Kenya Sports Betting
Kenya Sports Betting
| Status: | Legal & Licensed |
|---|---|
| B&M Availability: | Lawful |
| Online Availability: | Legal & Licensed |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
| Restrictions: | None |
Online Kenyan sports betting is still in its infancy. While Kenyans love to gamble on sports, there has not been a large number of online bookmakers operating in the country over the years, due to a gray market when it comes to legality. These days, about 20 online sportsbooks operate in Kenya. Most of those sites are not well known on the international sports betting scene, though one or two operators are tied to famous, trusted online gaming groups.
In this guide to Kenyan sports betting, we’ll talk about the best sportsbook sites which accept Kenyan bettors. The article below describes the legality of sports betting in Kenya, the history of Kenyan gambling, and the resources you should use to read more about placing bets on Kenyan sports. I’ll make a recommendation or two for the best Kenyan sports betting sites, in terms of safe practices, secure online transactions, payment methods, and a sheer number of sports betting markets. Let’s discuss legality first.
Kenya Sports Betting Legality
Gambling has been legal in Kenya since 1966 when the Act of Parliament Chapter 131 created the Betting and Licensing Board. The Betting & Licensing Board oversees 28 brick-and-mortar casinos and bingo parlors, along with 3 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and 1 racebooks. Online gambling was not addressed at all until the past 5 or 10 years. In 2011, the Betting and Licensing Board agreed to allow Amaya Gaming to operate in Kenya. Since then, Amaya bought PokerStars, so Kenyan online poker players have access to the world’s largest poker site.
Online sports betting is unregulated in Kenya, except for one long sportsbook. Unregulated online sports betting and gambling market exists. Kenya has 46 million residents and it is estimated about half have access to the Internet, so its online sports betting community is about the size of Australia’s. The question isn’t whether Kenyan online sports bettors have choices, but whether they’ll make the right choices. Because it’s an unregulated gaming market, bettors need to pay attention foremost to the safety and security of websites.
Safety of Online Sports Betting in Kenya
It is safe to bet on sports online in Kenya if you choose the right online sportsbook. Since 2011, the Betting Control and Licensing Board has licensed legitimate international online gambling operators to accept Kenyan players. Most online sportsbooks remain unregulated, so bettors have to protect themselves from unscrupulous operators.
Safety and security are paramount, so before you deposit money at an Internet sportsbook, research its international gaming license. Below, I’ll recommend a site designed for Kenyans which is owned by a legitimate gaming group.
Catering to Kenyan Sports Bettors
Sportsbooks which cater to bettors in Kenya should offer deposits and withdrawals in Kenyan shillings. While it might be too much to ask a site to have customer support in Bantu Swahili, the English-speaking customer reps need to have the training to converse with native Kenyans gamblers and provide assistance for their needs. Kenyan sports bettors want to bet on European and African football, but also the Rugby Union, basketball, baseball, and track & field events. The sites we review are designed specifically for Kenya but are owned by trusted international gaming groups.
Online Sports Betting in Kenya
A breakdown of what it’s like to bet online sports in Kenya
Top Kenyan Sports to Bet On
Currencies
Languages
These options may not be available at all sportsbooks but represent typical experiences.
Best Kenyan Betting Sites
The best Kenyan betting sites are going to offer deposits and withdrawals using the Kenyan shilling. For sports bettors, the site needs to have live/in-play betting and mobile sports betting options. Access to a wide world of sports betting markets is a necessity, which does not leave many Kenyan sports betting sites. Our recommendation is Betway Kenya, which offers desktop sports betting, mobile sports betting, and live/in-play betting without the need for a download.
Top Ranked Kenya Betting Site – Sportsbetting.ag
- Accepts all major credit cards
- Accepts Litecoin, Bitcoin other cryptos
- Large assortment of sports betting markets
- Competitive odds for betting on many sports
- European football specific bonuses offered for the Cup
Why Is Sportsbook.ag The Best?
The SportsBetting.ag betting site offers most of the biggest sports, including Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey (read review). They also have other international sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket. For the avid bettor, you can use their Live Betting to place bets in real-time. Pick from among dozens of different wagers you can place on a single match-up, along with great prop bets.
SportsBetting.ag offers new members plenty of bonuses, like their 50% up to $1,000 in Free Bets using the code “SB1000“. For those that use Bitcoin, can take advantage of their $20 up to $500 Bitcoin bonus using the promo code “BETCRYPTO“. Take advantage of their bonuses, live betting, and incredible sports betting odds with a sign-up bonus of 50% Up To $1,000. Check out Sportsbetting.ag to place bets and win!
Great for Betting on International Sports — 888 Sport
- One of the most trusted betting sites in history.
- Lots of promotions and bonuses throughout the year..
- Some of the best betting software online.
- Massive wagering limits.
Why bet at 888 Sports?
888sports supports 11 different languages (read review), including English. Kenyans can find the top sports to bet on, and with the help of constant bonuses they can boost up winnings up to 50% to a total of £5,000 with an initial bet as low as £5. Creating an account is as easy as with any of the top sportsbook and payouts are fast if using Neteller.
888sports offers all new members $/€30 Free Bets that they can use to bet on their favorite sports matches, teams, and players and an awesome bonus – Bet €10 To Get €30. This popular sportsbook also provides countless other promotions you can take advantage of, so sign up at 888sports and start enjoying their bonuses and live betting odds. Check out 888 Sports to place bets and win! Check out 888 Sports to place bets and win!
Depositing and Withdrawing in Kenya
Kenyan sports bettors have a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options. The major credit cards, debit cards, and eWallets are available for sportsbook payments and payouts. Most of the withdrawal methods have a waiting period, so read through our descriptions to learn the best withdrawal method for your needs.
Kenyan Deposit Options You Can Use
Keynan Withdrawal Options You Can Use
Kenya Sports Betting History
The Betting Control and Licensing Board was established in 1966 under the Act of Parliament Chapter 131: Laws of Kenya. The board’s authority and responsibilities were outlined in the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1967. The 1967 Gaming Act created a pool betting scheme tax with the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, two of Kenya’s neighbors. This remitted funds to those nations, instead of paying into the Consolidated Fund.
In 2011, the Betting and Licensing Board gave Amaya Gaming Group (PokerStars) a license to accept online poker players in Kenya. The online bookmaker, EliteBetKenya.com, also is licensed, but it has few sports betting markets. For that reason, most Kenyan sports bettors use offshore unregulated online sportsbooks. Longtime Gem Member of Parliament Jakoyo Midiwo (ODN Party in 2002) proposed new laws in February 2017 that would have banned most forms of gambling in Kenya. In the April 2017 elections, Jakoyo Midiwo was defeated for reelection, so his anti-gambling bill now appears to be a dead letter.
Kenya Sports Betting Resources
| Website | Information |
|---|---|
| Betting Control and Licensing Board | Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board regulates betting, lotteries, and other gaming activities in the East African nation. This includes assigning fees, auditing the books of bookmakers, overseeing betting tickets, totalizators, and betting pools. The Betting Control and Licensing Board is a division of Kenya’s Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government. |
| Kenya Law | TKenya Law is a government-affiliated website with a full list of Kenyan gaming legislation, including a full transcript of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1967. |
