Betting in Kenya

About online Betting in Kenya

Sports betting has become a serious player in Kenya’s economy, due to the billions of Kenyan shillings collected annually in revenue. According to Statista, revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 6.24%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$152.28m by 2029. The number of sports betting site users is expected to amount to 517.1k by 2029.

A survey from GeoPoll reveals that 37% of respondents bet on sports weekly, 28.5% do so monthly, 18% daily, and 15.8% multiple times a day. Without a doubt, football is Kenyan bettors’ leading choice. The English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and Spanish La Liga draw the lion’s share of bets, but local Kenyan leagues, such as the Kenyan Premier League, are popular as well.

Betting in Kenya is regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), established under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 131 of the Laws of Kenya. In recent years, the government has implemented stricter regulations, such as introducing a 20% withholding tax on winnings and requiring betting companies to obtain proper licensing.

Popular Sports for Betting in Kenya

More than 30 sports disciplines are available on average on Kenyan betting websites. Among local bettors, the following sports have the highest level of popularity:

• Football. Popular bet types include match winner, over/under goals, and both teams to score. Top worldwide tournaments are the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and English Premier League. Kenyan players to root for include Michael Olunga, Victor Wanyama, and Joseph Okumu;
• Athletics. Common bet types are race winner, medal positions, and time-based outcomes. Major worldwide competitions are the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, and Diamond League. Top Kenyan athletes to support are Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, and Timothy Cheruiyot;
• Rugby. Favourite bet types include match winner, handicap betting, and total points. Prestigious worldwide events are the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, and World Rugby Sevens Series. Standout Kenyan rugby players include Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde, and Willy Ambaka;
• Basketball. Popular basketball bets focus on point spreads, moneyline, and over/under points. Top global tournaments include the NBA, EuroLeague, and FIBA World Cup. Notable Kenyan basketball talents include Joel Awich, Bush Wamukota, and Tylor Ongwae;
• Cricket. Common cricket stakes include match winner, top batsman, and total runs. Major worldwide tournaments are the ICC Cricket World Cup, Indian Premier League, and T20 World Cup. Leading Kenyan cricketers to support include Collins Obuya, Nehemiah Odhiambo, and Shem Ngoche;
• Horse Racing. Popular bet types include win/place/show, exacta, and trifecta. Prestigious global races are the Kentucky Derby, Royal Ascot, and Dubai World Cup. Top Kenyan jockeys to root for include James Muhindi, Lesley Sercombe, and Patrick Mungai.

Popular Payment methods for Betting in Kenya

Kenyan bettors have access to numerous payment methods, including credit & debit cards, electronic wallets, cryptocurrencies, mobile payments, prepaid vouchers, and bank transfers. The top choices in the country are:

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  M-PESA

  M-PESA is a mobile money transfer service, launched in 2007 by Vodafone and Safaricom.

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  Airtel Money

  Airtel Money is a mobile payment solution that allows users to send, receive, and store money directly on their mobile phones.

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  Bank Credit and Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard)

  Visa and Mastercard are the two largest payment processing networks in the world. Kenyan residents can choose Stanbic Bank Kenya, Family Bank, I&M Bank, DTB (Diamond Trust Bank), Gulf African Bank, Sidian Bank, Post Bank, or any other institution to open a credit or debit card.

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  PayPal

  PayPal is an online payment system that enables bettors to send and receive money securely, either by mobile application or website. You can link your credit card, debit card, or bank account.

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  T-Kash

  T-Kash is a mobile money platform developed by Telkom Kenya for the subscribers. It allows Kenyan bettors to send and receive funds, buy goods and services, pay bills, save and keep track of transactions.

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  Bank Transfers

  Wire transfers remain a solid option for users who don’t mind waiting a little longer for their funds to be processed. The top banks in Kenya are Equity Bank, KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank), Co-operative Bank, Absa Bank Kenya, NCBA, and Standard Chartered.

Is online Betting Legal in Kenya?

Betting is completely legal in Kenya. The Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1966 is the primary regulatory document pertaining to betting regulations in Kenya. It has undergone numerous amendments throughout the years to accommodate the demands of a developing industry. The Kenya Gambling Control Bill 2023, which intends to restructure the betting sector, is the most notable recent development.

The task of this legislation is to replace the current Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) with a new Gambling Regulatory Authority. The law’s main features include stricter procedures to combat underage and unlicensed betting, as well as a prohibition of betting advertisements on TV and radio during specific hours made to protect vulnerable populations.

The document also states that 30% of the shares of any betting business registered in the country should be held by Kenyan citizens. Moreover, the business should interact with a Kenyan bank.