International Betting Sites in Kenya

Kenya has had an eventful history among its vast landscapes and probably the world’s most diverse wildlife. The Independence Declaration, signed in 1963, gave birth to the Republic of Kenya. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent while developing a strong affinity for sports. Kenyans enjoy dominance in the middle long-distance running, with Eliud Kipchoge being almost a national hero for breaking the world record in Marathon.

Kenya is a cornerstone of online sports betting in Africa, ranking third in the gambling population behind Nigeria and South Africa. Betting sites in Kenya operate with minimal restrictions despite the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) aiming to tighten the rules. The recent reduction in taxes on winnings (from 20% to 7.5%) is another incentive for Kenyans to look for a legit and high-quality bookmaker.

Best Kenya Betting Sites

The regulated market does not stop locals from accessing international Kenya betting sites. In fact, players overwhelmingly choose to bet on them since they offer much higher odds, more markets and better bonuses than licensed bookies.

Betting in Kenya - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  The legal gambling age stands at 18
• 2
  A new Gaming Bill was established in May 2019
• 3
  80% of all bets are placed on football matches
• 4
  A 7.5% tax applies on bettors’ winnings
• 5
  Operators pay 15% on their GGR

General info

⏩Population: 48.000.000

⏩Active players: 35.880.000

⏩Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino, lotteries, horse racing, bingo

⏩Operator types: Licensed and unlicensed online bookmakers

⏩Designated authority: Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB)

⏩Status: Regulated

Online Gambling in Kenya: The Law Framework

In 2019, the government passed the Gaming Bill to replace the outdated 1966 legislation. The law deemed all unlicensed gambling operators illegal, handed out licenses to local betting companies in Kenya and set the tax rates in the industry.

Despite that, offshore sportsbooks have no issues offering betting services to Kenyans, and there are no reports of legal repercussions to players. For bookmakers wanting to obtain a license, a 30% corporate tax applies for local operators and 37.5% for foreign ones.

Moreover, they are subject to a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), down from the 35% a few years back, as it hampered the budgets of bookmakers in Kenya. A provision in the Gaming Bill also stipulates that the National Gaming Authority will replace the current authority (BCLB) in the near future.

Essential Information for Bettors

The laws seem to prohibit unregulated betting, but that is not the case in reality. Locals only have to use a VPN (in some circumstances) and can access all betting sites in Kenya accepting registrations from the country. Looking at the numbers, most Kenyans opt for international bookies as they offer a superior overall service.

A significant change took place in July 2021 with the lowering of taxes on winnings from 20% to 7.5%. The initial amount drove several traditional Kenyan betting sites out of the market as they lost a substantial number of members, and business was not sustainable.

Regardless of tax rates, locally licensed bookies have often become subject to players’ complaints about bet settlements and withdrawals. As a result, international bookmakers without betting tax gain more and more traction among players.

Legal Betting Sites in Kenya

The majority of betting sites that legally operate in Kenya are mainly domestic, with a few exceptions, like 22Bet. Some of the most prominent examples are Betika, Odibets, Shabiki and Mcheza. Nevertheless, there are also many foreign bookies that operate in the market and accept locals, despite the fact that they do so without a legal permit.

Major international brands such as Bet365 and 888sport are among the active betting sites in Kenya. It is also worth noting that no legal action has ever been taken against them or against the players who choose to place their bets on them due to their high odds and great promotions.

The largest portion of the aforementioned bets are placed via smartphones, since Kenya ranks as the highest country in Africa in mobile penetration rates.

Non-active Betting Sites in Kenya

Following the introduction of the new Gaming Bill, the government announced that the BCLB would suspend the licenses of several Kenyan betting sites as of July 1, 2019, due to the outstanding tax obligations they had.

Major local brands that used to dominate the market, such as Betin, are among the operators whose licenses were not renewed. Currently, the list also contains the names of Elitebet, Premier Bet, Bungabet and Cysabet.

How to Deposit at International Betting Sites in Kenya

The rule that applies to most African countries also stands true for Kenya, as the range of payment methods is vast. Beginning with credit/debit cards, you can use Visa & Mastercard, while e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller & ecoPayz grow in popularity.

Cryptocurrencies are also rising quickly due to speed and security traits. Remember that since most international active betting sites in Kenya do not accept KES as a currency, you will be liable to conversion fees. You can use a local banking option like Airtel Money to avoid fees. Additionally, several international betting sites that accept mpesa have made their way into the market. 

Powered by the leading domestic telecommunication companies Safaricom and Airtel, they are available on your mobile phone. However, the number of non-locally regulated bookies in Kenya accepting them is minimal.

Gambling Regulations in Other Nations

⏩ Tanzania: The Gaming Board takes charge of regulating activities, while the online sector has been granted legal status through the Gaming Act Cap. 41 of 2003. It is important to note that players who sign up at local betting sites in Tanzania are obligated to pay a 15% tax on their winnings. However, there haven't been notable enforcement actions taken against individuals who choose to register at independent sportsbooks operating outside the realm of local regulations.

⏩ Somalia: Gambling is strictly prohibited, making it one of the few African countries with such restrictions. This is primarily due to the prevalence of the Muslim population, which adheres to Islamic principles. Although there are some independent betting companies in Somalia, it is important to approach them with utmost caution.

⏩ Uganda: The enactment of the Lotteries and Gambling Act in 2016 brought full legalization to gambling. However, the legal age requirement is at 25 years, which is very high. Moreover, player winnings on betting companies in Uganda are subjected to a 15% tax.

The Future of Online Betting in Kenya

It’s been some time since betting in Kenya emerged as a multi-million dollar business. The government strived to regulate bookmakers to control the market, but it turned out to be a tall order. Since it lacked the means or the will to block access to unlicensed bookies, locals flocked there to benefit from the much better features.

Even after the latest amendment, the tide is unlikely to change. Despite the tax on winnings being reduced to more than half, Kenyans do not trust locally licensed sportsbooks. The main reason is the considerable negative feedback from members. Your best guess is to join an international betting site in Kenya for the foreseeable future.