 2020 after cases of gambling addiction and revenue sharing between the firms and the government. As a result, the new Gambling Act of 2020 still maintained the country’s betting legality, and the betting tax applied. However, there was a change in tax generated from gaming advertisements which was revised to 35%. Additionally, taxes on jackpot winnings would be 20%. Also, important to note that in 2018, Kenya placed a 20% tax on the player winnings. In a nutshell, every winning garnered will have 20% tax deducted.
How to Start Betting?
The first requirement before one starts betting in Kenya is to meet the age requirements. Presently, the country has its legal age limit set at 18 years. If the interested party meets the condition, the next step is to find a suitable betting site. We have provided a list of the best betting sites working in Kenya that meets the majority of all the aspects we recommend. They include various leagues/events & betting markets, bonuses & promos, accessibility, banking services, and customer support.
Creating an account should be easy, and after account creation, one should deposit the required amount before betting. The next step is to find the suitable sport/event, click on it to view the available markets, choose the preferred market, place a stake on the betslip, and confirm the bet.
Sports Betting in Kenya
Soccer
Soccer boasts a massive following in the country, with huge names such as Victor Wanyama, McDonald Mariga, Dennis Oliech, and Michael Olunga all hailing from the country. Kenya also provides a haven for upcoming players through two top leagues that bettors can wager on. They are Kenya Premier League and the National Super League. The Kenyan betting companies also allow betting on Africa’s top events such as the African Cup of Nations and the hugely-followed international leagues such as the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Italy Serie A, and French Ligue 1. How do you distinguish the bigger sites? The bigger and reputable sites will have standout features, including huge markets, including the popular match result, double chance, half-time/full-time, correct score, goalscorers, draw no bet, and both teams to score. Additionally, the top sites will have betting types such as straight bets, parlays, teasers, future bets, props, and live betting.
Rugby
Rugby is yet another top sport in Kenya, with their Kenya 7s team ranked highly in the HSBC series. At the same time, the sport has seen top names such as Collins Injera gracing the sport. Most betting sites in Kenya offer Rugby betting, with various top markets such as try betting, conversions betting, total points, handicap, among other betting options.
Basketball
While Basketball is not the highest followed game in Kenya, the country still boasts a following, especially on the international front. Many bettors opt to bet on popular leagues such as the NBA, where big names have dominated. In addition, bettors can also opt for local betting, especially betting on the national basketball team, referred to as the Morans. Various markets are in place, ranging from outright, pre-match, and in-play markets. The most popular include total points, winning margin, quarter winner, and more.
Baseball
Baseball is not popular in the local sporting space in Kenya. However, many bettors love the idea of having different options. As a result, many opt to bet on popular international baseball leagues such as the MLB. Despite not being followed like other sports such as Soccer, Baseball lovers can access pre-match and live markets, with other sites going a step further to provide live-streaming options.
Football
Soccer and Football are among the two commonly interchanged words by bettors in Kenya. While this is subject to debate, as many US sites depict, Football involves top leagues such as the NFL. Simply put, Football can refer to American Football which is not popular in Kenya. Despite not being popular, bettors can still bet on top NFL events and even stream some highlights on Kenya’s top sports betting sites.
Sports Betting Apps & Features
One major aspect the best sites have over the rest is convenience. Every sports betting site should ensure that bettors have the highest convenience while accessing their accounts to bet. As a result, most online betting sites working in Kenya have provided the avenue to access sports and betting options on their phones. As it stands, the mobile platform is accessible in two ways, including the mobile site version involving following the URL on the browsers and the mobile app version involving the download of the apps either on Google Play Store or the App Store, for Android and iOS users, respectively. In some cases, the bookie might provide a direct link on their website to facilitate the app download.
The main advantage of the app is that it is play-on-the-go. While all sports are available for selection, the app allows bettors to access vital pages such as terms & conditions, privacy policy, cookie policy, and responsible gaming. Additionally, the app enables access to services and top popular betting sites features such as:
- Live betting: Involves betting while the game is live. Players can take advantage of the boosted odds to maximize returns.
- Live-streaming: Involves watching the events first-hand on desktop or mobile device, provided the account boasts a positive balance or has an active bet on the event.
- Cash-out: Involves getting an early payout on any active bet. The feature is advantageous in two ways. First, a bettor can save a small part of their stake or lock in profits if the bet is winning.
- Odds boost: Involves having a combination of the required selections before the bookie in question triggers a boost on the odds.
- Edit bet: Involves adding, removing, or amending a selection in a bet.
Best Bonuses & Promotions
Besides the sports selection and the availability of vast betting markets, the bonuses & promotions on the bookie play a vital role in how the bettors are attracted and retained. The best live betting sites in Kenya will provide bettors with various bonuses that have a huge value and have friendly terms & conditions. On the conditions, some main ones to take a look at are the wagering requirements. They provide the times a bettor needs to play through either the bonus, deposit, or both before they can withdraw their bonus winnings. The other conditions to keep a close eye on are the valid days. Every bonus will be valid for some time, and if the player does not use the bonus or meet the wagering requirements, the bonus will be rendered void.
The bonuses on most betting companies in Kenya will be divided into two major sections:
- No deposit bonuses: These are bonuses triggered without any deposit. In most cases, the bookies require bettors to input bonus codes.
- Deposit bonuses: These are bonuses triggered with a qualifying deposit. In some cases, the bookies may require bettors to input bonus codes.
The former bonuses have a low value, as opposed to the latter bonuses.
With that in mind, the most common sports betting bonuses available in Kenya’s best sites are:
- Welcome Bonus: A bonus tailored for new customers who successfully sign up for an account at the licensed betting companies in Kenya.
- Reload Bonus: A bonus tailored for consistent players after matching the required bet amount in a set period. For example, a betting site might offer a 50% bonus every Monday for the cumulative bets made over the past week.
- Cashback Bonus: A bonus tailored to refund bettors a set percentage of their stake if they lose by a small margin. For example, if a multi-bet of six (6) selections loses by one leg, the site can award a 20% cashback bonus.
Banking Options
Like the mobile platform, the best Kenyan betting companies should provide convenience to the players in the banking section. A good bookie offers a massive range of banking options that are easy, fast, and secure to use. Additionally, the best sites should offer the most convenient options for bettors in the jurisdiction of operation.
A quick survey of the payment options in gambling in Kenya will point out that most bettors love mobile transactions. However, it doesn’t discredit the use of other traditional payment options, including bank systems and cards.
Below is a table of the widely accepted payment methods in most betting sites in Kenya and the charges one is likely to incur:
| Payment Option | Limit | Deposit/Withdrawal | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa/MasterCard | $10 - $30,000 | Yes/Yes | 0% |
| Skrill | $10 - $38,000 | Yes/Yes | 0% |
| Neteller | $20 - $50,000 | Yes/Yes | 0% |
| PayPal | $10 - $10,000 | Yes/Yes | 0% |
| PaySafeCard | $10 - $1,000 | Yes/No | 0% |
| Safaricom/M-Pesa | $0.1 - $700 | Yes/Yes | $0.33 - $1.93 |
| Airtel Money | $0.1 - $1,400 | Yes/Yes | 0.65% |
| Bank Wire | $50 - $100,000 | Yes/Yes | $9 |
| Check | $1,500 - $80,000 | Yes/Yes | Up to $100 |
As seen in the above table, one concept to keep in mind is that the payment options serve bettors differently. Small-stake players can transact with M-Pesa and Airtel Money options, while high rollers can use bank transfers and cheques. Another point to note is that the timelines will be different, with small transactions happening instantly in most cases and bigger transactions taking more time.
Finally, it is essential to note the limits set on the minimum and maximum one can transact with at the betting site. This is because the bookies do not provide a ‘standard’ figure. Therefore, it is essential to keep within limits for maximum experience, including claiming the bonuses.
Deposit Options
Those wishing for instant deposits can try the e-wallet options such as Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, or card options, including Visa/MasterCard and PaySafeCard. However, large deposits might go with bank transfers, which might take more time.
In most betting sites, the deposit options can be viewed on either of the options ‘My Account/Cashier/Deposit’ before following prompts for a successful deposit.
Withdrawal Options
Most betting sites require verification before any successful withdrawal. After that, bettors can proceed on either of the options ‘My Account/Cashier/Withdraw’ to complete the withdrawal.
Checks and bank transfers might take a while, a similar situation for those using cards. However, M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and e-wallet modes offer the quickest options for withdrawal.