Kenya’s gaming industry is booming, with domestic and international bookmakers scrambling to get a slice of the market. Worth approximately over $40 million, it’s the third-largest betting industry in Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria.
The country also has the highest per capita gambling expenditures in Africa. Furthermore, its young gamblers are among the biggest spenders on the continent.
Gamblers in Kenya bet for fun and to make some extra cash. However, low-income households are prone to gambling as a passive means of making money.
Sports Betting in Kenya
Can you guess the most gambled cities in Kenya? If you thought Nairobi and Mombasa, you’re right. These are the most populated cities in Kenya, and this is where you’ll find the most avid sports bettors.
Kenyans, like many others in West Africa, are passionate about football. However, the country’s football team has never passed the qualifying stages of the FIFA World Cup. Still, Kenyan gamblers bet on football via online sportsbooks.
Kenyan punters usually bet on the Premier League, La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1. Others wagered on include tennis, baseball, basketball, and rugby (which its national team dominates.)
Multiple Betting Options in Kenya
Top Kenyan betting sites offer a wide variety of betting options. Hence, you should expect to see casino offerings alongside sports betting specials.
Many of these sites provide access to both live dealers and a full suite of casino games. Slots are popular among those who enjoy games of chance. Blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat appeal to those with a penchant for strategy.
But you should only gamble at reputable sites if you want your winnings to be paid out quickly. Hence, only sign up with gaming companies that relevant local or foreign gaming authorities approve.
Kenya’s Law Embraces Gambling
Do you know Kenya was the first country in Africa to legalize casinos and slot machines? The Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1966 provided regulations for the sector.
Furthermore, its excise tax rate was raised to 7.5% for all stakes as part of the government’s Budget Act of 2021. O-CITY leads the country’s contactless payment, having expanded its digital fare collection systems.
Gambling for those under the age of 18 is still banned. Further safeguards for minors and problem gamblers will be enacted in the future.
Popular Kenyan Payment Methods for Sports Gambling
Top Kenyan bookies know how crucial convenience is when transacting. Hence, online bookies process payments with multiple banking options. Among the many available financing options are:
Mobile Payments
Mobile payments are now the preferred payment method for online gambling in Kenya. M-Pesa and Airtel Money are used by most players to fund their online casino and sports betting accounts.
Mobile payment systems allow players to fund their accounts from mobile phones. Hence, punters in Kenya can use M-Pesa, or Airtel Money accounts to make deposits and withdrawals. The SIM Tool Kit or USSD are viable options for initiating your deposit.
On the other hand, the only means to withdraw is via the cashier section of the betting site or casino. The good news is that cash withdrawals are easy, cheap, and safe.
Credit/Debit Cards
Do you have a credit or debit card issued by Visa, MasterCard, or another reputable financial institution? Several reputable sites accept credit card payments in Kenya.
Using a credit or debit card to transact is excellent if you’re looking for a swift, stable, and cheap (nearly free) way to transact.
There will likely be limits on how much money you can deposit or withdraw. Yet still, players of all budgets can use debit and credit cards to play at Kenyan online bookmakers.
Ensure you only register at secure websites that use modern encryption systems. This helps avert unauthorized users from accessing your sensitive financial information.
Bank Transfer
Some Kenyan casinos accept electronic bank payments. You can use this method to deposit funds into your online gambling account directly. Most sites that accept these transfers also use the latest SSL Certificates to protect your info and privacy from third-party access.
However, you may have to wait up to five working days if you choose to withdraw funds via bank transfer. The high transaction cap, which favours VIP players and high rollers, makes up for this.
E-wallets
The vast majority of international betting sites that welcome Kenyan players support e-wallets. Due to the convenience, safety, and reliability of e-wallets, players prefer operators that offer them.
E-wallets, much like card transactions, have betting limits. Checking the limits of an e-transaction wallet is an excellent idea to prevent any surprises when gambling.
Some of the most popular e-wallet options among Kenyan gamblers are Skrill, Paypal, and Neteller. When using one, you can count on receiving your winnings almost instantly. Furthermore, many incentives and discounts are available when you use these banking methods.
Crypto Payments
Are you looking for how to play, with your identity kept safe? Then you should explore crypto sportsbooks in Kenya. With them, you can bet on games with Bitcoin, Ripple, Litecoin, SNACK tokens, and many more crypto coins.
Users of cryptos enjoy instant, cheap, and secure payments. Players can also expect regular bonuses when on their crypto payments. An extra perk of crypto transactions at betting sites is you can always move funds between accounts without a third party being involved.
