Top Kenyan Sports Betting Sites - Best Bookmakers Picked by Experts

Online sports betting has revolutionised the way sports fans engage with their favourite games, matches and leagues. With the convenience of betting via mobile app from the comfort of your home, sports betting has become more accessible than ever before. Our team of betting experts have tried and tested the most popular online betting companies to create trustworthy lists of the bookmakers amongst a whole range of other categories.

Alex Matless
Alex Matless

Last Updated: 2024-09-11

10 minutes read

Best Sports Betting Sites in Kenya

There are many sportsbook sites that are licensed to operate online. Our betting experts tried several bookmakers and have come up with a list of the finest betting sites available for you.

man riding horses
A.R. Kjemtrup
Sports Betting Editor
Last Updated: 2024-09-11
6 minutes read

Matchbook offers four sign-up bonuses for new bettors and several ongoing promotions. Read on to find the latest Matchbook promo codes you can claim today.

Top Bookmakers with Best Mobile App 

A mobile app has never been more important. We live busy lives and betting on the go is quick and convenient. You should be able to access futures markets, pre-game markets, and live betting too. Most providers nowadays have a mobile app, but for us, the top betting apps are below. 

5 Best Sportsbook Bonuses

All of the best gambling sites offer some kind of sportsbook bonus. Whether it’s an odds boost in the run up to a major football game, a free bet for the Grand National festival, or a healthy deposit match bonus when you sign up. We've picked some of the most popular sportsbook bonuses in Kenya for you. 

How to Claim a Sportsbook Bonus?

Claiming a great bonus can boost your bankroll, give you an extra bump to your payout on a particular bet, or even just cushion your losses. That’s why so many of you are after the best betting bonuses. So, this is how to claim bonuses at top-rated gambling sites.

  1. 1

    Choose one of the best bookmakers from our list and click to set up your account.

  2. 2

    Enter your details, including name, age, address, and email address. Then complete the KYC process to speed up withdrawals in future.

  3. 3

    Now, you need to claim your bonus! Most sites have a promotions page, so take a look through and find the bonus that you want to claim.

  4. 4

    Some bonuses have a code, which you need to enter when making a deposit. Others can be applied in your bet slip by ticking a box. 

  5. 5

    Once your deposit bonus lands in your account, you can set to work completing the wagering requirement.

  6. 6

    If you’ve chosen an odds boost, a free bet, or similar, you’ll apply this directly in the bet slip!

Popular Payment Methods on Betting Sites

Each of us has a way that we like to pay and it can affect the betting sites we choose. If you’re a debit card only kind of bettor, then you’re unlikely to pick a site that only accepts e-wallet transfers. Similarly, if you’re keen to bet with crypto, then you’ll favour sites with this option.

Below are the most common payment types you’ll come across at betting sites along with their unique benefits and drawbacks. We’ve ranked them on how readily available they are at betting sites, whether you’ll be accepted for a bonus, how fast withdrawals are, any associated fees, and security.

Payment ProviderAvailabilityBonus EligibilitySpeedFeesSecurity
Debit CardsHigh HighMediumLowHigh
Bank TransfersHighHighLowLowHigh
E-WalletsMediumMediumHighMediumMedium
Prepaid CardsLowMediumHighLowHigh 
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The Most Popular Competitions to Bet on

The best online sports betting sites will offer a variety of markets, from popular sports such as football, tennis and horse racing, to more obscure sports like hurling, water polo and volleyball. Below, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the most popular sports and events you can bet on.

The English Premier League (EPL) stands as one of the most prestigious and widely followed football leagues in the world, captivating fans with its thrilling matches, world-class players, and intense rivalries. Established in 1992, the EPL has grown to become a powerhouse in the world of professional football, showcasing top clubs and iconic stadiums that serve as the backdrop to breathtaking moments on the pitch. With its fast-paced and competitive style of play, the league consistently delivers excitement and drama, making it a favourite among football enthusiasts and sports bettors worldwide. 

English Premier League Betting Sites for 2024 >

Kenyan Sports Betting History

Kenya has a pretty long history with sports betting, let’s take a look at the full betting history of Kenya, right up to the present day.

  1. 1

    1966: The Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act was enacted. This regulated all forms of gambling in Kenya, though obviously not the online realm just yet.

  2. 2

    2000s: Online betting begins to emerge in Kenya, driven by mobile technology and the increasing availability of internet access.

  3. 3

    2011: SportPesa, Kenya’s first major online betting platform, launches and quickly becomes the most popular betting site in Kenya.

  4. 4

    2019: The Kenyan government increase taxes on betting stakes. This lead to the exit of several major players including SportPesa. 

  5. 5

    2020: The government introduces stricter gambling laws in Kenya that operators must abide by.

  6. 6

    2022: After the new laws, the industry bounces back. This time platforms like Betika and Betway lead the way, even with the tighter regulations. 

How to Bet on Online Sportsbooks?

Online sports betting is quick, convenient, and sometimes offers better odds than betting in person. Here’s a step by step guide on how to do it. 

  1. 1

    Read through our top sportsbook reviews and find a site that you think will suit you. Head to the website and click sign up.

  2. 2

    Enter your details (name, address, age, gender, and email). Then select if you’d like to claim a welcome bonus.

  3. 3

    Once you’ve signed up, verify your account then complete the KYC process to make sure you can withdraw your winnings quickly.

  4. 4

    Make your first deposit by heading to the cashier and choosing your favourite payment provider. 

  5. 5

    It’s time for the fun bit, betting on sports! Head to your chosen sport and take a look at the markets. Once you’ve found a bet that you think is good value, select it to add it to the bet slip.

  6. 6

    Here you can input your stake to see your potential returns. You might also find there’s a free bet or odds boost token that you can use.

Types of Sports Betting

In the online sports betting world, there are a few different types of betting you can enjoy. We take a look at the most common types of sports bet you’ll come across.

Fixed Odds Betting

The most common form of sports betting, fixed odds betting is a type of gambling where bettors wager on the outcome of events like sports matches or horse races based on predetermined odds. In this form of betting, the odds are set and remain unchanged at the time of placing the bet, indicating the perceived likelihood of a specific outcome to occur.

Example fixed odds bet: Man City to beat Crystal Palace – 1.33

Spread Betting

In sports spread betting, bettors wager on whether a specific outcome in a sports event will exceed or fall short of a 'spread' set by a sports betting company. Profits or losses are determined by how much the final outcome exceeds or falls short of the spread. 

The spread provided by the betting firm represents their prediction of the range of a final outcome for a particular occurrence in a sports event. 

For example, this could be the total number of goals scored in a football match, the runs scored by a team in a cricket match, or the distance between the winner and the second-placed finisher in a horse race.

The bettor can choose to 'buy' or 'sell' based on whether they believe the final outcome will exceed the top end or fall below the bottom end of the spread offered. The accuracy of the bettor's prediction determines their potential winnings or losses.

The profit or loss for the bettor is calculated by the selected stake size, multiplied by the number of unit points above or below the bettor's chosen level. This highlights a key distinction between sports spread betting and fixed odds sports betting – the potential winnings and losses are not fixed and can be significantly higher or lower than the original stake size.

Example spread betting bet: Man City to beat Crystal Palace – 1.75 per goal margin

Betting Exchange

The biggest distinction between a betting exchange and a conventional fixed odds bookmaker is that, on an exchange, you wager directly against other bettors. This means there are two types of players involved in any exchange bet.

Firstly, there's the player who places a 'Back' bet. This involves selecting an outcome and deciding on a stake, similar to placing a fixed odds bet.

Secondly, and crucially, there's the player who 'Lays' a bet. Laying a bet means betting against a particular outcome. 

For example, in a match between Crystal Palace and Man City where you believe Man City will win, instead of betting on City to win, you have the option to lay a bet on Crystal Palace not to win. This laid bet is matched with another player on the exchange.

Example betting exchange bet: Lay bet for Crystal Palace to not win – 12.5

Popular Online Betting Markets

Pretty much every sport you can think of will have a betting market, meaning there’s hundreds of choices out there when it comes to placing a bet.

However, different sports have different betting odds markets, but there are a few common bets that will overlap. Below are some of the most popular bet types you’ll encounter on an online sports betting site.

Match Winner

This straightforward bet is simply your prediction of which team or player will win a specific match. The favourite in a match will have the shortest odds, while the underdog will have the longer odds.

Match Handicap

With a match handicap bet, you are betting on a team or player to win a match after the handicap is applied to the final scores. Handicap bets are a great way to level the playing field in an unevenly fought contest.

Correct Score

This bet is a prediction of the final score of a match. The match will have to end with the exact score you predicted for this bet to pay out.

Each Way Bet

An each way bet comes in two parts:

You are backing a player/horse/team to win the match/race/tournament.

You are backing a player/horse/team to place in the match/race/tournament (Usually between 1st and 5th)

If you back the winner, both parts of the each way bet will pay out and you’ll get maximum winnings. If your backed choice places, you’ll only be paid out for the 2nd part of the each way bet, which will be a fraction of the odds you backed them at.

To Win Tournament

This bet is much like the Match Winner bet, however, you are backing a player or team to win the whole tournament. Placing these bets before a tournament starts gives you the best value odds.

Proven Betting Strategies in Kenya

There are many betting strategies seasoned and professional bettors will use to maximise their potential winnings. We take a look at some of the most popular betting strategies below, but please note, there are no fool-proof or guaranteed winning strategies.

Hedge Betting

Hedge betting is a strategy employed to mitigate potential losses or enhance profits. Here's how it can be applied to your betting:

  • Suppose you've placed a bet on a player to win a tournament, and they progress to the latter stages. To hedge your initial bet, you can back their opponents in subsequent matches. This approach ensures that you'll receive some returns regardless of the outcome.
  • Evaluate the potential payouts and the odds associated with your hedged bets to determine the appropriate amount to stake. This calculation allows you to optimise your hedging strategy effectively.

Backing Favourites Accumulator

Accumulator betting involves combining multiple match winner bets on a single bet slip, with each added bet increasing the overall odds. Here's a simple guide on how to do it:

  • Identify matches where there is a clear favourite (typically indicated by lower odds).
  • Select multiple match winner favourites and add them to your bet slip to create an accumulator bet.
  • Keep in mind that adding more selections will increase the odds of your bet, but it also escalates the level of risk involved.

Value Betting

Value betting in entails identifying bets where the offered odds exceed the probability of the outcome. To capitalise on value betting, follow these steps:

  • Conduct thorough research on player form, match statistics, and past head-to-head matchups.
  • Compare odds across various bookmakers to identify any significant deviations.
  • Utilise an odds margin tool to evaluate the perceived probability of an outcome and compare it against the available odds.
  • Place bets on outcomes where the odds provide value based on your analysis and assessments.

Top Kenyan Betting Sites Comparison

Some of us enjoy getting the best odds time after time, others prefer being able to snag a regular bonus. One of the best ways to find a betting site that really suits you is to compare betting sites by your favourite features. Just below this, we’ve got a comparison of betting sites by some popular features, but that list isn’t exhaustive!

You might also want to find out about odds competitiveness, whether you can cash out your bets early, or if customer support has a live chat function. Comparing by features is one of our most personalised elements of choosing online gambling sites.

BookmakerAppLive StreamingFree BetsBet Builder24/7 SupportCasino GamesPoker
MozzartbetYYYNYYY
22BetYYYNYNN
1WinYYYYYYY
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Tips for Choosing the Best Sportsbook

Finding the best betting site for you can be the difference between a brilliant betting experience, and a totally rubbish one. Below are some tips that you should follow when sifting through popular bookmakers:

Read Reviews

Check out our expert reviews for the betting sites you’re interested in. We bring together decades of expert advice and can be a great starting point. Then, have a look online and see what other bettors are saying. For example, Betfred gets rave reviews online thanks to their long standing reputation and great customer service.

Terms & Conditions

We know, it’s not much fun, but reading through the terms and conditions for your site is essential. The bonus terms can make or break a bonus, so look out for a sensible wagering requirement and a friendly win cap. For example, Betwinner’s bonuses tend to have a 5x wagering requirement, which is easy for any bettor to complete.

Try One Out

There’s no substitute for your own experience, so make a small deposit and see how the betting site stacks up. Do they have all of the sports you like betting on, with in-depth markets for each? Is there live betting and a promo page?

How SportsBoom Rate & Review Kenyan Bookmakers?

We have a big team at SportsBoom with more than 50 years of betting experience between us! That’s a whole lot of expertise. Before we test out a site in person, we make sure it fulfils all of the following criteria.

If it does, we spend a couple of hours putting the site through its paces, testing out the user experience, comparing the odds, and making sure it’s easy to make and receive payments.

Licensing & Security logo

Licensing & Security

Safety is so important when betting online, so there are lots of boxes to check here. We only recommend sites with a licence. They should also have great responsible gambling tools, excellent customer service, and use SSL encryption as standard.

User Experience logo

User Experience

The user experience encompasses a little bit of everything. From how easy it is to navigate the site, to whether the buttons on the mobile app are large enough for clumsy thumbs! 

Betting Bonuses logo

Betting Bonuses

A generous welcome bonus is essential for a space on our ‘best of’ lists, but sites should also offer bonuses for existing customers too. Odds boosts, free bets, and tournaments are always welcome.

Payment Methods logo

Payment Methods

Being able to make payments safely and securely is a top priority. We also like to see sites with fast withdrawal times and a broad selection of providers.

Betting Markets logo

Betting Markets

We like seeing sites with at least 20 sports (though 30 or more is better). They should have in-depth markets, ideally with live betting capabilities.

Odds logo

Odds

Being able to guarantee the best odds is important. We always see how our recommendations stack up against the competition.

Is Gambling Legal in Kenya? 

Yes, gambling is legal in Kenya! It’s regulated under the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act. You’re allowed to bet in person and online as long as the site is licensed. As of 2023, a new gambling tax was introduced. This taxes 20% on gambling winnings, as well as a 7.5% duty on stakes. These taxes are intended to help the government promote responsible gambling and stamp out unlicensed operators.

Benefits of Online Sports Betting

Live betting (also known as In Play betting) allows punters to engage with the action in real time and make informed betting decisions as the match unfolds. Modern online bookmakers have made improvements to the live betting experience in recent years with technological innovation, providing lightning quick updates to In Play odds, live streaming video of the events and stats and facts that automatically update as you follow along.

If you want to get a bigger thrill from your bets, then live betting is the way to go.

Difference Between Online and Offline Sports Betting

The majority of us place bets online rather than offline and that number is only growing! Below are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of betting online and offline.

Online BettingOffline Betting
Quick and convenient to bet from anywhereNo need to wait to withdraw winnings
Lots of bonuses and promotionsSocialise at betting shops/retail sportsbooks
Can often access live streamingSupport a local business
Can join loyalty program for rewards 
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Types of Bonuses and Promotions in Kenya

A great sportsbook site will offer new and current punters a variety of promotions and bonuses to make their bankroll go further and enhance their enjoyment. Here are some of the most common promotions you’ll come across on a sports wagering site.

Free Bets

A Free Bet provides you with a specific amount of money to bet on a market of your choice, often subject to certain conditions (like minimum odds). Instead of using funds from your own cash balance, a Free Bet places the wager using the bonus amount. If the bet wins, your payout is calculated based on the Free Bet amount and the odds.

It's important to note that any potential winnings do not include the return of the Free Bet stake as part of the payout.

For instance, if you use a £10 Free Bet on a bet that wins with odds of 4/1, the payout will be £40. In contrast, if you had staked £10 of your own cash balance, the return would be £50.

Welcome Bonus

Welcome Bonuses are the promotions you receive when you first sign up and deposit at a sportsbook site. Welcome bonuses will range from extra cash to play with, Free Bets, money back if your first bet loses and even free spins on casino games. 

Finding a betting site with a welcome bonus is a priority for many people who are looking for a new destination for online betting.

Deposit Bonuses

Deposit bonuses give you additional funds to play with when you make a deposit, typically displayed as a percentage increase. It's common for deposit bonuses to come with wagering requirements, so it's important to review the promotion's terms and conditions before attempting to withdraw any bonus-related winnings. 

For example, depositing £50 with a 100% deposit bonus would give you a total bankroll of £100 to start playing with.

Risk-free Bets

A risk-free bet is similar to a Free Bet, but you use your own cash from your balance to place the wager. The key benefit is that if the market you bet on loses, your stake will be refunded back to your balance. 

For example, if you placed a £10 bet on West Ham to win at odds of 4/1, you would receive a payout of £50 if they won, but your £10 stake would be refunded to your balance if they lost.

Boosted Odds

Boosted odds are an excellent way to enhance your potential winnings when betting. Keep an eye out for odds on players or teams who are strong favourites in a match. By leveraging boosted odds, you can discover valuable betting opportunities with better potential returns.

Live Betting

Live betting (also known as In Play betting) allows punters to engage with the action in real time and make informed betting decisions as the match unfolds. Modern online bookmakers have made improvements to the live betting experience in recent years with technological innovation, providing lightning quick updates to In Play odds, live streaming video of the events and stats and facts that automatically update as you follow along.

If you want to get a bigger thrill from your bets, then live betting is the way to go.

Promote Responsible Betting

Responsible gambling is an important aspect of betting that ensures enjoyable and safe gaming. Various strategies, tools, and guidelines can help foster a balanced approach to gambling, improving informed decision-making and your overall entertainment. From setting limits on time and money spent on gambling, to recognising warning signs of problem gambling, there are many ways to make sure your betting is conducted in a safe and responsible way. Here are a few of the tools you can use to keep on top of your gambling.

Set Limits

You can set session limits and deposit limits from within your account to stop your gambling becoming too expensive or time consuming. Having these limits set will help you to recognise when you have been betting for too long or have spent more than you can afford during a week or month.

Only Bet What You Can Afford

With deposit limits set, you’ll find it easier to make sure you only bet what you can afford. Even if a bet sounds like it is dead certain to come in and pay out, don’t stake your entire bankroll. It’s much better for your enjoyment to only bet amounts you can afford to lose, and to spread your bankroll across multiple bets so you have more chance of potential winnings.

Don’t Chase Losses

If you do start to lose bets and find yourself on a losing streak, don’t allow yourself to place new bets in the hopes they will cover your losses. This habit of chasing losses can soon get out of hand and spiral into bets you can’t afford. Set limits on your account to stop this from happening.

Get Help if You Need It

When your betting stops being enjoyable and it starts affecting your everyday life and relationships, seek help from responsible gambling resources. Groups such as BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous and GamStop can help you get the help you need.
 

Glossary of Betting Terms

Sports betting can be an ocean of jargon, fractions and numbers, but once you know what certain terms mean, you’ll be able to understand how everything works. Below are a few terms that can leave new punters baffled.

  1. Point Spread: Like a Handicap bet, a point spread is a number set by bookmakers to level the playing field between two teams, making it more appealing to bet on either side. In a point spread, you are betting on the points/goals margin between two teams.

  2. Parlay: Another name for an accumulator bet, this type of bet is a combination of single bets on to one bet slip, creating much higher odds. If all of the single bets come in, you can stand to win a decent amount. 

  3. Moneyline: This is the same as a Match Winner bet. You are betting on a team or player to win the match outright, with no handicaps or point spreads applied.

  4. Over/Under: With this bet, you’ll be picking over or under a set number of events to occur in a match. For example, you could bet on there to be over 10 corners in a match between PSG and Barcelona.

  5. Odds Margin: An odds margin is essentially what the bookmakers charge you for placing a bet. Bookies make their profit by inflating the implied probability of an outcome, which decreases the odds (and winnings) you receive. The odds margin, which varies from bookmaker to bookmaker, is the difference between real world probability and the odds being offered.

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Betting FAQs

How Does Betting Work?

Sports betting involves staking money on the outcome of a sporting event or various occurrences that can happen within it, all with the aim of making a profit. 

This form of betting encompasses a wide range of wagering options, including Outright Winner bets, spread bets, Over/Under bets, accumulators, props, and futures. 

The potential winnings for sports bettors depend on several factors, such as:

  • The amount of money they risk (or stake) 
  • The specific online betting platform they use
  • The odds set by the sportsbook provider

While sports fans and sports bettors both share a passion for the outcomes of a match, the difference with betting on a sport lies in the fact that the bettor has a financial investment in the outcome of the event, heightening the emotion and thrill of the action.

What are the most popular sports to bet on in Kenya?

The Kenyan online betting community love to bet on football first and foremost. Understandably, local leagues dominate, but major international leagues such as the EPL are also very popular. Aside from this, basketball and athletics are the primary markets that Kenyan bettors are most interested in.

How do bookmakers calculate odds?

Bookmakers calculate the odds based on their estimation of the event's probability. They then display these odds on their site accordingly.
For instance, Borussia Dortmund are perceived to have a low likelihood of winning the UEFA Champions League, so the odds might be set at around 25/1, indicating the slim chance of this outcome and the potentially high payout for bettors if it occurs.

What are some top payment methods for Kenyan betting sites?

M-Pesa is undoubtedly the most preferred payment method across all Kenyan betting sites. As Kenya's leading mobile money platform, it’s widely used for deposits and withdrawals. However, Airtel is also catching up!

What Are the Newest Betting Sites in Kenya?

New betting sites are arriving all the time in Kenya but one of the most recent is Chezacash. This launched in 2023 and has a strong focus on football betting and some pretty big bonuses too.

What is the best betting site for football in Kenya?

22Bet is a top choice for bettors who like broad markets and generous bonuses. You’ll find all kinds of choices like match winner, totals, and outrights too, perfect for securing longer odds in tournament formats.