Player criteria for betting in Kenya

Just like in other jurisdictions where gambling is permissible, not everyone residing in Kenya is allowed to register with a betting site. There are eligibility criteria you have to meet, including:

Minimum legal age
The country has a minimum legal age for one to engage in any form of gambling. You must be 18 or over to join a betting site.
Residency
You need to reside in any of the counties in Kenya to be protected under a licence issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).
Have access to a computer or mobile device
Betting on computers and mobile devices is allowed. So, you are good to go if you have access to any of these devices.

Compare the best Kenyan betting sites

The number of bookmakers that accept bettors from Kenya keeps soaring as new operators enter the highly competitive market. You may notice that each of these betting companies has an aspect that makes it different from the rest, making it somewhat overwhelming to choose the best.

Luckily, we’ve handpicked the best sports betting sites in Kenya to make things a little easier for you when looking for somewhere to bet, as you can see in the following table.

How to start betting in Kenya

Ready to try betting in Kenya? It’s easy as pie. Following the steps below will help you register for an account with a sportsbook of your choice and start your betting journey in the country securely.

1
CHOOSE A REPUTABLE BETTING WEBSITE

Losing your hard-earned money to a rogue operator is something no betting fan wants. That’s why we usually recommend using our ranking when choosing sports betting sites in Kenya. All the operators we feature are reputable, eliminating the odds of getting ripped off

Select a Sportsbook

Step 1 - Choosing the best sportsbook

2
REGISTER AN ACCOUNT

Create your account by filling out a registration form with the required information. Complete the account verification process by email or phone, depending on the verification methods the site offers

Step 2 - Creating an account at sportsbook

3
DEPOSIT BETTING FUNDS

Log into your newly created account and top it up with funds using your preferred payment method. Claim any sports welcome bonuses that are triggered by making the first deposit

Step 3 - Account top-up

4
PLACE A BET

Navigate to the sports section of the site and look for the match to bet on. Enter your bet amount and place the bet. Remember to stake money you can afford to lose

Step 4 - Making a bet

5
WAIT FOR THE RESULTS

There are various ways of monitoring the results after placing a bet. You can go to the “Bet history” section after logging into your sportsbook account and check open bets if the events are still underway or settled bets if they’ve ended. You can as well use sports tracking apps and follow live scores

Step 5 - Wait for results of the event

6
WITHDRAW YOUR WINNINGS

Once your bet is settled and you have winnings, they’re credited to your account balance for withdrawal. Ensure you check the limits and how fast it takes to cash out your winnings. Also, check if your favourite withdrawal method has extra fees

Step 6 - Withdraw your winnings

How we rate and review sportsbooks

Our experts use different criteria when ranking the best sports betting sites in Kenya. Key among these include:

Safety and licensing
The ideal operator should use advanced cybersecurity technology to ensure users bet in a secure environment. It should also be licensed by a reputable authority.
Reputation and reviews
We check user reviews to find out if the bookmaker responds to the concerns raised by customers as it should. A company with a bad reputation will never feature in our ranking.
Odds competitiveness
Odds are very crucial in sports betting, as they determine the potential payout if your bet wins. For that reason, we consider a betting site that offers competitive odds.
Market variety
The best bookmaker should offer diverse betting markets because bettors have different tastes. Some prefer placing their bets on the winner, while others fancy goals, points, runs, and more.

Sports to bet on at Kenyan betting sites

Kenya is a sporting nation known for its long-distance runners. Besides athletics, they also embrace many other types of sports. Here are the most popular sports you can bet on in the country:

Athletics

Those into athletics have many events to bet on, including international options like the World Athletics Championships, Olympics, and Commonwealth Games. Locally, you can explore chances in Athletics Kenya National Championships, East African Athletics Championships, and more

Football

Most Kenyan bettors place their wagers on football matches. Domestically, you can bet on matches in the Kenya Premier League (KPL). Bookmakers also offer betting opportunities across popular leagues and tournaments like the EPL, Spanish LaLiga, FIFA World Cup, etc.

Volleyball

If you like volleyball, you can find multiple betting opportunities in matches organised by the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF). The Olympics and the FIVB Volleyball World Championships are some of the top international volleyball tournaments betting sites cover

Motor Racing

The Safari Rally Kenya is an epic motor racing event with a huge following both locally and internationally. Most betting sites cover it. You can also follow other events in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and wager on them

Boxing

The local professional boxing scene doesn’t have much to offer, but you can bet on some of the available matches. On the foreign front, you can place your wagers on bouts in the WBO, WBC, and WBA

Rugby

You can bet on matches in the Kenya Cup as well as international tournaments like the Rugby World Cup, World Rugby Sevens Series, and Six Nations Championship. Kenya’s men’s rugby team is a regular participant in some of these competitions

Other betting options in Kenya

Kenyan residents have other alternatives to bet on besides conventional sports. Here are some of the options you may want to try:

  • Esports: The popularity of eSports is growing among younger Kenyan betting fans. League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS: Go are some of the options available at most bookmakers.
  • Politics: You can also bet on real-world political contests in different parts of the world. However, you need to be good at following trends and news in the political sphere.
  • Awards: Pop culture fans keen on getting something from their awareness about entertainment can bet on awards such as the Oscars and Grammys.

Types of bets available to Kenyans

You can bet your style at most betting sites in Kenya, as many of them support different types of bets. Next, we look at the most popular bet types available at the best betting sites for Kenyans.

  • Totals (including alternative totals): In this type of bet, the scores for both teams in a match are combined, e.g., goals, runs, or points.
  • Spreads (including alternative spreads): Spreads create a level playing field, where underdogs are given an advantage over favourites, e.g., +3, +100, etc.
  • Moneyline bet: This is the easiest bet – you place your wager on the team or player you think is likely to win.
  • Winning margin: Predict the team or player you think will win as well as the number of goals, runs, or points by which they’ll win.
  • Over/under bet: Here, you predict whether the scores for both teams will be above or below a number set by a sportsbook.
  • Parlay bets: This type of bet allows you to combine several selections into one bet. You must get all the selections right for the parlay to pay out.
  • Quarters/Periods/Innings/Halves: These are bets placed on different parts of a match. For instance, you can bet for team A to win the first half, or second quarter.

Is sports betting legal in Kenya?

Knowing what the law says about gambling in a given jurisdiction is so crucial for anyone interested in sports betting. The good news for those looking to try their hands at betting in Kenya is that sports betting is legal in the country.

Users are free to register with any licensed and regulated bookmakers. Moreover, you can bet on local or overseas sports betting platforms. But again, we lay emphasis on the need to register with legit sites, whether local or foreign.

Where in Kenya can I bet on sports?

Kenya is divided into 47 counties, but gambling across all these regions is regulated under the same Gambling Control Act. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), formerly the Betting Control and Licensing Board, has the full mandate of licensing and regulating gambling, including sports betting, in all counties.

From Nairobi to Nakuru, Kakamega to Mombasa, and Bomet to Machakos, those who meet the minimum legal age for gambling are allowed to engage in sports betting. Put simply, you can bet on your favourite sports in Kenya regardless of your county of residence.

Responsible gambling and betting in Kenya

Sinking into problem gambling is the worst experience you can ever have as a sports betting fan. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a bookmaker that promotes safe betting behaviour, something all the platforms we recommend do.

While there’s no local organisation handling betting addiction cases in Kenya, renowned operators share info about responsible gambling on their sites. Apart from that, you can also seek help from global organisations such as BeGambleAware and GamCare.

If we may say so, your safety in sports betting circles starts with you. Problem betting is something you can avoid if you are a wise bettor.

FAQ

Is sports betting safe in Kenya?
While sports betting is allowed in Kenya, it is important to note that not all sportsbooks that accept those residing in the country are trustworthy and safe.
Can I bet in Kenya using my phone?
Most betting sites in Kenya are optimised for mobile devices, allowing you to bet using a mobile phone. Some offer dedicated mobile apps, which you can install on your phone.
Can I bet on sports live in Kenya?
The possibility of betting on sports live in Kenya depends on your preferred bookmaker. So, ensure you choose the one that supports in-play betting if that is what you like.