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 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.
Ranking 5 reputable Kenya best betting sites
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.
Top 1: W88 bookmaker
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.
Advantages:
- 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…
Top 2: M88 bookmaker
M88 is one of the leading online betting brands in Asia and is gradually establishing its presence in the Kenyan market. The M88 website in Kenya features a user-friendly interface that is modern in design and fully compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. Users in Kenya can easily access a wide range of popular sports such as football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and horse racing, all with competitive odds. M88 also stands out for its rapid odds updates and the availability of live betting options, complete with sharp match graphics.
In addition, M88 places great emphasis on customer data security and ensures that deposit and withdrawal transactions are processed quickly and safely. The platform offers attractive promotions tailored specifically for players in Kenya, including welcome bonuses, weekly cashback, and rewarding betting tournaments.
However, there are some limitations to consider. M88 currently does not support the Swahili language and has yet to integrate popular local payment methods in Kenya such as M-Pesa. Furthermore, the account verification process may take longer compared to some other bookmakers. As M88 originates from Asia, its customer support hours may not align well with Kenya’s time zone, which can sometimes make it difficult to reach support during the night.
Advantages:
- High odds and a wide range of sports.
- Modern, easy-to-use interface.
- A variety of attractive promotions.
Disadvantages:
- Does not support M-Pesa.
- Customer support hours may be inconvenient.
Top 3: Bet365 bookmaker
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.
Advantages:
- 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.
Disadvantages:
- Bet365 Kenya has an unimpressive customer service team.
Top 4: Nextbet bookmaker
Nextbet is a bookmaker with a strong presence across Asia and is steadily expanding into the African sports betting market, including Kenya. The platform offers a simple and intuitive betting experience, with fast loading speeds across all devices. Kenyan players particularly appreciate Nextbet for its wide variety of pre-match and in-play (live) betting options, as well as its consistent and transparent odds. For football enthusiasts, especially those who follow European and international leagues, Nextbet offers a large number of daily matches with a diverse range of betting markets.
Users can also access the online casino, virtual sports, and live dealer games all on the same platform. In terms of customer service, Nextbet provides 24/7 live chat support. However, language support is still limited, with no availability in Swahili. The site also has not yet fully integrated with local Kenyan payment systems, which may cause inconvenience when depositing funds without an international card or e-wallet.
Moreover, although the interface is smooth, the promotional offerings for players in Kenya remain limited compared to the Asian market, which reduces its competitiveness when compared to other bookmakers operating in Kenya.
Advantages:
- Stable betting platform with solid live betting options.
- Wide range of sports and diverse betting markets.
- Includes casino, virtual sports, and live dealer games.
Disadvantages:
- Few promotions tailored to the Kenyan market.
- Does not support local languages.
- No support for local payment methods such as M-Pesa.
Top 5: 188Bet bookmaker
188Bet is a long-established bookmaker licensed in the Isle of Man, known for its high reliability and professional betting platform. In the Kenyan market, 188Bet provides a comprehensive sports betting experience with over 30 different sports, ranging from football and basketball to eSports. The site offers European odds, Asian handicap markets, and combo bets, which are particularly suitable for experienced Kenyan players. The website runs smoothly and is optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless experience.
Although 188Bet is well-regarded for its credibility and quality odds, there are a few drawbacks in the Kenyan market. Most of its promotional campaigns are focused on the European and Asian regions, making it difficult for Kenyan users to benefit from attractive offers. Furthermore, the platform has not yet integrated popular local payment methods such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or local bank transfers. Some new users may also find the betting interface slightly complex, as it is designed more for seasoned bettors.
Advantages:
- Trusted bookmaker with advanced odds.
- Supports Asian handicap markets suitable for professionals.
- Well-optimized for both mobile and desktop devices.
Disadvantages:
- Limited promotions for players in Kenya.
- Does not support local payment methods such as M-Pesa.
- Interface may be complex for beginners.
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.
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 in Pakistan are safe for all players
