Kenya has become a hub for foreign and local bookmakers, making its gaming industry worth over $40 million, according to ThisDay. Surprisingly, it is Africa’s third-largest betting industry, just behind Nigeria and South Africa.
Meanwhile, the country’s gambling community appears to be young and has the highest per capita betting budgets.
Young Kenyan gamblers have the highest per capita betting budgets and tend to bet for fun or easy money. It is no wonder why low-income households often try their luck in betting, viewing it as a passive income source.
Betting on Sports in Kenya
Nairobi and Mombasa, the two largest cities in Kenya, are home to most of the country’s active punters. It’s no surprise these cities are the most prevalent in gaming.
Kenyans, like most of West Africa, are passionate about football. However, despite their best efforts, the national football team has never advanced past the first qualifying phase of the FIFA World Cup. Despite this, Kenyans still make predictions on football games in sportsbooks.
Kenyan punters prioritize betting on teams from the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. In addition to rugby (which Kenya dominates), Kenyans bet on other sports like basketball, baseball, tennis, and more.
Gambling Choices Available in Kenya
The best Kenyan bookies have a vast online gambling library comprising casino and sportsbook deals. There is a large portion of sites that offer a full selection of casino games, including those with live dealers.
Those looking for a game of luck often play slot machines. If you enjoy playing strategic games, you’ll like blackjack, baccarat, poker, and roulette. However, stick to reliable gambling sites if you wish to get your hands on earnings as soon as possible. Ensure that national and/or international gaming organizations approve the sites you enrol on.
Kenya’s Legal Framework Supports Gambling
Are you aware Kenya made history by becoming the first African nation to legalize gambling of any kind? Gambling of all types is officially recognized throughout the country.
Regulations for the sector were written into law in 1966 with the passage of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act. As a result of the National Budget Act of 2021, the excise tax rate increased to 7.5% in 2021 for all bets. By extending its fare collections, O-CITY leads contactless payment development in Canada.
Gambling is still illegal in this country for anyone under 18. The Kenyan authorities will, in fact, likely enact additional regulations for juveniles and gambling addicts.
Common Kenyan Methods of Payment for Sports Betting
The best Kenyan casinos know their punters rely primarily on easy deposit/withdrawal methods. The betting accounts at these sites accept top deposit and withdrawal methods. Some examples are:
Mobile Payments
Regarding funding an online casino account, contactless payments have outpaced bank transfers. Almost all online casino and sportsbook account deposits are made using M-Pesa or Airtel Money.
These mobile payment services provide funds instantly into your account from mobile devices. Players in Kenya can fund their wallets with M-Pesa or Airtel Money. Your deposit can also be initiated with the SIM Tool Kit or USSD.
Conversely, requesting a withdrawal can only be done through the cashier on the online gambling website. The best part is that cashing out is simple, secure, and affordable.
Credit/Debit Cards
In Kenya, many reputable companies now accept credit card payments like Visa, MasterCard, or other cards issued by banks. Card transactions are good alternatives if you want a safe, low-cost way to move money but have limits.
Nevertheless, online gamblers in Kenya can benefit from easy debit and credit card deposits. You should stick to sites with state-of-the-art encryption to protect you from cybercriminals.
E-wallets
Most international bookies accepting players from Kenya use accessible and secure e-wallets. Their flexibility, safety, and reliability have led to a shift in customer choice for casinos that accept them at home and abroad.
E-wallets, like credit cards, offer distinct spending caps. Therefore, before using your e-wallet on a gambling site, verifying its restrictions is essential.
The Kenyan sports betting industry depends solely on e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. In most cases, wins can be withdrawn promptly when you utilize an electronic wallet. Likewise, these alternate options may qualify you for rewards and promotions.
Bank Transfer
Some casino sites in Kenya permit bank transfer deposits. They’re instant, and your account is credited swiftly after depositing into your casino wallet. However, processing bank transfer withdrawals may take up to five working days. This is due to the high transaction limits processed, which benefits high rollers.
Most bookies that accept bank transfers use cutting-edge security measures to preserve your info. Hence, you need not worry about the safety of your data when transferring money between accounts.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto sportsbooks in Kenya are your best bet if you wish to play games privately. You can use Bitcoin, SNACK tokens, Ripple, Litecoin, and others at these sites to place wagers.
These options offer you prompt, moderate, and secure transactions. Using crypto as an in-game currency also rewards you with befitting bonuses. Moreso, transferring money directly without an intermediary is another advantage of crypto payments.
