Kenya has one of the fastest-growing betting markets in the world, and as such, there are many betting sites operating in the country. To give yourself the best chance of beating the bookmakers, you have to make sure that you are getting a premium betting service. This expert article on Wintips.com will cover the top 5 best betting sites in Kenya. If you are a gamer and want to choose a safe betting platform, please refer to it right away.
History of sports betting in Kenya
Sports betting has been occurring in Kenya for years, thanks to the Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act of 1966, which legalized gambling in many forms. This led to the availability of various forms of gambling, including casinos and betting shops. The aforementioned spots grew until the mid-2000s due to weak and obsolete legislation, the perceived economic size of the industry, a lack of clear gaming policy, and political interference in the operations of the Regulatory Board.
It’s only in the last few years that sports betting has taken off online. The reason it took so long to boom was the unaffordable mobile devices and internet prices for Kenyans. For example, this is a country that only had two mobile phones per 100 people in 2002, and it also had high data charges.
- Gambling in Kenya is LEGAL.
- The Gambling License cost in Kenya is 100,000,000 KSH.
- There is a 20% tax for all winning stakes.
- Min gambling age is 18.
In addition to classic casinos and betting shops, new betting opportunities emerged in internet cafes. Data prices were still high, so for the majority of Kenyans, it was significantly cheaper to bet in betting shops.
The whole industry changed when SportPesa, the first and biggest Kenyan betting company, started to operate in 2014. Investing millions of dollars in advertisements, they started an online betting boom, which continues even today.
Things were shaken up in the summer of 2019, as the government took action against a number of sites, angry that they had seemingly not been paying enough taxes.
Some of the top bookies in Kenya and the biggest names in the industry, such as SportPesa, Betway, and Betin, were ordered to close their virtual doors. This didn’t just hit the betting sites, though, as it’s thought that 12 million people had money tied up in the closed sites, and many of them were unable to withdraw. So now, which is the best betting site in Kenya? Let's find out in the following section.
5 best betting sites in Kenya most highly rated by many players
Are you looking for the best betting sites Kenya? Then you've come to the right place. Our team of experts has reviewed and analyzed the top 10 betting sites in Kenya to make your choice as easy as possible.
1. W88 - Asia's leading bookmaker, the best choice in Kenya
W88 is licensed by the Government organization First Cagayan Leisure & Resort Corporation (CEZA), proud to be one of the leading bookmaker football in Asia. It offers a full range of products, diverse deposit methods and especially never lacks attractive monthly promotions.
W88 bookmaker provides leading sports betting and online casino, has affirmed its position through a series of major sports sponsorship agreements. In the 2023/24 season, W88 is the official shirt sponsor of Burnley FC, accompanying the team in its return to the Premier League. W88 is constantly expanding its international presence, becoming the first choice of players in Kenya and other vibrant betting markets.
W88 has proven itself to be a reliable betting platform. In addition, they make it easy for Kenyans to bet with mobile money, providing excellent odds. They offer Kenyans a unique sports betting experience with mobile and web apps and high payout rates and bonuses. Their mobile betting app allows you to bet on the go, whenever it is convenient for you.
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of payment methods.
- Very user-friendly and easy to navigate.
- You can get notified about great deals and special promotions.
- You can access many of the most popular tournaments and competitions.
- The site has a welcome bonus
Disadvantages:
- No refunds apply to Poker games
- Players may enter the wrong address such as: W88, WWW.88…
2. 22bet - Favorite betting site in Kenya
The 22bet Kenya is a licensed Kenya best betting sites that allows individuals to bet online. It has become quite popular in the country and has gained a lot of traffic despite being in the midst of industry giants. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Russia.
It has tight security features, excellent odds for every match, a beautiful design, and easy-to-use betting platforms. This makes 22bet different from other bookmaker forum in Kenya. With its live betting platforms, you can predict the odds even before the game.
Pros
- You can use it from your mobile device or a desktop computer.
- They offer you many games, including esports, sports betting, regular casinos, live casinos, and tennis.
- It is easy to register as a member.
- They provide impressive customer service.
- It accepts payment through Mpesa, debit/credit cards, and Skrill.
- The site comes with a welcome bonus.
Cons
- The poor live-streaming feature
3. Bet365 Kenya - Bookmakers with a variety of genres
Bet365 has some of the best odds on sports betting and all other types of gambling(Casino, slots, etc.). It is one of the best sports betting sites in Kenya. Since its establishment in 2019, Bet365 has recorded millions of dollars in profits.
This site is one of the latest betting websites to have entered the Kenyan market. Although it has not been around for long, it has already gained success over its competitors even though it does not have a lot of features, to become one of the best online betting sites in Kenya.
Pros
- They have a vast selection of odds.
- The site features a smooth and easy-to-use website, plus an app for iOS and Android.
- It has a massive variety of betting options in all sports, including football, tennis, and basketball.
- The site accepts deposits via Mpesa.
Cons
- Bet365 Kenya has an unimpressive customer service team.
4. BetWinner - Diverse and Quality Bookmaker
BetWinner is one of the leading bookmakers in Kenya, featuring a variety of betting types. Players can enjoy additional bets such as European handicap, correct score, over/under, first goal scorer, or match situations. In particular, the bookmaker also supports head-to-head bets in individual sports such as cycling, golf, athletics, skiing, increasing the choice for players.
BetWinner offers many attractive betting types such as single bets, accumulators, lucky, chains, systems and patent bets. In addition, players can also participate in TOTO-15 and TOTO correct score to try their luck. Live betting is a strong point with 24/7 operation, including more than 30 markets for each sporting event. Options such as corner bets, yellow cards, free kicks increase the excitement when watching live.
With over 1,000 events daily, BetWinner covers a wide range of sports: football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, golf, boxing, cricket, and even specialities like biathlon and ski jumping.
While offering a rich betting experience, BetWinner can be difficult for newcomers because the betting system is complex and the variety can sometimes make the choice overwhelming. However, it is still the ideal bookmaker for Kenyan players who love variety and quality.
Pros
- Variety of betting types: Including handicaps, correct scores, TOTO and head-to-head betting across a wide range of sports.
- Abundant events: Over 1,000 events every day, from football, tennis to less popular sports like ski jumping.
- 24/7 live betting: Over 30 markets for each event, from corners to yellow cards.
- Variety of betting types: Suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- International support: Including betting on club and national team matches.
Cons
- Difficult to access for beginners: The betting system is complex and confusing.
- Limited local payments: Some methods in Kenya may not be fully supported.
5. Megapari – Best Bookmaker in Kenya
Megapari is one of the leading bookmakers in Kenya, known for its diversity and quality of service. The platform offers a wide range of betting options such as sports betting, online casino, slots, virtual sports, and popular games such as Aviator, Crash. With over 1,000 sporting events every day, players can bet on a variety of sports such as football, tennis, eSports, and even lotteries. Live betting is available 24/7 with over 30 markets for each event, including corners, yellow cards, and correct scores.
Megapari supports convenient payments via Visa, Mastercard, over 20 cryptocurrencies, and local methods. The user-friendly interface, support for over 60 languages, and mobile apps for Android and iOS make betting easy. However, this variety can sometimes be overwhelming for newcomers. Nevertheless, Megapari is still the ideal choice for players who love variety and experience top-notch service. Sign up today to discover the best betting platform in Kenya!
Pros
- Offers sports betting, live casino, slots, virtual sports, and games like Aviator, Crash.
- A wide range of events with over 1,000 sporting events every day, from football, tennis to eSports and lotteries.
- Available 24/7 with over 30 markets per event, including corners, yellow cards, correct score.
- Supports Visa, Mastercard, over 20 cryptocurrencies and many local methods.
- Supports over 60 languages and apps on both Android and iOS.
Cons
- The abundance of options can be difficult to get used to.
What Payment Vehicles Are Accepted with Kenyan Betting Sites?
Nowadays, the best betting sites in Kenya offer players a wide range of payment methods. One may find PayPal and Skrill; however, the main target for locals is to deposit through M-Pesa as well as Airtel because it is the cheapest. All the above-mentioned top betting sites in Kenya are friendly regarding these two, but they also accept other payment vehicles as well. Learn more below.
Debit/Credit Cards
This payment option is mostly found at legit betting sites in Kenya, once again confirming their reputation. In particular, this refers to Visa and Mastercard. Wagering sites accept them due to fast transactions that are backed by extra security. They also won't charge extra fees.
Mobile Options
Mobile payments primarily involve renowned M-Pesa and Airtel Money for betting in Kenya. For Kenyan residents, these two are the cheapest and easiest methods to deposit money with a bookmaker. M-Pesa can now be used for both depositing and withdrawing earnings, while Airtel Money can only be used for deposits. For this information, one should read the policies of the chosen top sports betting sites in Kenya.
If you choose a mobile transfer of money, the withdrawal time may take up to 24 hours or longer. One drawback is that neither of them is a good fit for large withdrawals, so high-rollers have to compromise.
Neteller and Skrill
These two are internationally recognized e-wallets. A player must have a registered account on the official Skrill and Neteller websites before making any transactions with new sports betting sites in Kenya. The transactions are most likely to incur an extra fee.
PayPal
Despite its huge popularity for online payments, only a few sports betting sites in Kenya have started accepting it as a payment method. Yet, some bookies offer PayPal.
Bank Transfer
If none of the above-mentioned payment methods are a good fit for your betting experience in Kenya, a bank transfer is an alternative. Players can transfer money to gambling providers via their local banks. Looking ahead, this payment method is most likely to take a long time to credit money to your betting account.
Cryptocurrency
Lastly, the option is cryptocurrency. For instance, Bitcoin is an example that has started appearing with some active betting sites in Kenya.
Players may learn about other payment options by reading the payment policies of betting sites, where such information is usually specified.
How to bet at the best betting sites in Kenya?
Many first-time bettors need a helping hand when making their very first bet. While many think that betting is only done with a hunch, that simply isn’t true. There are several things that every new bettor should know, and betting tips can be very helpful for them.
Betting tips can be used for making wagering strategies, and they can improve your chances of winning a prize.
Here are additional tips on how to bet.
- Do thorough research before placing a bet.
Gathering relevant information about a game should always be the first thing a punter does. It helps determine whether or not a bet is viable. The acquired information could work to your advantage and help you predict the right outcome.
- Take an analytical approach toward each bet.
Never bet on impulse. Once you have gathered enough information about your matches, take time to analyze each game and the odds given; compare the previous scores; and decide if you have high winning chances or not.
- Keep a clear betting record.
A good punter knows that it doesn’t end with a win or a loss. You should keep your betting records for future reference to have enough information for upcoming, similar events.
Conclusion
Above are the top 5 best betting sites in Kenya that we share with you. We hope to help you choose the right address. To participate in sustainable betting, all players should bet sensibly and adhere to the principle of Responsible Gambling. Before engaging in any activity, players are recommended to read the operator's terms and conditions first. This way, players will always be informed and remember to make the right decisions when visiting any betting sites in Kenya. Good luck!
See also: Top 5 betting sites Canada: Compare 2023 sports betting sites
