Sports betting and Casinos are not only legal in Kenya, but also one of the first in Africa to legalize all forms of betting and casino games. Gambling was legalized with the 1966 Betting/Lotteries/Gaming Act.
The Kenyan gambling industry is a huge market and the country is among the most Africa countries where gambling is operated. The industry is being regulated by the Gaming Act, which requires all betting operators to acquire a license at the Kenya Gaming Commission.
This law already prohibits gambling individuals younger than 18. Although, the government has now enacted new laws that will further try to protect the young citizens.
The new Kenya Gambling Act of 2020
The new gambling laws as announced under the new Gambling Act of 2020 reassured the gambling industry that gambling will remain legal. The betting tax will not change, but a new 35 per cent tax will come to effect on gaming advertisements while Tax on jackpot winnings will remain at 20 per cent as it is now. This implies that gambling license for online gambling will rise to one hundred million shillings (around 900.000 EUR) and fifty million shillings for land-based casinos.
The country takes a lead after the likes of Nigeria and South Africa in gambling. And operators keep increasing in the industry ever since the passage of the sports-betting legislation in 2006.
How does Kenyaians deposit and withdraw money at online betting sites?
Betting companies in Kenya have many options through which their customers can make a deposit as well as request for withdrawals.
Payment method such as credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are almost universally accepted payment method in the country. Popular options common to most of the betting sites are direct (Including wire transfers) to and from e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill and PayPal.
Mobile-based money transfer methods such as Airtel Money and MTN Mobile Money are also common options – once you have money in your Airtel or MTN account, you can easily transfer funds.
What are the most popular sports games to bet on in Kenya?
Many bettors, especially the experts, bet on a wide range of games from soccer to horseracing, to hockey, cricket, volleyball, basketball etc.
But one thing is, based on research, the English Premier League EPL does dominate the sports betting market in Kenya. The Kenya domestic leagues are at the receiving end – suffering as many people hardly consider staking on the games. However, some domestic betting sites are now springing up to ensure that citizen place bets on their home games. In fact, they offer a wager on Kenya soccer.
Is online betting safe in Kenya?
Online gambling is legal and since been around in Kenya. Until recently online gambling was a state monopoly run by the company Betkenya.com. This company has ceased operating, and while betting regulations allow online casino gambling, there is simply no operator that will offer slot machines in Kenya for example.
The most important criteria many bettors consider before choosing a particular betting company is safety. Because, they want to ensure that whichever site they’re betting on has the capability to protect their data – the money and the personally identifiable information.
However, safety depends on the betting sites and this is why it’s always necessary to check online reviews of the betting sites you’re considering betting on.
Gambling market shares in Kenya
Gambling industry is one of the fastest-growing industry in Kenya and it many people have depended on it has another source of income.
Kenya has many gambling facilities, over 200 online casinos, including online poker sites and online sports bookmarkers, four online lottos, and two online DFS. The online games and casinos offered in Kenya feature user-friendly regulations.
What are the top betting sites in Kenya?
Kenya is one of the fastest-growing countries in terms of sports betting. Its market is opening up to accommodate many betting companies and pools of games to bet on. And therefore, expert a long list of betting sites.
1. 22BET
- Deposits with M-Pesa & Airtel!
- Accepts deposits in Kenyan Shillings
- Wide variety of sports odds (live and in-play)
2. BETWAY
- Deposits with M-Pesa & Airtel accepted!
- Accepts deposits in Kenyan Shillings
- New promos every week
3. MELBET
- Accepts deposits with M-Pesa!
- A huge bonus for Kenyan players of 200% on first deposits
- Wide range of football odds and for other sports
4. BETWINNER
- Deposits with M-Pesa accepted!
- Accepts deposits in Kenyan Shillings
- Wide range of sports odds
